Effect of concentration gradients on biodegradation in bench-scale sand columns with HYDRUS modeling of hydrocarbon transport and degradation.

PubMed

Horel, Agota; Schiewer, Silke; Misra, Debasmita

2015-09-01

The present research investigated to what extent results obtained in small microcosm experiments can be extrapolated to larger settings with non-uniform concentrations. Microbial hydrocarbon degradation in sandy sediments was compared for column experiments versus homogenized microcosms with varying concentrations of diesel, Syntroleum, and fish biodiesel as contaminants. Syntroleum and fish biodiesel had higher degradation rates than diesel fuel. Microcosms showed significantly higher overall hydrocarbon mineralization percentages (p < 0.006) than columns. Oxygen levels and moisture content were likely not responsible for that difference, which could, however, be explained by a strong gradient of fuel and nutrient concentrations through the column. The mineralization percentage in the columns was similar to small-scale microcosms at high fuel concentrations. While absolute hydrocarbon degradation increased, mineralization percentages decreased with increasing fuel concentration which was corroborated by saturation kinetics; the absolute CO2 production reached a steady plateau value at high substrate concentrations. Numerical modeling using HYDRUS 2D/3D simulated the transport and degradation of the investigated fuels in vadose zone conditions similar to those in laboratory column experiments. The numerical model was used to evaluate the impact of different degradation rate constants from microcosm versus column experiments.

Mammographic Density Phenotypes and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Graff, Rebecca E.; Ursin, Giske; dos Santos Silva, Isabel; McCormack, Valerie; Baglietto, Laura; Vachon, Celine; Bakker, Marije F.; Giles, Graham G.; Chia, Kee Seng; Czene, Kamila; Eriksson, Louise; Hall, Per; Hartman, Mikael; Warren, Ruth M. L.; Hislop, Greg; Chiarelli, Anna M.; Hopper, John L.; Krishnan, Kavitha; Li, Jingmei; Li, Qing; Pagano, Ian; Rosner, Bernard A.; Wong, Chia Siong; Scott, Christopher; Stone, Jennifer; Maskarinec, Gertraud; Boyd, Norman F.; van Gils, Carla H.

2014-01-01

Background Fibroglandular breast tissue appears dense on mammogram, whereas fat appears nondense. It is unclear whether absolute or percentage dense area more strongly predicts breast cancer risk and whether absolute nondense area is independently associated with risk. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 case–control studies providing results from logistic regressions for associations between one standard deviation (SD) increments in mammographic density phenotypes and breast cancer risk. We used random-effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All tests were two-sided with P less than .05 considered to be statistically significant. Results Among premenopausal women (n = 1776 case patients; n = 2834 control subjects), summary odds ratios were 1.37 (95% CI = 1.29 to 1.47) for absolute dense area, 0.78 (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.86) for absolute nondense area, and 1.52 (95% CI = 1.39 to 1.66) for percentage dense area when pooling estimates adjusted for age, body mass index, and parity. Corresponding odds ratios among postmenopausal women (n = 6643 case patients; n = 11187 control subjects) were 1.38 (95% CI = 1.31 to 1.44), 0.79 (95% CI = 0.73 to 0.85), and 1.53 (95% CI = 1.44 to 1.64). After additional adjustment for absolute dense area, associations between absolute nondense area and breast cancer became attenuated or null in several studies and summary odds ratios became 0.82 (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.94; P heterogeneity = .02) for premenopausal and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.75 to 0.96; P heterogeneity < .01) for postmenopausal women. Conclusions The results suggest that percentage dense area is a stronger breast cancer risk factor than absolute dense area. Absolute nondense area was inversely associated with breast cancer risk, but it is unclear whether the association is independent of absolute dense area. PMID:24816206

Surgery versus physiotherapy for stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Labrie, Julien; Berghmans, Bary L C M; Fischer, Kathelijn; Milani, Alfredo L; van der Wijk, Ileana; Smalbraak, Dina J C; Vollebregt, Astrid; Schellart, René P; Graziosi, Giuseppe C M; van der Ploeg, J Marinus; Brouns, Joseph F G M; Tiersma, E Stella M; Groenendijk, Annette G; Scholten, Piet; Mol, Ben Willem; Blokhuis, Elisabeth E; Adriaanse, Albert H; Schram, Aaltje; Roovers, Jan-Paul W R; Lagro-Janssen, Antoine L M; van der Vaart, Carl H

2013-09-19

Physiotherapy involving pelvic-floor muscle training is advocated as first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence; midurethral-sling surgery is generally recommended when physiotherapy is unsuccessful. Data are lacking from randomized trials comparing these two options as initial therapy. We performed a multicenter, randomized trial to compare physiotherapy and midurethral-sling surgery in women with stress urinary incontinence. Crossover between groups was allowed. The primary outcome was subjective improvement, measured by means of the Patient Global Impression of Improvement at 12 months. We randomly assigned 230 women to the surgery group and 230 women to the physiotherapy group. A total of 49.0% of women in the physiotherapy group and 11.2% of women in the surgery group crossed over to the alternative treatment. In an intention-to-treat analysis, subjective improvement was reported by 90.8% of women in the surgery group and 64.4% of women in the physiotherapy group (absolute difference, 26.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.1 to 34.5). The rates of subjective cure were 85.2% in the surgery group and 53.4% in the physiotherapy group (absolute difference, 31.8 percentage points; 95% CI, 22.6 to 40.3); rates of objective cure were 76.5% and 58.8%, respectively (absolute difference, 17.8 percentage points; 95% CI, 7.9 to 27.3). A post hoc per-protocol analysis showed that women who crossed over to the surgery group had outcomes similar to those of women initially assigned to surgery and that both these groups had outcomes superior to those of women who did not cross over to surgery. For women with stress urinary incontinence, initial midurethral-sling surgery, as compared with initial physiotherapy, results in higher rates of subjective improvement and subjective and objective cure at 1 year. (Funded by ZonMw, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development; Dutch Trial Register number, NTR1248.).

Determination of heat capacity of ionic liquid based nanofluids using group method of data handling technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadi, Maryam

2018-01-01

In this study a group method of data handling model has been successfully developed to predict heat capacity of ionic liquid based nanofluids by considering reduced temperature, acentric factor and molecular weight of ionic liquids, and nanoparticle concentration as input parameters. In order to accomplish modeling, 528 experimental data points extracted from the literature have been divided into training and testing subsets. The training set has been used to predict model coefficients and the testing set has been applied for model validation. The ability and accuracy of developed model, has been evaluated by comparison of model predictions with experimental values using different statistical parameters such as coefficient of determination, mean square error and mean absolute percentage error. The mean absolute percentage error of developed model for training and testing sets are 1.38% and 1.66%, respectively, which indicate excellent agreement between model predictions and experimental data. Also, the results estimated by the developed GMDH model exhibit a higher accuracy when compared to the available theoretical correlations.

The Financial Impact of the ‘Zero-Markup Policy for Essential Drugs’ on Patients in County Hospitals in Western Rural China

PubMed Central

Zhou, Zhongliang; Su, Yanfang; Campbell, Benjamin; Zhou, Zhiying; Gao, Jianmin; Yu, Qiang; Chen, Jiuhao; Pan, Yishan

2015-01-01

Objective With a quasi-experimental design, this study aims to assess whether the Zero-markup Policy for Essential Drugs (ZPED) reduces the medical expense for patients at county hospitals, the major healthcare provider in rural China. Methods Data from Ningshan county hospital and Zhenping county hospital, China, include 2014 outpatient records and 9239 inpatient records. Quantitative methods are employed to evaluate ZPED. Both hospital-data difference-in-differences and individual-data regressions are applied to analyze the data from inpatient and outpatient departments. Results In absolute terms, the total expense per visit reduced by 19.02 CNY (3.12 USD) for outpatient services and 399.6 CNY (65.60 USD) for inpatient services. In relative terms, the expense per visit was reduced by 11% for both outpatient and inpatient services. Due to the reduction of inpatient expense, the estimated reduction of outpatient visits is 2% among the general population and 3.39% among users of outpatient services. The drug expense per visit dropped by 27.20 CNY (4.47 USD) for outpatient services and 278.7 CNY (45.75 USD) for inpatient services. The proportion of drug expense out of total expense per visit dropped by 11.73 percentage points in outpatient visits and by 3.92 percentage points in inpatient visits. Conclusion Implementation of ZPED is a benefit for patients in both absolute and relative terms. The absolute monetary reduction of the per-visit inpatient expense is 20 times of that in outpatient care. According to cross-price elasticity, the substitution between inpatient and outpatient due to the change in inpatient price is small. Furthermore, given that the relative reductions are the same for outpatient and inpatient visits, according to relative thinking theory, the incentive to utilize outpatient or inpatient care attributed to ZPED is equivalent, regardless of the 20-times price difference in absolute terms. PMID:25790443

Reproducibility of forearm vasodilator response to intra-arterial infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography

PubMed Central

Vanmolkot, Floris H M; de Hoon, Jan N J M

2005-01-01

Aims To assess the reproducibility of the forearm blood flow (FBF) response to intra-arterial infusion of calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP), measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. In addition, to compare different ways of expressing the FBF response and perform sample size calculations. Methods On two separate visits, CGRP (10 ng min−1 dl−1 forearm) was infused for 45 min into the brachial artery of six healthy subjects. Reproducibility was assessed by calculating mean difference, repeatability coefficient, within-subject coefficient of variation (WCV) and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results CGRP increased FBF from 2.8 ± 0.4 and 3.2 ± 0.7 (at baseline) to 15.4 ± 1.4 and 15.2 ± 1.5 ml min−1 dl−1 forearm (at 45 min) on visits 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.0001 for both visits). Mean difference in FBF at 45 min between both visits was 0.3 ml min−1 dl−1 forearm (repeatability coefficient: 4.1 ml min−1 dl−1 forearm). This FBF response appeared to be more reproducible when expressed as absolute FBF in the infused arm (WCV 11%) compared with absolute FBF-ratio between both arms (WCV 37%), percentage change from baseline in FBF in the infused arm (WCV 29%) and percentage change from baseline in FBF-ratio (WCV 40%). When expressed as absolute FBF, a sample size of five (95% confidence interval: 2–12) subjects gives 90% power at a type I error probability of 0.05 to detect a 25% shift in FBF response. Conclusions Intra-arterial infusion of CGRP results in a forearm vasodilator response which is reproducible between days. This response is most reproducible when expressed as absolute FBF. The presented methodology provides a suitable pharmacodynamic model to assess the in vivo activity of CGRP-receptor antagonists in a small number of subjects. PMID:15801933

The financial impact of the 'zero-markup policy for essential drugs' on patients in county hospitals in western rural China.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhongliang; Su, Yanfang; Campbell, Benjamin; Zhou, Zhiying; Gao, Jianmin; Yu, Qiang; Chen, Jiuhao; Pan, Yishan

2015-01-01

With a quasi-experimental design, this study aims to assess whether the Zero-markup Policy for Essential Drugs (ZPED) reduces the medical expense for patients at county hospitals, the major healthcare provider in rural China. Data from Ningshan county hospital and Zhenping county hospital, China, include 2014 outpatient records and 9239 inpatient records. Quantitative methods are employed to evaluate ZPED. Both hospital-data difference-in-differences and individual-data regressions are applied to analyze the data from inpatient and outpatient departments. In absolute terms, the total expense per visit reduced by 19.02 CNY (3.12 USD) for outpatient services and 399.6 CNY (65.60 USD) for inpatient services. In relative terms, the expense per visit was reduced by 11% for both outpatient and inpatient services. Due to the reduction of inpatient expense, the estimated reduction of outpatient visits is 2% among the general population and 3.39% among users of outpatient services. The drug expense per visit dropped by 27.20 CNY (4.47 USD) for outpatient services and 278.7 CNY (45.75 USD) for inpatient services. The proportion of drug expense out of total expense per visit dropped by 11.73 percentage points in outpatient visits and by 3.92 percentage points in inpatient visits. Implementation of ZPED is a benefit for patients in both absolute and relative terms. The absolute monetary reduction of the per-visit inpatient expense is 20 times of that in outpatient care. According to cross-price elasticity, the substitution between inpatient and outpatient due to the change in inpatient price is small. Furthermore, given that the relative reductions are the same for outpatient and inpatient visits, according to relative thinking theory, the incentive to utilize outpatient or inpatient care attributed to ZPED is equivalent, regardless of the 20-times price difference in absolute terms.

SU-C-BRA-02: Gradient Based Method of Target Delineation On PET/MR Image of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dance, M; Chera, B; Falchook, A

2015-06-15

Purpose: Validate the consistency of a gradient-based segmentation tool to facilitate accurate delineation of PET/CT-based GTVs in head and neck cancers by comparing against hybrid PET/MR-derived GTV contours. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 head and neck target volumes (10 primary and 8 nodal) were retrospectively contoured using a gradient-based segmentation tool by two observers. Each observer independently contoured each target five times. Inter-observer variability was evaluated via absolute percent differences. Intra-observer variability was examined by percentage uncertainty. All target volumes were also contoured using the SUV percent threshold method. The thresholds were explored case by case so itsmore » derived volume matched with the gradient-based volume. Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) were calculated to determine overlap of PET/CT GTVs and PET/MR GTVs. Results: The Levene’s test showed there was no statistically significant difference of the variances between the observer’s gradient-derived contours. However, the absolute difference between the observer’s volumes was 10.83%, with a range from 0.39% up to 42.89%. PET-avid regions with qualitatively non-uniform shapes and intensity levels had a higher absolute percent difference near 25%, while regions with uniform shapes and intensity levels had an absolute percent difference of 2% between observers. The average percentage uncertainty between observers was 4.83% and 7%. As the volume of the gradient-derived contours increased, the SUV threshold percent needed to match the volume decreased. Dice coefficients showed good agreement of the PET/CT and PET/MR GTVs with an average DSC value across all volumes at 0.69. Conclusion: Gradient-based segmentation of PET volume showed good consistency in general but can vary considerably for non-uniform target shapes and intensity levels. PET/CT-derived GTV contours stemming from the gradient-based tool show good agreement with the anatomically and metabolically more accurate PET/MR-derived GTV contours, but tumor delineation accuracy can be further improved with the use PET/MR.« less

Radical Prostatectomy versus Observation for Localized Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Wilt, Timothy J.; Brawer, Michael K.; Jones, Karen M.; Barry, Michael J.; Aronson, William J.; Fox, Steven; Gingrich, Jeffrey R.; Wei, John T.; Gilhooly, Patricia; Grob, B. Mayer; Nsouli, Imad; Iyer, Padmini; Cartagena, Ruben; Snider, Glenn; Roehrborn, Claus; Sharifi, Roohollah; Blank, William; Pandya, Parikshit; Andriole, Gerald L.; Culkin, Daniel; Wheeler, Thomas

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of surgery versus observation for men with localized prostate cancer detected by means of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is not known. METHODS From November 1994 through January 2002, we randomly assigned 731 men with localized prostate cancer (mean age, 67 years; median PSA value, 7.8 ng per milliliter) to radical prostatectomy or observation and followed them through January 2010. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; the secondary outcome was prostate-cancer mortality. RESULTS During the median follow-up of 10.0 years, 171 of 364 men (47.0%) assigned to radical prostatectomy died, as compared with 183 of 367 (49.9%) assigned to observation (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 1.08; P = 0.22; absolute risk reduction, 2.9 percentage points). Among men assigned to radical prostatectomy, 21 (5.8%) died from prostate cancer or treatment, as compared with 31 men (8.4%) assigned to observation (hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.09; P = 0.09; absolute risk reduction, 2.6 percentage points). The effect of treatment on all-cause and prostate-cancer mortality did not differ according to age, race, coexisting conditions, self-reported performance status, or histologic features of the tumor. Radical prostatectomy was associated with reduced all-cause mortality among men with a PSA value greater than 10 ng per milliliter (P = 0.04 for interaction) and possibly among those with intermediate-risk or high-risk tumors (P = 0.07 for interaction). Adverse events within 30 days after surgery occurred in 21.4% of men, including one death. CONCLUSIONS Among men with localized prostate cancer detected during the early era of PSA testing, radical prostatectomy did not significantly reduce all-cause or prostate-cancer mortality, as compared with observation, through at least 12 years of follow-up. Absolute differences were less than 3 percentage points. (Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program and others; PIVOT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00007644.) PMID:22808955

On the Relationship Between Musicianship and Contralateral Suppression of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions.

PubMed

Stuart, Andrew; Daughtrey, Emma R

2016-04-01

The medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent reflex that modulates outer hair cell function has been shown to be more robust in musicians versus nonmusicians as evidenced in greater contralateral suppression of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). All previous research comparing musical ability and MOC efferent strength has defined musicianship dichotomously (i.e., high-level music students or professional classical musicians versus nonmusicians). The objective of the study was to further explore contralateral suppression of TEOAEs among adults with a full spectrum of musicianship ranging from no history of musicianship to professional musicians. Musicianship was defined by both self-report and with an objective test to quantify individual differences in perceptual music skills. A single-factor between-subjects and correlational research designs were employed. Forty-five normal-hearing young adults participated. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning their music experience and completed the Brief Profile of Music Perception Skills (PROMS) to quantify perceptual musical skills across multiple musical domains (i.e., accent, melody, tempo, and tuning). TEOAEs were evaluated with 60 dB peak equivalent sound pressure level click stimuli with and without a contralateral 65 dB sound pressure level white noise suppressor. TEOAE suppression was expressed in two ways, absolute TEOAE suppression in dB and a normalized index of TEOAE suppression (i.e., percentage of suppression). Participants who considered themselves musicians scored significantly higher on all subscales and total Brief PROMS score (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between musicians and nonmusicians in absolute TEOAE suppression or percentage of TEOAE suppression (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant correlations or linear predictive relationships between subscale or total Brief PROMS scores with absolute and percentage of TEOAE suppression (p > 0.05). The findings do not support the notion of a graded enhancement of MOC efferent suppression among adults with varied degrees of musicianship from nonmusicians to professional musicians. American Academy of Audiology.

Protease-modulating polyacrylate-based hydrogel stimulates wound bed preparation in venous leg ulcers – a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Humbert, P; Faivre, B; Véran, Y; Debure, C; Truchetet, F; Bécherel, P-A; Plantin, P; Kerihuel, J-C; Eming, SA; Dissemond, J; Weyandt, G; Kaspar, D; Smola, H; Zöllner, P

2014-01-01

Background Stringent control of proteolytic activity represents a major therapeutic approach for wound-bed preparation. Objectives We tested whether a protease-modulating polyacrylate- (PA-) containing hydrogel resulted in a more efficient wound-bed preparation of venous leg ulcers when compared to an amorphous hydrogel without known protease-modulating properties. Methods Patients were randomized to the polyacrylate-based hydrogel (n = 34) or to an amorphous hydrogel (n = 41). Wound beds were evaluated by three blinded experts using photographs taken on days 0, 7 and 14. Results After 14 days of treatment there was an absolute decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue of 37.6 ± 29.9 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and by 16.8 ± 23.0 percentage points in the amorphous hydrogel group. The absolute increase in the proportion of ulcer area covered by granulation tissue was 36.0 ± 27.4 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and 14.5 ± 22.0 percentage points in the control group. The differences between the groups were significant (decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue P = 0.004 and increase in granulation tissue P = 0.0005, respectively). Conclusion In particular, long-standing wounds profited from the treatment with the PA-based hydrogel. These data suggest that PA-based hydrogel dressings can stimulate normalization of the wound environment, particularly in hard-to-heal ulcers. PMID:24612304

Combined influence of adjuvant therapy and interval after surgery on peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

LING, YANG; FAN, LIEYING; DONG, CHUNLEI; ZHU, JING; LIU, YONGPING; NI, YAN; ZHU, CHANGTAI; ZHANG, CHANGSONG

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in cellular immunity between chemo- and/or radiotherapy groups during a long interval after surgery in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Cellular immunity was assessed as peripheral lymphocyte subsets in response to chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT) and CT+RT by flow cytometric analysis. There were 139 blood samples obtained at different time points relative to surgery from 73 patients with ESCC. The changes in the absolute and relative proportions of lymphocyte phenotypes were significant among the adjuvant therapy groups. There were significant differences in the absolute counts of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells among the interval groups, and a lower CD4/CD8 ratio was found in patients following a prolonged interval. RT alone had a profound effect on the absolute counts of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with the other groups. CD4+ T cells exhibited a decreasing trend during a long interval, leading to a prolonged T-cell imbalance after surgery. Univariate analysis revealed that the interaction of the type of adjuvant therapy and the interval after surgery was correlated only with the percentage of CD4+ T cells. The percentage of CD4+ T cells can be used as an indicator of the cellular immunity after surgery in ESCC patients. However, natural killer cells consistently remained suppressed in ESCC patients following adjuvant therapy after surgery. These findings confirm an interaction between adjuvant therapy and the interval after surgery on peripheral CD4+ T cells, and implies that adjuvant therapy may have selective influence on the cellular immunity of ESCC patients after surgery. PMID:23136603

Multisite evaluation of the BD™ Stem Cell Enumeration (SCE) Kit for CD34+ cell enumeration on the BD FACSCanto II™ and BD FACSCalibur™ flow cytometers

PubMed Central

Preti, Robert A; Chan, Wai Shun; Kurtzberg, Joanne; Dornsife, Ronna E.; Wallace, Paul K.; Furlange, Rosemary; Lin, Anna; Omana-Zapata, Imelda; Bonig, Halvard; Tonn, Thorsten

2018-01-01

Background Evaluation of the BD™ Stem Cell Enumeration (SCE) Kit was conducted at four clinical sites with flow cytometry CD34+ enumeration, to assess agreement between two investigational methods, the BD FACSCanto™ II and BD FACSCalibur™ systems, and the predicate method (Beckman Coulter Stem-Kit™ reagents). Methods Leftover and delinked specimens (n = 1,032) from clinical flow cytometry testing were analyzed on the BD FACSCanto II (n = 918) and BD FACSCalibur (n = 905) in normal and mobilized blood, frozen and thawed bone marrow, and leucopheresis and cord blood anticoagulated with CPD, ACD-A, heparin, and EDTA alone or in combination. Fresh leucopheresis analysis addressed site equivalency for sample preparation, testing, and analysis. Results The mean relative bias showed agreement within predefined parameters for the BD FACSCanto II (−2.81 to 4.31 ±7.1) and BD FACSCalibur (−2.69 to 5.2 ±7.9). Results are reported as absolute and relative differences compared to the predicate for viable CD34+, percentage of CD34+ in CD45+, and viable CD45+ populations (or gates). Bias analyses of the distribution of the predicate low, mid, and high bin values were done using BD FACSCanto II optimal gating and BD FACSCalibur manual gating for viable CD34+, percentage of CD34+ in CD45+, and viable CD45+. Bias results from both investigational methods show agreement. Deming regression analyses showed a linear relationship with R2 >0.92 for both investigational methods. Discussion In conclusion, the results from both investigational methods demonstrated agreement and equivalence with the predicate method for enumeration of absolute viable CD34+, percentage of viable CD34+ in CD45+, and absolute viable CD45+ populations. PMID:24927716

Contribution of different causes of death to socioeconomic mortality inequality in Korean children aged 1-9: findings from a national mortality follow-up study.

PubMed

Jung-Choi, K; Khang, Y H

2011-02-01

To determine the contribution of different causes of death to absolute socioeconomic inequalities in mortality for the whole population of children of South Korea aged 1-4 years and 5-9 years. A cohort study based on the national birth and death registers of Korea was performed for 3,724,347 children born in 1995-2000 and 657,209 children born in 1995 to analyse mortality among children aged 1-4 and 5-9 years old, respectively. Adjusted mortality, risk difference (RD), slope index of inequality (SII), RR and relative index of inequality were calculated. The contributions of different causes of death to absolute mortality inequalities were calculated as percentages based on RD and SII. Injuries other than from transport accidents contributed the most to total SIIs for male deaths at ages 1-4 (30.0% for father's education). The second largest contribution was from transport accident injuries (19.6% for father's education). For male deaths at ages 5-9, transport accident injuries and other injuries also accounted for most of the educational and occupational differentials in absolute mortality (63.5-90.5%). Patterns in cause-specific contribution to total inequalities in mortality among girls were generally similar to those among boys. The major contributing causes to absolute socioeconomic inequality in all-cause mortality for children aged 1-9 were external. To reduce the absolute magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in childhood mortality, policy efforts should be directed towards injury prevention and treatment in South Korea.

A system for automatic aorta sections measurements on chest CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfeffer, Yitzchak; Mayer, Arnaldo; Zholkover, Adi; Konen, Eli

2016-03-01

A new method is proposed for caliber measurement of the ascending aorta (AA) and descending aorta (DA). A key component of the method is the automatic detection of the carina, as an anatomical landmark around which an axial volume of interest (VOI) can be defined to observe the aortic caliber. For each slice in the VOI, a linear profile line connecting the AA with the DA is found by pattern matching on the underlying intensity profile. Next, the aortic center position is found using Hough transform on the best linear segment candidate. Finally, region growing around the center provides an accurate segmentation and caliber measurement. We evaluated the algorithm on 113 sequential chest CT scans, slice thickness of 0.75 - 3.75mm, 90 with contrast agent injected. The algorithm success rates were computed as the percentage of scans in which the center of the AA was found. Automated measurements of AA caliber were compared with independent measurements of two experienced chest radiologists, comparing the absolute difference between the two radiologists with the absolute difference between the algorithm and each of the radiologists. The measurement stability was demonstrated by computing the STD of the absolute difference between the radiologists, and between the algorithm and the radiologists. Results: Success rates of 93% and 74% were achieved, for contrast injected cases and non-contrast cases, respectively. These results indicate that the algorithm can be robust in large variability of image quality, such as the cases in a realworld clinical setting. The average absolute difference between the algorithm and the radiologists was 1.85mm, lower than the average absolute difference between the radiologists, which was 2.1mm. The STD of the absolute difference between the algorithm and the radiologists was 1.5mm vs 1.6mm between the two radiologists. These results demonstrate the clinical relevance of the algorithm measurements.

Modelling and Predicting Backstroke Start Performance Using Non-Linear and Linear Models.

PubMed

de Jesus, Karla; Ayala, Helon V H; de Jesus, Kelly; Coelho, Leandro Dos S; Medeiros, Alexandre I A; Abraldes, José A; Vaz, Mário A P; Fernandes, Ricardo J; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo

2018-03-01

Our aim was to compare non-linear and linear mathematical model responses for backstroke start performance prediction. Ten swimmers randomly completed eight 15 m backstroke starts with feet over the wedge, four with hands on the highest horizontal and four on the vertical handgrip. Swimmers were videotaped using a dual media camera set-up, with the starts being performed over an instrumented block with four force plates. Artificial neural networks were applied to predict 5 m start time using kinematic and kinetic variables and to determine the accuracy of the mean absolute percentage error. Artificial neural networks predicted start time more robustly than the linear model with respect to changing training to the validation dataset for the vertical handgrip (3.95 ± 1.67 vs. 5.92 ± 3.27%). Artificial neural networks obtained a smaller mean absolute percentage error than the linear model in the horizontal (0.43 ± 0.19 vs. 0.98 ± 0.19%) and vertical handgrip (0.45 ± 0.19 vs. 1.38 ± 0.30%) using all input data. The best artificial neural network validation revealed a smaller mean absolute error than the linear model for the horizontal (0.007 vs. 0.04 s) and vertical handgrip (0.01 vs. 0.03 s). Artificial neural networks should be used for backstroke 5 m start time prediction due to the quite small differences among the elite level performances.

Water quality management using statistical analysis and time-series prediction model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parmar, Kulwinder Singh; Bhardwaj, Rashmi

2014-12-01

This paper deals with water quality management using statistical analysis and time-series prediction model. The monthly variation of water quality standards has been used to compare statistical mean, median, mode, standard deviation, kurtosis, skewness, coefficient of variation at Yamuna River. Model validated using R-squared, root mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, maximum absolute percentage error, mean absolute error, maximum absolute error, normalized Bayesian information criterion, Ljung-Box analysis, predicted value and confidence limits. Using auto regressive integrated moving average model, future water quality parameters values have been estimated. It is observed that predictive model is useful at 95 % confidence limits and curve is platykurtic for potential of hydrogen (pH), free ammonia, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, water temperature (WT); leptokurtic for chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand. Also, it is observed that predicted series is close to the original series which provides a perfect fit. All parameters except pH and WT cross the prescribed limits of the World Health Organization /United States Environmental Protection Agency, and thus water is not fit for drinking, agriculture and industrial use.

Peripheral leukocyte populations and oxidative stress biomarkers in aged dogs showing impaired cognitive abilities.

PubMed

Mongillo, Paolo; Bertotto, Daniela; Pitteri, Elisa; Stefani, Annalisa; Marinelli, Lieta; Gabai, Gianfranco

2015-06-01

In the present study, the peripheral blood leukocyte phenotypes, lymphocyte subset populations, and oxidative stress parameters were studied in cognitively characterized adult and aged dogs, in order to assess possible relationships between age, cognitive decline, and the immune status. Adult (N = 16, 2-7 years old) and aged (N = 29, older than 8 years) dogs underwent two testing procedures, for the assessment of spatial reversal learning and selective social attention abilities, which were shown to be sensitive to aging in pet dogs. Based on age and performance in cognitive testing, dogs were classified as adult not cognitively impaired (ADNI, N = 12), aged not cognitively impaired (AGNI, N = 19) and aged cognitively impaired (AGCI, N = 10). Immunological and oxidative stress parameters were compared across groups with the Kruskal-Wallis test. AGCI dogs displayed lower absolute CD4 cell count (p < 0.05) than ADNI and higher monocyte absolute count and percentage (p < 0.05) than AGNI whereas these parameters were not different between AGNI and ADNI. AGNI dogs had higher CD8 cell percentage than ADNI (p < 0.05). Both AGNI and AGCI dogs showed lower CD4/CD8 and CD21 count and percentage and higher neutrophil/lymphocyte and CD3/CD21 ratios (p < 0.05). None of the oxidative parameters showed any statistically significant difference among groups. These observations suggest that alterations in peripheral leukocyte populations may reflect age-related changes occurring within the central nervous system and disclose interesting perspectives for the dog as a model for studying the functional relationship between the nervous and immune systems during aging.

Dynamic phenotypic restructuring of the CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets with age in healthy humans: a compartmental model analysis.

PubMed

Jackola, D R; Hallgren, H M

1998-11-16

In healthy humans, phenotypic restructuring occurs with age within the CD3+ T-lymphocyte complement. This is characterized by a non-linear decrease of the percentage of 'naive' (CD45RA+) cells and a corresponding non-linear increase of the percentage of 'memory' (CD45R0+) cells among both the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. We devised a simple compartmental model to study the age-dependent kinetics of phenotypic restructuring. We also derived differential equations whose parameters determined yearly gains minus losses of the percentage and absolute numbers of circulating naive cells, yearly gains minus losses of the percentage and absolute numbers of circulating memory cells, and the yearly rate of conversion of naive to memory cells. Solutions of these evaluative differential equations demonstrate the following: (1) the memory cell complement 'resides' within its compartment for a longer time than the naive cell complement within its compartment for both CD4 and CD8 cells; (2) the average, annual 'turnover rate' is the same for CD4 and CD8 naive cells. In contrast, the average, annual 'turnover rate' for memory CD8 cells is 1.5 times that of memory CD4 cells; (3) the average, annual conversion rate of CD4 naive cells to memory cells is twice that of the CD8 conversion rate; (4) a transition in dynamic restructuring occurs during the third decade of life that is due to these differences in turnover and conversion rates, between and from naive to memory cells.

Enumeration of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes by single-platform, HLA tetramer-based flow cytometry: a European multicenter evaluation.

PubMed

Heijnen, Ingmar A F M; Barnett, David; Arroz, Maria J; Barry, Simon M; Bonneville, Marc; Brando, Bruno; D'hautcourt, Jean-Luc; Kern, Florian; Tötterman, Thomas H; Marijt, Erik W A; Bossy, David; Preijers, Frank W M B; Rothe, Gregor; Gratama, Jan W

2004-11-01

HLA class I peptide tetramers represent powerful diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. The impetus for the current multicenter study is the critical need to standardize tetramer flow cytometry if it is to be implemented as a routine diagnostic assay. Hence, the European Working Group on Clinical Cell Analysis set out to develop and evaluate a single-platform tetramer-based method that used cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the antigenic model. Absolute numbers of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells were obtained by combining the percentage of tetramer-binding cells with the absolute CD8(+) T-cell count. Six send-outs of stabilized blood from healthy individuals or CMV-carrying donors with CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell counts of 3 to 10 cells/microl were distributed to 7 to 16 clinical sites. These sites were requested to enumerate CD8(+) T cells and, in the case of CMV-positive donors, CMV-specific subsets on three separate occasions using the standard method. Between-site coefficients of variation of less than 10% (absolute CD8(+) T-cell counts) and approximately 30% (percentage and absolute numbers of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells) were achieved. Within-site coefficients of variation were approximately 5% (absolute CD8(+) T-cell counts), approximately 9% (percentage CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells), and approximately 17% (absolute CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell counts). The degree of variation tended to correlate inversely with the proportion of CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell subsets. The single-platform MHC tetramer-based method for antigen-specific CD8(+) T-cell counting has been evaluated by a European group of laboratories and can be considered a reproducible assay for routine enumeration of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. (c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Changing ethnic inequalities in mortality in New Zealand over 30 years: linked cohort studies with 68.9 million person-years of follow-up.

PubMed

Disney, George; Teng, Andrea; Atkinson, June; Wilson, Nick; Blakely, Tony

2017-01-01

Internationally, ethnic inequalities in mortality within countries are increasingly recognized as a public health concern. But few countries have data to monitor such inequalities. We aimed to provide a detailed description of ethnic inequalities (Māori [indigenous], Pacific, and European/Other) in mortality for a country with high quality ethnicity data, using both standard and novel visualization methods. Cohort studies of the entire New Zealand population were conducted, using probabilistically-linked Census and mortality data from 1981 to 2011 (68.9 million person years). Absolute (standardized rate difference) and relative (standardized rate ratio) inequalities were calculated, in 1-74-year-olds, for Māori and Pacific peoples in comparison to European/Other. All-cause mortality rates were highest for Māori, followed by Pacific peoples then European/Other, and declined in all three ethnic groups over time. Pacific peoples experienced the slowest annual percentage fall in mortality rates, then Māori, with European/Other having the highest percentage falls - resulting in widening relative inequalities. Absolute inequalities, however, for both Māori and Pacific males compared to European/Other have been falling since 1996. But for females, only Māori absolute inequalities (compared with European/Other) have been falling. Regarding cause of death, cancer is becoming a more important contributor than cardiovascular disease (CVD) to absolute inequalities, especially for Māori females. We found declines in all-cause mortality rates, over time, for each ethnic group of interest. Ethnic mortality inequalities are generally stable or even falling in absolute terms, but have increased on a relative scale. The drivers of these inequalities in mortality are transitioning over time, away from CVD to cancer and diabetes; such transitions are likely in other countries, and warrant further research. To address these inequalities, policymakers need to enhance prevention activities and health care delivery, but also support wider improvements in educational achievement and socioeconomic position for highest need populations.

Changing ethnic inequalities in mortality in New Zealand over 30 years: linked cohort studies with 68.9 million person-years of follow-up.

PubMed

Disney, George; Teng, Andrea; Atkinson, June; Wilson, Nick; Blakely, Tony

2017-04-26

Internationally, ethnic inequalities in mortality within countries are increasingly recognized as a public health concern. But few countries have data to monitor such inequalities. We aimed to provide a detailed description of ethnic inequalities (Māori [indigenous], Pacific, and European/Other) in mortality for a country with high quality ethnicity data, using both standard and novel visualization methods. Cohort studies of the entire New Zealand population were conducted, using probabilistically-linked Census and mortality data from 1981 to 2011 (68.9 million person years). Absolute (standardized rate difference) and relative (standardized rate ratio) inequalities were calculated, in 1-74-year-olds, for Māori and Pacific peoples in comparison to European/Other. All-cause mortality rates were highest for Māori, followed by Pacific peoples then European/Other, and declined in all three ethnic groups over time. Pacific peoples experienced the slowest annual percentage fall in mortality rates, then Māori, with European/Other having the highest percentage falls - resulting in widening relative inequalities. Absolute inequalities, however, for both Māori and Pacific males compared to European/Other have been falling since 1996. But for females, only Māori absolute inequalities (compared with European/Other) have been falling. Regarding cause of death, cancer is becoming a more important contributor than cardiovascular disease (CVD) to absolute inequalities, especially for Māori females. We found declines in all-cause mortality rates, over time, for each ethnic group of interest. Ethnic mortality inequalities are generally stable or even falling in absolute terms, but have increased on a relative scale. The drivers of these inequalities in mortality are transitioning over time, away from CVD to cancer and diabetes; such transitions are likely in other countries, and warrant further research. To address these inequalities, policymakers need to enhance prevention activities and health care delivery, but also support wider improvements in educational achievement and socioeconomic position for highest need populations.

Neural network versus classical time series forecasting models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nor, Maria Elena; Safuan, Hamizah Mohd; Shab, Noorzehan Fazahiyah Md; Asrul, Mohd; Abdullah, Affendi; Mohamad, Nurul Asmaa Izzati; Lee, Muhammad Hisyam

2017-05-01

Artificial neural network (ANN) has advantage in time series forecasting as it has potential to solve complex forecasting problems. This is because ANN is data driven approach which able to be trained to map past values of a time series. In this study the forecast performance between neural network and classical time series forecasting method namely seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models was being compared by utilizing gold price data. Moreover, the effect of different data preprocessing on the forecast performance of neural network being examined. The forecast accuracy was evaluated using mean absolute deviation, root mean square error and mean absolute percentage error. It was found that ANN produced the most accurate forecast when Box-Cox transformation was used as data preprocessing.

Does Medial Meniscal Allograft Transplantation With the Bone-Plug Technique Restore the Anatomic Location of the Native Medial Meniscus?

PubMed

Kim, Nam-Ki; Bin, Seong-Il; Kim, Jong-Min; Lee, Chang-Rack

2015-12-01

Previous work has shown the importance of restoring the normal structure of the native meniscus with meniscal allograft transplantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomic positions of the anterior horn and posterior horn between the preoperative medial meniscus and the postoperative meniscal allograft after medial meniscal allograft transplantation with the bone-plug technique. The hypothesis was that the bone-plug technique could restore the preoperative structure of the native medial meniscus. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Between December 1999 and December 2013, a total of 59 patients (49 male, 10 female) underwent medial meniscal allograft transplantation by use of the bone-plug technique. The anatomic positions of both horns in the native medial meniscus and in the meniscal allograft were measured via MRI. The percentage reference method was used to measure the locations of both horns. On coronal MRI, the mean absolute distance of the posterior horn from the lateral border of the tibial plateau changed from 45.2 ± 3.3 to 48.1 ± 4.2 mm (P < .05), and the percentage distance of the posterior horn changed from 59.6% to 63.0% (P < .05). On sagittal MRI, the mean absolute distance of the posterior horn from the anterior reference point changed from 40.3 ± 3.0 to 42.0 ± 3.5 mm (P < .05), and the mean percentage distance of the posterior horn changed from 76.5% to 79.4% (P <.05). On coronal MRI, the mean absolute distance of the anterior horn from the lateral border of the tibial plateau changed from 41.3 ± 4.2 to 48.5 ± 5.6 mm (P < .05), and the mean percentage distance of the anterior horn changed from 54.5% to 63.8% (P < .05). On sagittal MRI, the mean absolute distance of the anterior horn from the anterior reference point changed from 5.5 ± 1.0 to 9.9 ± 2.9 mm (P < .05), and the mean percentage distance of the anterior horn changed from 10.6% to 19.0% (P < .05). Despite attempts to place the meniscal allograft in the same position as the native meniscus, the anatomic locations of both horns were shifted posteromedially compared with those of the native medial meniscus. There were significant differences, attributed to several limitations in the bone-plug technique, between the preoperative and postoperative values of both horns. However, the posterior horn showed a location change of <5 mm, on average, in both the coronal and sagittal planes, whereas the anterior horn showed a location change of ≥ 5 mm in the coronal plane but <5 mm in the sagittal plane. © 2015 The Author(s).

CYP2C19*17 increases clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition but does not alter the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite of clopidogrel.

PubMed

Pedersen, Rasmus Steen; Nielsen, Flemming; Stage, Tore Bjerregaard; Vinholt, Pernille Just; el Achwah, Alaa Bilal; Damkier, Per; Brosen, Kim

2014-11-01

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of CYP2C19*17 on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the active metabolite of clopidogrel and the pharmacokinetics of proguanil. Thus, we conducted an open-label two-phase cross-over study in 31 healthy male volunteers (11 CYP2C19*1/*1, 11 CYP2C19*1/*17 and nine CYP2C19*17/*17). In Phase A, the pharmacokinetics of the derivatized active metabolite of clopidogrel (CAMD) and platelet function were determined after administration of a single oral dose of 600 mg clopidogrel (Plavix; Sanofi-Avensis, Horsholm, Denmark). In Phase B, the pharmacokinetics of proguanil and its metabolites cycloguanil and 4-chlorphenylbiguanide (4-CPB) were determined in 29 of 31 subjects after a single oral dose of 200 mg proguanil given as the combination drug Malarone (GlaxoSmithKline Pharma, Brondby, Denmark). Significant correlations were found between the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC0-∞ ) of CAMD and both the absolute ADP-induced P2Y12 receptor-activated platelet aggregation (r = -0.60, P = 0.0007) and the percentage inhibition of aggregation (r = 0.59, P = 0.0009). In addition, the CYP2C19*17/*17 and CYP2C19*1/*17 genotype groups had significantly higher percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation compared with the CYP2C19*1/*1 subjects (geometric mean percentage inhibition of 84%, 73% and 63%, respectively; P = 0.014). Neither the absolute ADP-induced P2Y12 receptor-activated platelet aggregation, exposure to CAMD nor the pharmacokinetic parameters of proguanil, cycloguanil and 4-CPB exhibited any significant differences among the genotype groups. In conclusion, carriers of CYP2C19*17 exhibit higher percentage inhibition of platelet aggregation, but do not have significantly lower absolute P2Y12 receptor-activated platelet aggregation or higher exposure to the active metabolite after a single oral administration of 600 mg clopidogrel. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

On the impact of improved dosimetric accuracy on head and neck high dose rate brachytherapy.

PubMed

Peppa, Vasiliki; Pappas, Eleftherios; Major, Tibor; Takácsi-Nagy, Zoltán; Pantelis, Evaggelos; Papagiannis, Panagiotis

2016-07-01

To study the effect of finite patient dimensions and tissue heterogeneities in head and neck high dose rate brachytherapy. The current practice of TG-43 dosimetry was compared to patient specific dosimetry obtained using Monte Carlo simulation for a sample of 22 patient plans. The dose distributions were compared in terms of percentage dose differences as well as differences in dose volume histogram and radiobiological indices for the target and organs at risk (mandible, parotids, skin, and spinal cord). Noticeable percentage differences exist between TG-43 and patient specific dosimetry, mainly at low dose points. Expressed as fractions of the planning aim dose, percentage differences are within 2% with a general TG-43 overestimation except for the spine. These differences are consistent resulting in statistically significant differences of dose volume histogram and radiobiology indices. Absolute differences of these indices are however small to warrant clinical importance in terms of tumor control or complication probabilities. The introduction of dosimetry methods characterized by improved accuracy is a valuable advancement. It does not appear however to influence dose prescription or call for amendment of clinical recommendations for the mobile tongue, base of tongue, and floor of mouth patient cohort of this study. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations involved in host cellular immunity in dogs with mammary cancer.

PubMed

Karayannopoulou, Maria; Anagnostou, Tilemachos; Margariti, Apostolia; Kostakis, Charalampos; Kritsepi-Konstantinou, Maria; Psalla, Dimitra; Savvas, Ioannis

2017-04-01

Cancer-bearing patients are often immunosuppressed. In dogs with mammary or other cancers, various alterations in blood cell populations involved in host cellular immunity have been reported; among these cell populations some T-lymphocyte subsets play an important role against cancer. The purpose of the present study was to investigate any alterations in circulating T-lymphocyte subpopulations involved in cellular immunity in bitches with mammary cancer, in comparison to age-matched healthy intact bitches. Twenty eight dogs with mammary cancer and 14 control dogs were included in this study. Twelve out of the 28 bitches had mammary cancer of clinical stage II and 16/28 of stage III. Histological examination revealed that 23/28 animals had carcinomas, 3/28 sarcomas and 2/28 carcinosarcomas. White blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocyte absolute numbers were measured by complete blood count. Furthermore, blood T-lymphocyte population (CD3 + ) and the subpopulations CD4 + , CD8 + and CD5 low+ were assessed by flow cytometry. White blood cell and neutrophil but not lymphocyte absolute numbers were higher (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively) in cancer patients than controls. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the relative percentage of T-lymphocytes (CD3 + ) and of CD4 + , CD8 + subpopulations was lower (the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio was higher), whereas the percentage of CD5 low+ T-cells was higher, in dogs with cancer compared to controls; however, a statistically significant difference was found only in the case of CD8 + T-cells (P=0.014), whereas in the case of the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio the difference almost reached statistical significance (P=0.059). Based on these findings, it can be suggested that, although the absolute number of blood lymphocytes is unchanged, the relative percentages of T-lymphocyte subpopulations involved in host cell-mediated immunity are altered, but only cytotoxic CD8 + T-cells are significantly suppressed, in dogs with mammary cancer of clinical stage II or III compared to age-matched healthy controls. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of moisture content on fed batch composting reactor of vegetable and fruit wastes.

PubMed

Jolanun, B; Tripetchkul, S; Chiemchaisri, C; Chaiprasert, P; Towprayoon, S

2005-03-01

Vegetable and fruit wastes mixed with sawdust were composted in a laboratory scale reactor by controlling the waste feeding rate at 21 kg m(-3) day(-1) and aeration rate at 10.6 l m(-3) min(-1). The effects of initial moisture content on organic matter degradation and process performance of fed batch composting were investigated. The absolute amount of removal, removal percentage, and removal rate of dry mass obtained were substantially different among the initial moisture contents. The rapid rise of moisture content and the lowest absolute amount of removal observed were achieved in the 50% condition. The initial moisture content yielding the largest absolute amount of removal in both feeding and curing stage was 30% whereas the removal percentage and rate constant of waste decomposition were highest in the 50% condition. Examined by traditional soil physics method, the moisture content at 50-55% was suitable for satisfying the degree of free air space (65-70%) of compost during the fed batch composting. Most degradable organic matter was mainly consumed in the feeding stage as indicated by a higher removal rate of dry mass in all cases. It is recommended that the initial moisture content of 30% and mode of aeration and agitation should be adopted for achieving practical fed batch composting of vegetable and fruit wastes. The study also demonstrated that the composting kinetics of vegetable and fruit wastes mixed with sawdust can be described by a first order model.

Modelling and Predicting Backstroke Start Performance Using Non-Linear and Linear Models

PubMed Central

de Jesus, Karla; Ayala, Helon V. H.; de Jesus, Kelly; Coelho, Leandro dos S.; Medeiros, Alexandre I.A.; Abraldes, José A.; Vaz, Mário A.P.; Fernandes, Ricardo J.; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo

2018-01-01

Abstract Our aim was to compare non-linear and linear mathematical model responses for backstroke start performance prediction. Ten swimmers randomly completed eight 15 m backstroke starts with feet over the wedge, four with hands on the highest horizontal and four on the vertical handgrip. Swimmers were videotaped using a dual media camera set-up, with the starts being performed over an instrumented block with four force plates. Artificial neural networks were applied to predict 5 m start time using kinematic and kinetic variables and to determine the accuracy of the mean absolute percentage error. Artificial neural networks predicted start time more robustly than the linear model with respect to changing training to the validation dataset for the vertical handgrip (3.95 ± 1.67 vs. 5.92 ± 3.27%). Artificial neural networks obtained a smaller mean absolute percentage error than the linear model in the horizontal (0.43 ± 0.19 vs. 0.98 ± 0.19%) and vertical handgrip (0.45 ± 0.19 vs. 1.38 ± 0.30%) using all input data. The best artificial neural network validation revealed a smaller mean absolute error than the linear model for the horizontal (0.007 vs. 0.04 s) and vertical handgrip (0.01 vs. 0.03 s). Artificial neural networks should be used for backstroke 5 m start time prediction due to the quite small differences among the elite level performances. PMID:29599857

75 FR 30370 - Certain Coated Paper Suitable For High-Quality Print Graphics Using Sheet-Fed Presses from the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-01

...) a change of at least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the... between a countervailable subsidy rate of zero (or de minimis) and a countervailable subsidy rate of... absolute points and not less than 25 percent of the originally calculated margin. Thus, the ministerial...

Overview of Global, Regional, and National Routine Vaccination Coverage Trends and Growth Patterns From 1980 to 2009: Implications for Vaccine-Preventable Disease Eradication and Elimination Initiatives

PubMed Central

Wallace, Aaron S.; Ryman, Tove K.; Dietz, Vance

2015-01-01

Background Review of the historical growth in annual vaccination coverage across countries and regions can better inform decision makers’ development of future goals and strategies to improve routine vaccination services. Methods Using the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund estimates of annual national third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis–containing vaccine (DTP3) and third dose of polio vaccine (POL3) coverage for 1980–2009, we calculated the mean absolute annual rate of change in national DTP3 coverage among all countries (globally) and among countries within each WHO region, as well as the number of years taken by each region to reach specific regional coverage levels. Last, we assessed differences in mean absolute annual rate of change in DTP3 coverage, stratified by baseline level of DTP3 coverage. Results During the 1980s, global DTP3 coverage increased a mean of 5.3 percentage points/year. Annual rate of change decreased to 0.5 percentage points/year in the 1990s and then increased to 0.9 percentage points/year during the 2000s. Mean annual rate of change in coverage across all countries was highest (9.2 percentage points) when national coverage levels were 26%–30% and lowest (−0.9 percentage points) when national coverage levels were 96%–100%. Regional differences existed as both WHO South-East Asia Region and WHO African Region countries experienced mean negative DTP3 coverage growth at lower coverage levels (81%–85%) than other regions. The regions that have achieved 95% DTP3 coverage (Americas, Western Pacific, and European) took 25–29 years to reach that level from a level of 50% DTP3 coverage. POL3 coverage change trends were similar to described DTP3 coverage change trends. Conclusions Mean national coverage growth patterns across all regions are nonlinear as coverage levels increase. Saturation points of mean 0 percentage-point growth in annual coverage varies by region and require further investigation. The achievement of >90% routine coverage is observed to take decades, which has implications for disease eradication and elimination initiatives. PMID:25316875

Performance evaluation of Abbott CELL-DYN Ruby for routine use.

PubMed

Lehto, T; Hedberg, P

2008-10-01

CELL-DYN Ruby is a new automated hematology analyzer suitable for routine use in small laboratories and as a back-up or emergency analyzer in medium- to high-volume laboratories. The analyzer was evaluated by comparing the results from the CELL-DYN((R)) Ruby with the results obtained from CELL-DYN Sapphire . Precision, linearity, and carryover between patient samples were also assessed. Precision was good at all levels for the routine cell blood count (CBC) parameters, CV% being or= 0.98) with CELL-DYN Sapphire for the CBC parameters. For the absolute reticulocyte count, R(2) was 0.82. In the white blood cell (WBC) differentials, the between-days precision was good for all parameters (CV%: or= 0.97), and the correlation coefficient for absolute monocyte count and monocyte percentage were 0.91 and 0.87, respectively. For absolute basophil count and basophil percentage the correlations were weaker (R(2) = 0.46 and 0.34, respectively). Carryover was minimal for all the parameters studied. The linearities of WBC, red blood cell, PLTs, and hemoglobin were acceptable within the tested ranges. In conclusion, the results of the evaluation showed the performance of CELL-DYN Ruby to be good.

The Preferred Movement Path Paradigm: Influence of Running Shoes on Joint Movement.

PubMed

Nigg, Benno M; Vienneau, Jordyn; Smith, Aimée C; Trudeau, Matthieu B; Mohr, Maurice; Nigg, Sandro R

2017-08-01

(A) To quantify differences in lower extremity joint kinematics for groups of runners subjected to different running footwear conditions, and (B) to quantify differences in lower extremity joint kinematics on an individual basis for runners subjected to different running footwear conditions. Three-dimensional ankle and knee joint kinematics were collected for 35 heel-toe runners when wearing three different running shoes and when running barefoot. Absolute mean differences in ankle and knee joint kinematics were computed between running shoe conditions. The percentage of individual runners who displayed differences below a 2°, 3°, and 5° threshold were also calculated. The results indicate that the mean kinematics of the ankle and knee joints were similar between running shoe conditions. Aside from ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion, the percentage of runners maintaining their movement path between running shoes (i.e., less than 3°) was in the order of magnitude of about 80% to 100%. Many runners showed ankle and knee joint kinematics that differed between a conventional running shoe and barefoot by more than 3°, especially for ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion. Many runners stay in the same movement path (the preferred movement path) when running in various different footwear conditions. The percentage of runners maintaining their preferred movement path depends on the magnitude of the change introduced by the footwear condition.

A review on Black-Scholes model in pricing warrants in Bursa Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunawan, Nur Izzaty Ilmiah Indra; Ibrahim, Siti Nur Iqmal; Rahim, Norhuda Abdul

2017-01-01

This paper studies the accuracy of the Black-Scholes (BS) model and the dilution-adjusted Black-Scholes (DABS) model to pricing some warrants traded in the Malaysian market. Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) are used to compare the two models. Results show that the DABS model is more accurate than the BS model for the selected data.

Simultaneous blood pressure measurement in both arms in hypertensive and nonhypertensive adult patients.

PubMed

Fonseca-Reyes, Salvador; Forsyth-MacQuarrie, Avril M; García de Alba-García, Javier Eduardo

2012-08-01

When blood pressure (BP) is taken for the first time, it should be measured in both arms; follow-up measurements should be taken in the arm with the highest BP. However, in clinical practice, this recommendation is rarely followed. Identify the degree of differences in BP between the right and the left arm in individuals with normal and high BP. We measured BP in 111 hypertensive and 80 normotensive patients in both arms at the same time using identical Omron HEM 725 CIC automatic sphygmomanometers. The devices were then switched to the other arm and another set of readings was taken. The absolute and relative difference in BP between arms was calculated from the average of these two readings. We categorized differences as at least 5, at least 10, and at least 20 mmHg for systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP). The BP was higher in the right arm, with no statistical significance. The relative differences were also not significant: SBP 1.1±7.1 and DBP 0.21±5.0. However, the absolute differences were significant at an individual level, with a systolic difference of 5.4±4.8 mmHg and a diastolic difference of 3.9 ±3.2 mmHg. The percentages of absolute SBP/DBP differences more than 5 mmHg (21.4%/20.4%) and more than 10 mmHg (15.7%/4.7%) were considerable. The range of arm differences was clinically significant; in hypertensives, the SBP/DBP was -13.2 to +15/-9.2 to +9.6 mmHg and in nonhypertensives it was -12.9 to +15.6/-9.7 to +10.1 mmHg. Although on average there was no clinically significant relative difference between arms, absolute differences at an individual level were often clinically significant. Failure to determine interarm BP differences will lead to erroneous clinical decisions.

Intranasal agomelatine solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance brain delivery: formulation, optimization and in vivo pharmacokinetics

PubMed Central

Fatouh, Ahmed M; Elshafeey, Ahmed H; Abdelbary, Ahmed

2017-01-01

Purpose Agomelatine is a novel antidepressant drug suffering from an extensive first-pass metabolism leading to a diminished absolute bioavailability. The aim of the study is: first to enhance its absolute bioavailability, and second to increase its brain delivery. Methods To achieve these aims, the nasal route was adopted to exploit first its avoidance of the hepatic first-pass metabolism to increase the absolute bioavailability, and second the direct nose-to-brain pathway to enhance the brain drug delivery. Solid lipid nanoparticles were selected as a drug delivery system to enhance agomelatine permeability across the blood–brain barrier and therefore its brain delivery. Results The optimum solid lipid nanoparticles have a particle size of 167.70 nm ±0.42, zeta potential of −17.90 mV ±2.70, polydispersity index of 0.12±0.10, entrapment efficiency % of 91.25%±1.70%, the percentage released after 1 h of 35.40%±1.13% and the percentage released after 8 h of 80.87%±5.16%. The pharmacokinetic study of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticles revealed a significant increase in each of the plasma peak concentration, the AUC(0–360 min) and the absolute bioavailability compared to that of the oral suspension of Valdoxan® with the values of 759.00 ng/mL, 7,805.69 ng⋅min/mL and 44.44%, respectively. The optimized solid lipid nanoparticles gave a drug-targeting efficiency of 190.02, which revealed more successful brain targeting by the intranasal route compared with the intravenous route. The optimized solid lipid nanoparticles had a direct transport percentage of 47.37, which indicates a significant contribution of the direct nose-to-brain pathway in the brain drug delivery. Conclusion The intranasal administration of agomelatine solid lipid nanoparticles has effectively enhanced both the absolute bioavailability and the brain delivery of agomelatine. PMID:28684900

Velocity Loss as a Variable for Monitoring Resistance Exercise.

PubMed

González-Badillo, Juan José; Yañez-García, Juan Manuel; Mora-Custodio, Ricardo; Rodríguez-Rosell, David

2017-03-01

This study aimed to analyze: 1) the pattern of repetition velocity decline during a single set to failure against different submaximal loads (50-85% 1RM) in the bench press exercise; and 2) the reliability of the percentage of performed repetitions, with respect to the maximum possible number that can be completed, when different magnitudes of velocity loss have been reached within each set. Twenty-two men performed 8 tests of maximum number of repetitions (MNR) against loads of 50-55-60-65-70-75-80-85% 1RM, in random order, every 6-7 days. Another 28 men performed 2 separate MNR tests against 60% 1RM. A very close relationship was found between the relative loss of velocity in a set and the percentage of performed repetitions. This relationship was very similar for all loads, but particularly for 50-70% 1RM, even though the number of repetitions completed at each load was significantly different. Moreover, the percentage of performed repetitions for a given velocity loss showed a high absolute reliability. Equations to predict the percentage of performed repetitions from relative velocity loss are provided. By monitoring repetition velocity and using these equations, one can estimate, with considerable precision, how many repetitions are left in reserve in a bench press exercise set. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Interstitial Features at Chest CT Enhance the Deleterious Effects of Emphysema in the COPDGene Cohort.

PubMed

Ash, Samuel Y; Harmouche, Rola; Ross, James C; Diaz, Alejandro A; Rahaghi, Farbod N; Sanchez-Ferrero, Gonzalo Vegas; Putman, Rachel K; Hunninghake, Gary M; Onieva, Jorge Onieva; Martinez, Fernando J; Choi, Augustine M; Bowler, Russell P; Lynch, David A; Hatabu, Hiroto; Bhatt, Surya P; Dransfield, Mark T; Wells, J Michael; Rosas, Ivan O; San Jose Estepar, Raul; Washko, George R

2018-06-05

Purpose To determine if interstitial features at chest CT enhance the effect of emphysema on clinical disease severity in smokers without clinical pulmonary fibrosis. Materials and Methods In this retrospective cohort study, an objective CT analysis tool was used to measure interstitial features (reticular changes, honeycombing, centrilobular nodules, linear scar, nodular changes, subpleural lines, and ground-glass opacities) and emphysema in 8266 participants in a study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) called COPDGene (recruited between October 2006 and January 2011). Additive differences in patients with emphysema with interstitial features and in those without interstitial features were analyzed by using t tests, multivariable linear regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable linear and Cox regression were used to determine if interstitial features modified the effect of continuously measured emphysema on clinical measures of disease severity and mortality. Results Compared with individuals with emphysema alone, those with emphysema and interstitial features had a higher percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (absolute difference, 6.4%; P < .001), a lower percentage predicted diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (absolute difference, 7.4%; P = .034), a 0.019 higher right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RVLV) volume ratio (P = .029), a 43.2-m shorter 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) (P < .001), a 5.9-point higher St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score (P < .001), and 82% higher mortality (P < .001). In addition, interstitial features modified the effect of emphysema on percentage predicted DLCO, RVLV volume ratio, 6WMD, SGRQ score, and mortality (P for interaction < .05 for all). Conclusion In smokers, the combined presence of interstitial features and emphysema was associated with worse clinical disease severity and higher mortality than was emphysema alone. In addition, interstitial features enhanced the deleterious effects of emphysema on clinical disease severity and mortality. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Increased Regulatory T-Cell Percentage Contributes to Poor CD4(+) Lymphocytes Recovery: A 2-Year Prospective Study After Introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy.

PubMed

Saison, Julien; Maucort Boulch, Delphine; Chidiac, Christian; Demaret, Julie; Malcus, Christophe; Cotte, Laurent; Poitevin-Later, Francoise; Miailhes, Patrick; Venet, Fabienne; Trabaud, Mary Anne; Monneret, Guillaume; Ferry, Tristan

2015-04-01

Background.  The primary aim of this study was to determine the impact of regulatory T cells (Tregs) percentage on immune recovery in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients after antiretroviral therapy introduction. Methods.  A 2-year prospective study was conducted in HIV-1 chronically infected naive patients with CD4 count <500 cells/mm(3). Regulatory T cells were identified as CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low) cells among CD4(+) lymphocytes. Effect of Treg percentage at inclusion on CD4 evolution overtime was analyzed using a mixed-effect Poisson regression for count data. Results.  Fifty-eight patients were included (median CD4 = 293/mm(3), median Treg percentage = 6.1%). Percentage of Treg at baseline and CD4 nadir were independently related to the evolution of CD4 absolute value according to time: (1) at any given nadir CD4 count, 1% increase of initial Treg was associated with a 1.9% lower CD4 absolute value at month 24; (2) at any given Treg percentage at baseline, 10 cell/mm(3) increase of CD4 nadir was associated with a 2.4% increase of CD4 at month 24; and (3) both effects did not attenuate with time. The effect of Treg at baseline on CD4 evolution was as low as the CD4 nadir was high. Conclusions.  Regulatory T-cell percentage at baseline is a strong independent prognostic factor of immune recovery, particularly among patients with low CD4 nadir.

Lunch-time food choices in preschoolers: Relationships between absolute and relative intakes of different food categories, and appetitive characteristics and weight.

PubMed

Carnell, S; Pryor, K; Mais, L A; Warkentin, S; Benson, L; Cheng, R

2016-08-01

Children's appetitive characteristics measured by parent-report questionnaires are reliably associated with body weight, as well as behavioral tests of appetite, but relatively little is known about relationships with food choice. As part of a larger preloading study, we served 4-5year olds from primary school classes five school lunches at which they were presented with the same standardized multi-item meal. Parents completed Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) sub-scales assessing satiety responsiveness (CEBQ-SR), food responsiveness (CEBQ-FR) and enjoyment of food (CEBQ-EF), and children were weighed and measured. Despite differing preload conditions, children showed remarkable consistency of intake patterns across all five meals with day-to-day intra-class correlations in absolute and percentage intake of each food category ranging from 0.78 to 0.91. Higher CEBQ-SR was associated with lower mean intake of all food categories across all five meals, with the weakest association apparent for snack foods. Higher CEBQ-FR was associated with higher intake of white bread and fruits and vegetables, and higher CEBQ-EF was associated with greater intake of all categories, with the strongest association apparent for white bread. Analyses of intake of each food group as a percentage of total intake, treated here as an index of the child's choice to consume relatively more or relatively less of each different food category when composing their total lunch-time meal, further suggested that children who were higher in CEBQ-SR ate relatively more snack foods and relatively less fruits and vegetables, while children with higher CEBQ-EF ate relatively less snack foods and relatively more white bread. Higher absolute intakes of white bread and snack foods were associated with higher BMI z score. CEBQ sub-scale associations with food intake variables were largely unchanged by controlling for daily metabolic needs. However, descriptive comparisons of lunch intakes with expected amounts based on metabolic needs suggested that overweight/obese boys were at particularly high risk of overeating. Parents' reports of children's appetitive characteristics on the CEBQ are associated with differential patterns of food choice as indexed by absolute and relative intake of various food categories assessed on multiple occasions in a naturalistic, school-based setting, without parents present. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lunch-time food choices in preschoolers: relationships between absolute and relative intake of different food categories, and appetitive characteristics and weight

PubMed Central

Carnell, S; Pryor, K; Mais, LA; Warkentin, S; Benson, L; Cheng, R

2016-01-01

Children’s appetitive characteristics measured by parent-report questionnaires are reliably associated with body weight, as well as behavioral tests of appetite, but relatively little is known about relationships with food choice. As part of a larger preloading study, we served 4-5y olds from primary school classes five school lunches at which they were presented with the same standardized multi-item meal. Parents completed Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) sub-scales assessing satiety responsiveness (CEBQ-SR), food responsiveness (CEBQ-FR) and enjoyment of food (CEBQ-EF), and children were weighed and measured. Despite differing preload conditions, children showed remarkable consistency of intake patterns across all five meals with day-to-day intra-class correlations in absolute and percentage intake of each food category ranging from .78 to .91. Higher CEBQ-SR was associated with lower mean intake of all food categories across all five meals, with the weakest association apparent for snack foods. Higher CEBQ-FR was associated with higher intake of white bread and fruits and vegetables, and higher CEBQ-EF was associated with greater intake of all categories, with the strongest association apparent for white bread. Analyses of intake of each food group as a percentage of total intake, treated here as an index of the child’s choice to consume relatively more or relatively less of each different food category when composing their total lunch-time meal, further suggested that children who were higher in CEBQ-SR ate relatively more snack foods and relatively less fruits and vegetables, while children with higher CEBQ-EF ate relatively less snack foods and relatively more white bread. Higher absolute intakes of white bread and snack foods were associated with higher BMI z score. CEBQ sub-scale associations with food intake variables were largely unchanged by controlling for daily metabolic needs. However, descriptive comparisons of lunch intakes with expected amounts based on metabolic needs suggested that overweight/obese boys were at particularly high risk of overeating. Parents’ reports of children’s appetitive characteristics on the CEBQ are associated with differential patterns of food choice as indexed by absolute and relative intake of various food categories assessed on multiple occasions in a naturalistic, school-based setting, without parents present. PMID:27039281

Age of Red Cells for Transfusion and Outcomes in Critically Ill Adults.

PubMed

Cooper, D James; McQuilten, Zoe K; Nichol, Alistair; Ady, Bridget; Aubron, Cécile; Bailey, Michael; Bellomo, Rinaldo; Gantner, Dashiell; Irving, David O; Kaukonen, Kirsi-Maija; McArthur, Colin; Murray, Lynne; Pettilä, Ville; French, Craig

2017-11-09

It is uncertain whether the duration of red-cell storage affects mortality after transfusion among critically ill adults. In an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, we assigned critically ill adults to receive either the freshest available, compatible, allogeneic red cells (short-term storage group) or standard-issue (oldest available), compatible, allogeneic red cells (long-term storage group). The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. From November 2012 through December 2016, at 59 centers in five countries, 4994 patients underwent randomization and 4919 (98.5%) were included in the primary analysis. Among the 2457 patients in the short-term storage group, the mean storage duration was 11.8 days. Among the 2462 patients in the long-term storage group, the mean storage duration was 22.4 days. At 90 days, there were 610 deaths (24.8%) in the short-term storage group and 594 (24.1%) in the long-term storage group (absolute risk difference, 0.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.7 to 3.1; P=0.57). At 180 days, the absolute risk difference was 0.4 percentage points (95% CI, -2.1 to 3.0; P=0.75). Most of the prespecified secondary measures showed no significant between-group differences in outcome. The age of transfused red cells did not affect 90-day mortality among critically ill adults. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and others; TRANSFUSE Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12612000453886 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01638416 .).

Measuring the Accuracy of Simple Evolving Connectionist System with Varying Distance Formulas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Khowarizmi; Sitompul, O. S.; Suherman; Nababan, E. B.

2017-12-01

Simple Evolving Connectionist System (SECoS) is a minimal implementation of Evolving Connectionist Systems (ECoS) in artificial neural networks. The three-layer network architecture of the SECoS could be built based on the given input. In this study, the activation value for the SECoS learning process, which is commonly calculated using normalized Hamming distance, is also calculated using normalized Manhattan distance and normalized Euclidean distance in order to compare the smallest error value and best learning rate obtained. The accuracy of measurement resulted by the three distance formulas are calculated using mean absolute percentage error. In the training phase with several parameters, such as sensitivity threshold, error threshold, first learning rate, and second learning rate, it was found that normalized Euclidean distance is more accurate than both normalized Hamming distance and normalized Manhattan distance. In the case of beta fibrinogen gene -455 G/A polymorphism patients used as training data, the highest mean absolute percentage error value is obtained with normalized Manhattan distance compared to normalized Euclidean distance and normalized Hamming distance. However, the differences are very small that it can be concluded that the three distance formulas used in SECoS do not have a significant effect on the accuracy of the training results.

Within country inequalities in caesarean section rates: observational study of 72 low and middle income countries

PubMed Central

Boatin, Adeline Adwoa; Schlotheuber, Anne; Betran, Ana Pilar; Moller, Ann-Beth; Barros, Aluisio J D; Boerma, Ties; Torloni, Maria Regina; Victora, Cesar G

2018-01-01

Abstract Objective To provide an update on economic related inequalities in caesarean section rates within countries. Design Secondary analysis of demographic and health surveys and multiple indicator cluster surveys. Setting 72 low and middle income countries with a survey conducted between 2010 and 2014 for analysis of the latest situation of inequality, and 28 countries with a survey also conducted between 2000 and 2004 for analysis of the change in inequality over time. Participants Women aged 15-49 years with a live birth during the two or three years preceding the survey. Main outcome measures Data on caesarean section were disaggregated by asset based household wealth status and presented separately for five subgroups, ranging from the poorest to the richest fifth. Absolute and relative inequalities were measured using difference and ratio measures. The pace of change in the poorest and richest fifths was compared using a measure of excess change. Results National caesarean section rates ranged from 0.6% in South Sudan to 58.9% in the Dominican Republic. Within countries, caesarean section rates were lowest in the poorest fifth (median 3.7%) and highest in the richest fifth (median 18.4%). 18 out of 72 study countries reported a difference of 20 percentage points or higher between the richest and poorest fifth. The highest caesarean section rates and greatest levels of absolute inequality were observed in countries from the region of the Americas, whereas countries from the African region had low levels of caesarean use and comparatively lower levels of absolute inequality, although relative inequality was quite high in some countries. 26 out of 28 countries reported increases in caesarean section rates over time. Rates tended to increase faster in the richest fifth (median 0.9 percentage points per year) compared with the poorest fifth (median 0.2 percentage points per year), indicating an increase in inequality over time in most of these countries. Conclusions Substantial within country economic inequalities in caesarean deliveries remain. These inequalities might be due to a combination of inadequate access to emergency obstetric care among the poorest subgroups and high levels of caesarean use without medical indication in the richest subgroups, especially in middle income countries. Country specific strategies should address these inequalities to improve maternal and newborn health. PMID:29367432

Towards quantitative [18F]FDG-PET/MRI of the brain: Automated MR-driven calculation of an image-derived input function for the non-invasive determination of cerebral glucose metabolic rates.

PubMed

Sundar, Lalith Ks; Muzik, Otto; Rischka, Lucas; Hahn, Andreas; Rausch, Ivo; Lanzenberger, Rupert; Hienert, Marius; Klebermass, Eva-Maria; Füchsel, Frank-Günther; Hacker, Marcus; Pilz, Magdalena; Pataraia, Ekaterina; Traub-Weidinger, Tatjana; Beyer, Thomas

2018-01-01

Absolute quantification of PET brain imaging requires the measurement of an arterial input function (AIF), typically obtained invasively via an arterial cannulation. We present an approach to automatically calculate an image-derived input function (IDIF) and cerebral metabolic rates of glucose (CMRGlc) from the [18F]FDG PET data using an integrated PET/MRI system. Ten healthy controls underwent test-retest dynamic [18F]FDG-PET/MRI examinations. The imaging protocol consisted of a 60-min PET list-mode acquisition together with a time-of-flight MR angiography scan for segmenting the carotid arteries and intermittent MR navigators to monitor subject movement. AIFs were collected as the reference standard. Attenuation correction was performed using a separate low-dose CT scan. Assessment of the percentage difference between area-under-the-curve of IDIF and AIF yielded values within ±5%. Similar test-retest variability was seen between AIFs (9 ± 8) % and the IDIFs (9 ± 7) %. Absolute percentage difference between CMRGlc values obtained from AIF and IDIF across all examinations and selected brain regions was 3.2% (interquartile range: (2.4-4.3) %, maximum < 10%). High test-retest intravariability was observed between CMRGlc values obtained from AIF (14%) and IDIF (17%). The proposed approach provides an IDIF, which can be effectively used in lieu of AIF.

Comparative study of four time series methods in forecasting typhoid fever incidence in China.

PubMed

Zhang, Xingyu; Liu, Yuanyuan; Yang, Min; Zhang, Tao; Young, Alistair A; Li, Xiaosong

2013-01-01

Accurate incidence forecasting of infectious disease is critical for early prevention and for better government strategic planning. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of different forecasting methods based on the monthly incidence of typhoid fever. The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model and three different models inspired by neural networks, namely, back propagation neural networks (BPNN), radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN), and Elman recurrent neural networks (ERNN) were compared. The differences as well as the advantages and disadvantages, among the SARIMA model and the neural networks were summarized and discussed. The data obtained for 2005 to 2009 and for 2010 from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used as modeling and forecasting samples, respectively. The performances were evaluated based on three metrics: mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean square error (MSE). The results showed that RBFNN obtained the smallest MAE, MAPE and MSE in both the modeling and forecasting processes. The performances of the four models ranked in descending order were: RBFNN, ERNN, BPNN and the SARIMA model.

Comparative Study of Four Time Series Methods in Forecasting Typhoid Fever Incidence in China

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xingyu; Liu, Yuanyuan; Yang, Min; Zhang, Tao; Young, Alistair A.; Li, Xiaosong

2013-01-01

Accurate incidence forecasting of infectious disease is critical for early prevention and for better government strategic planning. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of different forecasting methods based on the monthly incidence of typhoid fever. The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model and three different models inspired by neural networks, namely, back propagation neural networks (BPNN), radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN), and Elman recurrent neural networks (ERNN) were compared. The differences as well as the advantages and disadvantages, among the SARIMA model and the neural networks were summarized and discussed. The data obtained for 2005 to 2009 and for 2010 from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used as modeling and forecasting samples, respectively. The performances were evaluated based on three metrics: mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean square error (MSE). The results showed that RBFNN obtained the smallest MAE, MAPE and MSE in both the modeling and forecasting processes. The performances of the four models ranked in descending order were: RBFNN, ERNN, BPNN and the SARIMA model. PMID:23650546

Development and validation of automated 2D-3D bronchial airway matching to track changes in regional bronchial morphology using serial low-dose chest CT scans in children with chronic lung disease.

PubMed

Raman, Pavithra; Raman, Raghav; Newman, Beverley; Venkatraman, Raman; Raman, Bhargav; Robinson, Terry E

2010-12-01

To address potential concern for cumulative radiation exposure with serial spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scans in children with chronic lung disease, we developed an approach to match bronchial airways on low-dose spiral and low-dose high-resolution CT (HRCT) chest images to allow serial comparisons. An automated algorithm matches the position and orientation of bronchial airways obtained from HRCT slices with those in the spiral CT scan. To validate this algorithm, we compared manual matching vs automatic matching of bronchial airways in three pediatric patients. The mean absolute percentage difference between the manually matched spiral CT airway and the index HRCT airways were 9.4 ± 8.5% for the internal diameter measurements, 6.0 ± 4.1% for the outer diameter measurements, and 10.1 ± 9.3% for the wall thickness measurements. The mean absolute percentage difference between the automatically matched spiral CT airway measurements and index HRCT airway measurements were 9.2 ± 8.6% for the inner diameter, 5.8 ± 4.5% for the outer diameter, and 9.9 ± 9.5% for the wall thickness. The overall difference between manual and automated methods was 2.1 ± 1.2%, which was significantly less than the interuser variability of 5.1 ± 4.6% (p<0.05). Tests of equivalence had p<0.05, demonstrating no significant difference between the two methods. The time required for matching was significantly reduced in the automated method (p<0.01) and was as accurate as manual matching, allowing efficient comparison of airways obtained on low-dose spiral CT imaging with low-dose HRCT scans.

Evaluating Laboratory Performance on Point-of-Care Glucose Testing with Six Sigma Metric for 151 Institutions in China.

PubMed

Fei, Yang; Wang, Wei; He, Falin; Zhong, Kun; Wang, Zhiguo

2015-10-01

The aim of this study was to use Six Sigma(SM) (Motorola Trademark Holdings, Libertyville, IL) techniques to analyze the quality of point-of-care (POC) glucose testing measurements quantitatively and to provide suggestions for improvement. In total, 151 laboratories in China were included in this investigation in 2014. Bias and coefficient of variation were collected from an external quality assessment and an internal quality control program, respectively, for POC glucose testing organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories. The σ values and the Quality Goal Index were used to evaluate the performance of POC glucose meters. There were 27, 30, 57, and 37 participants in the groups using Optium Xceed™ (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA), Accu-Chek(®) Performa (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), One Touch Ultra(®) (Abbott), and "other" meters, respectively. The median of the absolute value of percentage difference varied among different lots and different groups. Among all the groups, the Abbott One Touch Ultra group had the smallest median of absolute value of percentage difference except for lot 201411, whereas the "other" group had the largest median in all five lots. More than 85% of participate laboratories satisfied the total allowable error (TEa) requirement in International Organization for Standardization standard 15197:2013, and 85.43% (129/151) of laboratories obtained intralaboratory coefficient of variations less than 1/3TEa. However, Six Sigma techniques suggested that 41.72% (63/151) to 65.56% (99/151) of the laboratories needed to improve their POC glucose testing performance, in either precision, trueness, or both. Laboratories should pay more attention on the practice of POC glucose testing and take actions to improve their performance. Only in this way can POC glucose testing really function well in clinical practice.

The metabolism of plant sterols is disturbed in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Gylling, Helena; Hallikainen, Maarit; Rajaratnam, Radhakrishnan A; Simonen, Piia; Pihlajamäki, Jussi; Laakso, Markku; Miettinen, Tatu A

2009-03-01

In postmenopausal coronary artery disease (CAD) women, serum plant sterols are elevated. Thus, we investigated further whether serum plant sterols reflect absolute cholesterol metabolism in CAD as in other populations and whether the ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes, associated with plant sterol metabolism, were related to the risk of CAD. In free-living postmenopausal women with (n = 47) and without (n = 62) CAD, serum noncholesterol sterols including plant sterols were analyzed with gas-liquid chromatography, cholesterol absorption with peroral isotopes, absolute cholesterol synthesis with sterol balance technique, and bile acid synthesis with quantitating fecal bile acids. In CAD women, serum plant sterol ratios to cholesterol were 21% to 26% (P < .05) higher than in controls despite similar cholesterol absorption efficiency. Absolute cholesterol and bile acid synthesis were reduced. Only in controls were serum plant sterols related to cholesterol absorption (eg, sitosterol; in controls: r = 0.533, P < .001; in CAD: r = 0.296, P = not significant). However, even in CAD women, serum lathosterol (relative synthesis marker) and lathosterol-cholestanol (relative synthesis-absorption marker) were related to absolute synthesis and absorption percentage (P range from .05 to <.001) similarly to controls. Frequencies of the common polymorphisms of ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes did not differ between coronary and control women. In conclusion, plant sterol metabolism is disturbed in CAD women; so serum plant sterols only tended to reflect absolute cholesterol absorption. Other relative markers of cholesterol metabolism were related to the absolute ones in both groups. ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes were not associated with the risk of CAD.

Implementation of street trees within the solar radiative exchange parameterization of TEB in SURFEX v8.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redon, Emilie C.; Lemonsu, Aude; Masson, Valéry; Morille, Benjamin; Musy, Marjorie

2017-01-01

The Town Energy Balance (TEB) model has been refined and improved in order to explicitly represent street trees and their impacts on radiative transfer: a new vegetated stratum on the vertical plane, which can shade the road, the walls, and the low vegetation has been added. This modification led to more complex radiative calculations, but has been done with a concern to preserve a certain level of simplicity and to limit the number of new input parameters for TEB to the cover fraction of trees, the mean height of trunks and trees, their specific leaf area index, and albedo. Indeed, the model is designed to be run over whole cities, for which it can simulate the local climatic variability related to urban landscape heterogeneity at the neighborhood scale. This means that computing times must be acceptable, and that input urban data must be available or easy to define. This simplified characterization of high vegetation necessarily induces some uncertainties in terms of the solar radiative exchanges, as quantified by comparison of TEB with a high-spatial-resolution solar enlightenment model (SOLENE). On the basis of an idealized geometry of an urban canyon with various vegetation layouts, TEB is evaluated regarding the total shortwave radiation flux absorbed by the elements that compose the canyon. TEB simulations in summer gathered best scores for all configurations and surfaces considered, which is precisely the most relevant season to assess the cooling effect of deciduous trees under temperate climate. Mean absolute differences and biases of 6.03 and +3.50 W m-2 for road, respectively, and of 3.38 and +2.80 W m-2 for walls have been recorded in vegetationless canyons. In view of the important incident radiation flux, exceeding 1000 W m-2 at solar noon, the mean absolute percentage differences of 3 % for both surfaces remain moderate. Concerning the vegetated canyons, we noted a high variability of statistical scores depending on the vegetation layout. The greater uncertainties are found for the solar radiation fluxes received and absorbed by the high vegetation. The mean absolute differences averaged over the vegetation configurations during summertime are 21.12 ± 13.39 W m-2 or 20.92 ± 10.87 % of mean absolute percentage differences for the total shortwave absorption, but these scores are associated with acceptable biases: -15.96 ± 15.93 W m-2.

Thromboprophylaxis after Knee Arthroscopy and Lower-Leg Casting.

PubMed

van Adrichem, Raymond A; Nemeth, Banne; Algra, Ale; le Cessie, Saskia; Rosendaal, Frits R; Schipper, Inger B; Nelissen, Rob G H H; Cannegieter, Suzanne C

2017-02-09

The use of thromboprophylaxis to prevent clinically apparent venous thromboembolism after knee arthroscopy or casting of the lower leg is disputed. We compared the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism after these procedures between patients who received anticoagulant therapy and those who received no anticoagulant therapy. We conducted two parallel, pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trials with blinded outcome evaluation: the POT-KAST trial, which included patients undergoing knee arthroscopy, and the POT-CAST trial, which included patients treated with casting of the lower leg. Patients were assigned to receive either a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (for the 8 days after arthroscopy in the POT-KAST trial or during the full period of immobilization due to casting in the POT-CAST trial) or no anticoagulant therapy. The primary outcomes were the cumulative incidences of symptomatic venous thromboembolism and major bleeding within 3 months after the procedure. In the POT-KAST trial, 1543 patients underwent randomization, of whom 1451 were included in the intention-to-treat population. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 5 of the 731 patients (0.7%) in the treatment group and in 3 of the 720 patients (0.4%) in the control group (relative risk, 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4 to 6.8; absolute difference in risk, 0.3 percentage points; 95% CI, -0.6 to 1.2). Major bleeding occurred in 1 patient (0.1%) in the treatment group and in 1 (0.1%) in the control group (absolute difference in risk, 0 percentage points; 95% CI, -0.6 to 0.7). In the POT-CAST trial, 1519 patients underwent randomization, of whom 1435 were included in the intention-to-treat population. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 10 of the 719 patients (1.4%) in the treatment group and in 13 of the 716 patients (1.8%) in the control group (relative risk, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3 to 1.7; absolute difference in risk, -0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -1.8 to 1.0). No major bleeding events occurred. In both trials, the most common adverse event was infection. The results of our trials showed that prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin for the 8 days after knee arthroscopy or during the full period of immobilization due to casting was not effective for the prevention of symptomatic venous thromboembolism. (Funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development; POT-KAST and POT-CAST ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01542723 and NCT01542762 , respectively.).

Effect of Spironolactone and Amiloride on Thiazolidinedione-Induced Fluid Retention in South Indian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Viswanathan, Vijay; Mohan, Viswanathan; Subramani, Poongothai; Parthasarathy, Nandakumar; Subramaniyam, Gayathri; Manoharan, Deepa; Sundaramoorthy, Chandru; Gnudi, Luigi; Viberti, Giancarlo

2013-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) induce renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)–mediated sodium reabsorption, resulting in plasma volume (PV) expansion. Incidence and long-term management of fluid retention induced by thiazolidinediones remain unclear. Design, setting, participants, & measurements In a 4-week run-in period, rosiglitazone, 4 mg twice daily, was added to a background anti-diabetic therapy in 260 South Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with PV expansion (absolute reduction in hematocrit in run-in, ≥1.5 percentage points) entered a randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate effects of amiloride and spironolactone on attenuating rosiglitazone-induced fluid retention. Primary endpoint was change in hematocrit in each diuretic group versus placebo (control group). Results Of the 260 patients, 70% (n=180) had PV expansion. These 180 patients (70% male; mean age, 47.8 years [range, 30–80 years]) were randomly assigned to rosiglitazone, 4 mg twice daily, plus spironolactone, 50 mg once daily; rosiglitazone, 4 mg twice daily, plus amiloride, 10 mg once daily; or rosiglitazone, 4 mg twice daily, plus placebo for 24 weeks. Hematocrit continued to decrease significantly in control and spironolactone groups (mean absolute change, −1.2 [P=0.01] and −0.7 [P=0.02] percentage points, respectively), suggesting continued PV expansion. No change occurred with amiloride (mean change, 0.0 percentage points). Amiloride, but not spironolactone, was superior to control (mean hematocrit difference [95% confidence interval] relative to control, 1.27 [0.21–2.55] and 0.49 [−0.79–1.77] percentage points [P=0.04 and P=0.61], respectively). Conclusions Prevalence of rosiglitazone-induced fluid retention in South Indian patients with type 2 diabetes is high. Amiloride, a direct ENaC blocker, but not spironolactone, prevented protracted fluid retention in these patients. PMID:23184569

Alteration of the number and percentage of innate immune cells in preschool children from an e-waste recycling area.

PubMed

Zhang, Yu; Xu, Xijin; Sun, Di; Cao, Junjun; Zhang, Yuling; Huo, Xia

2017-11-01

Heavy metal lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are widespread environmental contaminants and exert detrimental effects on the immune system. We evaluated the association between Pb/Cd exposures and innate immune cells in children from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling area. A total number of 294 preschool children were recruited, including 153 children from Guiyu (e-waste exposed group), and 141 from Haojiang (reference group). Pb and Cd levels in peripheral blood were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer, NK cell percentages were detected by flow cytometer, and other innate immune cells including monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils were immediately measured by automated hematology analyzer. Results showed children in Guiyu had significantly higher Pb and Cd levels than in reference group. Absolute counts of monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils, as well as percentages of eosinophils and neutrophils were significantly higher in the Guiyu group. In contrast, NK cell percentages were significantly lower in Guiyu group. Pb elicited significant escalation in counts of monocytes, eosinophils and basophils, as well as percentages of monocytes, but decline in percentages of neutrophils in different quintiles with respect to the first quintile of Pb concentrations. Cd induced significant increase in counts and percentages of neutrophils in the highest quintile compared with the first quintile of Cd concentrations. We concluded alteration of the number and percentage of innate immune cells are linked to higher levels of Pb and Cd, which indicates Pb and Cd exposures might affect the innate and adaptive immune response in Guiyu children. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A cumulative dose comparison between salbutamol and fenoterol metered dose aerosols in asthmatic patients.

PubMed Central

Bellamy, D.; Penketh, A.

1987-01-01

The potency and side effects of salbutamol and fenoterol inhalers have been compared in 8 asthmatic patients using a dose response curve. There was no significant difference in the absolute or percentage increase in FEV1 with the two treatments, but fenoterol caused a significantly greater (P less than 0.01) increase in heart rate than did salbutamol. A greater degree of bronchodilatation was observed with increased doses and we suggest that regular higher doses may provide better bronchodilatation and control of asthma in selected patients. PMID:3432172

Money earlier or later? Simple heuristics explain intertemporal choices better than delay discounting does.

PubMed

Ericson, Keith M Marzilli; White, John Myles; Laibson, David; Cohen, Jonathan D

2015-06-01

Heuristic models have been proposed for many domains involving choice. We conducted an out-of-sample, cross-validated comparison of heuristic models of intertemporal choice (which can account for many of the known intertemporal choice anomalies) and discounting models. Heuristic models outperformed traditional utility-discounting models, including models of exponential and hyperbolic discounting. The best-performing models predicted choices by using a weighted average of absolute differences and relative percentage differences of the attributes of the goods in a choice set. We concluded that heuristic models explain time-money trade-off choices in experiments better than do utility-discounting models. © The Author(s) 2015.

Money Earlier or Later? Simple Heuristics Explain Intertemporal Choices Better than Delay Discounting1

PubMed Central

Marzilli Ericson, Keith M.; White, John Myles; Laibson, David; Cohen, Jonathan D.

2015-01-01

Heuristic models have been proposed for many domains of choice. We compare heuristic models of intertemporal choice, which can account for many of the known intertemporal choice anomalies, to discounting models. We conduct an out-of-sample, cross-validated comparison of intertemporal choice models. Heuristic models outperform traditional utility discounting models, including models of exponential and hyperbolic discounting. The best performing models predict choices by using a weighted average of absolute differences and relative (percentage) differences of the attributes of the goods in a choice set. We conclude that heuristic models explain time-money tradeoff choices in experiments better than utility discounting models. PMID:25911124

Influence of different rotation angles in assessment of lung volumes by 3-dimensional sonography in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging in healthy fetuses.

PubMed

Kehl, Sven; Eckert, Sven; Sütterlin, Marc; Neff, K Wolfgang; Siemer, Jörn

2011-06-01

Three-dimensional (3D) sonographic volumetry is established in gynecology and obstetrics. Assessment of the fetal lung volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in congenital diaphragmatic hernias has become a routine examination. In vitro studies have shown a good correlation between 3D sonographic measurements and MRI. The aim of this study was to compare the lung volumes of healthy fetuses assessed by 3D sonography to MRI measurements and to investigate the impact of different rotation angles. A total of 126 fetuses between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation were measured by 3D sonography, and 27 of them were also assessed by MRI. The sonographic volumes were calculated by the rotational technique (virtual organ computer-aided analysis) with rotation angles of 6° and 30°. To evaluate the accuracy of 3D sonographic volumetry, percentage error and absolute percentage error values were calculated using MRI volumes as reference points. Formulas to calculate total, right, and left fetal lung volumes according to gestational age and biometric parameters were derived by stepwise regression analysis. Three-dimensional sonographic volumetry showed a high correlation compared to MRI (6° angle, R(2) = 0.971; 30° angle, R(2) = 0.917) with no systematic error for the 6° angle. Moreover, using the 6° rotation angle, the median absolute percentage error was significantly lower compared to the 30° angle (P < .001). The new formulas to calculate total lung volume in healthy fetuses only included gestational age and no biometric parameters (R(2) = 0.853). Three-dimensional sonographic volumetry of lung volumes in healthy fetuses showed a good correlation with MRI. We recommend using an angle of 6° because it assessed the lung volume more accurately. The specifically designed equations help estimate lung volumes in healthy fetuses.

Alternatives to accuracy and bias metrics based on percentage errors for radiation belt modeling applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morley, Steven Karl

This report reviews existing literature describing forecast accuracy metrics, concentrating on those based on relative errors and percentage errors. We then review how the most common of these metrics, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), has been applied in recent radiation belt modeling literature. Finally, we describe metrics based on the ratios of predicted to observed values (the accuracy ratio) that address the drawbacks inherent in using MAPE. Specifically, we define and recommend the median log accuracy ratio as a measure of bias and the median symmetric accuracy as a measure of accuracy.

Individual A-Scan Signal Normalization Between Two Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Devices

PubMed Central

Chen, Chieh-Li; Ishikawa, Hiroshi; Wollstein, Gadi; Ling, Yun; Bilonick, Richard A.; Kagemann, Larry; Sigal, Ian A.; Schuman, Joel S.

2013-01-01

Purpose. We developed a method to normalize optical coherence tomography (OCT) signal profiles from two spectral-domain (SD) OCT devices so that the comparability between devices increases. Methods. We scanned 21 eyes from 14 healthy and 7 glaucoma subjects with two SD-OCT devices on the same day, with equivalent cube scan patterns centered on the fovea (Cirrus HD-OCT and RTVue). Foveola positions were selected manually and used as the center for registration of the corresponding images. A-scan signals were sampled 1.8 mm from the foveola in the temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior quadrants. After oversampling and rescaling RTVue data along the Z-axis to match the corresponding Cirrus data format, speckle noise reduction and amplitude normalization were applied. For comparison between normalized A-scan profiles, mean absolute difference in amplitude in percentage was measured at each sampling point. As a reference, the mean absolute difference between two Cirrus scans on the same eye also was measured. Results. The mean residual of the A-scan profile amplitude was reduced significantly after signal normalization (12.7% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.0001, paired t-test). All four quadrants also showed statistically significant reduction (all P < 0.0001). Mean absolute difference after normalization was smaller than the one between two Cirrus scans. No performance difference was detected between health and glaucomatous eyes. Conclusions. The reported signal normalization method successfully reduced the A-scan profile differences between two SD-OCT devices. This signal normalization processing may improve the direct comparability of OCT image analysis and measurement on various devices. PMID:23611992

Reliability of Lactation Assessment Tools Applied to Overweight and Obese Women.

PubMed

Chapman, Donna J; Doughty, Katherine; Mullin, Elizabeth M; Pérez-Escamilla, Rafael

2016-05-01

The interrater reliability of lactation assessment tools has not been evaluated in overweight/obese women. This study aimed to compare the interrater reliability of 4 lactation assessment tools in this population. A convenience sample of 45 women (body mass index > 27.0) was videotaped while breastfeeding (twice daily on days 2, 4, and 7 postpartum). Three International Board Certified Lactation Consultants independently rated each videotaped session using 4 tools (Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool [IBFAT], modified LATCH [mLATCH], modified Via Christi [mVC], and Riordan's Tool [RT]). For each day and tool, we evaluated interrater reliability with 1-way repeated-measures analyses of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and percentage absolute agreement between raters. Analyses of variance showed significant differences between raters' scores on day 2 (all scales) and day 7 (RT). Intraclass correlation coefficient values reflected good (mLATCH) to excellent reliability (IBFAT, mVC, and RT) on days 2 and 7. All day 4 ICCs reflected good reliability. The ICC for mLATCH was significantly lower than all others on day 2 and was significantly lower than IBFAT (day 7). Percentage absolute interrater agreement for scale components ranged from 31% (day 2: observable swallowing, RT) to 92% (day 7: IBFAT, fixing; and mVC, latch time). Swallowing scores on all scales had the lowest levels of interrater agreement (31%-64%). We demonstrated differences in the interrater reliability of 4 lactation assessment tools when applied to overweight/obese women, with the lowest values observed on day 4. Swallowing assessment was particularly unreliable. Researchers and clinicians using these scales should be aware of the differences in their psychometric behavior. © The Author(s) 2015.

Comparison of body weight distribution, peak vertical force, and vertical impulse as measures of hip joint pain and efficacy of total hip replacement.

PubMed

Seibert, Rachel; Marcellin-Little, Denis J; Roe, Simon C; DePuy, Venita; Lascelles, B Duncan X

2012-05-01

To determine whether there is a difference between the ability of peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), and percentage body weight distribution (%BW(dist) ) in differentiating which leg is most affected by hip joint pain before total hip replacement (THR) surgery, and for measuring changes in limb use after THR surgery. Prospective clinical study. Dogs (n = 47). Ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected using a pressure-sensitive walkway the day before THR surgery and at ∼3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. PVF and VI expressed as a percentage of body weight (%PVF, %VI), and %BW(dist) were recorded. Regression models performed separately for each outcome were used for statistical analysis. When comparing limb use between the affected limb (AP) and the nonaffected limb (NP) preoperatively, differences between limbs were statistically significant when evaluated using PVF (P = .023), VI (P = .010), and %BW(dist) (P = .012). When evaluating the magnitude of absolute and percentage change difference in AP limb use preoperatively versus postoperatively, differences were statistically significant when evaluated using PVF (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively), VI (P = .001 and P < .001) and %BW(dist) (P < .001 and P < .001). There appeared to be no difference in the sensitivity of VI, PVF, and %BW(dist) for evaluating limb use before and after THR. © Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Use of a Tracing Task to Assess Visuomotor Performance: Effects of Age, Sex, and Handedness

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background. Visuomotor abnormalities are common in aging and age-related disease, yet difficult to quantify. This study investigated the effects of healthy aging, sex, and handedness on the performance of a tracing task. Participants (n = 150, aged 21–95 years, 75 females) used a stylus to follow a moving target around a circle on a tablet computer with their dominant and nondominant hands. Participants also performed the Trail Making Test (a measure of executive function). Methods. Deviations from the circular path were computed to derive an “error” time series. For each time series, absolute mean, variance, and complexity index (a proposed measure of system functionality and adaptability) were calculated. Using the moving target and stylus coordinates, the percentage of task time within the target region and the cumulative micropause duration (a measure of motion continuity) were computed. Results. All measures showed significant effects of aging (p < .0005). Post hoc age group comparisons showed that with increasing age, the absolute mean and variance of the error increased, complexity index decreased, percentage of time within the target region decreased, and cumulative micropause duration increased. Only complexity index showed a significant difference between dominant versus nondominant hands within each age group (p < .0005). All measures showed relationships to the Trail Making Test (p < .05). Conclusions. Measures derived from a tracing task identified performance differences in healthy individuals as a function of age, sex, and handedness. Studies in populations with specific neuromotor syndromes are warranted to test the utility of measures based on the dynamics of tracking a target as a clinical assessment tool. PMID:23388876

Analysis of the major chiral compounds of Artemisia herba-alba essential oils (EOs) using reconstructed vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra: En route to a VCD chiral signature of EOs.

PubMed

Said, Mohammed El-Amin; Vanloot, Pierre; Bombarda, Isabelle; Naubron, Jean-Valère; Dahmane, El Montassir; Aamouche, Ahmed; Jean, Marion; Vanthuyne, Nicolas; Dupuy, Nathalie; Roussel, Christian

2016-01-15

An unprecedented methodology was developed to simultaneously assign the relative percentages of the major chiral compounds and their prevailing enantiomeric form in crude essential oils (EOs). In a first step the infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the crude essential oils were recorded and in a second step they were modelized as a linear weighted combination of the IR and VCD spectra of the individual spectra of pure enantiomer of the major chiral compounds present in the EOs. The VCD spectra of enantiomer of known enantiomeric excess shall be recorded if they are not yet available in a library of VCD spectra. For IR, the spectra of pure enantiomer or racemic mixture can be used. The full spectra modelizations were performed using a well known and powerful mathematical model (least square estimation: LSE) which resulted in a weighting of each contributing compound. For VCD modelization, the absolute value of each weighting represented the percentage of the associate compound while the attached sign addressed the correctness of the enantiomeric form used to build the model. As an example, a model built with the non-prevailing enantiomer will show a negative sign of the weighting value. For IR spectra modelization, the absolute value of each weighting represented the percentage of the compounds without of course accounting for the chirality of the prevailing enantiomers. Comparison of the weighting values issuing from IR and VCD spectra modelizations is a valuable source of information: if they are identical, the EOs are composed of nearly pure enantiomers, if they are different the chiral compounds of the EOs are not in an optically pure form. The method was applied on four samples of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba in which the three major compounds namely (-)-α-thujone, (+)-β-thujone and (-)-camphor were found in different proportions as determined by GC-MS and chiral HPLC using polarimetric detector. In order to validate the methodology, the modelization of the VCD spectra was performed on purpose using the individual VCD spectra of (-)-α-thujone, (+)-β-thujone and (+)-camphor instead of (-)-camphor. During this work, the absolute configurations of (-)-α-thujone and (+)-β-thujone were confirmed by comparison of experimental and calculated VCD spectra as being (1S,4R,5R) and (1S,4S,5R) respectively. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Applicability of the ReproQ client experiences questionnaire for quality improvement in maternity care

PubMed Central

Scheerhagen, Marisja; Tholhuijsen, Dominique J.C.; Birnie, Erwin; Franx, Arie; Bonsel, Gouke J.

2016-01-01

Background. The ReproQuestionnaire (ReproQ) measures the client’s experience with maternity care, following the WHO responsiveness model. In 2015, the ReproQ was appointed as national client experience questionnaire and will be added to the national list of indicators in maternity care. For using the ReproQ in quality improvement, the questionnaire should be able to identify best and worst practices. To achieve this, ReproQ should be reliable and able to identify relevant differences. Methods and Findings. We sent questionnaires to 17,867 women six weeks after labor (response 32%). Additionally, we invited 915 women for the retest (response 29%). Next we determined the test–retest reliability, the Minimally Important Difference (MID) and six known group comparisons, using two scorings methods: the percentage women with at least one negative experience and the mean score. The reliability for the percentage negative experience and mean score was both ‘good’ (Absolute agreement = 79%; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.78). The MID was 11% for the percentage negative and 0.15 for the mean score. Application of the MIDs revealed relevant differences in women’s experience with regard to professional continuity, setting continuity and having travel time. Conclusions. The measurement characteristics of the ReproQ support its use in quality improvement cycle. Test–retest reliability was good, and the observed minimal important difference allows for discrimination of good and poor performers, also at the level of specific features of performance. PMID:27478690

19 CFR 351.224 - Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of ministerial errors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping... margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero (or de minimis) and a weighted...

19 CFR 351.224 - Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of ministerial errors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping... margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero (or de minimis) and a weighted...

19 CFR 351.224 - Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of ministerial errors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping... margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero (or de minimis) and a weighted...

19 CFR 351.224 - Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of ministerial errors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping... margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero (or de minimis) and a weighted...

19 CFR 351.224 - Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of ministerial errors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... least five absolute percentage points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping... margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero (or de minimis) and a weighted...

Characterization of B cells in healthy pregnant women from late pregnancy to post-partum: a prospective observational study.

PubMed

Lima, Jorge; Martins, Catarina; Leandro, Maria J; Nunes, Glória; Sousa, Maria-José; Branco, Jorge C; Borrego, Luís-Miguel

2016-06-06

B cells play a role in pregnancy due to their humoral and regulatory activities. To our knowledge, different maturational stages (from transitional to memory) of circulating B cell subsets have not yet been characterized (cell quantification and phenotype identification) in healthy pregnant women. Thus, the objective of our study was to characterize these subsets (as well as regulatory B cells) from late pregnancy to post-partum and to compare them with the circulating B cells of non-pregnant women. In all of the enrolled women, flow cytometry was used to characterize the circulating B cell subsets according to the expression of IgD and CD38 (Bm1-Bm5 classification system). Regulatory B cells were characterized based on the expression of surface antigens (CD24, CD27, and CD38) and the production of IL-10 after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Compared to the absolute counts of B cells in the non-pregnant women (n = 35), those in the pregnant women (n = 43) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and on delivery day (immediately after delivery). The percentages of these cells on delivery day and at post-partum were significantly lower than those in the non-pregnant women. In general, the absolute counts and percentages of the majority of the B cell subsets were significantly lower in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and on delivery day than in the non-pregnant women. However, these counts and percentages did not differ significantly between the post-partum and the non-pregnant women. The most notable exceptions to the above were the percentages of naïve B cells (which were significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and on delivery day than in the non-pregnant women) and of CD24(hi)CD38(hi) regulatory B cells (which were significantly higher in the post-partum than in the non-pregnant women). According to our study, the peripheral B cell compartment undergoes quantitative changes during normal late pregnancy and post-partum. Such findings may allow us to better understand immunomodulation during human pregnancy and provide evidence that could aid in the development of new strategies to diagnose and treat pregnancy-associated disturbances. Our findings could also be useful for studies of the mechanisms of maternal responses to vaccination and infection.

Demand forecasting of electricity in Indonesia with limited historical data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwi Kartikasari, Mujiati; Rohmad Prayogi, Arif

2018-03-01

Demand forecasting of electricity is an important activity for electrical agents to know the description of electricity demand in future. Prediction of demand electricity can be done using time series models. In this paper, double moving average model, Holt’s exponential smoothing model, and grey model GM(1,1) are used to predict electricity demand in Indonesia under the condition of limited historical data. The result shows that grey model GM(1,1) has the smallest value of MAE (mean absolute error), MSE (mean squared error), and MAPE (mean absolute percentage error).

aCNViewer: Comprehensive genome-wide visualization of absolute copy number and copy neutral variations.

PubMed

Renault, Victor; Tost, Jörg; Pichon, Fabien; Wang-Renault, Shu-Fang; Letouzé, Eric; Imbeaud, Sandrine; Zucman-Rossi, Jessica; Deleuze, Jean-François; How-Kit, Alexandre

2017-01-01

Copy number variations (CNV) include net gains or losses of part or whole chromosomal regions. They differ from copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (cn-LOH) events which do not induce any net change in the copy number and are often associated with uniparental disomy. These phenomena have long been reported to be associated with diseases and particularly in cancer. Losses/gains of genomic regions are often correlated with lower/higher gene expression. On the other hand, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and cn-LOH are common events in cancer and may be associated with the loss of a functional tumor suppressor gene. Therefore, identifying recurrent CNV and cn-LOH events can be important as they may highlight common biological components and give insights into the development or mechanisms of a disease. However, no currently available tools allow a comprehensive whole-genome visualization of recurrent CNVs and cn-LOH in groups of samples providing absolute quantification of the aberrations leading to the loss of potentially important information. To overcome these limitations, we developed aCNViewer (Absolute CNV Viewer), a visualization tool for absolute CNVs and cn-LOH across a group of samples. aCNViewer proposes three graphical representations: dendrograms, bi-dimensional heatmaps showing chromosomal regions sharing similar abnormality patterns, and quantitative stacked histograms facilitating the identification of recurrent absolute CNVs and cn-LOH. We illustrated aCNViewer using publically available hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) Affymetrix SNP Array data (Fig 1A). Regions 1q and 8q present a similar percentage of total gains but significantly different copy number gain categories (p-value of 0.0103 with a Fisher exact test), validated by another cohort of HCCs (p-value of 5.6e-7) (Fig 2B). aCNViewer is implemented in python and R and is available with a GNU GPLv3 license on GitHub https://github.com/FJD-CEPH/aCNViewer and Docker https://hub.docker.com/r/fjdceph/acnviewer/. aCNViewer@cephb.fr.

Empirical Approach in Developing Vs/Vp Ratio for Predicting S-Wave Velocity, Study Case; Sungai Batu, Kedah

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabrian, T. A.; Saad, R.; Saidin, M.; Muhammad, S. B.; Yusoh, R.

2018-04-01

In recognition of the difficulties in acquiring seismic refraction shear wave data and the ambiguities involved in its processing, Vs/Vp ratio for sedimentary areas of Sungai Batu have been developed and assessed in this study. Two seismic refraction survey line L1 and L2 were conducted using P- and S-wave were acquired and processed along the same line regarding study area. The resulting velocities were extracted from seismic tomography profile to compute specific ratios after linearity and correlation checks. It is found that Vs is linearly related to Vp, with coefficients of determination (R2) of about 0.74 and 0.52 for L1 and L2 respectively. The specific ratios were computed as 0.3 and 0.4 for L1 and L2 respectively Another data sets acquired along different lines were used to validate the ratios. The mean absolute percentage errors were calculated for both modelling and validation data sets and found that the different percentage between Vs measured and Vs calculated is 20.7% and 22% respectively.

What does the MADRS mean? Equipercentile linking with the CGI using a company database of mirtazapine studies.

PubMed

Leucht, Stefan; Fennema, Hein; Engel, Rolf R; Kaspers-Janssen, Marion; Lepping, Peter; Szegedi, Armin

2017-03-01

Little is known about the clinical relevance of the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total scores. It is unclear how total scores translate into clinical severity, or how commonly used measures for response (reduction from baseline of ≥50% in the total score) translate into clinical relevance. Moreover, MADRS based definitions of remission vary. We therefore compared: a/ the MADRS total score with the Clinical Global Impression - Severity Score (CGI-S) b/ the percentage and absolute change in the MADRS total scores with Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I); c/ the absolute and percentage change in the MADRS total scores with CGI-S absolute change. The method used was equipercentile linking of MADRS and CGI ratings from 22 drug trials in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (n=3288). Our results confirm the validity of the commonly used measures for response in MDD trials: a CGI-I score of 2 ('much improved') corresponded to a percentage MADRS reduction from baseline of 48-57%, and a CGI-I score of 1 ('very much improved') to a reduction of 80-84%. If a state of almost complete absence of symptoms were required for a definition of remission, a MADRS total score would be <8, because such scores corresponded to a CGI-S score of 2 ('borderline mentally ill'). Although our analysis is based on a large number of patients, the original trials were not specifically designed to examine our research question. The results might contribute to a better understanding and improved interpretation of clinical trial results in MDD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantitative EEG correlations with brain glucose metabolic rate during anesthesia in volunteers.

PubMed

Alkire, M T

1998-08-01

To help elucidate the relationship between anesthetic-induced changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) and the concurrent cerebral metabolic changes caused by anesthesia, positron emission tomography data of cerebral metabolism obtained in volunteers during anesthesia were correlated retrospectively with various concurrently measured EEG descriptors. Volunteers underwent functional brain imaging using the 18fluorodeoxyglucose technique; one scan always assessed awake-baseline cerebral metabolism (n = 7), and the other scans assessed metabolism during propofol sedation (n = 4), propofol anesthesia (n = 4), or isoflurane anesthesia (n = 5). The EEG was recorded continuously during metabolism assessment using a frontal-mastoid montage. Power spectrum variables, median frequency, 95% spectral edge, and bispectral index (BIS) values subsequently were correlated with the percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction (PACMR) of glucose utilization caused by anesthesia. The percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction, evident during anesthesia, trended median frequency (r = -0.46, P = 0.11), and the spectral edge (r = -0.52, P = 0.07), and correlated with anesthetic type (r = -0.70, P < 0.05), relative beta power (r = -0.60, P < 0.05), total power (r = 0.71,P < 0.01), and bispectral index (r = -0.81,P < 0.001). After controlling for anesthetic type, only bispectral index (r = 0.40, P = 0.08) and alpha power (r = 0.37, P = 0.10) approached significance for explaining residual percentage of absolute cerebral metabolic reduction prediction error. Some EEG descriptors correlated linearly with the magnitude of the cerebral metabolic reduction caused by propofol and isoflurane anesthesia. These data suggest that a physiologic link exists between the EEG and cerebral metabolism during anesthesia that is mathematically quantifiable.

Increases in Plasma Lutein through Supplementation Are Correlated with Increases in Physical Activity and Reductions in Sedentary Time in Older Adults

PubMed Central

Thomson, Rebecca L.; Coates, Alison M.; Howe, Peter R. C.; Bryan, Janet; Matsumoto, Megumi; Buckley, Jonathan D.

2014-01-01

Cross-sectional studies have reported positive relationships between serum lutein concentrations and higher physical activity levels. The purpose of the study was to determine whether increasing plasma lutein levels increases physical activity. Forty-four older adults (BMI, 25.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2; age, 68.8 ± 6.4 year) not meeting Australian physical activity guidelines (150 min/week of moderate to vigorous activity) were randomized to consume capsules containing 21 mg of lutein or placebo with 250 mL of full-cream milk per day for 4 weeks and encouraged to increase physical activity. Physical activity was assessed by self-report, pedometry and accelerometry (daily activity counts and sedentary time). Exercise self-efficacy was assessed by questionnaire. Thirty-nine participants competed the study (Lutein = 19, Placebo = 20). Lutein increased plasma lutein concentrations compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Absolute and percentage changes in plasma lutein were inversely associated with absolute (r = −0.36, p = 0.03) and percentage changes (r = −0.39, p = 0.02) in sedentary time. Percentage change in plasma lutein was positively associated with the percentage change in average daily activity counts (r = 0.36, p = 0.03). Exercise self-efficacy did not change (p = 0.16). Lutein increased plasma lutein, which was associated with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time in older adults. Larger trials should evaluate whether Lutein can provide health benefits over the longer term. PMID:24594505

Distinct abnormalities in the innate immune system of children with Down syndrome.

PubMed

Bloemers, Beatrijs L P; van Bleek, Grada M; Kimpen, Jan L L; Bont, Louis

2010-05-01

To analyze the frequency and phenotype of cells of the innate immune system in the peripheral blood of children with Down syndrome (DS). Flow cytometric analysis of expression of cell surface markers was performed in children with DS (n = 41) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 41). Compared with controls, children with DS had significantly lower absolute total leukocyte counts, lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes, but 1.5-times higher absolute numbers of CD14(dim)CD16(+) monocytes (147 x 10(6)/L vs 93 x 10(6)/L; P = .02). This difference is fully explained by a higher percentage of CD14(dim)CD16(+) monocytes within the monocyte compartment (28.7% vs 13.4%; P <.001). The absolute numbers of myeloid dendritic cells were lower in DS (13.8 x 10(6)/L vs 22.7 x 10(6)/L; P <.001). The numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and natural killer cells were normal. Absolute numbers of invariant natural killer T cells were very low overall, but significantly lower in children with DS than in controls (1.2 x 10(6)/L vs 3.7 x 10(6)/L; P = .01). Children with DS exhibited distinct abnormalities in cells of the innate immune system. Most strikingly, they had a high number of proinflammatory CD14(dim)CD16(+) monocytes. This elevated level of CD14(dim)CD16(+) monocytes may play an important role in the onset and maintenance of chronic inflammatory disease in DS.

Physician Service Attribution Methods for Examining Provision of Low-Value Care

PubMed Central

Chang, Eva; Buist, Diana SM; Handley, Matthew; Pardee, Roy; Gundersen, Gabrielle; Reid, Robert J.

2016-01-01

Objectives: There has been significant research on provider attribution for quality and cost. Low-value care is an area of heightened focus, with little of the focus being on measurement; a key methodological decision is how to attribute delivered services and procedures. We illustrate the difference in relative and absolute physician- and panel-attributed services and procedures using overuse in cervical cancer screening. Study Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study in an integrated health care system. Methods: We used 2013 physician-level data from Group Health Cooperative to calculate two utilization attributions: (1) panel attribution with the procedure assigned to the physician’s predetermined panel, regardless of who performed the procedure; and (2) physician attribution with the procedure assigned to the performing physician. We calculated the percentage of low-value cervical cancer screening tests and ranked physicians within the clinic using the two utilization attribution methods. Results: The percentage of low-value cervical cancer screening varied substantially between physician and panel attributions. Across the whole delivery system, median panel- and physician-attributed percentages were 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Among sampled clinics, panel-attributed percentages ranged between 10 percent and 17 percent, and physician-attributed percentages ranged between 9 percent and 13 percent. Within a clinic, median panel-attributed screening percentage was 17 percent (range 0 percent–27 percent) and physician-attributed percentage was 11 percent (range 0 percent–24 percent); physician rank varied by attribution method. Conclusions: The attribution method is an important methodological decision when developing low-value care measures since measures may ultimately have an impact on national benchmarking and quality scores. Cross-organizational dialogue and transparency in low-value care measurement will become increasingly important for all stakeholders. PMID:28203612

Physician Service Attribution Methods for Examining Provision of Low-Value Care.

PubMed

Chang, Eva; Buist, Diana Sm; Handley, Matthew; Pardee, Roy; Gundersen, Gabrielle; Reid, Robert J

2016-01-01

There has been significant research on provider attribution for quality and cost. Low-value care is an area of heightened focus, with little of the focus being on measurement; a key methodological decision is how to attribute delivered services and procedures. We illustrate the difference in relative and absolute physician- and panel-attributed services and procedures using overuse in cervical cancer screening. A retrospective, cross-sectional study in an integrated health care system. We used 2013 physician-level data from Group Health Cooperative to calculate two utilization attributions: (1) panel attribution with the procedure assigned to the physician's predetermined panel, regardless of who performed the procedure; and (2) physician attribution with the procedure assigned to the performing physician. We calculated the percentage of low-value cervical cancer screening tests and ranked physicians within the clinic using the two utilization attribution methods. The percentage of low-value cervical cancer screening varied substantially between physician and panel attributions. Across the whole delivery system, median panel- and physician-attributed percentages were 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Among sampled clinics, panel-attributed percentages ranged between 10 percent and 17 percent, and physician-attributed percentages ranged between 9 percent and 13 percent. Within a clinic, median panel-attributed screening percentage was 17 percent (range 0 percent-27 percent) and physician-attributed percentage was 11 percent (range 0 percent-24 percent); physician rank varied by attribution method. The attribution method is an important methodological decision when developing low-value care measures since measures may ultimately have an impact on national benchmarking and quality scores. Cross-organizational dialogue and transparency in low-value care measurement will become increasingly important for all stakeholders.

The percentage of nosocomial-related out of total hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis and its association with hand hygiene compliance.

PubMed

Waisbourd-Zinman, Orith; Ben-Ziony, Shiri; Solter, Ester; Chodick, Gabriel; Ashkenazi, Shai; Livni, Gilat

2011-03-01

Because the absolute numbers of both community-acquired and nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) vary, we studied the percentage of hospitalizations for RVGE that were transmitted nosocomially as an indicator of in-hospital acquisition of the infection. In a 4-year prospective study, the percentage of nosocomial RVGE declined steadily, from 20.3% in 2003 to 12.7% in 2006 (P = .001). Concomitantly, the rate of compliance with hand hygiene increased from 33.7% to 49% (P = .012), with a significant (P < .0001) inverse association noted between the two trends. Copyright © 2011 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetic resonance cinematography of the fingers: a 3.0 Tesla feasibility study with comparison of incremental and continuous dynamic protocols.

PubMed

Bayer, Thomas; Adler, Werner; Janka, Rolf; Uder, Michael; Roemer, Frank

2017-12-01

To study the feasibility of magnetic resonance cinematography of the fingers (MRCF) with comparison of image quality of different protocols for depicting the finger anatomy during motion. MRCF was performed during a full flexion and extension movement in 14 healthy volunteers using a finger-gating device. Three real-time sequences (frame rates 17-59 images/min) and one proton density (PD) sequence (3 images/min) were acquired during incremental and continuous motion. Analyses were performed independently by three readers. Qualitative image analysis included Likert-scale grading from 0 (useless) to 5 (excellent) and specific visual analog scale (VAS) grading from 0 (insufficient) to 100 (excellent). Signal-to-noise calculation was performed. Overall percentage agreement and mean absolute disagreement were calculated. Within the real-time sequences a high frame-rate true fast imaging with steady-state free precession (TRUFI) yielded the best image quality with Likert and overall VAS scores of 3.0 ± 0.2 and 60.4 ± 25.3, respectively. The best sequence regarding image quality was an incremental PD with mean values of 4.8 ± 0.2 and 91.2 ± 9.4, respectively. Overall percentage agreement and mean absolute disagreement were 47.9 and 0.7, respectively. No statistically significant SNR differences were found between continuous and incremental motion for the real-time protocols. MRCF is feasible with appropriate image quality during continuous motion using a finger-gating device. Almost perfect image quality is achievable with incremental PD imaging, which represents a compromise for MRCF with the drawback of prolonged scanning time.

Utility of a near real-time emergency department syndromic surveillance system to track injuries in New York City.

PubMed

Seil, Kacie; Marcum, Jennifer; Lall, Ramona; Stayton, Catherine

2015-12-01

The New York City emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance (SS) system provides near real-time data on the majority of ED visits. The utility of ED SS for injury surveillance has not been thoroughly evaluated. We created injury syndromes based on ED chief complaint information and evaluated their utility compared to administrative billing data. Six injury syndromes were developed: traffic-related injuries to pedal cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicle occupants; fall-related injuries; firearm-related injuries; and assault-related stabbings. Daily injury counts were compared for ED SS and the administrative billing data for years 2008-2010. We examined characteristics of injury trends and patterns between the two systems, calculating descriptive statistics for temporal patterns and Pearson correlation coefficients (r) for temporal trends. We also calculated proportions of demographic and geospatial patterns for both systems. Although daily volume of the injuries varied between the two systems, the temporal patterns were similar (all r values for daily volume exceeded 0.65). Comparisons of injuries by time of day, day of week, and quarter of year demonstrated high agreement between the two systems-the majority had an absolute percentage point difference of 2.0 or less. Distributions of injury by sex and age group also aligned well. Distribution of injury by neighborhood of residence showed mixed results-some neighborhood comparisons showed a high level of agreement between systems, while others were less successful. As evidenced by the strong positive correlation coefficients and the small absolute percentage point differences in our comparisons, we conclude that ED SS captures temporal trends and patterns of injury-related ED visits effectively. The system could be used to identify changes in injury patterns, allowing for situational awareness during emergencies, timely response, and public messaging.

Aging of immune system: Immune signature from peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in 1068 healthy adults.

PubMed

Qin, Ling; Jing, Xie; Qiu, Zhifeng; Cao, Wei; Jiao, Yang; Routy, Jean-Pierre; Li, Taisheng

2016-05-01

Aging is a major risk factor for several conditions including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Functional impairments in cellular pathways controlling genomic stability, and immune control have been identified. Biomarker of immune senescence is needed to improve vaccine response and to develop therapy to improve immune control. To identify phenotypic signature of circulating immune cells with aging, we enrolled 1068 Chinese healthy volunteers ranging from 18 to 80 years old. The decreased naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, increased memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, loss of CD28 expression on T cells and reverse trend of CD38 and HLA-DR, were significant for aging of immune system. Conversely, the absolute counts and percentage of NK cells and CD19+B cells maintained stable in aging individuals. The Chinese reference ranges of absolute counts and percentage of peripheral lymphocyte in this study might be useful for future clinical evaluation.

Reader variability in breast density estimation from full-field digital mammograms: the effect of image postprocessing on relative and absolute measures.

PubMed

Keller, Brad M; Nathan, Diane L; Gavenonis, Sara C; Chen, Jinbo; Conant, Emily F; Kontos, Despina

2013-05-01

Mammographic breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer, may be measured as either a relative percentage of dense (ie, radiopaque) breast tissue or as an absolute area from either raw (ie, "for processing") or vendor postprocessed (ie, "for presentation") digital mammograms. Given the increasing interest in the incorporation of mammographic density in breast cancer risk assessment, the purpose of this study is to determine the inherent reader variability in breast density assessment from raw and vendor-processed digital mammograms, because inconsistent estimates could to lead to misclassification of an individual woman's risk for breast cancer. Bilateral, mediolateral-oblique view, raw, and processed digital mammograms of 81 women were retrospectively collected for this study (N = 324 images). Mammographic percent density and absolute dense tissue area estimates for each image were obtained from two radiologists using a validated, interactive software tool. The variability of interreader agreement was not found to be affected by the image presentation style (ie, raw or processed, F-test: P > .5). Interreader estimates of relative and absolute breast density are strongly correlated (Pearson r > 0.84, P < .001) but systematically different (t-test, P < .001) between the two readers. Our results show that mammographic density may be assessed with equal reliability from either raw or vendor postprocessed images. Furthermore, our results suggest that the primary source of density variability comes from the subjectivity of the individual reader in assessing the absolute amount of dense tissue present in the breast, indicating the need to use standardized tools to mitigate this effect. Copyright © 2013 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Local plate/rod descriptors of 3D trabecular bone micro-CT images from medial axis topologic analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peyrin, Francoise; Attali, Dominique; Chappard, Christine

Purpose: Trabecular bone microarchitecture is made of a complex network of plate and rod structures evolving with age and disease. The purpose of this article is to propose a new 3D local analysis method for the quantitative assessment of parameters related to the geometry of trabecular bone microarchitecture. Methods: The method is based on the topologic classification of the medial axis of the 3D image into branches, rods, and plates. Thanks to the reversibility of the medial axis, the classification is next extended to the whole 3D image. Finally, the percentages of rods and plates as well as their meanmore » thicknesses are calculated. The method was applied both to simulated test images and 3D micro-CT images of human trabecular bone. Results: The classification of simulated phantoms made of plates and rods shows that the maximum error in the quantitative percentages of plate and rods is less than 6% and smaller than with the structure model index (SMI). Micro-CT images of human femoral bone taken in osteoporosis and early or advanced osteoarthritis were analyzed. Despite the large physiological variability, the present method avoids the underestimation of rods observed with other local methods. The relative percentages of rods and plates were not significantly different between osteoarthritis and osteoporotic groups, whereas their absolute percentages were in relation to an increase of rod and plate thicknesses in advanced osteoarthritis with also higher relative and absolute number of nodes. Conclusions: The proposed method is model-independent, robust to surface irregularities, and enables geometrical characterization of not only skeletal structures but entire 3D images. Its application provided more accurate results than the standard SMI on simple simulated phantoms, but the discrepancy observed on the advanced osteoarthritis group raises questions that will require further investigations. The systematic use of such a local method in the characterization of trabecular bone samples could provide new insight in bone microarchitecture changes related to bone diseases or to those induced by drugs or therapy.« less

Weight Outcomes of Latino Adults and Children Participating in the Y Living Program, a Family-Focused Lifestyle Intervention, San Antonio, 2012-2013.

PubMed

Parra-Medina, Deborah; Liang, Yuanyuan; Yin, Zenong; Esparza, Laura; Lopez, Louis

2015-12-10

US Latinos have disproportionately higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity than the general US population, putting them at greater risk for chronic disease. This evaluation aimed to examine the impact of the Y Living Program (Y Living), a 12-week family-focused healthy lifestyle program, on the weight status of adult and child (aged ≥7 years) participants. In this pretest-posttest evaluation, participants attended twice-weekly group education sessions and engaged in physical activity at least 3 times per week. Primary outcome measures were body mass index ([BMI], zBMI and BMI percentile for children), weight, waist circumference, and percentage body fat. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and mixed effects models were used to evaluate pretest-posttest differences (ie, absolute change and relative change) for adults and children separately. BMI, weight, waist circumference, and percentage body fat improved significantly (both absolutely and relatively) among adults who completed the program (n = 180; all P ≤ .001). Conversely, child participants that completed the program (n = 72) showed no improvements. Intervention effects varied across subgroups. Among adults, women and participants who were obese at baseline had larger improvements than did children who were obese at baseline or who were in families that had an annual household income of $15,000 or more. Significant improvements in weight were observed among adult participants but not children. This family-focused intervention has potential to prevent excess weight gain among high-risk Latino families.

Empirical relationships among oliguria, creatinine, mortality, and renal replacement therapy in the critically ill.

PubMed

Mandelbaum, Tal; Lee, Joon; Scott, Daniel J; Mark, Roger G; Malhotra, Atul; Howell, Michael D; Talmor, Daniel

2013-03-01

The observation periods and thresholds of serum creatinine and urine output defined in the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria were not empirically derived. By continuously varying creatinine/urine output thresholds as well as the observation period, we sought to investigate the empirical relationships among creatinine, oliguria, in-hospital mortality, and receipt of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Using a high-resolution database (Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II), we extracted data from 17,227 critically ill patients with an in-hospital mortality rate of 10.9 %. The 14,526 patients had urine output measurements. Various combinations of creatinine/urine output thresholds and observation periods were investigated by building multivariate logistic regression models for in-hospital mortality and RRT predictions. For creatinine, both absolute and percentage increases were analyzed. To visualize the dependence of adjusted mortality and RRT rate on creatinine, the urine output, and the observation period, we generated contour plots. Mortality risk was high when absolute creatinine increase was high regardless of the observation period, when percentage creatinine increase was high and the observation period was long, and when oliguria was sustained for a long period of time. Similar contour patterns emerged for RRT. The variability in predictive accuracy was small across different combinations of thresholds and observation periods. The contour plots presented in this article complement the AKIN definition. A multi-center study should confirm the universal validity of the results presented in this article.

Quantification of mammographic masking risk with volumetric breast density maps: how to select women for supplemental screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holland, Katharina; van Gils, Carla H.; Wanders, Johanna OP; Mann, Ritse M.; Karssemeijer, Nico

2016-03-01

The sensitivity of mammograms is low for women with dense breasts, since cancers may be masked by dense tissue. In this study, we investigated methods to identify women with density patterns associated with a high masking risk. Risk measures are derived from volumetric breast density maps. We used the last negative screening mammograms of 93 women who subsequently presented with an interval cancer (IC), and, as controls, 930 randomly selected normal screening exams from women without cancer. Volumetric breast density maps were computed from the mammograms, which provide the dense tissue thickness at each location. These were used to compute absolute and percentage glandular tissue volume. We modeled the masking risk for each pixel location using the absolute and percentage dense tissue thickness and we investigated the effect of taking the cancer location probability distribution (CLPD) into account. For each method, we selected cases with the highest masking measure (by thresholding) and computed the fraction of ICs as a function of the fraction of controls selected. The latter can be interpreted as the negative supplemental screening rate (NSSR). Between the models, when incorporating CLPD, no significant differences were found. In general, the methods performed better when CLPD was included. At higher NSSRs some of the investigated masking measures had a significantly higher performance than volumetric breast density. These measures may therefore serve as an alternative to identify women with a high risk for a masked cancer.

First identification of O,S-diethyl Thiocarbonate in Indian Cress absolute and odor evaluation of its synthesized homologues by GC-sniffing.

PubMed

Breme, Katharina; Guillamon, Nadine; Fernandez, Xavier; Tournayre, Pascal; Brevard, Hugues; Joulain, Daniel; Berdagué, Jean Louis; Meierhenrich, Uwe J

2009-03-25

Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus L.) absolute was studied by GC-olfactometry (VIDEO-Sniff method) in order to identify odor-active aroma compounds. Because of its fruity-sulfury odor note, a compound that has never been identified in plant extracts before stood out: O,S-diethyl thiocarbonate, present at 0.1% (percentage of the total GC/FID area) in the extract. GCxGC-TOFMS allowed for a clean mass spectrum to be obtained, and isolation by preparative GC followed by NMR studies allowed its identification. Here, we report on the first detection of O,S-diethyl thiocarbonate in Indian cress absolute by GC-olfactometry/VIDEO-Sniff and on its isolation and identification. The synthesis and odor evaluation of its homologues are presented.

Protection of SK-N-MC cells against β-amyloid peptide-induced degeneration using neuron growth factor-loaded liposomes with surface lactoferrin.

PubMed

Kuo, Yung-Chih; Wang, Cheng-Ting

2014-07-01

A liposomal system with surface lactoferrin (Lf) was developed for delivering neuron growth factor (NGF) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and improving the viability of neuron-like SK-N-MC cells with deposited β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). The Lf-grafted liposomes carrying NGF (Lf/NGF-liposomes) were applied to a monolayer of human brain-microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) regulated by human astrocytes (HAs) and to fibrillar Aβ1-42-insulted SK-N-MC cells. An increase in cholesterol mole percentage enhanced the particle size, absolute value of zeta potential, and physical stability, however, reduced the entrapment efficiency and release rate of NGF. In addition, an increase in Lf concentration increased the particle size, surface nitrogen percentage, NGF permeability across the BBB, and viability of HBMECs, HAs, and SK-N-MC cells, however, decreased the absolute value of zeta potential, surface phosphorus percentage, and loading efficiency of Lf. After treating with Lf/NGF-liposomes, a higher Aβ concentration yielded a lower survival of SK-N-MC cells. The current Lf/NGF-liposomes are efficacious drug carriers to target the BBB and inhibit the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity as potential pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Association between Parameters of Malnutrition and Diagnostic Measures of Sarcopenia in Geriatric Outpatients

PubMed Central

Reijnierse, Esmee M.; Trappenburg, Marijke C.; Leter, Morena J.; Blauw, Gerard Jan; de van der Schueren, Marian A. E.; Meskers, Carel G. M.; Maier, Andrea B.

2015-01-01

Objectives Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia include measures of muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. Consensus on the definition of sarcopenia has not been reached yet. To improve insight into the most clinically valid definition of sarcopenia, this study aimed to compare the association between parameters of malnutrition, as a risk factor in sarcopenia, and diagnostic measures of sarcopenia in geriatric outpatients. Material and Methods This study is based on data from a cross-sectional study conducted in a geriatric outpatient clinic including 185 geriatric outpatients (mean age 82 years). Parameters of malnutrition included risk of malnutrition (assessed by the Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire), loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss and underweight (body mass index <22 kg/m2). Diagnostic measures of sarcopenia included relative muscle mass (lean mass and appendicular lean mass [ALM] as percentages), absolute muscle mass (total lean mass and ALM/height2), handgrip strength and walking speed. All diagnostic measures of sarcopenia were standardized. Associations between parameters of malnutrition (independent variables) and diagnostic measures of sarcopenia (dependent variables) were analysed using multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, body mass, fat mass and height in separate models. Results None of the parameters of malnutrition was consistently associated with diagnostic measures of sarcopenia. The strongest associations were found for both relative and absolute muscle mass; less stronger associations were found for muscle strength and physical performance. Underweight (p = <0.001) and unintentional weight loss (p = 0.031) were most strongly associated with higher lean mass percentage after adjusting for age. Loss of appetite (p = 0.003) and underweight (p = 0.021) were most strongly associated with lower total lean mass after adjusting for age and fat mass. Conclusion Parameters of malnutrition relate differently to diagnostic measures of sarcopenia in geriatric outpatients. The association between parameters of malnutrition and diagnostic measures of sarcopenia was strongest for both relative and absolute muscle mass, while less strong associations were found with muscle strength and physical performance. PMID:26284368

Application of the hybrid ANFIS models for long term wind power density prediction with extrapolation capability.

PubMed

Hossain, Monowar; Mekhilef, Saad; Afifi, Firdaus; Halabi, Laith M; Olatomiwa, Lanre; Seyedmahmoudian, Mehdi; Horan, Ben; Stojcevski, Alex

2018-01-01

In this paper, the suitability and performance of ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system), ANFIS-PSO (particle swarm optimization), ANFIS-GA (genetic algorithm) and ANFIS-DE (differential evolution) has been investigated for the prediction of monthly and weekly wind power density (WPD) of four different locations named Mersing, Kuala Terengganu, Pulau Langkawi and Bayan Lepas all in Malaysia. For this aim, standalone ANFIS, ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-DE prediction algorithm are developed in MATLAB platform. The performance of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is determined by computing different statistical parameters such as mean absolute bias error (MABE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results obtained from ANFIS-PSO and ANFIS-GA enjoy higher performance and accuracy than other models, and they can be suggested for practical application to predict monthly and weekly mean wind power density. Besides, the capability of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is examined to predict the wind data for the locations where measured wind data are not available, and the results are compared with the measured wind data from nearby stations.

Model assessment using a multi-metric ranking technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitzpatrick, P. J.; Lau, Y.; Alaka, G.; Marks, F.

2017-12-01

Validation comparisons of multiple models presents challenges when skill levels are similar, especially in regimes dominated by the climatological mean. Assessing skill separation will require advanced validation metrics and identifying adeptness in extreme events, but maintain simplicity for management decisions. Flexibility for operations is also an asset. This work postulates a weighted tally and consolidation technique which ranks results by multiple types of metrics. Variables include absolute error, bias, acceptable absolute error percentages, outlier metrics, model efficiency, Pearson correlation, Kendall's Tau, reliability Index, multiplicative gross error, and root mean squared differences. Other metrics, such as root mean square difference and rank correlation were also explored, but removed when the information was discovered to be generally duplicative to other metrics. While equal weights are applied, weights could be altered depending for preferred metrics. Two examples are shown comparing ocean models' currents and tropical cyclone products, including experimental products. The importance of using magnitude and direction for tropical cyclone track forecasts instead of distance, along-track, and cross-track are discussed. Tropical cyclone intensity and structure prediction are also assessed. Vector correlations are not included in the ranking process, but found useful in an independent context, and will be briefly reported.

Prevalence of absolute pitch: a comparison between Japanese and Polish music students.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Ken'ichi; Makomaska, Sylwia; Rakowski, Andrzej

2012-11-01

Comparable large-scale surveys including an on-site pitch-naming test were conducted with music students in Japan and Poland to obtain more convincing estimates of the prevalence of absolute pitch (AP) and examine how musical experience relates to AP. Participants with accurate AP (95% correct identification) accounted for 30% of the Japanese music students, but only 7% of the Polish music students. This difference in the performance of pitch naming was related to the difference in musical experience. Participants with AP had begun music training at an earlier age (6 years or earlier), and the average year of commencement of musical training was more than 2 years earlier for the Japanese music students than for the Polish students. The percentage of participants who had received early piano lessons was 94% for the Japanese musically trained students but was 72% for the Polish music students. Approximately one-third of the Japanese musically trained students had attended the Yamaha Music School, where lessons on piano or electric organ were given to preschool children in parallel with fixed-do solfège singing training. Such early music instruction was not as common in Poland. The relationship of AP with early music training is discussed.

Application of the hybrid ANFIS models for long term wind power density prediction with extrapolation capability

PubMed Central

Mekhilef, Saad; Afifi, Firdaus; Halabi, Laith M.; Olatomiwa, Lanre; Seyedmahmoudian, Mehdi; Stojcevski, Alex

2018-01-01

In this paper, the suitability and performance of ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system), ANFIS-PSO (particle swarm optimization), ANFIS-GA (genetic algorithm) and ANFIS-DE (differential evolution) has been investigated for the prediction of monthly and weekly wind power density (WPD) of four different locations named Mersing, Kuala Terengganu, Pulau Langkawi and Bayan Lepas all in Malaysia. For this aim, standalone ANFIS, ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-DE prediction algorithm are developed in MATLAB platform. The performance of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is determined by computing different statistical parameters such as mean absolute bias error (MABE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results obtained from ANFIS-PSO and ANFIS-GA enjoy higher performance and accuracy than other models, and they can be suggested for practical application to predict monthly and weekly mean wind power density. Besides, the capability of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is examined to predict the wind data for the locations where measured wind data are not available, and the results are compared with the measured wind data from nearby stations. PMID:29702645

Cigarette advertising in magazines: the tobacco industry response to the Master Settlement Agreement and to public pressure

PubMed Central

Hamilton, W; Turner-Bowker, D; Celebucki, C; Connolly, G

2002-01-01

Design: Expenditures on cigarette advertisements in national magazines in the USA are compared for three periods: January to November 1998, December 1998 to June 2000, and July 2000 to November 2001. Magazines in which at least 15% of readers are youth under age 18 are focused upon. Regression models test for the significance of period differences after controlling for seasonal and long term patterns. Data sources: Commercially maintained data on advertising in US magazines and on magazine readership by age. Key measures: Monthly cigarette ad expenditures in magazines with 15%+ youth readership, and monthly proportion of ad expenditures in 15%+ youth magazines. Results: Cigarette advertising expenditures in magazines with 15%+ youth readership increased dramatically after MSA implementation and fell dramatically after public pressure. The percentage allocation of expenditures to 15%+ magazines fell significantly in both periods. Results differ somewhat by company. Conclusions: The tobacco industry response to the MSA was at best modest, reducing proportional allocations of advertising to youth magazines but increasing the absolute amount of such advertising. The value of public pressure was seen in substantial reductions in both absolute and proportional spending on youth magazines, although not by all companies. PMID:12034983

Time-resolved imaging refractometry of microbicidal films using quantitative phase microscopy.

PubMed

Rinehart, Matthew T; Drake, Tyler K; Robles, Francisco E; Rohan, Lisa C; Katz, David; Wax, Adam

2011-12-01

Quantitative phase microscopy is applied to image temporal changes in the refractive index (RI) distributions of solutions created by microbicidal films undergoing hydration. We present a novel method of using an engineered polydimethylsiloxane structure as a static phase reference to facilitate calibration of the absolute RI across the entire field. We present a study of dynamic structural changes in microbicidal films during hydration and subsequent dissolution. With assumptions about the smoothness of the phase changes induced by these films, we calculate absolute changes in the percentage of film in regions across the field of view.

Time-resolved imaging refractometry of microbicidal films using quantitative phase microscopy

PubMed Central

Rinehart, Matthew T.; Drake, Tyler K.; Robles, Francisco E.; Rohan, Lisa C.; Katz, David; Wax, Adam

2011-01-01

Quantitative phase microscopy is applied to image temporal changes in the refractive index (RI) distributions of solutions created by microbicidal films undergoing hydration. We present a novel method of using an engineered polydimethylsiloxane structure as a static phase reference to facilitate calibration of the absolute RI across the entire field. We present a study of dynamic structural changes in microbicidal films during hydration and subsequent dissolution. With assumptions about the smoothness of the phase changes induced by these films, we calculate absolute changes in the percentage of film in regions across the field of view. PMID:22191912

Arima model and exponential smoothing method: A comparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan Ahmad, Wan Kamarul Ariffin; Ahmad, Sabri

2013-04-01

This study shows the comparison between Autoregressive Moving Average (ARIMA) model and Exponential Smoothing Method in making a prediction. The comparison is focused on the ability of both methods in making the forecasts with the different number of data sources and the different length of forecasting period. For this purpose, the data from The Price of Crude Palm Oil (RM/tonne), Exchange Rates of Ringgit Malaysia (RM) in comparison to Great Britain Pound (GBP) and also The Price of SMR 20 Rubber Type (cents/kg) with three different time series are used in the comparison process. Then, forecasting accuracy of each model is measured by examinethe prediction error that producedby using Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Mean Absolute deviation (MAD). The study shows that the ARIMA model can produce a better prediction for the long-term forecasting with limited data sources, butcannot produce a better prediction for time series with a narrow range of one point to another as in the time series for Exchange Rates. On the contrary, Exponential Smoothing Method can produce a better forecasting for Exchange Rates that has a narrow range of one point to another for its time series, while itcannot produce a better prediction for a longer forecasting period.

Perception of musical and lexical tones by Taiwanese-speaking musicians.

PubMed

Lee, Chao-Yang; Lee, Yuh-Fang; Shr, Chia-Lin

2011-07-01

This study explored the relationship between music and speech by examining absolute pitch and lexical tone perception. Taiwanese-speaking musicians were asked to identify musical tones without a reference pitch and multispeaker Taiwanese level tones without acoustic cues typically present for speaker normalization. The results showed that a high percentage of the participants (65% with an exact match required and 81% with one-semitone errors allowed) possessed absolute pitch, as measured by the musical tone identification task. A negative correlation was found between occurrence of absolute pitch and age of onset of musical training, suggesting that the acquisition of absolute pitch resembles the acquisition of speech. The participants were able to identify multispeaker Taiwanese level tones with above-chance accuracy, even though the acoustic cues typically present for speaker normalization were not available in the stimuli. No correlations were found between the performance in musical tone identification and the performance in Taiwanese tone identification. Potential reasons for the lack of association between the two tasks are discussed. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Scandinavian research in anaesthesiology 1981-2000: visibility and impact in EU and world context.

PubMed

Skram, U; Larsen, B; Ingwersen, P; Viby-Mogensen, J

2004-09-01

We wished to assess the development in number and impact of publications in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine from 1981 to 2000 in the four Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. For comparison, we also analyzed data from the UK and the Netherlands. Publication and citation data from 1981 to 2000 were gathered from National Science Indicators (2001), covering 33 journals indexed in Current Contents. Data were analyzed in running 5-year periods. The following informetric indicators were used: absolute number of publications; absolute number of citations; absolute citation impact (average number of citations per publication per 5-year period); citation impact relative to the European Union and the world; and the percentage of cited papers from each country. The annual number of publications from Denmark was stable over the 20-year period. Sweden increased its production by 35%, while the remaining four countries showed increases from 100% to 146%. Thus, Sweden and Denmark lost visibility within the European Union (EU) and in world context. The EU and world citation shares of Finland and Norway increased slightly, whereas those of Sweden, Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands all declined significantly. The absolute citation impact (ACI) increased for all the four Scandinavian countries. The ACI of the Netherlands did not change and was surpassed by all the Scandinavian countries by 1994-98, while the UK finished below the other five countries. (1) The annual number of publications from Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, and the Netherlands increased after the late eighties, whereas the net publication output from Denmark was stagnant over the 20-year period investigated; (2) the international publication and citation visibility of Finland and Norway increased slightly, as opposed to the significant decrease seen by the other four countries; (3) judging from the increase in absolute and relative citation impact and in the percentage of cited papers, the recognition of publications from the four Scandinavian countries increased over the past 20 years.

46 CFR 67.31 - Stock or equity interest requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The... favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the... citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct...

46 CFR 67.31 - Stock or equity interest requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The... favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the... citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct...

46 CFR 67.31 - Stock or equity interest requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The... favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the... citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct...

46 CFR 67.31 - Stock or equity interest requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The... favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the... citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct...

46 CFR 67.31 - Stock or equity interest requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., directly or indirectly, voting power; or non-citizens, by any means, exercise control over the entity. The... favor of non-citizens, non-citizen voting power, or non-citizen control exceeds the percentage of the... citizenship under this subpart, control of non-fishing industry vessels includes an absolute right to: Direct...

MO-FG-CAMPUS-IeP2-01: Characterization of Beam Shaping Filters and Photon Spectra From HVL Profiles in CT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bujila, R; Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm; Kull, L

Purpose: Advanced dosimetry in CT (e.g. the Monte Carlo method) requires an accurate characterization of the shaped filter and radiation quality used during a scan. The purpose of this work was to develop a method where half value layer (HVL) profiles along shaped filters could be made. From the HVL profiles the beam shaping properties and effective photon spectrum for a particular scan can be inferred. Methods: A measurement rig was developed to allow determinations of the HVL under a scatter-free narrow-beam geometry and constant focal spot to ionization chamber distance for different fan angles. For each fan angle themore » HVL is obtained by fitting the transmission of radiation through different thicknesses of an Al absorber (type 1100) using an appropriate model. The effective Al thickness of shaped filters and effective photon spectra are estimated using a model of photon emission from a Tungsten anode. This method is used to obtain the effective photon spectra and effective Al thickness of shaped filters for a CT scanner recently introduced to the market. Results: This study resulted in a set of effective photon spectra (central ray) for each kVp along with effective Al thicknesses of the different shaped filters. The effective photon spectra and effective Al thicknesses of shaped filters were used to obtain numerically approximated HVL profiles and compared to measured HVL profiles (mean absolute percentage error = 0.02). The central axis HVL found in the vendor’s technical documentation were compared to approximated HVL values (mean absolute percentage error = 0.03). Conclusion: This work has resulted in a unique method of measuring HVL profiles along shaped filters in CT. Further the effective photon spectra and the effective Al thicknesses of shaped filters that were obtained can be incorporated into Monte Carlo simulations.« less

Validation of methodology for determination of the mercury methylation potential in sediments using radiotracers.

PubMed

Zizek, Suzana; Ribeiro Guevara, Sergio; Horvat, Milena

2008-04-01

Experiments to determine the mercury methylation potential were performed on sediments from two locations on the river Idrijca (Slovenia), differing in ambient mercury concentrations. The tracer used was the radioactive isotope (197)Hg. The benefit of using this tracer is its high specific activity, which enables spikes as low as 0.02 ng Hg(2+) g(-1) of sample to be used. It was therefore possible to compare the efficiency of the methylation potential experiments over a range of spike concentrations from picogram to microgram levels. The first part of the work aimed to validate the experimental blanks and the second part consisted of several series of incubation experiments on two different river sediments using a range of tracer additions. The results showed high variability in the obtained methylation potentials. Increasing Hg(2+) additions gave a decrease in the percentage of the tracer methylated during incubation; in absolute terms, the spikes that spanned four orders of magnitude (0.019-190 pg g(-1) of sediment slurry) resulted in MeHg formation between 0.01 and 0.1 ng MeHg g(-1) in Podroteja and Kozarska Grapa. Higher spikes resulted in slightly elevated MeHg production (up to a maximum of 0.27 ng g(-1)). The values of methylation potential were similar in both sediments. The results imply that the experimental determination of mercury methylation potential strongly depends on the experimental setup itself and the amount of tracer added to the system under study. It is therefore recommended to use different concentrations of tracer and perform the experiments in several replicates. The amount of mercury available for methylation in nature is usually very small. Therefore, adding very low amounts of tracer in the methylation potential studies probably gives results that have a higher environmental relevance. It is also suggested to express the results obtained in absolute amounts of MeHg produced and not just as the percentage of the added tracer.

Probability of an Abnormal Screening PSA Result Based on Age, Race, and PSA Threshold

PubMed Central

Espaldon, Roxanne; Kirby, Katharine A.; Fung, Kathy Z.; Hoffman, Richard M.; Powell, Adam A.; Freedland, Stephen J.; Walter, Louise C.

2014-01-01

Objective To determine the distribution of screening PSA values in older men and how different PSA thresholds affect the proportion of white, black, and Latino men who would have an abnormal screening result across advancing age groups. Methods We used linked national VA and Medicare data to determine the value of the first screening PSA test (ng/mL) of 327,284 men age 65+ who underwent PSA screening in the VA healthcare system in 2003. We calculated the proportion of men with an abnormal PSA result based on age, race, and common PSA thresholds. Results Among men age 65+, 8.4% had a PSA >4.0ng/mL. The percentage of men with a PSA >4.0ng/mL increased with age and was highest in black men (13.8%) versus white (8.0%) or Latino men (10.0%) (P<0.001). Combining age and race, the probability of having a PSA >4.0ng/mL ranged from 5.1% of Latino men age 65–69 to 27.4% of black men age 85+. Raising the PSA threshold from >4.0ng/mL to >10.0ng/mL, reclassified the greatest percentage of black men age 85+ (18.3% absolute change) and the lowest percentage of Latino men age 65–69 (4.8% absolute change) as being under the biopsy threshold (P<0.001). Conclusions Age, race, and PSA threshold together affect the pre-test probability of an abnormal screening PSA result. Based on screening PSA distributions, stopping screening among men whose PSA < 3ng/ml means over 80% of white and Latino men age 70+ would stop further screening, and increasing the biopsy threshold to >10ng/ml has the greatest effect on reducing the number of older black men who will face biopsy decisions after screening. PMID:24439009

Task-shifting of CD4 T cell count monitoring by the touchscreen-based Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% single-platform system for CD4 T cell numeration: Implication for decentralization in resource-constrained settings.

PubMed

Kouabosso, André; Mossoro-Kpinde, Christian Diamant; Bouassa, Ralph-Sydney Mboumba; Longo, Jean De Dieu; Mbeko Simaleko, Marcel; Grésenguet, Gérard; Bélec, Laurent

2018-04-01

The accuracy of CD4 T cell monitoring by the recently developed flow cytometry-based CD4 T cell counting Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% Assay analyzer (EMD Millipore Corporation, Merck Life Sciences, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) was evaluated in trained lay providers against laboratory technicians. After 2 days of training on the Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% analyzer, EDTA-blood samples from 6 HIV-positive and 4 HIV-negative individuals were used for CD4 T cell counting in triplicate in parallel by 12 trained lay providers as compared to 10 lab technicians. Mean number of CD4 T cells in absolute number was 829 ± 380 cells/μl by lay providers and 794 ± 409 cells/μl by technicians (P > 0.05); and in percentage 36.2 ± 14.8%CD4 by lay providers and 36.1 ± 15.0%CD4 by laboratory technician (P > 0.05). The unweighted linear regression and Passing-Bablok regression analyses on CD4 T cell results expressed in absolute count revealed moderate correlation between CD4 T cell counts obtained by lay providers and lab technicians. The mean absolute bias measured by Bland-Altman analysis between CD4 T cell/μl obtained by lay providers and lab technicians was -3.41 cells/μl. Intra-assay coefficient of variance (CV) of Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% in absolute number was 10.1% by lay providers and 8.5% by lab technicians (P > 0.05), and in percentage 5.5% by lay providers and 4.4% by lab technicians (P > 0.05). The inter-assay CV of Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% in absolute number was 13.4% by lay providers and 10.3% by lab technicians (P > 0.05), and in percentage 7.8% by lay providers and 6.9% by lab technicians (P > 0.05). The study demonstrates the feasibility of CD4 T cell counting using the alternative flow cytometer Muse™ Auto CD4/CD4% analyzer by trained lay providers and therefore the practical possibility of decentralization CD4 T cell counting to health community centers. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Changes in mortality inequalities across occupations in Japan: a national register based study of absolute and relative measures, 1980-2010

PubMed Central

Toyokawa, Satoshi; Tamiya, Nanako; Takahashi, Hideto; Noguchi, Haruko; Kobayashi, Yasuki

2017-01-01

Objective Changes in mortality inequalities across socioeconomic groups have been a substantial public health concern worldwide. We investigated changes in absolute/relative mortality inequalities across occupations, and the contribution of different diseases to inequalities in tandem with the restructuring of the Japanese economy. Methods Using complete Japanese national death registries from 5 year intervals (1980–2010), all cause and cause specific age standardised mortality rates (ASMR per 100 000 people standardised using the Japanese standard population in 1985, aged 30–59 years) across 12 occupations were computed. Absolute and relative inequalities were measured in ASMR differences (RDs) and ASMR ratios (RRs) among occupations in comparison with manufacturing workers (reference). We also estimated the changing contribution of different diseases by calculating the differences in ASMR change between 1995 and 2010 for occupations and reference. Results All cause ASMRs tended to decrease in both sexes over the three decades except for male managers (increased by 71% points, 1995–2010). RDs across occupations were reduced for both sexes (civil servants 233.5 to −1.9 for men; sales workers 63.3 to 4.5 for women) but RRs increased for some occupations (professional workers 1.38 to 1.70; service workers 2.35 to 3.73) for men and decreased for women from 1980 to 2010. Male relative inequalities widened among farmer, fishery and service workers, because the percentage declines were smaller in these occupations. Cerebrovascular disease and cancer were the main causes of the decrease in mortality inequalities among sexes but the incidence of suicide increased among men, thereby increasing sex related inequalities. Conclusions Absolute inequality trends in mortality across occupations decreased in both sexes, while relative inequality trends were heterogeneous in Japan. The main drivers of narrowing and widening mortality inequalities were cerebrovascular disease and suicide, respectively. Future public health efforts will benefit from eliminating residual inequalities in mortality by considering the contribution of the causes of death and socioeconomic status stratification. PMID:28877942

Changes in mortality inequalities across occupations in Japan: a national register based study of absolute and relative measures, 1980-2010.

PubMed

Tanaka, Hirokazu; Toyokawa, Satoshi; Tamiya, Nanako; Takahashi, Hideto; Noguchi, Haruko; Kobayashi, Yasuki

2017-09-05

Changes in mortality inequalities across socioeconomic groups have been a substantial public health concern worldwide. We investigated changes in absolute/relative mortality inequalities across occupations, and the contribution of different diseases to inequalities in tandem with the restructuring of the Japanese economy. Using complete Japanese national death registries from 5 year intervals (1980-2010), all cause and cause specific age standardised mortality rates (ASMR per 100 000 people standardised using the Japanese standard population in 1985, aged 30-59 years) across 12 occupations were computed. Absolute and relative inequalities were measured in ASMR differences (RDs) and ASMR ratios (RRs) among occupations in comparison with manufacturing workers (reference). We also estimated the changing contribution of different diseases by calculating the differences in ASMR change between 1995 and 2010 for occupations and reference. All cause ASMRs tended to decrease in both sexes over the three decades except for male managers (increased by 71% points, 1995-2010). RDs across occupations were reduced for both sexes (civil servants 233.5 to -1.9 for men; sales workers 63.3 to 4.5 for women) but RRs increased for some occupations (professional workers 1.38 to 1.70; service workers 2.35 to 3.73) for men and decreased for women from 1980 to 2010. Male relative inequalities widened among farmer, fishery and service workers, because the percentage declines were smaller in these occupations. Cerebrovascular disease and cancer were the main causes of the decrease in mortality inequalities among sexes but the incidence of suicide increased among men, thereby increasing sex related inequalities. Absolute inequality trends in mortality across occupations decreased in both sexes, while relative inequality trends were heterogeneous in Japan. The main drivers of narrowing and widening mortality inequalities were cerebrovascular disease and suicide, respectively. Future public health efforts will benefit from eliminating residual inequalities in mortality by considering the contribution of the causes of death and socioeconomic status stratification. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Absolute dose calculations for Monte Carlo simulations of radiotherapy beams.

PubMed

Popescu, I A; Shaw, C P; Zavgorodni, S F; Beckham, W A

2005-07-21

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have traditionally been used for single field relative comparisons with experimental data or commercial treatment planning systems (TPS). However, clinical treatment plans commonly involve more than one field. Since the contribution of each field must be accurately quantified, multiple field MC simulations are only possible by employing absolute dosimetry. Therefore, we have developed a rigorous calibration method that allows the incorporation of monitor units (MU) in MC simulations. This absolute dosimetry formalism can be easily implemented by any BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc user, and applies to any configuration of open and blocked fields, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. Our approach involves the relationship between the dose scored in the monitor ionization chamber of a radiotherapy linear accelerator (linac), the number of initial particles incident on the target, and the field size. We found that for a 10 x 10 cm2 field of a 6 MV photon beam, 1 MU corresponds, in our model, to 8.129 x 10(13) +/- 1.0% electrons incident on the target and a total dose of 20.87 cGy +/- 1.0% in the monitor chambers of the virtual linac. We present an extensive experimental verification of our MC results for open and intensity-modulated fields, including a dynamic 7-field IMRT plan simulated on the CT data sets of a cylindrical phantom and of a Rando anthropomorphic phantom, which were validated by measurements using ionization chambers and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Our simulation results are in excellent agreement with experiment, with percentage differences of less than 2%, in general, demonstrating the accuracy of our Monte Carlo absolute dose calculations.

Adalimumab induction therapy for Crohn disease previously treated with infliximab: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Sandborn, William J; Rutgeerts, Paul; Enns, Robert; Hanauer, Stephen B; Colombel, Jean-Frédéric; Panaccione, Remo; D'Haens, Geert; Li, Ju; Rosenfeld, Marie R; Kent, Jeffrey D; Pollack, Paul F

2007-06-19

Adalimumab, a fully human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist, is an effective treatment for patients with Crohn disease who are naive to the chimeric TNF antagonist, infliximab. No anti-TNF agent has been evaluated prospectively in patients with Crohn disease who had responded to another anti-TNF agent and then lost that response or were intolerant of the agent. To determine whether adalimumab induces remissions more frequently than placebo in adult patients with Crohn disease who have symptoms despite infliximab therapy or who cannot take infliximab because of adverse events. 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (November 2004 to December 2005). 52 sites in the United States, Canada, and Europe. 325 adults 18 to 75 years of age who had a history of Crohn disease for 4 months or more that was moderate to severe at baseline (Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] score, 220 to 450 points). Patients were randomly assigned to receive induction doses of adalimumab, 160 mg and 80 mg, at weeks 0 and 2, respectively, or placebo at the same time points. The primary end point was induction of remission at week 4. Decreases in CDAI score by 70 or more and 100 or more points (secondary end points) were also measured. A total of 301 patients completed the trial. Twenty-one percent (34 of 159) of patients in the adalimumab group versus 7% (12 of 166) of those in the placebo group achieved remission at week 4 (P < 0.001). The absolute difference in clinical remission rates was 14.2 percentage points (95% CI, 6.7 to 21.6 percentage points). A 70-point response occurred at week 4 in 52% (82 of 159) of patients in the adalimumab group versus 34% (56 of 166) of patients in the placebo group (P = 0.001). The absolute difference in 70-point response rates was 17.8 percentage points (CI, 7.3 to 28.4 percentage points). Two of 159 patients in the adalimumab group and 4 of 166 patients in the placebo group discontinued treatment because of adverse events. No patients in the adalimumab group and 4 of 166 patients in the placebo group had a serious infection. The trial did not directly compare alternative active treatments and did not evaluate maintenance of response or long-term immunogenicity of adalimumab. Adalimumab induces remissions more frequently than placebo in adult patients with Crohn disease who cannot tolerate infliximab or have symptoms despite receiving infliximab therapy. For more information on adalimumab in Crohn disease, click here. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00105300.

aCNViewer: Comprehensive genome-wide visualization of absolute copy number and copy neutral variations

PubMed Central

Wang-Renault, Shu-Fang; Letouzé, Eric; Imbeaud, Sandrine; Zucman-Rossi, Jessica; Deleuze, Jean-François; How-Kit, Alexandre

2017-01-01

Motivation Copy number variations (CNV) include net gains or losses of part or whole chromosomal regions. They differ from copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (cn-LOH) events which do not induce any net change in the copy number and are often associated with uniparental disomy. These phenomena have long been reported to be associated with diseases and particularly in cancer. Losses/gains of genomic regions are often correlated with lower/higher gene expression. On the other hand, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and cn-LOH are common events in cancer and may be associated with the loss of a functional tumor suppressor gene. Therefore, identifying recurrent CNV and cn-LOH events can be important as they may highlight common biological components and give insights into the development or mechanisms of a disease. However, no currently available tools allow a comprehensive whole-genome visualization of recurrent CNVs and cn-LOH in groups of samples providing absolute quantification of the aberrations leading to the loss of potentially important information. Results To overcome these limitations, we developed aCNViewer (Absolute CNV Viewer), a visualization tool for absolute CNVs and cn-LOH across a group of samples. aCNViewer proposes three graphical representations: dendrograms, bi-dimensional heatmaps showing chromosomal regions sharing similar abnormality patterns, and quantitative stacked histograms facilitating the identification of recurrent absolute CNVs and cn-LOH. We illustrated aCNViewer using publically available hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) Affymetrix SNP Array data (Fig 1A). Regions 1q and 8q present a similar percentage of total gains but significantly different copy number gain categories (p-value of 0.0103 with a Fisher exact test), validated by another cohort of HCCs (p-value of 5.6e-7) (Fig 2B). Availability and implementation aCNViewer is implemented in python and R and is available with a GNU GPLv3 license on GitHub https://github.com/FJD-CEPH/aCNViewer and Docker https://hub.docker.com/r/fjdceph/acnviewer/. Contact aCNViewer@cephb.fr PMID:29261730

Implementation of Automatic Clustering Algorithm and Fuzzy Time Series in Motorcycle Sales Forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasim; Junaeti, E.; Wirantika, R.

2018-01-01

Accurate forecasting for the sale of a product depends on the forecasting method used. The purpose of this research is to build motorcycle sales forecasting application using Fuzzy Time Series method combined with interval determination using automatic clustering algorithm. Forecasting is done using the sales data of motorcycle sales in the last ten years. Then the error rate of forecasting is measured using Means Percentage Error (MPE) and Means Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The results of forecasting in the one-year period obtained in this study are included in good accuracy.

Reliability of measures of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions with contralateral suppression.

PubMed

Stuart, Andrew; Cobb, Kensi M

2015-01-01

The reliability of measures of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) with contralateral suppression was examined. The effect of test session (i.e., initial test; retest without probe removal; retest with probe removal; and retest 1-2 days post initial test), gender, and ear was examined in 14 young adult females and 14 young adult males. TEOAEs were obtained bilaterally with 60 dB peSPL linear click stimuli with and without a contralateral 65 dB SPL broadband noise suppressor. Absolute TEOAE suppression and a normalized index of TEOAE suppression (i.e., percentage of suppression) were examined. Reliability of these measures was assessed with repeated measures linear mixed model analysis of variance, a coefficient of reliability, and Bland-Altman analyses. There were no statistically significant (p>0.05) main effects of test, gender, and ear or interactions for both absolute dB and % TEOAE suppression values. Cronbach's α were greater than 0.90 across the four tests for both TEOAE measures. Mean test differences or bias (i.e., between the initial and subsequent tests) for absolute and % TEOAE suppression ranged from -0.05 to 0.11 dB and -1.5% to 1.1%, respectively. There was no proportional/systematic bias with the mean differences of the first and subsequent measurements. Data herein were consistent with the view that bilateral TEOAE suppression measures are reliable across test sessions of 1-2 days among females and males and may provide a method to monitor medial olivocochlear efferent reflex status over time. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Myosin heavy chain expression in rodent skeletal muscle: effects of exposure to zero gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haddad, F.; Herrick, R. E.; Adams, G. R.; Baldwin, K. M.

1993-01-01

This study ascertained the effects of 9 days of zero gravity on the relative (percentage of total) and calculated absolute (mg/muscle) content of isomyosin expressed in both antigravity and locomotor skeletal muscle of ground control (CON) and flight-exposed (FL) rats. Results showed that although there were no differences in body weight between FL and CON animals, a significant reduction in muscle mass occurred in the vastus intermedius (VI) (P < 0.05) but not in the vastus lateralis (VL) or the tibialis anterior. Both total muscle protein and myofibril protein content were not different between the muscle regions examined in the FL and CON groups. In the VI, there were trends for reductions in the relative content of type I and IIa myosin heavy chains (MHCs) that were offset by increases in the relative content of both type IIb and possibly type IIx MHC protein (P > 0.05). mRNA levels were consistent with this pattern (P < 0.05). The same pattern held true for the red region of the VL as examined at both the protein and mRNA level (P < 0.05). When the atrophy process was examined, there were net reductions in the absolute content of both type I and IIa MHCs that were offset by calculated increases in type IIb MHC in both VI and red VL. Collectively, these findings suggest that there are both absolute and relative changes occurring in MHC expression in the "red" regions of antigravity skeletal muscle during exposure to zero gravity that could affect muscle function.

Short-Term Forecasting of Loads and Wind Power for Latvian Power System: Accuracy and Capacity of the Developed Tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radziukynas, V.; Klementavičius, A.

2016-04-01

The paper analyses the performance results of the recently developed short-term forecasting suit for the Latvian power system. The system load and wind power are forecasted using ANN and ARIMA models, respectively, and the forecasting accuracy is evaluated in terms of errors, mean absolute errors and mean absolute percentage errors. The investigation of influence of additional input variables on load forecasting errors is performed. The interplay of hourly loads and wind power forecasting errors is also evaluated for the Latvian power system with historical loads (the year 2011) and planned wind power capacities (the year 2023).

Tibial tunnel aperture location during single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: comparison of tibial guide positions.

PubMed

Shin, Young-Soo; Han, Seung-Beom; Hwang, Yeok-Ku; Suh, Dong-Won; Lee, Dae-Hee

2015-05-01

We aimed to compare posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial tunnel location after tibial guide insertion medial (between the PCL remnant and the medial femoral condyle) and lateral (between the PCL remnant and the anterior cruciate ligament) to the PCL stump as determined by in vivo 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). Tibial tunnel aperture location was analyzed by immediate postoperative in vivo CT in 66 patients who underwent single-bundle PCL reconstruction, 31 by over-the-PCL and 35 by under-the-PCL tibial guide insertion techniques. Tibial tunnel positions were measured in the medial to lateral and proximal to distal directions of the posterior proximal tibia. The center of the tibial tunnel aperture was located more laterally (by 2.7 mm) in the over-the-PCL group than in the under-the-PCL group (P = .040) and by a relative percentage (absolute value/tibial width) of 3.2% (P = .031). Tibial tunnel positions in the proximal to distal direction, determined by absolute value and relative percentage, were similar in the 2 groups. Tibial tunnel apertures were located more laterally after lateral-to-the-PCL tibial guide insertion than after medial-to-the-PCL tibial guide insertion. There was, however, no significant difference between these techniques in distance from the joint line to the tibial tunnel aperture. Insertion lateral to the PCL stump may result in better placement of the PCL in its anatomic footprint. Level III, retrospective comparative study. Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Volume Quantification of Acute Infratentorial Hemorrhage with Computed Tomography: Validation of the Formula 1/2ABC and 2/3SH

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yunyun; Yan, Jing; Fu, Yi; Chen, Shengdi

2013-01-01

Objective To compare the accuracy of formula 1/2ABC with 2/3SH on volume estimation for hypertensive infratentorial hematoma. Methods One hundred and forty-seven CT scans diagnosed as hypertensive infratentorial hemorrhage were reviewed. Based on the shape, hematomas were categorized as regular or irregular. Multilobular was defined as a special shape of irregular. Hematoma volume was calculated employing computer-assisted volumetric analysis (CAVA), 1/2ABC and 2/3SH, respectively. Results The correlation coefficients between 1/2ABC (or 2/3SH) and CAVA were greater than 0.900 in all subgroups. There were neither significant differences in absolute values of volume deviation nor percentage deviation between 1/2ABC and 2/3SH for regular hemorrhage (P>0.05). While for cerebellar, brainstem and irregular hemorrhages, the absolute values of volume deviation and percentage deviation by formula 1/2ABC were greater than 2/3SH (P<0.05). 1/2ABC and 2/3SH underestimated hematoma volume each by 10% and 5% for cerebellar hemorrhage, 14% and 9% for brainstem hemorrhage, 19% and 16% for regular hemorrhage, 9% and 3% for irregular hemorrhage, respectively. In addition, for the multilobular hemorrhage, 1/2ABC underestimated the volume by 9% while 2/3SH overestimated it by 2%. Conclusions For regular hemorrhage volume calculation, the accuracy of 2/3SH is similar to 1/2ABC. While for cerebellar, brainstem or irregular hemorrhages (including multilobular), 2/3SH is more accurate than 1/2ABC. PMID:23638025

Awareness of surgical costs: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Bade, Kim; Hoogerbrug, Jonathan

2015-01-01

Resource scarcity continues to be an important problem in modern surgical practice. Studies in North America and Europe have found that medical professionals have limited understanding of the costs of medical care. No cost awareness studies have been undertaken in Australasia or specifically focusing on the surgical team. This study determined the cost of a range of commonly used diagnostic tests, procedures, and hospital resources associated with care of the surgical patient. The surgical teams' awareness of these costs was then assessed in a multicenter cross-sectional survey. In total, 14 general surgical consultants, 14 registrars, and 25 house officers working in three New Zealand hospitals were asked to estimate the costs of 14 items commonly associated with patient care. Cost estimations were considered correct if within 25% plus or minus of the actual cost. Accuracy was assessed by calculating the median, mean, and absolute percentage discrepancy. A total of 57 surveys were completed. Of which, four were incomplete and were not included in the analysis. Cost awareness was generally poor, and members of the surgical team were rarely able to estimate the costs to within 25%. The mean absolute percentage error was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.58-1.18) and underestimates were most common. There was no significant difference in estimate accuracy between consultants, registrars, or house officers, or between consultants working in both public/private practice compared with those working in public practice alone. There is poor awareness of surgical costs among consultant surgeons, registrars, and junior physicians working in Australasia. Copyright © 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of Bio-impedance Analyzer (BIA) for Body Fat Calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riyadi, Munawar A.; Nugraha, A.; Santoso, M. B.; Septaditya, D.; Prakoso, T.

2017-04-01

Common weight scales cannot assess body composition or determine fat mass and fat-fress mass that make up the body weight. This research propose bio-impedance analysis (BIA) tool capable to body composition assessment. This tool uses four electrodes, two of which are used for 50 kHz sine wave current flow to the body and the rest are used to measure the voltage produced by the body for impedance analysis. Parameters such as height, weight, age, and gender are provided individually. These parameters together with impedance measurements are then in the process to produce a body fat percentage. The experimental result shows impressive repeatability for successive measurements (stdev ≤ 0.25% fat mass). Moreover, result on the hand to hand node scheme reveals average absolute difference of total subjects between two analyzer tools of 0.48% (fat mass) with maximum absolute discrepancy of 1.22% (fat mass). On the other hand, the relative error normalized to Omron’s HBF-306 as comparison tool reveals less than 2% relative error. As a result, the system performance offers good evaluation tool for fat mass in the body.

Forskolin compared with beclomethasone for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blind clinical trial.

PubMed

Huerta, M; Urzúa, Z; Trujillo, X; González-Sánchez, R; Trujillo-Hernández, B

2010-01-01

This single-blind study compared the efficacy of oral forskolin versus inhaled beclomethasone for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive forskolin (one 10-mg capsule orally per day; n = 30) or beclomethasone (two 50 microg inhalations every 12 h; n = 30) for 2 months. No statistically significant improvement occurred in any lung function parameter in the forskolin-treated patients. Subjects in the beclomethasone-treated group presented a slight but statistically significant improvement in percentage forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), percentage forced expiratory flow in the middle (25 - 75%) expiratory phase (FEF(25 - 75%)) and percentage forced vital capacity (FVC) after 2 months of treatment, though the improvement in absolute values for FEV(1), FEF(25 - 75%), FVC and FEV(1):FVC did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference between the forskolin and beclomethasone treatment groups for any lung function parameter at baseline or after treatment. None of the beclomethasone-treated patients had an asthma attack and one forskolin-treated patient had a mild asthma attack during the 2-month study period. More studies are needed in adult asthma patients to confirm whether forskolin may be a useful preventive treatment for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma.

Natural killer cell subsets in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Rodríguez-Martín, E; Picón, C; Costa-Frossard, L; Alenda, R; Sainz de la Maza, S; Roldán, E; Espiño, M; Villar, L M; Álvarez-Cermeño, J C

2015-01-01

Changes in blood natural killer (NK) cells, important players of the immune innate system, have been described in multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied percentages and total cell counts of different effector and regulatory NK cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and other neurological diseases to gain clearer knowledge of the role of these cells in neuroinflammation. NK cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry in CSF of 85 consecutive MS patients (33 with active disease and 52 with stable MS), 16 with other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (IND) and 17 with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). MS patients showed a decrease in percentages of different CSF NK subpopulations compared to the NIND group. However, absolute cell counts showed a significant increase of all NK subsets in MS and IND patients, revealing that the decrease in percentages does not reflect a real reduction of these immune cells. Remarkably, MS patients showed a significant increase of regulatory/effector (CD56bright/CD56dim) NK ratio compared to IND and NIND groups. In addition, MS activity associated with an expansion of NK T cells. These data show that NK cell subsets do not increase uniformly in all inflammatory neurological disease and suggest strongly that regulatory CD56bright and NK T cells may arise in CSF of MS patients as an attempt to counteract the CNS immune activation characteristic of the disease. PMID:25565222

Income inequality and periodontal diseases in rich countries: an ecological cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Sabbah, Wael; Sheiham, Aubrey; Bernabé, Eduardo

2010-10-01

There are adverse effects of income inequality on morbidity and mortality. This relationship has not been adequately examined in relation to oral health. To examine the relationship between income inequality and periodontal disease in rich countries. Adults aged 35-44 years in 17 rich countries with populations of more than 2 million. National level data on periodontal disease, income inequality and absolute national income were collected from 17 rich countries with populations of more than 2m. Pearson and partial correlations were used to examine the relationship between income inequality and percentage of 35-44-year-old adults with periodontal pockets > or = 4 mm and > or = 6 mm deep, adjusting for absolute national income. Higher levels of income inequality were significantly associated with higher levels of periodontal disease, independently of absolute national income. Absolute income was not associated with levels of periodontal disease in these 17 rich countries. Income inequality appears to be an important contextual determinant of periodontal disease. The results emphasise the importance of relative income rather than absoluteincome in relation to periodontal disease in rich countries.

Absolute, pressure-dependent validation of a calibration-free, airborne laser hygrometer transfer standard (SEALDH-II) from 5 to 1200 ppmv using a metrological humidity generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchholz, Bernhard; Ebert, Volker

2018-01-01

Highly accurate water vapor measurements are indispensable for understanding a variety of scientific questions as well as industrial processes. While in metrology water vapor concentrations can be defined, generated, and measured with relative uncertainties in the single percentage range, field-deployable airborne instruments deviate even under quasistatic laboratory conditions up to 10-20 %. The novel SEALDH-II hygrometer, a calibration-free, tuneable diode laser spectrometer, bridges this gap by implementing a new holistic concept to achieve higher accuracy levels in the field. We present in this paper the absolute validation of SEALDH-II at a traceable humidity generator during 23 days of permanent operation at 15 different H2O mole fraction levels between 5 and 1200 ppmv. At each mole fraction level, we studied the pressure dependence at six different gas pressures between 65 and 950 hPa. Further, we describe the setup for this metrological validation, the challenges to overcome when assessing water vapor measurements on a high accuracy level, and the comparison results. With this validation, SEALDH-II is the first airborne, metrologically validated humidity transfer standard which links several scientific airborne and laboratory measurement campaigns to the international metrological water vapor scale.

Self-monitoring of dietary intake by young women: online food records completed on computer or smartphone are as accurate as paper-based food records but more acceptable.

PubMed

Hutchesson, Melinda J; Rollo, Megan E; Callister, Robin; Collins, Clare E

2015-01-01

Adherence and accuracy of self-monitoring of dietary intake influences success in weight management interventions. Information technologies such as computers and smartphones have the potential to improve adherence and accuracy by reducing the burden associated with monitoring dietary intake using traditional paper-based food records. We evaluated the acceptability and accuracy of three different 7-day food record methods (online accessed via computer, online accessed via smartphone, and paper-based). Young women (N=18; aged 23.4±2.9 years; body mass index 24.0±2.2) completed the three 7-day food records in random order with 7-day washout periods between each method. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was derived from resting energy expenditure (REE) measured by indirect calorimetry and physical activity level (PAL) derived from accelerometers (TEE=REE×PAL). Accuracy of the three methods was assessed by calculating absolute (energy intake [EI]-TEE) and percentage difference (EI/TEE×100) between self-reported EI and TEE. Acceptability was assessed via questionnaire. Mean±standard deviation TEE was 2,185±302 kcal/day and EI was 1,729±249 kcal/day, 1,675±287kcal/day, and 1,682±352 kcal/day for computer, smartphone, and paper records, respectively. There were no significant differences between absolute and percentage differences between EI and TEE for the three methods: computer, -510±389 kcal/day (78%); smartphone, -456±372 kcal/day (80%); and paper, -503±513 kcal/day (79%). Half of participants (n=9) preferred computer recording, 44.4% preferred smartphone, and 5.6% preferred paper-based records. Most participants (89%) least preferred the paper-based record. Because online food records completed on either computer or smartphone were as accurate as paper-based records but more acceptable to young women, they should be considered when self-monitoring of intake is recommended to young women. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Absolute dose calculations for Monte Carlo simulations of radiotherapy beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popescu, I. A.; Shaw, C. P.; Zavgorodni, S. F.; Beckham, W. A.

2005-07-01

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have traditionally been used for single field relative comparisons with experimental data or commercial treatment planning systems (TPS). However, clinical treatment plans commonly involve more than one field. Since the contribution of each field must be accurately quantified, multiple field MC simulations are only possible by employing absolute dosimetry. Therefore, we have developed a rigorous calibration method that allows the incorporation of monitor units (MU) in MC simulations. This absolute dosimetry formalism can be easily implemented by any BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc user, and applies to any configuration of open and blocked fields, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. Our approach involves the relationship between the dose scored in the monitor ionization chamber of a radiotherapy linear accelerator (linac), the number of initial particles incident on the target, and the field size. We found that for a 10 × 10 cm2 field of a 6 MV photon beam, 1 MU corresponds, in our model, to 8.129 × 1013 ± 1.0% electrons incident on the target and a total dose of 20.87 cGy ± 1.0% in the monitor chambers of the virtual linac. We present an extensive experimental verification of our MC results for open and intensity-modulated fields, including a dynamic 7-field IMRT plan simulated on the CT data sets of a cylindrical phantom and of a Rando anthropomorphic phantom, which were validated by measurements using ionization chambers and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Our simulation results are in excellent agreement with experiment, with percentage differences of less than 2%, in general, demonstrating the accuracy of our Monte Carlo absolute dose calculations.

Primary care and health inequality: Difference-in-difference study comparing England and Ontario.

PubMed

Cookson, Richard; Mondor, Luke; Asaria, Miqdad; Kringos, Dionne S; Klazinga, Niek S; Wodchis, Walter P

2017-01-01

It is not known whether equity-oriented primary care investment that seeks to scale up the delivery of effective care in disadvantaged communities can reduce health inequality within high-income settings that have pre-existing universal primary care systems. We provide some non-randomised controlled evidence by comparing health inequality trends between two similar jurisdictions-one of which implemented equity-oriented primary care investment in the mid-to-late 2000s as part of a cross-government strategy for reducing health inequality (England), and one which invested in primary care without any explicit equity objective (Ontario, Canada). We analysed whole-population data on 32,482 neighbourhoods (with mean population size of approximately 1,500 people) in England, and 18,961 neighbourhoods (with mean population size of approximately 700 people) in Ontario. We examined trends in mortality amenable to healthcare by decile groups of neighbourhood deprivation within each jurisdiction. We used linear models to estimate absolute and relative gaps in amenable mortality between most and least deprived groups, considering the gradient between these extremes, and evaluated difference-in-difference comparisons between the two jurisdictions. Inequality trends were comparable in both jurisdictions from 2004-6 but diverged from 2007-11. Compared with Ontario, the absolute gap in amenable mortality in England fell between 2004-6 and 2007-11 by 19.8 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 4.8 to 34.9); and the relative gap in amenable mortality fell by 10 percentage points (95% CI: 1 to 19). The biggest divergence occurred in the most deprived decile group of neighbourhoods. In comparison to Ontario, England succeeded in reducing absolute socioeconomic gaps in mortality amenable to healthcare from 2007 to 2011, and preventing them from growing in relative terms. Equity-oriented primary care reform in England in the mid-to-late 2000s may have helped to reduce socioeconomic inequality in health, though other explanations for this divergence are possible and further research is needed on the specific causal mechanisms.

Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Homozygous for Phe508del CFTR.

PubMed

Wainwright, Claire E; Elborn, J Stuart; Ramsey, Bonnie W; Marigowda, Gautham; Huang, Xiaohong; Cipolli, Marco; Colombo, Carla; Davies, Jane C; De Boeck, Kris; Flume, Patrick A; Konstan, Michael W; McColley, Susanna A; McCoy, Karen; McKone, Edward F; Munck, Anne; Ratjen, Felix; Rowe, Steven M; Waltz, David; Boyle, Michael P

2015-07-16

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting disease that is caused by defective or deficient cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein activity. Phe508del is the most common CFTR mutation. We conducted two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that were designed to assess the effects of lumacaftor (VX-809), a CFTR corrector, in combination with ivacaftor (VX-770), a CFTR potentiator, in patients 12 years of age or older who had cystic fibrosis and were homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation. In both studies, patients were randomly assigned to receive either lumacaftor (600 mg once daily or 400 mg every 12 hours) in combination with ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 hours) or matched placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the absolute change from baseline in the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 24. A total of 1108 patients underwent randomization and received study drug. The mean baseline FEV1 was 61% of the predicted value. In both studies, there were significant improvements in the primary end point in both lumacaftor-ivacaftor dose groups; the difference between active treatment and placebo with respect to the mean absolute improvement in the percentage of predicted FEV1 ranged from 2.6 to 4.0 percentage points (P<0.001), which corresponded to a mean relative treatment difference of 4.3 to 6.7% (P<0.001). Pooled analyses showed that the rate of pulmonary exacerbations was 30 to 39% lower in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor groups than in the placebo group; the rate of events leading to hospitalization or the use of intravenous antibiotics was lower in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor groups as well. The incidence of adverse events was generally similar in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor and placebo groups. The rate of discontinuation due to an adverse event was 4.2% among patients who received lumacaftor-ivacaftor versus 1.6% among those who received placebo. These data show that lumacaftor in combination with ivacaftor provided a benefit for patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation. (Funded by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and others; TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01807923 and NCT01807949.).

Forecasting of Water Consumptions Expenditure Using Holt-Winter’s and ARIMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razali, S. N. A. M.; Rusiman, M. S.; Zawawi, N. I.; Arbin, N.

2018-04-01

This study is carried out to forecast water consumption expenditure of Malaysian university specifically at University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The proposed Holt-Winter’s and Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models were applied to forecast the water consumption expenditure in Ringgit Malaysia from year 2006 until year 2014. The two models were compared and performance measurement of the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) were used. It is found that ARIMA model showed better results regarding the accuracy of forecast with lower values of MAPE and MAD. Analysis showed that ARIMA (2,1,4) model provided a reasonable forecasting tool for university campus water usage.

Supervised machine learning-based classification scheme to segment the brainstem on MRI in multicenter brain tumor treatment context.

PubMed

Dolz, Jose; Laprie, Anne; Ken, Soléakhéna; Leroy, Henri-Arthur; Reyns, Nicolas; Massoptier, Laurent; Vermandel, Maximilien

2016-01-01

To constrain the risk of severe toxicity in radiotherapy and radiosurgery, precise volume delineation of organs at risk is required. This task is still manually performed, which is time-consuming and prone to observer variability. To address these issues, and as alternative to atlas-based segmentation methods, machine learning techniques, such as support vector machines (SVM), have been recently presented to segment subcortical structures on magnetic resonance images (MRI). SVM is proposed to segment the brainstem on MRI in multicenter brain cancer context. A dataset composed by 14 adult brain MRI scans is used to evaluate its performance. In addition to spatial and probabilistic information, five different image intensity values (IIVs) configurations are evaluated as features to train the SVM classifier. Segmentation accuracy is evaluated by computing the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), absolute volumes difference (AVD) and percentage volume difference between automatic and manual contours. Mean DSC for all proposed IIVs configurations ranged from 0.89 to 0.90. Mean AVD values were below 1.5 cm(3), where the value for best performing IIVs configuration was 0.85 cm(3), representing an absolute mean difference of 3.99% with respect to the manual segmented volumes. Results suggest consistent volume estimation and high spatial similarity with respect to expert delineations. The proposed approach outperformed presented methods to segment the brainstem, not only in volume similarity metrics, but also in segmentation time. Preliminary results showed that the approach might be promising for adoption in clinical use.

Predicting Treatment Response of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases to Conventional Lipiodol-Based Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging: Value of Pretreatment Apparent Diffusion Coefficients (ADC) and ADC Changes Under Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lahrsow, Maximilian, E-mail: mlahrsow@gmail.com; Albrecht, Moritz H.; Bickford, Matthew W.

PurposeTo use absolute pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) to predict response to repetitive cTACE for unresectable liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma (CRLM) at 1 and 3 months after start of treatment.Materials and MethodsFifty-five metastases in 34 patients were examined with DWI prior to treatment and 1 month after initial cTACE. Treatment was performed in 4-week intervals. Response was evaluated at 1 and 3 months after start of therapy. Metastases showing a decrease of ≥30% in axial diameter were classified as responding lesions.ResultsOne month after initial cTACE, seven lesions showed early response. There was no significant differencemore » in absolute pretreatment ADC values between responding and non-responding lesions (p = 0.94). Three months after initial cTACE, 17 metastases showed response. There was a significant difference (p = 0.021) between absolute pretreatment ADC values of lesions showing response (median 1.08 × 10{sup −3} mm{sup 2}/s) and no response (median 1.30 × 10{sup −3} mm{sup 2}/s). Pretreatment ADC showed fair diagnostic value to predict response (AUC 0.7). Lesions showing response at 3 months also revealed a significant increase in ADC between measurements before treatment and at one month after initial cTACE (p < 0.001). Applying an increase in ADC of 12.17%, response at 3 months after initial cTACE could be predicted with a sensitivity and specificity of 77 and 74%, respectively (AUC 0.817). Furthermore, there was a strong and significant correlation (r = 0.651, p < 0.001) between percentage change in size after third cTACE and percentage change in ADC.ConclusionIn patients with CRLM, ADC measurements are potential biomarkers for assessing response to cTACE.« less

Investigating maternal risk factors as potential targets of intervention to reduce socioeconomic inequality in small for gestational age: a population-based study.

PubMed

Hayward, Irene; Malcoe, Lorraine Halinka; Cleathero, Lesley A; Janssen, Patricia A; Lanphear, Bruce P; Hayes, Michael V; Mattman, Andre; Pampalon, Robert; Venners, Scott A

2012-06-13

The major aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal risk factors associated with socioeconomic status and small for gestational age (SGA) might be viable targets of interventions to reduce differential risk of SGA by socioeconomic status (socioeconomic SGA inequality) in the metropolitan area of Vancouver, Canada. This study included 59,039 live, singleton births in the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (Vancouver) from January 1, 2006 to September 17, 2009. To identify an indicator of socioeconomic SGA inequality, we used hierarchical logistic regression to model SGA by area-level variables from the Canadian census. We then modelled SGA by area-level average income plus established maternal risk factors for SGA and calculated population attributable SGA risk percentages (PAR%) for each variable. Associations of maternal risk factors for SGA with average income were investigated to identify those that might contribute to SGA inequality. Finally, we estimated crude reductions in the percentage and absolute differences in SGA risks between highest and lowest average income quintiles that would result if interventions on maternal risk factors successfully equalized them across income levels or eliminated them altogether. Average income produced the most linear and statistically significant indicator of socioeconomic SGA inequality with 8.9% prevalence of SGA in the lowest income quintile compared to 5.6% in the highest. The adjusted PAR% of SGA for variables were: bottom four quintiles of height (51%), first birth (32%), bottom four quintiles of average income (14%), oligohydramnios (7%), underweight or hypertension, (6% each), smoking (3%) and placental disorder (1%). Shorter height, underweight and smoking during pregnancy had higher prevalence in lower income groups. Crude models assuming equalization of risk factors across income levels or elimination altogether indicated little potential change in relative socioeconomic SGA inequality and reduction in absolute SGA inequality for shorter height only. Our findings regarding maternal height may indicate trans-generational aetiology for socioeconomic SGA inequalities and/or that adult height influences social mobility. Conditions affecting foetal and childhood growth might be viable targets to reduce absolute socioeconomic SGA inequality in future generations, but more research is needed to determine whether such an approach is appropriate.

[Value of the tritium test for determining the fat content in the body of rats].

PubMed

Pisarchuk, K L

1990-01-01

An indirect method for estimation of the fat percentage in the animal organism, a tritium test, was studied on laboratory male rats aged 4 and 12 months. Results obtained from the tritium test and direct chemical analysis were compared. With age a mean absolute error of the tritium test increased (from 1 to 8%) as against actual values of the water and fat percentage in the organism obtained by a direct chemical analysis. The data obtained testify to the relative insolvency of the tritium test, as well as the necessity to carry additional investigations in order to obtain adequate data.

Validation of GPU based TomoTherapy dose calculation engine.

PubMed

Chen, Quan; Lu, Weiguo; Chen, Yu; Chen, Mingli; Henderson, Douglas; Sterpin, Edmond

2012-04-01

The graphic processing unit (GPU) based TomoTherapy convolution/superposition(C/S) dose engine (GPU dose engine) achieves a dramatic performance improvement over the traditional CPU-cluster based TomoTherapy dose engine (CPU dose engine). Besides the architecture difference between the GPU and CPU, there are several algorithm changes from the CPU dose engine to the GPU dose engine. These changes made the GPU dose slightly different from the CPU-cluster dose. In order for the commercial release of the GPU dose engine, its accuracy has to be validated. Thirty eight TomoTherapy phantom plans and 19 patient plans were calculated with both dose engines to evaluate the equivalency between the two dose engines. Gamma indices (Γ) were used for the equivalency evaluation. The GPU dose was further verified with the absolute point dose measurement with ion chamber and film measurements for phantom plans. Monte Carlo calculation was used as a reference for both dose engines in the accuracy evaluation in heterogeneous phantom and actual patients. The GPU dose engine showed excellent agreement with the current CPU dose engine. The majority of cases had over 99.99% of voxels with Γ(1%, 1 mm) < 1. The worst case observed in the phantom had 0.22% voxels violating the criterion. In patient cases, the worst percentage of voxels violating the criterion was 0.57%. For absolute point dose verification, all cases agreed with measurement to within ±3% with average error magnitude within 1%. All cases passed the acceptance criterion that more than 95% of the pixels have Γ(3%, 3 mm) < 1 in film measurement, and the average passing pixel percentage is 98.5%-99%. The GPU dose engine also showed similar degree of accuracy in heterogeneous media as the current TomoTherapy dose engine. It is verified and validated that the ultrafast TomoTherapy GPU dose engine can safely replace the existing TomoTherapy cluster based dose engine without degradation in dose accuracy.

Overcoming the knowledge-behavior gap: The effect of evidence-based HPV vaccination leaflets on understanding, intention, and actual vaccination decision.

PubMed

Wegwarth, O; Kurzenhäuser-Carstens, S; Gigerenzer, G

2014-03-10

Informed decision making requires transparent and evidence-based (=balanced) information on the potential benefit and harms of medical preventions. An analysis of German HPV vaccination leaflets revealed, however, that none met the standards of balanced risk communication. We surveyed a sample of 225 girl-parent pairs in a before-after design on the effects of balanced and unbalanced risk communication on participants' knowledge about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccination, their perceived risk, their intention to have the vaccine, and their actual vaccination decision. The balanced leaflet increased the number of participants who were correctly informed about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine by 33 to 66 absolute percentage points. In contrast, the unbalanced leaflet decreased the number of participants who were correctly informed about these facts by 0 to 18 absolute percentage points. Whereas the actual uptake of the HPV vaccination 14 months after the initial study did not differ between the two groups (22% balanced leaflet vs. 23% unbalanced leaflet; p=.93, r=.01), the originally stated intention to have the vaccine reliably predicted the actual vaccination decision for the balanced leaflet group only (concordance between intention and actual uptake: 97% in the balanced leaflet group, rs=.92, p=.00; 60% in the unbalanced leaflet group, rs=.37, p=.08). In contrast to a unbalanced leaflet, a balanced leaflet increased people's knowledge of the HPV vaccination, improved perceived risk judgments, and led to an actual vaccination uptake, which first was robustly predicted by people's intention and second did not differ from the uptake in the unbalanced leaflet group. These findings suggest that balanced reporting about HPV vaccination increases informed decisions about whether to be vaccinated and does not undermine actual uptake. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Feasibility of dynamic risk prediction for hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

PubMed

Jeon, Mi Young; Lee, Hye Won; Kim, Seung Up; Kim, Beom Kyung; Park, Jun Yong; Kim, Do Young; Han, Kwang-Hyub; Ahn, Sang Hoon

2018-04-01

Several risk prediction models for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development are available. We explored whether the use of risk prediction models can dynamically predict HCC development at different time points in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Between 2006 and 2014, 1397 CHB patients were recruited. All patients underwent serial transient elastography at intervals of >6 months. The median age of this study population (931 males and 466 females) was 49.0 years. The median CU-HCC, REACH-B, LSM-HCC and mREACH-B score at enrolment were 4.0, 9.0, 10.0 and 8.0 respectively. During the follow-up period (median, 68.0 months), 87 (6.2%) patients developed HCC. All risk prediction models were successful in predicting HCC development at both the first liver stiffness (LS) measurement (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.067-1.467 in the subgroup without antiviral therapy [AVT] and 1.096-1.458 in the subgroup with AVT) and second LS measurement (HR = 1.125-1.448 in the subgroup without AVT and 1.087-1.249 in the subgroup with AVT). In contrast, neither the absolute nor percentage change in the scores from the risk prediction models predicted HCC development (all P > .05). The mREACH-B score performed similarly or significantly better than did the other scores (AUROCs at 5 years, 0.694-0.862 vs 0.537-0.875). Dynamic prediction of HCC development at different time points was achieved using four risk prediction models, but not using the changes in the absolute and percentage values between two time points. The mREACH-B score was the most appropriate prediction model of HCC development among four prediction models. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Measures of model performance based on the log accuracy ratio

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morley, Steven Karl; Brito, Thiago Vasconcelos; Welling, Daniel T.

Quantitative assessment of modeling and forecasting of continuous quantities uses a variety of approaches. We review existing literature describing metrics for forecast accuracy and bias, concentrating on those based on relative errors and percentage errors. Of these accuracy metrics, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is one of the most common across many fields and has been widely applied in recent space science literature and we highlight the benefits and drawbacks of MAPE and proposed alternatives. We then introduce the log accuracy ratio, and derive from it two metrics: the median symmetric accuracy; and the symmetric signed percentage bias. Robustmore » methods for estimating the spread of a multiplicative linear model using the log accuracy ratio are also presented. The developed metrics are shown to be easy to interpret, robust, and to mitigate the key drawbacks of their more widely-used counterparts based on relative errors and percentage errors. Their use is illustrated with radiation belt electron flux modeling examples.« less

Measures of model performance based on the log accuracy ratio

DOE PAGES

Morley, Steven Karl; Brito, Thiago Vasconcelos; Welling, Daniel T.

2018-01-03

Quantitative assessment of modeling and forecasting of continuous quantities uses a variety of approaches. We review existing literature describing metrics for forecast accuracy and bias, concentrating on those based on relative errors and percentage errors. Of these accuracy metrics, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is one of the most common across many fields and has been widely applied in recent space science literature and we highlight the benefits and drawbacks of MAPE and proposed alternatives. We then introduce the log accuracy ratio, and derive from it two metrics: the median symmetric accuracy; and the symmetric signed percentage bias. Robustmore » methods for estimating the spread of a multiplicative linear model using the log accuracy ratio are also presented. The developed metrics are shown to be easy to interpret, robust, and to mitigate the key drawbacks of their more widely-used counterparts based on relative errors and percentage errors. Their use is illustrated with radiation belt electron flux modeling examples.« less

SPIROMETRY IN SCHOOLCHILDREN FOR FIELD STUDIES: DOES TESTING ON DIFFERENT DAYS CHANGE THE RESULT OF THE EXAM?

PubMed Central

Scalco, Janaina Cristina; Minsky, Rafaela Coelho; Schivinski, Camila Isabel Santos

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze if there is variation in the results of spirometry performed by healthy schoolchildren on different days. Methods: Cross-sectional study with healthy schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years old, in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. Prepubescent children, non-athletes, born at full term, without cardiorespiratory, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, neurological and visual or hearing deficit were included. The child’s health was assessed by a health questionnaire and by the survey International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. The spirometric test was performed on 3 different days, not exceeding the interval of 15 days between the first and last exams, following the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society. The absolute values and percentages of predicted values of forced vital capacity, forced volume in the first second and peak expiratory flow were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test followed by one-way analysis of variance or Friedman test and by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test for multiple parametric comparisons. Also, the intraclass correlation coefficient was applied to compare results on the same patients on the different tested days. Results: Twenty-two children were analyzed, with a mean age of 9.3±1.1 years. All the spirometric parameters showed a reduction in absolute value after the first exam, but without significant difference. Regarding reproducibility of spirometry results, the tests presented intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70. Conclusions: There was no change in the results of spirometry performed by healthy schoolchildren on three different days. PMID:29160411

Impact of weather factors on influenza hospitalization across different age groups in subtropical Hong Kong

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yapeng; Wang, Xi-Ling; Zheng, Xueying

2018-05-01

Accumulating evidence demonstrates the significant influence of weather factors, especially temperature and humidity, on influenza seasonality. However, it is still unclear whether temperature variation within the same day, that is diurnal temperature range (DTR), is related to influenza seasonality. In addition, the different effects of weather factors on influenza seasonality across age groups have not been well documented in previous studies. Our study aims to explore the effects of DTR and humidity on influenza seasonality, and the differences in the association between weather factors and influenza seasonality among different age groups in Hong Kong, China. Generalized additive models were conducted to flexibly assess the impact of DTR, absolute humidity (vapor pressure, VP), and relative humidity on influenza seasonality in Hong Kong, China, from January 2012 to December 2016. Stratified analyses were performed to determine if the effects of weather factors differ across age groups (< 5, 5-9, 10-64, and > 64 years). The results suggested that DTR, absolute humidity, and relative humidity were significantly related to influenza seasonality in dry period (when VP is less than 20 mb), while no significant association was found in humid period (when VP is greater than 20 mb). The percentage changes of hospitalization rates due to influenza associated with per unit increase of weather factors in the very young children (age 0-4) and the elderly (age 65+) were higher than that in the adults (age 10-64). Diurnal temperature range is significantly associated with influenza seasonality in dry period, and the effects of weather factors differ across age groups in Hong Kong, China.

Toxicological assessment of Diplazium esculentum on the reproductive functions of male Swiss albino mouse.

PubMed

Roy, Subhrajyoti; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar

2017-04-01

Diplazium esculentum, a commonly consumed seasonal vegetable, has been reported to have some pathological effects in some animals. But, its effect on the male reproductive function has not yet been studied. To investigate the effects of boiled D. esculentum (BDE), the form which human consumes, on male reproductive functions of Swiss albino mice. Male (120 in no.) and female (80 in no.) Swiss albino mice (6-8 weeks of age) were fed orally with 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg bw of BDE within a span of 180 d. After the treatment, body weight, absolute- and relative-testis weight, relative-weight of other organs, their biochemical parameters, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) of spermatozoa, testis histology and fertility and fecundity tests were performed to justify the toxic effects of D. esculentum on male reproductive functions. Significant dose- and time-dependent decreases were observed in body weight, absolute- and relative-testis weight, relative-weights of other organs and their biochemical parameters, percentage of live spermatozoa and percentage of fertility and fecundity in BDE fed mice. Significant decreases were observed in diameter, perimeter and area of the seminiferous tubules of mice treated for 180 d. The percentage of empty seminiferous tubules was increased significantly in BDE treated mice when compared to the controls. These results suggest that the intake of D. esculentum, even after cooking, may induce infertility by altering the male reproductive function, and therefore, should be evaluated further as a potential antifertility agent.

The impact of diabetes on employment and work productivity.

PubMed

Tunceli, Kaan; Bradley, Cathy J; Nerenz, David; Williams, L Keoki; Pladevall, Manel; Elston Lafata, Jennifer

2005-11-01

The purpose of this study was to longitudinally examine the effect of diabetes on labor market outcomes. Using secondary data from the first two waves (1992 and 1994) of the Health and Retirement Study, we identified 7,055 employed respondents (51-61 years of age), 490 of whom reported having diabetes in wave 1. We estimated the effect of diabetes in wave 1 on the probability of working in wave 2 using probit regression. For those working in wave 2, we modeled the relationships between diabetic status in wave 1 and the change in hours worked and work-loss days using ordinary least-squares regressions and modeled the presence of health-related work limitations using probit regression. All models control for health status and job characteristics and are estimated separately by sex. Among individuals with diabetes, the absolute probability of working was 4.4 percentage points less for women and 7.1 percentage points less for men relative to that of their counterparts without diabetes. Change in weekly hours worked was not statistically significantly associated with diabetes. Women with diabetes had 2 more work-loss days per year compared with women without diabetes. Compared with individuals without diabetes, men and women with diabetes were 5.4 and 6 percentage points (absolute increase), respectively, more likely to have work limitations. This article provides evidence that diabetes affects patients, employers, and society not only by reducing employment but also by contributing to work loss and health-related work limitations for those who remain employed.

Immunologic analyses of peripheral leukocytes from workers at an ethical narcotics manufacturing facility.

PubMed

Biagini, R E; Henningsen, G M; Klincewicz, S L

1995-01-01

Little information exists about possible adverse health effects associated with workplace exposure to opiate compounds. We have previously reported opiate-specific IgG antibodies, positive epicutaneous tests, and pulmonary function decrements in workers exposed occupationally to opiates. In the present work, we extended these findings to investigate the effect of occupational opiate exposure on lymphocyte subpopulations and mitogen-induced lymphoblastogenesis. Thirty-three opiate-exposed workers and 8 nonexposed control workers were evaluated for lymphocyte subpopulation absolute numbers and percentages, by evaluating cell surface antigen expression with flow cytometry. A complete blood count with differential, common clinical chemistry parameters, and serum immunoglobulin levels were also evaluated. Opiate-exposed workers showed significantly (p < .05) increased absolute numbers and percentages of HLA-DR+ cells (MHC class II histocompatibility antigen), significantly (p < .01) decreased percentages of T helper-inducer (CD4+) cells, and significantly (p < .05) decreased numbers of basophils, compared with nonexposed opiate workers from the same factory. A trend toward reduction in the T helper-inducer (CD4+)/T cytotoxic-suppressor (CD8+) lymphocyte ratio was also evident. There was also a significant decrease in lymphocyte activity stimulated by pokeweed mitogen (p < .05) in opiate-exposed workers. These data indicate that occupational opiate exposure may change the number and types of circulating peripheral blood leukocytes, or alternatively, alter the expression of receptors on the surface of these cells. In addition, occupational opiate exposure appears to decrease the sensitivity of B-cells to pokeweed mitogen stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Steady-shear rheological properties of graphene-reinforced epoxy resin for manufacturing of aerospace composite films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clausi, Marialaura; Santonicola, M. Gabriella; Laurenzi, Susanna

2016-05-01

The aim of this work is to analyze the steady-shear rheological behavior and the absolute viscosity of epoxy matrix reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) before cure. Three different grades of xGnP (grades C, M and H) were dispersed homogenously at different weight percentages (wt%) into the epoxy matrix, ranging from 0.5 to 5 wt%. It is found that nanocomposite fluids with xGnP-C exhibit a Newtonian behavior at shear rate in the range 0.1-100 s-1, conversely, nanocomposite fluids with xGnP of grade M and H exhibit a shear-thinning behavior with the increase of nanoplatelet loading. Results from this analysis indicate how the steady shear rheological properties of the nano-reinforced polymer fluids depend on the geometrical characteristics of the graphene nanoplatelets.

Association of Admission to Veterans Affairs Hospitals Versus non-Veterans Affairs Hospitals with Mortality and Readmission Rates Among Older Men Hospitalized with Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, and Pneumonia

PubMed Central

Nuti, Sudhakar V.; Qin, Li; Rumsfeld, John S.; Ross, Joseph S.; Masoudi, Frederick A.; Normand, Sharon-Lise T.; Murugiah, Karthik; Bernheim, Susannah M.; Suter, Lisa G.; Krumholz, Harlan M.

2017-01-01

Importance Little contemporary information is available about comparative performance between Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA hospitals, particularly related to mortality and readmission rates, 2 important outcomes of care. Objective To assess and compare mortality and readmission rates among men in VA and non-VA hospitals. To avoid confounding geographic effects with health care system effects, we studied VA and non-VA hospitals within the same metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Design Cross-sectional analysis between 2010 and 2013 Setting Medicare Standard Analytic Files and Enrollment Database Participants Male Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged 65 or older hospitalized between 2010 and 2013 in VA and non-VA acute care hospitals for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), or pneumonia. Exposures Hospitalization in a VA or non-VA hospital in urban MSAs that contained at least 1 VA and non-VA hospital Main Outcomes and Measures For each condition, 30-day risk-standardized mortality rates and risk-standardized readmission rates for VA and non-VA hospitals. Mean-aggregated within-MSA differences in mortality and readmission rates were also assessed. Results We studied 104 VA and 1,513 non-VA hospitals, with each condition-outcome analysis cohort for VA and non-VA hospitals containing at least 7,900 patients, in 92 MSAs. Mortality rates were lower in VA hospitals than non-VA hospitals for AMI (13.5% vs. 13.7%, p=0.02; −0.2 percentage point difference) and HF (11.4% vs. 11.9%, p=0.008; −0.5 percentage point difference), but higher for pneumonia (12.6% vs. 12.2%, p<0.05; 0.4 percentage point difference). In contrast, readmission rates were higher in VA hospitals for all 3 conditions (AMI: 17.8% vs. 17.2%, 0.6 percentage point difference; HF: 24.7% vs. 23.5%, 1.2 percentage point difference; pneumonia: 19.4% vs. 18.7%, 0.7 percentage point difference, all p<0.001). In within-MSA comparisons, VA hospitals had lower mortality rates for AMI (percentage point difference: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.40 to −0.04) and HF (−0.63, 95% CI: −0.95 to −0.31), and mortality rates for pneumonia were not significantly different (−0.03, 95% CI: −0.46 to 0.40); however, VA hospitals had higher readmission rates (AMI: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.75; HF: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.34; pneumonia: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.91). Conclusion and Relevance Among older men with AMI, HF, and pneumonia, hospitalization at VA hospitals, compared with hospitalization at non-VA hospitals, was associated with lower risk-standardized 30-day all-cause mortality rates for AMI and HF, and higher risk-standardized 30 day all-cause readmission rates for all 3 conditions, both nationally and within similar geographic areas, although absolute differences between these outcomes at VA and non-VA hospitals were small. PMID:26864412

Rapid reconstitution of CMV-specific T-cells after stem-cell transplantation.

PubMed

Widmann, Thomas; Sester, Urban; Schmidt, Tina; Gärtner, Barbara C; Schubert, Jörg; Pfreundschuh, Michael; Sester, Martina

2018-04-13

As reconstitution of virus-specific T-cells is critical to control cytomegalovirus (CMV)-viremia following stem-cell transplantation (SCT), we characterized the dynamics in CMV-specific T-cell reconstitution after SCT. Cytomegalovirus-specific T-cells from 51 SCT-recipients were prospectively quantified and phenotypically characterised by intracellular cytokine-staining after specific stimulation and HLA class-I-specific pentamers using flow cytometry. Cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 T-cells reconstituted after a median of 2.3 (IQR, 2.0-3.0) weeks following autografting, and 4.0 (IQR, 3.0-5.6) weeks after allografting, with CMV-specific T-cells originating from donors and/or recipients. The time for reconstitution of CMV-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cells did not differ (P = .58). Factors delaying the time to initial reconstitution of CMV-specific CD4 T-cells included a negative recipient serostatus (P = .016) and CMV-viremia (P = .026). Percentages of CMV-specific CD4 T-cells significantly increased over time and reached a plateau after 90 days (P = .043). Relative CMV-specific CD4 T-cell levels remained higher in long-term transplant recipients compared with those in controls (P < .0001). However, due to persisting lymphopenia, absolute numbers of CMV-specific T-cells were similar as in controls. Cytomegalovirus-specific T-cells rapidly reconstitute after SCT and their percentages remain high in the long term. In the face of persistent lymphopenia, this results in similar absolute numbers of CMV-specific T-cells as in controls to ensure sufficient pathogen control. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Probabilistic Air Segmentation and Sparse Regression Estimated Pseudo CT for PET/MR Attenuation Correction

PubMed Central

Chen, Yasheng; Juttukonda, Meher; Su, Yi; Benzinger, Tammie; Rubin, Brian G.; Lee, Yueh Z.; Lin, Weili; Shen, Dinggang; Lalush, David

2015-01-01

Purpose To develop a positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction method for brain PET/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by estimating pseudo computed tomographic (CT) images from T1-weighted MR and atlas CT images. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board–approved and HIPAA-compliant study, PET/MR/CT images were acquired in 20 subjects after obtaining written consent. A probabilistic air segmentation and sparse regression (PASSR) method was developed for pseudo CT estimation. Air segmentation was performed with assistance from a probabilistic air map. For nonair regions, the pseudo CT numbers were estimated via sparse regression by using atlas MR patches. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) on PET images was computed as the normalized mean absolute difference in PET signal intensity between a method and the reference standard continuous CT attenuation correction method. Friedman analysis of variance and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests were performed for statistical comparison of MAPE between the PASSR method and Dixon segmentation, CT segmentation, and population averaged CT atlas (mean atlas) methods. Results The PASSR method yielded a mean MAPE ± standard deviation of 2.42% ± 1.0, 3.28% ± 0.93, and 2.16% ± 1.75, respectively, in the whole brain, gray matter, and white matter, which were significantly lower than the Dixon, CT segmentation, and mean atlas values (P < .01). Moreover, 68.0% ± 16.5, 85.8% ± 12.9, and 96.0% ± 2.5 of whole-brain volume had within ±2%, ±5%, and ±10% percentage error by using PASSR, respectively, which was significantly higher than other methods (P < .01). Conclusion PASSR outperformed the Dixon, CT segmentation, and mean atlas methods by reducing PET error owing to attenuation correction. © RSNA, 2014 PMID:25521778

Forecasting mortality of road traffic injuries in China using seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model.

PubMed

Zhang, Xujun; Pang, Yuanyuan; Cui, Mengjing; Stallones, Lorann; Xiang, Huiyun

2015-02-01

Road traffic injuries have become a major public health problem in China. This study aimed to develop statistical models for predicting road traffic deaths and to analyze seasonality of deaths in China. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used to fit the data from 2000 to 2011. Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, and mean absolute percentage error were used to evaluate the constructed models. Autocorrelation function and partial autocorrelation function of residuals and Ljung-Box test were used to compare the goodness-of-fit between the different models. The SARIMA model was used to forecast monthly road traffic deaths in 2012. The seasonal pattern of road traffic mortality data was statistically significant in China. SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1)12 model was the best fitting model among various candidate models; the Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, and mean absolute percentage error were -483.679, -475.053, and 4.937, respectively. Goodness-of-fit testing showed nonautocorrelations in the residuals of the model (Ljung-Box test, Q = 4.86, P = .993). The fitted deaths using the SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (0, 1, 1)12 model for years 2000 to 2011 closely followed the observed number of road traffic deaths for the same years. The predicted and observed deaths were also very close for 2012. This study suggests that accurate forecasting of road traffic death incidence is possible using SARIMA model. The SARIMA model applied to historical road traffic deaths data could provide important evidence of burden of road traffic injuries in China. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Achievable accuracy of hip screw holding power estimation by insertion torque measurement.

PubMed

Erani, Paolo; Baleani, Massimiliano

2018-02-01

To ensure stability of proximal femoral fractures, the hip screw must firmly engage into the femoral head. Some studies suggested that screw holding power into trabecular bone could be evaluated, intraoperatively, through measurement of screw insertion torque. However, those studies used synthetic bone, instead of trabecular bone, as host material or they did not evaluate accuracy of predictions. We determined prediction accuracy, also assessing the impact of screw design and host material. We measured, under highly-repeatable experimental conditions, disregarding clinical procedure complexities, insertion torque and pullout strength of four screw designs, both in 120 synthetic and 80 trabecular bone specimens of variable density. For both host materials, we calculated the root-mean-square error and the mean-absolute-percentage error of predictions based on the best fitting model of torque-pullout data, in both single-screw and merged dataset. Predictions based on screw-specific regression models were the most accurate. Host material impacts on prediction accuracy: the replacement of synthetic with trabecular bone decreased both root-mean-square errors, from 0.54 ÷ 0.76 kN to 0.21 ÷ 0.40 kN, and mean-absolute-percentage errors, from 14 ÷ 21% to 10 ÷ 12%. However, holding power predicted on low insertion torque remained inaccurate, with errors up to 40% for torques below 1 Nm. In poor-quality trabecular bone, tissue inhomogeneities likely affect pullout strength and insertion torque to different extents, limiting the predictive power of the latter. This bias decreases when the screw engages good-quality bone. Under this condition, predictions become more accurate although this result must be confirmed by close in-vitro simulation of the clinical procedure. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estimation of Fetal Weight during Labor: Still a Challenge.

PubMed

Barros, Joana Goulão; Reis, Inês; Pereira, Isabel; Clode, Nuno; Graça, Luís M

2016-01-01

To evaluate the accuracy of fetal weight prediction by ultrasonography labor employing a formula including the linear measurements of femur length (FL) and mid-thigh soft-tissue thickness (STT). We conducted a prospective study involving singleton uncomplicated term pregnancies within 48 hours of delivery. Only pregnancies with a cephalic fetus admitted in the labor ward for elective cesarean section, induction of labor or spontaneous labor were included. We excluded all non-Caucasian women, the ones previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the ones with evidence of ruptured membranes. Fetal weight estimates were calculated using a previously proposed formula [estimated fetal weight = 1687.47 + (54.1 x FL) + (76.68 x STT). The relationship between actual birth weight and estimated fetal weight was analyzed using Pearson's correlation. The formula's performance was assessed by calculating the signed and absolute errors. Mean weight difference and signed percentage error were calculated for birth weight divided into three subgroups: < 3000 g; 3000-4000 g; and > 4000 g. We included for analysis 145 cases and found a significant, yet low, linear relationship between birth weight and estimated fetal weight (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.197) with an absolute mean error of 10.6%. The lowest mean percentage error (0.3%) corresponded to the subgroup with birth weight between 3000 g and 4000 g. This study demonstrates a poor correlation between actual birth weight and the estimated fetal weight using a formula based on femur length and mid-thigh soft-tissue thickness, both linear parameters. Although avoidance of circumferential ultrasound measurements might prove to be beneficial, it is still yet to be found a fetal estimation formula that can be both accurate and simple to perform.

The impact of major depression on heart rate variability and endothelial dysfunction in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Aydin Sunbul, Esra; Sunbul, Murat; Gulec, Huseyin

Depression is an independent risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. Changes in the cardiac autonomic functions and pro-inflammatory processes are potential biological factors. Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of major depression on heart rate variability and endothelial dysfunction in patients with stable CAD. The study group included 65 CAD patients with a diagnosis of major depression and 54 CAD patients without major depression. All study population underwent transthoracic echocardiography, measurement of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and 24-h holter recording for heart rate variability (HRV). Blood samples were drawn to determine the inflammatory parameters. Severity of depressive episode was assessed by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS). The distribution of age and sex was similar in the patient and control groups (P=0.715, 0.354, respectively). There was no significant difference in medications used between the groups. Echocardiographic parameters were similar between the groups. Inflammatory parameters were also similar between the groups. HRV parameters were significantly lower in the patient group than controls. The absolute FMD value and percentage FMD were significantly lower in the patient group than controls (P<0.001). The MADRS score correlated with pNN50 in both groups (P<0.05), and with FMD in the control group (P<0.001), even after adjusting for age and gender (P<0.001). MADRS score was an independent predictor of pNN50 level, percentage and absolute FMD values regardless of age and gender. Clinician should pay more attention for evaluation of depressive patients with CAD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Using a dry electrode EEG device during balance tasks in healthy young-adult males: Test-retest reliability analysis.

PubMed

Collado-Mateo, Daniel; Adsuar, Jose C; Olivares, Pedro R; Cano-Plasencia, Ricardo; Gusi, Narcis

2015-01-01

The analysis of brain activity during balance is an important topic in different fields of science. Given that all measurements involve an error that is caused by different agents, like the instrument, the researcher, or the natural human variability, a test-retest reliability evaluation of the electroencephalographic assessment is a needed starting point. However, there is a lack of information about the reliability of electroencephalographic measurements, especially in a new wireless device with dry electrodes. The current study aims to analyze the reliability of electroencephalographic measurements from a wireless device using dry electrodes during two different balance tests. Seventeen healthy male volunteers performed two different static balance tasks on a Biodex Balance Platform: (a) with two feet on the platform and (b) with one foot on the platform. Electroencephalographic data was recorded using Enobio (Neuroelectrics). The mean power spectrum of the alpha band of the central and frontal channels was calculated. Relative and absolute indices of reliability were also calculated. In general terms, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values of all the assessed channels can be classified as excellent (>0.90). The percentage standard error of measurement oscillated from 0.54% to 1.02% and the percentage smallest real difference ranged from 1.50% to 2.82%. Electroencephalographic assessment through an Enobio device during balance tasks has an excellent reliability. However, its utility was not demonstrated because responsiveness was not assessed.

The distribution of blood eosinophil levels in a Japanese COPD clinical trial database and in the rest of the world.

PubMed

Barnes, Neil; Ishii, Takeo; Hizawa, Nobuyuki; Midwinter, Dawn; James, Mark; Hilton, Emma; Jones, Paul W

2018-01-01

Blood eosinophil measurements may help to guide physicians on the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emerging data suggest that COPD patients with higher blood eosinophil counts may be at higher risk of exacerbations and more likely to benefit from combined ICS/long-acting beta 2 -agonist (LABA) treatment than therapy with a LABA alone. This analysis describes the distribution of blood eosinophil count at baseline in Japanese COPD patients in comparison with non-Japanese COPD patients. A post hoc analysis of eosinophil distribution by percentage and absolute cell count was performed across 12 Phase II-IV COPD clinical studies (seven Japanese studies [N=848 available absolute eosinophil counts] and five global studies [N=5,397 available eosinophil counts] that included 246 Japanese patients resident in Japan with available counts). Blood eosinophil distributions were assessed at baseline, before blinded treatment assignment. Among Japanese patients, the median (interquartile range) absolute eosinophil count was 170 cells/mm 3 (100-280 cells/mm 3 ). Overall, 612/1,094 Japanese patients (56%) had an absolute eosinophil count ≥150 cells/mm 3 and 902/1,304 Japanese patients (69%) had a percentage eosinophil ≥2%. Among non-Japanese patients, these values were 160 (100-250) cells/mm 3 , 2,842/5,151 patients (55%), and 2,937/5,155 patients (57%), respectively. The eosinophil distribution among Japanese patients was similar to that among non-Japanese patients. Within multi-country studies with similar inclusion criteria, the eosinophil count was numerically lower in Japanese compared with non-Japanese patients (median 120 vs 160 cells/mm 3 ). The eosinophil distribution in Japanese patients seems comparable to that of non-Japanese patients; although within multi-country studies, there was a slightly lower median eosinophil count for Japanese patients compared with non-Japanese patients. These findings suggest that blood eosinophil data from global studies are of relevance in Japan.

Holt-Winters Forecasting: A Study of Practical Applications for Healthcare Managers

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-25

Winters Forecasting 5 List of Tables Table 1. Holt-Winters smoothing parameters and Mean Absolute Percentage Errors: Pseudoephedrine prescriptions Table 2...confidence intervals Holt-Winters Forecasting 6 List of Figures Figure 1. Line Plot of Pseudoephedrine Prescriptions forecast using smoothing parameters...The first represents monthly prescriptions of pseudoephedrine . Pseudoephedrine is a drug commonly prescribed to relieve nasal congestion and other

The treatment of adult obesity through direct manipulation of specific eating behaviors.

PubMed

Rodriguez, L; Sandler, J

1981-06-01

The present study investigated the effects of three different conditions on weight loss in adult obese subjects. The three conditions were: (1) Monitoring-Contract (MC) in which subjects were reinforced by the return of a valued possession for changes in eating habits; (2) Monitoring (M); and Attention-Placebo (AP). Subjects in the MC group lost significantly more absolute weight and a significantly greater percentage of weight at the end of treatment than did the subjects in the M and AP groups. These changes were still manifested at a 2 month and a 6 month follow-up. The long-term advantages of a weight reduction program which focuses on a gradual and systematic weight loss through changes in eating habits are discussed.

Validity of peak expiratory flow measurement in assessing reversibility of airflow obstruction.

PubMed Central

Dekker, F W; Schrier, A C; Sterk, P J; Dijkman, J H

1992-01-01

BACKGROUND: Assessing the reversibility of airflow obstruction by peak expiratory (PEF) measurements would be practicable in general practice, but its usefulness has not been investigated. METHODS: PEF measurements were performed (miniWright peak flow meter) in 73 general practice patients (aged 40 to 84) with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease before and after 400 micrograms inhaled sulbutamol. The change in PEF was compared with the change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Reversible airflow obstruction was analysed in two ways according to previous criteria. When defined as a 9% or greater increase in FEV1 expressed as a percentage of predicted values reversibility was observed in 42% of patients. Relative operating characteristic analysis showed that an absolute improvement in PEF of 60 l/min or more gave optimal discrimination between patients with reversible and irreversible airflow obstruction (the sensitivity and specificity of an increase of 60 l/min in detecting a 9% or more increase in FEV1 as a percentage of predicted values were 68% and 93% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 87%). When defined as an increase of 190 ml or more in FEV1, reversible airflow obstruction was observed in 53% of patients. Again an absolute improvement in PEF of 60 l/min or more gave optimal discrimination between patients with reversible and irreversible airflow obstruction (sensitivity 56%, specificity 94%, and positive predictive value 92%). CONCLUSION: Absolute changes in PEF can be used as a simple technique to diagnose reversible airflow obstruction in patients from general practice. PMID:1519192

Determinants of body composition in preterm infants at the time of hospital discharge.

PubMed

Simon, Laure; Frondas-Chauty, Anne; Senterre, Thibault; Flamant, Cyril; Darmaun, Dominique; Rozé, Jean-Christophe

2014-07-01

Preterm infants have a higher fat mass (FM) percentage and a lower fat-free mass (FFM) than do term infants at the time of hospital discharge. We determined perinatal and nutritional factors that affect the body composition of preterm infants at discharge. A total of 141 preterm infants born at <35 wk of gestation and admitted to Nantes University Hospital Neonatology Unit over a period of 2 y were enrolled. Nutritional intake and growth were monitored during hospitalization. Body composition was assessed by using air-displacement plethysmography at discharge. FFM was compared with reference data in term infants according to sex and gestational age. Linear regression produced an excellent model to predict absolute FFM from perinatal characteristics and nutrition (R(2) = 0.82) but not the FM percentage (R(2) = 0.24). Gestational and postnatal ages played an equal role in absolute FFM accretion, as did the initial growth (between birth and day 5) and growth between day 5 and discharge. Antenatal corticosteroid treatment slightly reduced FFM accretion. As concerns nutritional intake, a higher protein:energy ratio at days 10 and 21 was significantly associated with decreased risk of an FFM deficit when preterm infants were compared with reference values for term infants. Boys had higher risk of an FFM deficit than did girls. The initial growth and quality of nutrition were significantly associated with absolute FFM accretion during a hospital stay in preterm infants. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01450436. © 2014 American Society for Nutrition.

Evaluation of non-rigid registration parameters for atlas-based segmentation of CT images of human cochlea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elfarnawany, Mai; Alam, S. Riyahi; Agrawal, Sumit K.; Ladak, Hanif M.

2017-02-01

Cochlear implant surgery is a hearing restoration procedure for patients with profound hearing loss. In this surgery, an electrode is inserted into the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve and restore the patient's hearing. Clinical computed tomography (CT) images are used for planning and evaluation of electrode placement, but their low resolution limits the visualization of internal cochlear structures. Therefore, high resolution micro-CT images are used to develop atlas-based segmentation methods to extract these nonvisible anatomical features in clinical CT images. Accurate registration of the high and low resolution CT images is a prerequisite for reliable atlas-based segmentation. In this study, we evaluate and compare different non-rigid B-spline registration parameters using micro-CT and clinical CT images of five cadaveric human cochleae. The varying registration parameters are cost function (normalized correlation (NC), mutual information and mean square error), interpolation method (linear, windowed-sinc and B-spline) and sampling percentage (1%, 10% and 100%). We compare the registration results visually and quantitatively using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD) and absolute percentage error in cochlear volume. Using MI or MSE cost functions and linear or windowed-sinc interpolation resulted in visually undesirable deformation of internal cochlear structures. Quantitatively, the transforms using 100% sampling percentage yielded the highest DSC and smallest HD (0.828+/-0.021 and 0.25+/-0.09mm respectively). Therefore, B-spline registration with cost function: NC, interpolation: B-spline and sampling percentage: moments 100% can be the foundation of developing an optimized atlas-based segmentation algorithm of intracochlear structures in clinical CT images.

High Variability of Observed Weight Bearing During Standing Foot and Ankle Radiographs.

PubMed

Miller, Christopher P; Ghorbanhoseini, Mohammad; Ehrlichman, Lauren K; Walley, Kempland C; Ghaheri, Azadeh; Kwon, John Y

2017-06-01

Weight-bearing radiographs are a critical component of evaluating foot and ankle pathology. An underlying assumption is that patients are placing 50% of their body weight on the affected foot during image acquisition. The accuracy of weight bearing during radiographs is unknown and, presumably, variable, which may result in uncertain ability of the resultant radiographs to appropriately portray the pathology of interest. Fifty subjects were tested. The percentage body weight through the foot of interest was measured at the moment of radiographic image acquisition. The subject was then instructed to bear "half [their] weight" prior to the next radiograph. The percentage body weight was calculated and compared to ideal 50% weight bearing. The mean percentage body weight in trial 1 and 2 was 45.7% ± 3.2% ( P = .012 compared to the 50% mark) and 49.2% ± 2.4%, respectively ( P = .428 compared to 50%). The mean absolute difference in percentage weight bearing compared to 50% in trials 1 and 2 was 9.3% ± 2.3% and 5.8% ± 1.8%, respectively ( P = .005). For trial 1, 18/50 subjects were within the "ideal" (45%-55%) range for weight bearing compared to 32/50 on trial 2 ( P = .005). In trial 1, 24/50 subjects had "appropriate" (>45%) weight bearing compared to 39/50 on trial 2 ( P = .002). There was substantial variability in the weight applied during radiograph acquisition. This study raises questions regarding the assumptions, reliability, and interpretation when evaluating weight-bearing radiographs. Level III, comparative study.

Photo-detachment of negative ions in Ar-CO2 dc discharge employing Langmuir probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, Jannet; Yousif, Farook Bashir; Fuentes, Beatriz E.; Vázquez, Federico; Rivera, Marco; López-Patiño, J.; Figueroa, Aldo; Martínez, Horacio

2018-05-01

The electronegativity of the A r - C O 2 gas mixture was investigated, and the total relative negative oxygen ion density O2- + O- in the bulk of a dc discharge has been determined employing Langmuir probe assisted laser photo-detachment. The relative electron density and absolute temperature were obtained for the mixture at discharge powers between 200 and 3000 mW and pressures between 0.2 and 0.6 mbar, employing the collisional radiative model for several Ar gas mixtures. The absolute metastable number density for 1s3 and 1s5 levels was measured, and both showed an increasing trend as a function of pressure and power. The absolute number density of the 1s5 level was found to be higher than that of the 1s3 level. Electronegativity was found to decrease as a function of power and as a function of the increasing Ar percentage in the gas mixture.

Forecasting Container Throughput at the Doraleh Port in Djibouti through Time Series Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed Ismael, Hawa; Vandyck, George Kobina

The Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) located in Djibouti has been noted as the most technologically advanced container terminal on the African continent. DCT's strategic location at the crossroads of the main shipping lanes connecting Asia, Africa and Europe put it in a unique position to provide important shipping services to vessels plying that route. This paper aims to forecast container throughput through the Doraleh Container Port in Djibouti by Time Series Analysis. A selection of univariate forecasting models has been used, namely Triple Exponential Smoothing Model, Grey Model and Linear Regression Model. By utilizing the above three models and their combination, the forecast of container throughput through the Doraleh port was realized. A comparison of the different forecasting results of the three models, in addition to the combination forecast is then undertaken, based on commonly used evaluation criteria Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The study found that the Linear Regression forecasting Model was the best prediction method for forecasting the container throughput, since its forecast error was the least. Based on the regression model, a ten (10) year forecast for container throughput at DCT has been made.

The association between area deprivation and dental caries in groups with and without fluoride in their drinking water.

PubMed

Ellwood, R P; O'Mullane, D M

1995-03-01

In order to determine the association between social background and dental caries for subjects living in areas with and without fluoride in the drinking water, lifetime residents from Anglesey (0.7 mg/l F-, n = 196) and Chester/Bala (< 0.1 mg/l F-, n = 267) were examined. The mean age overall was 14.1 (+/- 0.3) years. For the Anglesey group, when differences in material deprivation were controlled, the mean DMFS was 2.9 compared with 4.3 in Chester/Bala, a difference of 33 per cent. Using multiple linear regression it was found that there was no interaction between material deprivation and water fluoridation. This suggested that absolute differences in dental caries between these areas with and without fluoride in the drinking water were similar for different strata of deprivation. It follows that percentage reductions in dental caries resulting from fluoridation of water supplies tended to be less in deprived than non deprived groups.

Comparison of glomerular filtration rate determined by use of single-slice dynamic computed tomography and scintigraphy in cats.

PubMed

Schmidt, David M; Scrivani, Peter V; Dykes, Nathan L; Goldstein, Richard M; Erb, Hollis N; Reeves, Anthony P

2012-04-01

To compare estimation of glomerular filtration rate determined via conventional methods (ie, scintigraphy and plasma clearance of technetium Tc 99m pentetate) and dynamic single-slice computed tomography (CT). 8 healthy adult cats. Scintigraphy, plasma clearance testing, and dynamic CT were performed on each cat on the same day; order of examinations was randomized. Separate observers performed GFR calculations for scintigraphy, plasma clearance testing, or dynamic CT. Methods were compared via Bland-Altman plots and considered interchangeable and acceptable when the 95% limits of agreement (mean difference between methods ± 1.96 SD of the differences) were ≤ 0.7 mL/min/kg. Global GFR differed < 0.7 mL/min/kg in 5 of 8 cats when comparing plasma clearance testing and dynamic CT; the limits of agreement were 1.4 and -1.7 mL/min/kg. The mean ± SD difference was -0.2 ± 0.8 mL/min/kg, and the maximum difference was 1.6 mL/min/kg. The mean ± SD difference (absolute value) for percentage filtration by individual kidneys was 2.4 ± 10.5% when comparing scintigraphy and dynamic CT; the maximum difference was 20%, and the limits of agreement were 18% and 23% (absolute value). GFR estimation via dynamic CT exceeded the definition for acceptable clinical use, compared with results for conventional methods, which was likely attributable to sample size and preventable technical complications. Because 5 of 8 cats had comparable values between methods, further investigation of dynamic CT in a larger sample population with a wide range of GFR values should be performed.

Sugar-Fat Seesaw: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

PubMed Central

Sadler, Michele Jeanne; McNulty, Helene; Gibson, Sigrid

2015-01-01

Further to reports of a reciprocal relationship between sugar and fat intakes, this review aimed to provide an in-depth analysis and to determine the likely influence of this relationship on the achievement of population dietary guidelines. Using systematic methods, relevant literature was selected according to preset criteria. A strong and consistent inverse association was found between total sugars and total fat intakes expressed as percentage energy. Fewer studies considered absolute intakes and these reported a positive relationship, which may be influenced by confounding with energy intakes. Evidence for an inverse relationship between percentage energy from fat and extrinsic sugars was weaker and less consistent than for fat and total sugars. Reciprocal relationships were also observed for sugar-saturated fat, sugar−protein, sugar−alcohol, and sugar−starch expressed as percentage energy. Under-reporting of dietary intakes had no major influence on the findings. This review confirms the existence of the sugar−fat seesaw on a percentage energy basis and concludes that it is most likely explained by a combination of mathematical and food compositional effects. This finding is relevant because dietary guidelines are expressed as percentage energy and implies that at the population level multiple guidelines may be difficult to achieve in practice. PMID:24915391

Demand for Higher Education, by Field. Policy Note. Number 5

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Group of Eight (NJ1), 2012

2012-01-01

Over the period 2001-2011, the number of applications for university places increased by 17.8%, or just over 37,000. At the same time, the number of offers increased faster in percentage terms (20.5%), while absolute growth was slightly smaller at just under 35,000. As demand for higher education has grown, there has been a trend towards Science,…

From home deliveries to health care facilities: establishing a traditional birth attendant referral program in Kenya.

PubMed

Tomedi, Angelo; Stroud, Sophia R; Maya, Tania Ruiz; Plaman, Christopher R; Mwanthi, Mutuku A

2015-07-16

To assess the effectiveness of a traditional birth attendant (TBA) referral program on increasing the number of deliveries overseen by skilled birth attendants (SBA) in rural Kenyan health facilities before and after the implementation of a free maternity care policy. In a rural region of Kenya, TBAs were recruited to educate pregnant women about the importance of delivering in healthcare facilities and were offered a stipend for every pregnant woman whom they brought to the healthcare facility. We evaluated the percentage of prenatal care (PNC) patients who delivered at the intervention site compared with the percentage of PNC patients who delivered at rural control facilities, before and after the referral program was implemented, and before and after the Kenya government implemented a policy of free maternity care. The window period of the study was from July of 2011 through September 2013, with a TBA referral intervention conducted from March to September 2013. The absolute increases from the pre-intervention period to the TBA referral intervention period in SBA deliveries were 5.7 and 24.0% in the control and intervention groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The absolute increases in SBA delivery rates from the pre-intervention period to the intervention period before the implementation of the free maternity care policy were 4.7 and 17.2% in the control and intervention groups, respectively (p < 0.001). After the policy implementation the absolute increases from pre-intervention to post-intervention were 1.8 and 11.6% in the control and intervention groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The percentage of SBA deliveries at the intervention health facility significantly increased compared to control health facilities when TBAs educated women about the need to deliver with a SBA and when TBAs received a stipend for bringing women to local health facilities to deliver. Furthermore, this TBA referral program proved to be far more effective in the target region of Kenya than a policy change to provide free obstetric care.

Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

PubMed Central

Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

2015-01-01

Background We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. Methods We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. Results The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Conclusion The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD. PMID:26491500

Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

PubMed

Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-Ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

2015-11-01

We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD.

[Study of public and private hospital care on a population basis, 1986-1996].

PubMed

Rocha, J S; Simões, B J

1999-02-01

The last decade saw the creation and implementation of the Brazilian National Health System (NHS)--public, universal and equalitarian--with the objective of offering wide coverage to meet the population's health needs. The objective of the study was the assessment of the evolution of public and private hospital care on a populational basis during the period of the implementation of the NHS. The 984,142 inpatients of the general hospitals of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, during the period 1986 to 1996 were studied and those of them living in their own municipal district were selected. The inpatients are classified according to the financing system as private, pre-payment and NHS; the social situation of the patients and the profile of hospital morbidity are analysed. In the period studied a continuous growth in the number of hospitalizations is observed, both in absolute numbers and in coefficient per thousand inhabitants, increasing from 43,773 to 55,844 inpatients per year. Though when the categories of the hospitalizations are studied, it is seen that private inpatients present a reduction both in absolute numbers and as a coefficient from 3,181 (7.3%) to 2,215 (3.9%); the NHS inpatients decrease in absolute numbers and in a percentage by a third at the end of the period--falling from 33,254 (76.0%) to 29,373 (51.7%). On the other hand the pre-payment inpatient system triplicates in absolute numbers and duplicates by rate for inhabitant--from 7,338 (16.8%) to 25,256 (44.4%). The NHS hospital care attends mainly unskilled and semi-skilled manual workers; the professionals, technicians, non manual and skilled manual workers being assisted by the private services. The hospital morbidity of NHS inpatients is different from that of the private inpatient systems. The health policy in that period, limiting NHS financing, repressing demand and discouraging the private providers to work with NHS inpatients led to negative selectivity. The result was an increase in difference between standards of care as between the public and private services.

Consumption of added sugar among U.S. children and adolescents, 2005-2008.

PubMed

Ervin, R Bethene; Kit, Brian K; Carroll, Margaret D; Ogden, Cynthia L

2012-03-01

Approximately 16% of children and adolescents’ total caloric intakes came from added sugars. Boys consumed more added sugars than girls. Preschool-aged children consumed the fewest calories from added sugars. Although girls consumed a smaller absolute amount of calories from added sugars than boys, their intakes were not that different from boys when the amounts are expressed as a percentage of total caloric intakes. Non-Hispanic white children and adolescents consumed a larger percentage of their calories from added sugars than Mexican-American children and adolescents. Also, Non-Hispanic black girls consumed a larger percentage of their calories from added sugars than Mexican-American girls. There was very little difference in added sugar consumption based on PIR. More of the added sugars calories came from foods as opposed to beverages. Previous research has demonstrated that sodas are the single leading food source of added sugars intakes among children, adolescents, and adults (2,4). Our results showed a little more than 40% of calories from added sugars came from beverages. Poti and Popkin (5) have suggested that eating location impacts daily energy intake in children and adolescents and that foods prepared away from home, are contributing to their increased total energy intake. Our results showed that more of the added sugars calories were consumed at home rather than away from home. A substantial percentage of calories in the diets of children and adolescents between 2005 and 2008 came from added sugars. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines "reducing the consumption of these sources of added sugars will lower the caloric content of the diet, without compromising its nutrient adequacy (3)." This strategy could play an important role in reducing the high prevalence of obesity in the United States (6) without compromising adequate nutrition. All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

The absolute disparity anomaly and the mechanism of relative disparities.

PubMed

Chopin, Adrien; Levi, Dennis; Knill, David; Bavelier, Daphne

2016-06-01

There has been a long-standing debate about the mechanisms underlying the perception of stereoscopic depth and the computation of the relative disparities that it relies on. Relative disparities between visual objects could be computed in two ways: (a) using the difference in the object's absolute disparities (Hypothesis 1) or (b) using relative disparities based on the differences in the monocular separations between objects (Hypothesis 2). To differentiate between these hypotheses, we measured stereoscopic discrimination thresholds for lines with different absolute and relative disparities. Participants were asked to judge the depth of two lines presented at the same distance from the fixation plane (absolute disparity) or the depth between two lines presented at different distances (relative disparity). We used a single stimulus method involving a unique memory component for both conditions, and no extraneous references were available. We also measured vergence noise using Nonius lines. Stereo thresholds were substantially worse for absolute disparities than for relative disparities, and the difference could not be explained by vergence noise. We attribute this difference to an absence of conscious readout of absolute disparities, termed the absolute disparity anomaly. We further show that the pattern of correlations between vergence noise and absolute and relative disparity acuities can be explained jointly by the existence of the absolute disparity anomaly and by the assumption that relative disparity information is computed from absolute disparities (Hypothesis 1).

The absolute disparity anomaly and the mechanism of relative disparities

PubMed Central

Chopin, Adrien; Levi, Dennis; Knill, David; Bavelier, Daphne

2016-01-01

There has been a long-standing debate about the mechanisms underlying the perception of stereoscopic depth and the computation of the relative disparities that it relies on. Relative disparities between visual objects could be computed in two ways: (a) using the difference in the object's absolute disparities (Hypothesis 1) or (b) using relative disparities based on the differences in the monocular separations between objects (Hypothesis 2). To differentiate between these hypotheses, we measured stereoscopic discrimination thresholds for lines with different absolute and relative disparities. Participants were asked to judge the depth of two lines presented at the same distance from the fixation plane (absolute disparity) or the depth between two lines presented at different distances (relative disparity). We used a single stimulus method involving a unique memory component for both conditions, and no extraneous references were available. We also measured vergence noise using Nonius lines. Stereo thresholds were substantially worse for absolute disparities than for relative disparities, and the difference could not be explained by vergence noise. We attribute this difference to an absence of conscious readout of absolute disparities, termed the absolute disparity anomaly. We further show that the pattern of correlations between vergence noise and absolute and relative disparity acuities can be explained jointly by the existence of the absolute disparity anomaly and by the assumption that relative disparity information is computed from absolute disparities (Hypothesis 1). PMID:27248566

Quantifying the individual-level association between income and mortality risk in the United States using the National Longitudinal Mortality Study.

PubMed

Brodish, Paul Henry; Hakes, Jahn K

2016-12-01

Policy makers would benefit from being able to estimate the likely impact of potential interventions to reverse the effects of rapidly rising income inequality on mortality rates. Using multiple cohorts of the National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS), we estimate the absolute income effect on premature mortality in the United States. A multivariate Poisson regression using the natural logarithm of equivilized household income establishes the magnitude of the absolute income effect on mortality. We calculate mortality rates for each income decile of the study sample and mortality rate ratios relative to the decile containing mean income. We then apply the estimated income effect to two kinds of hypothetical interventions that would redistribute income. The first lifts everyone with an equivalized household income at or below the U.S. poverty line (in 2000$) out of poverty, to the income category just above the poverty line. The second shifts each family's equivalized income by, in turn, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% toward the mean household income, equivalent to reducing the Gini coefficient by the same percentage in each scenario. We also assess mortality disparities of the hypothetical interventions using ratios of mortality rates of the ninth and second income deciles, and test sensitivity to the assumption of causality of income on mortality by halving the mortality effect per unit of equivalized household income. The estimated absolute income effect would produce a three to four percent reduction in mortality for a 10% reduction in the Gini coefficient. Larger mortality reductions result from larger reductions in the Gini, but with diminishing returns. Inequalities in estimated mortality rates are reduced by a larger percentage than overall estimated mortality rates under the same hypothetical redistributions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of ultrasonic acoustic emissions from walnut branches during freeze-thaw-induced embolism formation.

PubMed

Kasuga, Jun; Charrier, Guillaume; Uemura, Matsuo; Améglio, Thierry

2015-04-01

Ultrasonic acoustic emission (UAE) methods have been applied for the detection of freeze-thaw-induced embolism formation in water conduits of tree species. Until now, however, the exact source(s) of UAE has not been identified especially in angiosperm species, in which xylem tissues are composed of diverse types of cells. In this study, UAE was recorded from excised branches of walnut (Juglans regia cv. Franquette) during freeze-thaw cycles, and attempts were made to characterize UAEs generated by cavitation events leading to embolism formation according to their properties. During freeze-thaw cycles, a large number of UAEs were generated from the sample segments. However, the cumulative numbers of total UAE during freeze-thawing were not correlated with the percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity after thawing, suggesting that the sources of UAE were not only cavitation leading to embolism formation in vessels. Among the UAEs, cumulative numbers of UAEs with absolute energy >10.0 fJ strongly correlated with the increase in percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity. The high absolute energy of the UAEs might reflect the formation of large bubbles in the large lumen of vessels. Therefore, UAEs generated by cavitation events in vessels during freeze-thawing might be distinguished from other signals according to their magnitudes of absolute energy. On the other hand, the freezing of xylem parenchyma cells was followed by a certain number of UAEs. These results indicate the possibility that UAE methods can be applied to the detection of both freeze-thaw-induced embolism and supercooling breakdown in parenchyma cells in xylem. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Identification of racial disparities in breast cancer mortality: does scale matter?

PubMed

Tian, Nancy; Goovaerts, Pierre; Zhan, F Benjamin; Wilson, Jeff G

2010-07-05

This paper investigates the impact of geographic scale (census tract, zip code, and county) on the detection of disparities in breast cancer mortality among three ethnic groups in Texas (period 1995-2005). Racial disparities were quantified using both relative (RR) and absolute (RD) statistics that account for the population size and correct for unreliable rates typically observed for minority groups and smaller geographic units. Results were then correlated with socio-economic status measured by the percentage of habitants living below the poverty level. African-American and Hispanic women generally experience higher mortality than White non-Hispanics, and these differences are especially significant in the southeast metropolitan areas and southwest border of Texas. The proportion and location of significant racial disparities however changed depending on the type of statistic (RR versus RD) and the geographic level. The largest proportion of significant results was observed for the RD statistic and census tract data. Geographic regions with significant racial disparities for African-Americans and Hispanics frequently had a poverty rate above 10.00%. This study investigates both relative and absolute racial disparities in breast cancer mortality between White non-Hispanic and African-American/Hispanic women at the census tract, zip code and county levels. Analysis at the census tract level generally led to a larger proportion of geographical units experiencing significantly higher mortality rates for minority groups, although results varied depending on the use of the relative versus absolute statistics. Additional research is needed before general conclusions can be formulated regarding the choice of optimal geographic regions for the detection of racial disparities.

Identification of racial disparities in breast cancer mortality: does scale matter?

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background This paper investigates the impact of geographic scale (census tract, zip code, and county) on the detection of disparities in breast cancer mortality among three ethnic groups in Texas (period 1995-2005). Racial disparities were quantified using both relative (RR) and absolute (RD) statistics that account for the population size and correct for unreliable rates typically observed for minority groups and smaller geographic units. Results were then correlated with socio-economic status measured by the percentage of habitants living below the poverty level. Results African-American and Hispanic women generally experience higher mortality than White non-Hispanics, and these differences are especially significant in the southeast metropolitan areas and southwest border of Texas. The proportion and location of significant racial disparities however changed depending on the type of statistic (RR versus RD) and the geographic level. The largest proportion of significant results was observed for the RD statistic and census tract data. Geographic regions with significant racial disparities for African-Americans and Hispanics frequently had a poverty rate above 10.00%. Conclusions This study investigates both relative and absolute racial disparities in breast cancer mortality between White non-Hispanic and African-American/Hispanic women at the census tract, zip code and county levels. Analysis at the census tract level generally led to a larger proportion of geographical units experiencing significantly higher mortality rates for minority groups, although results varied depending on the use of the relative versus absolute statistics. Additional research is needed before general conclusions can be formulated regarding the choice of optimal geographic regions for the detection of racial disparities. PMID:20602784

Modeling and forecasting of KLCI weekly return using WT-ANN integrated model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liew, Wei-Thong; Liong, Choong-Yeun; Hussain, Saiful Izzuan; Isa, Zaidi

2013-04-01

The forecasting of weekly return is one of the most challenging tasks in investment since the time series are volatile and non-stationary. In this study, an integrated model of wavelet transform and artificial neural network, WT-ANN is studied for modeling and forecasting of KLCI weekly return. First, the WT is applied to decompose the weekly return time series in order to eliminate noise. Then, a mathematical model of the time series is constructed using the ANN. The performance of the suggested model will be evaluated by root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The result shows that the WT-ANN model can be considered as a feasible and powerful model for time series modeling and prediction.

[Application of wavelet neural networks model to forecast incidence of syphilis].

PubMed

Zhou, Xian-Feng; Feng, Zi-Jian; Yang, Wei-Zhong; Li, Xiao-Song

2011-07-01

To apply Wavelet Neural Networks (WNN) model to forecast incidence of Syphilis. Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) and WNN were developed based on the monthly incidence of Syphilis in Sichuan province from 2004 to 2008. The accuracy of forecast was compared between the two models. In the training approximation, the mean absolute error (MAE), rooted mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were 0.0719, 0.0862 and 11.52% respectively for WNN, and 0.0892, 0.1183 and 14.87% respectively for BPNN. The three indexes for generalization of models were 0.0497, 0.0513 and 4.60% for WNN, and 0.0816, 0.1119 and 7.25% for BPNN. WNN is a better model for short-term forecasting of Syphilis.

Role of Klotho in Osteoporosis and Renal Osteodystrophy

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

about the complex physiology of bone development and maintenance including the endocrine regulation of mineral homeostasis that is absolutely...percentage of bone. This should enhance the effects we have already seen in other lines and enable us to delve further into physiology of the phenotype...Klotho and FGFRs [11,12]. To dissect the role of parathyroid gland resident Klotho in physiology and in pathophysiological states such as CKD, we

Determination of the common and rare alkalies in mineral analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wells, R.C.; Stevens, R.E.

1934-01-01

Methods are described which afford a determination of each member of the alkali group and are successful in dealing with the quantities of the rare alkalies found in rocks and minerals. The procedures are relatively rapid and based chiefly on the use of chloroplatinic acid, absolute alcohol and ether, and ammonium sulfate. The percentages of all the alkalies found in a number of minerals are given.

Site quality in Appalachian hardwoods: the biological and economic response under selection silviculture

Treesearch

Orris D. McCauley; George R., Jr. Trimble

1975-01-01

The relative or percentage value response after 12 years of selective cutting practices on low- and high-quality sites in Appalachian hardwoods amounted to a 119-percent increase on the low-quality site and 145 percent on the high-quality site. The absolute value or actual dollar response, on the other hand, showed that the low-quality site increased in value only $76/...

Reference values of lymphocyte sub-populations in healthy human immunodeficiency virus-negative Iranian adults.

PubMed

Kamallou, Atefeh; Haji Abdolbaghi, Mahbobeh; Mohraz, Minoo; Rasolinejad, Mernaz; Karbasi, Ehsan; Ansaripour, Bita; Soltani, Samaneh; Rezaei, Arezou; Khalili, Neda; Amirzargar, Aliakbar

2014-12-01

Lymphocyte subsets enumeration is considered prominent in the management of primary and acquired immunodeficiency disorders. Because of local variations due to race, age, gender, and environmental conditions on lymphocyte subsets, and to improve the accuracy of interpretation of laboratory findings, reference intervals must be determined in every population. To establish a normal reference range for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ and CD56+ lymphocytes in a healthy Iranian adult population using flowcytometry. Blood samples were collected from 221 HIV seronegative individuals, including 112 females and 109 males, with ages ranging from 20 to 40 years old. The percentage of lymphocytes expressing either of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD56 surface markers were determined by flowcytometry assay. Total mean percentage and absolute count of lymphocyte subsets were as follows: CD3+: 70.90 ± 7.54%, 1800.87 ± 471.09 cells/µl; CD4+: 41.04 ± 7.86%, 1039.99 ± 338.02 cells/µl; CD8+: 31.11 ± 6.60%, 783.95 ± 234.87 cells/µl; CD19+: 12.77 ± 4.56%, 328.37 ± 153.17 cells/µl; CD56+: 15.53 ± 6.34%, 388.62 ± 176.17 cells/µl, respectively. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes for the studied population was 1.39 ± 0.48. Significant differences were observed between male and female subjects indicating that the average percentage of CD3+ cells (p=0.017) and CD4+ T cells (p=0.003) were higher in the female population, whereas the average percentage of CD19+ cells (p=0.02) tended to be higher among males. However, investigations on the CD56+ NK cell and CD8+ T cell sub-populations did not show any statistical differences between the two genders. In comparison with reports of other populations, we were confronted with different results. Establishing reference values of lymphocyte subsets for each population is helpful in achieving standard criteria for the prognosis of HIV infection. Therefore, normal ranges established by this survey can be used as a reference for decisions made in clinical practice.

Effects of drought after pollination on grain yield and quality of fresh waxy maize.

PubMed

Lu, Dalei; Cai, Xuemei; Zhao, Junyu; Shen, Xin; Lu, Weiping

2015-01-01

Waxy maize is consumed as a vegetable when harvested at fresh stage (23-26 days after pollination) in China. Fresh waxy maize is normally grown under rain-fed conditions and suffers drought frequently during plant growth. The effect of drought on grain development of fresh waxy maize is not known. Two years of pot trials showed that drought decreased fresh grain number and weight, which consequently reduced fresh ear and grain yields, especially in Yunuo7. Moisture and starch contents in grains were not affected but protein content was increased under drought treatment in both varieties. Grain soluble sugar content response to drought was not affected in Suyunuo5 but was decreased in Yunuo7. Pasting and gelatinization temperatures, trough viscosity, final viscosity, setback viscosity, gelatinization enthalpy and springiness of grain were little affected by drought. Drought decreased peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity and adhesiveness (absolute value), whereas it increased hardness. The retrogradation percentage was increased in both varieties in both years. Drought after pollination decreased the fresh waxy maize yield. Grain quality was reduced through decreased peak viscosity and adhesiveness (absolute value), while its hardness and retrogradation percentage were increased, which might be due to the increased protein content. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Comparison of three daily global solar radiation models].

PubMed

Yang, Jin-Ming; Fan, Wen-Yi; Zhao, Ying-Hui

2014-08-01

Three daily global solar radiation estimation models ( Å-P model, Thornton-Running model and model provided by Liu Ke-qun et al.) were analyzed and compared using data of 13 weather stations from 1982 to 2012 from three northeastern provinces and eastern Inner Mongolia. After cross-validation analysis, the result showed that mean absolute error (MAE) for each model was 1.71, 2.83 and 1.68 MJ x m(-2) x d(-1) respectively, showing that Å-P model and model provided by Liu Ke-qun et al. which used percentage of sunshine had an advantage over Thornton-Running model which didn't use percentage of sunshine. Model provided by Liu Ke-qun et al. played a good effect on the situation of non-sunshine, and its MAE and bias percentage were 18.5% and 33.8% smaller than those of Å-P model, respectively. High precision results could be obtained by using the simple linear model of Å-P. Å-P model, Thornton-Running model and model provided by Liu Ke-qun et al. overvalued daily global solar radiation by 12.2%, 19.2% and 9.9% respectively. MAE for each station varied little with the spatial change of location, and annual MAE decreased with the advance of years. The reason for this might be that the change of observation accuracy caused by the replacement of radiation instrument in 1993. MAEs for rainy days, non-sunshine days and warm seasons of the three models were greater than those for days without rain, sunshine days and cold seasons respectively, showing that different methods should be used for different weather conditions on estimating solar radiation with meteorological elements.

Analysis of lightning outliers in the EUCLID network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poelman, Dieter R.; Schulz, Wolfgang; Kaltenboeck, Rudolf; Delobbe, Laurent

2017-11-01

Lightning data as observed by the European Cooperation for Lightning Detection (EUCLID) network are used in combination with radar data to retrieve the temporal and spatial behavior of lightning outliers, i.e., discharges located in a wrong place, over a 5-year period from 2011 to 2016. Cloud-to-ground (CG) stroke and intracloud (IC) pulse data are superimposed on corresponding 5 min radar precipitation fields in two topographically different areas, Belgium and Austria, in order to extract lightning outliers based on the distance between each lightning event and the nearest precipitation. It is shown that the percentage of outliers is sensitive to changes in the network and to the location algorithm itself. The total percentage of outliers for both regions varies over the years between 0.8 and 1.7 % for a distance to the nearest precipitation of 2 km, with an average of approximately 1.2 % in Belgium and Austria. Outside the European summer thunderstorm season, the percentage of outliers tends to increase somewhat. The majority of all the outliers are low peak current events with absolute values falling between 0 and 10 kA. More specifically, positive cloud-to-ground strokes are more likely to be classified as outliers compared to all other types of discharges. Furthermore, it turns out that the number of sensors participating in locating a lightning discharge is different for outliers versus correctly located events, with outliers having the lowest amount of sensors participating. In addition, it is shown that in most cases the semi-major axis (SMA) assigned to a lightning discharge as a confidence indicator in the location accuracy (LA) is smaller for correctly located events compared to the semi-major axis of outliers.

Enhanced expression of PD-1 and other activation markers by CD4+ T cells of young but not old patients with metastatic melanoma.

PubMed

van den Brom, Rob R H; van der Geest, Kornelis S M; Brouwer, Elisabeth; Hospers, Geke A P; Boots, Annemieke M H

2018-06-01

The biological behavior of melanoma is unfavorable in the elderly when compared to young subjects. We hypothesized that differences in T-cell responses might underlie the distinct behavior of melanoma in young and old melanoma patients. Therefore, we investigated the circulating T-cell compartment of 34 patients with metastatic melanoma and 42 controls, which were classified as either young or old. Absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells were decreased in young and old melanoma patients when compared to the age-matched control groups. Percentages of naive and memory CD4+ T cells were not different when comparing old melanoma patients to age-matched controls. Percentages of memory CD4+ T cells tended to be increased in young melanoma patients compared to young controls. Proportions of naive CD4+ T cells were lower in young patients than in age-matched controls, and actually comparable to those in old patients and controls. This was accompanied with increased percentages of memory CD4+ T cells expressing HLA-DR, Ki-67, and PD-1 in young melanoma patients in comparison to the age-matched controls, but not in old patients. Proportions of CD45RA-FOXP3 high memory regulatory T cells were increased in young and old melanoma patients when compared to their age-matched controls, whereas those of CD45RA+FOXP3 low naive regulatory T cells were similar. We observed no clear modulation of the circulating CD8+ T-cell repertoire in melanoma patients. In conclusion, we show that CD4+ T cells of young melanoma patients show signs of activation, whereas these signs are less clear in CD4+ T cells of old patients.

Measurement of cerebral perfusion volume and 99mTc-HMPAO uptake using SPECT in controls and patients with Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Fleming, J S; Kemp, P M; Bolt, L; Goatman, K A

2002-11-01

Methods for quantifying the changes in brain function observed in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using hexamethylenepropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) for patients with Alzheimer's disease have the potential of improving the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure and its ability to monitor response to treatment. The absolute percentage uptake of HMPAO and the cerebral perfusion volume (CPV) of the brain were assessed using SPECT in 26 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 24 control subjects. A subset of 15 control subjects, which was age-matched to the AD patients, was selected to allow fair statistical comparison of parameters between groups. The percentage of brain volume with reduced perfusion (R) and a volume loss index (VLI), given by /CPV, were also calculated. Eight of the control subjects were studied on a second occasion after a mean period of 6 months. There was no significant difference in percentage uptake between controls and AD patients, the mean value being 5.8%. Cerebral perfusion volume in controls was found to depend on sex (mean value in males and females being 1327 ml and 1222 ml, respectively) and on age. The volume loss index corrected for age and sex provided good discrimination between controls and AD subjects giving a sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 96%, respectively. The repeatability coefficient, the 95% confidence limit for the difference between repeat measurements, on controls was 67 ml (5%). The measurement of cerebral perfusion volume and related indices may be of value in identifying patients with early Alzheimer's disease and in following their response to treatment.

Relative or Absolute Standards for Child Poverty: A State-Level Analysis of Infant and Child Mortality

PubMed Central

Hillemeier, Marianne M.; Lynch, John; Harper, Sam; Raghunathan, Trivellore; Kaplan, George A.

2003-01-01

Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to compare the associations of state-referenced and federal poverty measures with states’ infant and child mortality rates. Methods. Compressed mortality and Current Population Survey data were used to examine relationships between mortality and (1) state-referenced poverty (percentage of children below half the state median income) and (2) percentage of children below the federal poverty line. Results. State-referenced poverty was not associated with mortality among infants or children, whereas poverty as defined by national standards was strongly related to mortality. Conclusions. Infant and child mortality is more closely tied to families’ capacity for meeting basic needs than to relative position within a state’s economic hierarchy. PMID:12660213

Body weight change since menopause and percentage body fat mass are predictors of subsequent bone mineral density change of the proximal femur in women aged 75 years and older: results of a 5 year prospective study.

PubMed

Blain, H; Carrière, I; Favier, F; Jeandel, C; Papoz, L

2004-07-01

Few studies have evaluated risk factors for bone loss in elderly women. We examined risk factors associated with a 5-year longitudinal change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip in healthy women aged 75 years and older. The BMD of 276 women from the French EPIDOS (Epidémiologie des Osteoporoses) study was assessed in Montpellier from 1992 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 1998. BMD was measured at the femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's area using the same Lunar densitometer. We examined the relationship between clinical and behavioral factors at baseline and their variations during follow-up, with percentage BMD change adjusted for baseline BMD. Depending on the femur subregion studied, a significant decrease in BMD (exceeding the least significant difference, i.e., > 2.8 CV) was observed in 36.2% to 51.1% of women. Multivariate analysis showed that both postmenopausal weight change before baseline and baseline percentage of fat mass were positively correlated with BMD change at the Ward's triangle and the trochanter. Yearly absolute and relative weight changes over the follow-up period were significantly associated with change of trochanter and femoral neck BMD. Our results show that maintenance of body weight throughout the postmenopause period and body fat mass play protective roles against bone loss at the proximal femur in women aged 75 years and older and suggest the value in including assessment of weight change throughout postmenopause and percentage body fat mass in screening programs for elderly women who are at higher risk of accelerated bone loss.

Primary care and health inequality: Difference-in-difference study comparing England and Ontario

PubMed Central

Cookson, Richard; Mondor, Luke; Kringos, Dionne S.; Klazinga, Niek S.

2017-01-01

Background It is not known whether equity-oriented primary care investment that seeks to scale up the delivery of effective care in disadvantaged communities can reduce health inequality within high-income settings that have pre-existing universal primary care systems. We provide some non-randomised controlled evidence by comparing health inequality trends between two similar jurisdictions–one of which implemented equity-oriented primary care investment in the mid-to-late 2000s as part of a cross-government strategy for reducing health inequality (England), and one which invested in primary care without any explicit equity objective (Ontario, Canada). Methods We analysed whole-population data on 32,482 neighbourhoods (with mean population size of approximately 1,500 people) in England, and 18,961 neighbourhoods (with mean population size of approximately 700 people) in Ontario. We examined trends in mortality amenable to healthcare by decile groups of neighbourhood deprivation within each jurisdiction. We used linear models to estimate absolute and relative gaps in amenable mortality between most and least deprived groups, considering the gradient between these extremes, and evaluated difference-in-difference comparisons between the two jurisdictions. Results Inequality trends were comparable in both jurisdictions from 2004–6 but diverged from 2007–11. Compared with Ontario, the absolute gap in amenable mortality in England fell between 2004–6 and 2007–11 by 19.8 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 4.8 to 34.9); and the relative gap in amenable mortality fell by 10 percentage points (95% CI: 1 to 19). The biggest divergence occurred in the most deprived decile group of neighbourhoods. Discussion In comparison to Ontario, England succeeded in reducing absolute socioeconomic gaps in mortality amenable to healthcare from 2007 to 2011, and preventing them from growing in relative terms. Equity-oriented primary care reform in England in the mid-to-late 2000s may have helped to reduce socioeconomic inequality in health, though other explanations for this divergence are possible and further research is needed on the specific causal mechanisms. PMID:29182652

SU-F-J-136: Impact of Audiovisual Biofeedback On Interfraction Motion Over a Course of Liver Cancer Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pollock, S; Tse, R; Martin, D

Purpose: In abdominal radiotherapy inconsistent interfraction respiratory motion can result in deviations during treatment from what was planned in terms of target position and motion. Audiovisual biofeedback (AVB) is an interactive respiratory guide that produces a guiding interface that the patient follows over a course of radiotherapy to facilitate regular respiratory motion. This study assessed the impact of AVB on interfraction motion consistency over a course of liver cancer SBRT. Methods: Five liver cancer patients have been recruited into this study, 3 followed AVB over their course of SBRT and 2 were free breathing (FB). Respiratory signals from the Varianmore » RPM were obtained during 4DCT and each treatment fraction. Respiratory signals were organized into 10 respiratory bins, and interfraction consistency was quantified by the difference between each treatment fraction respiratory bin and each respiratory bin from 4DCT. Interfraction consistency was considered as both the relative difference (as a percentage) and absolute difference (in centimeters) between treatment respiratory bins and 4DCT respiratory bins. Results: The relative difference between 4DCT and treatment respiratory bins was 22 ± 16% for FB, and 15 ± 10% for AVB, an improvement of 32% (p < 0.001) with AVB. The absolute difference between 4DCT and treatment respiratory bins was 0.15 ± 0.10 cm for FB, and 0.14 ± 0.13 cm for AVB, an improvement of 4% (p = 0.6) with AVB. Conclusion: This was the first study to compare the impact of AVB breathing guidance on interfraction motion consistency over a course of radiotherapy. AVB demonstrated to significantly reduce the relative difference between 4DCT and treatment respiratory motion, but the absolute differences were comparable, largely due to one AVB patient exhibiting a larger amplitude than the other patients. This study demonstrates the potential benefit of AVB in reducing motion variations during treatment from what was planned. Paul Keall, Sean Pollock, Ricky OBrien and Kuldeep Makhija are shareholders of Respiratory Innovations, an Australian company that is developing a device to improve breathing stability. No funding or support was provided by Respiratory Innovations. Paul Keall is one of the inventors of US patent # 7955270.« less

Absolutely relative or relatively absolute: violations of value invariance in human decision making.

PubMed

Teodorescu, Andrei R; Moran, Rani; Usher, Marius

2016-02-01

Making decisions based on relative rather than absolute information processing is tied to choice optimality via the accumulation of evidence differences and to canonical neural processing via accumulation of evidence ratios. These theoretical frameworks predict invariance of decision latencies to absolute intensities that maintain differences and ratios, respectively. While information about the absolute values of the choice alternatives is not necessary for choosing the best alternative, it may nevertheless hold valuable information about the context of the decision. To test the sensitivity of human decision making to absolute values, we manipulated the intensities of brightness stimuli pairs while preserving either their differences or their ratios. Although asked to choose the brighter alternative relative to the other, participants responded faster to higher absolute values. Thus, our results provide empirical evidence for human sensitivity to task irrelevant absolute values indicating a hard-wired mechanism that precedes executive control. Computational investigations of several modelling architectures reveal two alternative accounts for this phenomenon, which combine absolute and relative processing. One account involves accumulation of differences with activation dependent processing noise and the other emerges from accumulation of absolute values subject to the temporal dynamics of lateral inhibition. The potential adaptive role of such choice mechanisms is discussed.

Total lymphocyte count as a predictor of absolute CD4+ count and CD4+ percentage in HIV-infected persons.

PubMed

Blatt, S P; Lucey, C R; Butzin, C A; Hendrix, C W; Lucey, D R

1993-02-03

To determine whether the total lymphocyte count (TLC) accurately predicts a low absolute CD4+ T-cell count and CD4+ percentage in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Retrospective analysis of data collected in the US Air Force HIV Natural History Study. Military medical center that performs annual medical evaluation of all HIV-infected US Air Force personnel. A total of 828 consecutive patients with no prior history of zidovudine use, evaluated from January 1985 through July 1991. For patients with multiple observations over time, a single data point within each 6-month interval was included in the analysis (N = 2866). The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR) of the TLC, in the range of 1.00 x 10(9)/L to 2.00 x 10(9)/L, in predicting an absolute CD4+ T-cell count less than 0.20 x 10(9)/L or a CD4+ percentage less than 20% were calculated. In addition, the LR and pretest probability of significant immunosuppression were used to calculate posttest probabilities of a low CD4+ count for a given TLC value. The LR of the TLC in predicting an absolute CD4+ count < 0.20 x 10(9)/L increased from 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.2 to 2.5) for all TLCs less than 2.00 x 10(9)/L, to 33.2 (95% confidence interval, 24.1 to 45.7) for all TLCs less than 1.00 x 10(9)/L. The specificity for this prediction increased from 57% to 97% over this range. The LR also increased from 1.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 1.6) for all TLCs less than 2.00 x 10(9)/L to 9.7 (95% confidence interval, 7.1 to 13.1) for all TLCs less than 1.00 x 10(9)/L in predicting a CD4+ percentage less than 20%. The TLC, between 1.00 x 10(9)/L and 2.00 x 10(9)/L, appears to be a useful predictor of significant immunosuppression as measured by a CD4+ T-cell count less than 0.20 x 10(9)/L in HIV-infected persons. The LR for a given TLC value and the pretest probability of immunosuppression can be used to determine the posttest probability of significant immunosuppression in individual patients. For example, in a patient with a TLC less than 1.50 x 10(9)/L and a pretest probability of 16%, the posttest probability of a low CD4+ T-cell count increases to 53%. In contrast, a TLC greater than 2.00 x 10(9)/L in an individual with a pretest probability of 30% will decrease the posttest probability of a low CD4+ T-cell count to less than 4%. Physicians should find these data useful to help predict the risk for opportunistic infection among HIV-infected persons who present with syndromes that are potentially compatible with opportunistic infection but who have not had recent or prior CD4+ T-cell analysis.

A new accuracy measure based on bounded relative error for time series forecasting

PubMed Central

Twycross, Jamie; Garibaldi, Jonathan M.

2017-01-01

Many accuracy measures have been proposed in the past for time series forecasting comparisons. However, many of these measures suffer from one or more issues such as poor resistance to outliers and scale dependence. In this paper, while summarising commonly used accuracy measures, a special review is made on the symmetric mean absolute percentage error. Moreover, a new accuracy measure called the Unscaled Mean Bounded Relative Absolute Error (UMBRAE), which combines the best features of various alternative measures, is proposed to address the common issues of existing measures. A comparative evaluation on the proposed and related measures has been made with both synthetic and real-world data. The results indicate that the proposed measure, with user selectable benchmark, performs as well as or better than other measures on selected criteria. Though it has been commonly accepted that there is no single best accuracy measure, we suggest that UMBRAE could be a good choice to evaluate forecasting methods, especially for cases where measures based on geometric mean of relative errors, such as the geometric mean relative absolute error, are preferred. PMID:28339480

A new accuracy measure based on bounded relative error for time series forecasting.

PubMed

Chen, Chao; Twycross, Jamie; Garibaldi, Jonathan M

2017-01-01

Many accuracy measures have been proposed in the past for time series forecasting comparisons. However, many of these measures suffer from one or more issues such as poor resistance to outliers and scale dependence. In this paper, while summarising commonly used accuracy measures, a special review is made on the symmetric mean absolute percentage error. Moreover, a new accuracy measure called the Unscaled Mean Bounded Relative Absolute Error (UMBRAE), which combines the best features of various alternative measures, is proposed to address the common issues of existing measures. A comparative evaluation on the proposed and related measures has been made with both synthetic and real-world data. The results indicate that the proposed measure, with user selectable benchmark, performs as well as or better than other measures on selected criteria. Though it has been commonly accepted that there is no single best accuracy measure, we suggest that UMBRAE could be a good choice to evaluate forecasting methods, especially for cases where measures based on geometric mean of relative errors, such as the geometric mean relative absolute error, are preferred.

Health inequality and community-based health insurance: a case study of rural Rwanda with repeated cross-sectional data.

PubMed

Liu, Kai; Cook, Benjamin; Lu, Chunling

2018-06-08

To investigate the inequality in medical care utilization and household catastrophic health spending (HCHS) between the poverty and non-poverty residents in rural Rwanda and their links with community-based health insurance (Mutuelles). We used the 2005 and 2010 nationally representative Integrated Living Conditions Surveys. We estimated multilevel logistic regression models to obtain the adjusted levels and trends of both absolute and relative inequalities and examined associations between Mutuelles status and these inequalities. Significant inequality between the two income groups, in both absolute and relative measures of medical care utilization and HCHS remained unchanged in 2005 and 2010. Significant reduction in adjusted absolute inequality in percentage of HCHS between the two years was not associated with Mutuelles status. While Mutuelles promoted medical care utilization and reduced HCHS, it did not play a significant role in reducing their inequalities by poverty status between 2005 and 2010. Future studies should assess the impact of additional strategies (e.g., the exemption of Mutuelles premiums and copayments for households living in poverty), on reducing inequality by poverty status.

The distribution of blood eosinophil levels in a Japanese COPD clinical trial database and in the rest of the world

PubMed Central

Ishii, Takeo; Hizawa, Nobuyuki; Midwinter, Dawn; James, Mark; Hilton, Emma; Jones, Paul W

2018-01-01

Background Blood eosinophil measurements may help to guide physicians on the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emerging data suggest that COPD patients with higher blood eosinophil counts may be at higher risk of exacerbations and more likely to benefit from combined ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) treatment than therapy with a LABA alone. This analysis describes the distribution of blood eosinophil count at baseline in Japanese COPD patients in comparison with non-Japanese COPD patients. Methods A post hoc analysis of eosinophil distribution by percentage and absolute cell count was performed across 12 Phase II–IV COPD clinical studies (seven Japanese studies [N=848 available absolute eosinophil counts] and five global studies [N=5,397 available eosinophil counts] that included 246 Japanese patients resident in Japan with available counts). Blood eosinophil distributions were assessed at baseline, before blinded treatment assignment. Findings Among Japanese patients, the median (interquartile range) absolute eosinophil count was 170 cells/mm3 (100–280 cells/mm3). Overall, 612/1,094 Japanese patients (56%) had an absolute eosinophil count ≥150 cells/mm3 and 902/1,304 Japanese patients (69%) had a percentage eosinophil ≥2%. Among non-Japanese patients, these values were 160 (100–250) cells/mm3, 2,842/5,151 patients (55%), and 2,937/5,155 patients (57%), respectively. The eosinophil distribution among Japanese patients was similar to that among non-Japanese patients. Within multi-country studies with similar inclusion criteria, the eosinophil count was numerically lower in Japanese compared with non-Japanese patients (median 120 vs 160 cells/mm3). Interpretation The eosinophil distribution in Japanese patients seems comparable to that of non-Japanese patients; although within multi-country studies, there was a slightly lower median eosinophil count for Japanese patients compared with non-Japanese patients. These findings suggest that blood eosinophil data from global studies are of relevance in Japan. PMID:29440882

Relationships between income inequality and health: a study on rural and urban regions of Canada.

PubMed

Vafaei, Afshin; Rosenberg, Mark W; Pickett, William

2010-01-01

Many studies have demonstrated that health is a function of relative and not absolute income within populations. Canadian studies are not conclusive; most indicate that there is no relationship between income inequality and health within Canada. There is a need for further investigation into the validity of the 'relative income' hypothesis in the Canadian population. The primary objective of this research was to test the 'relative income' hypothesis across Canadian health regions. The second objective was to extend the hypothesis to consider rural versus urban populations. This research involved ecological analyses. The source of the data was the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 3.1. The units of analysis were Canadian health regions. Health of a region was estimated as the percentage of people who rated their health as good or excellent. The primary exposure variable was the ratio of people whose personal income was less than $15,000 relative to those reporting more than $80,000 in the year preceding the survey. This ratio provided a measure of the distribution of income. The main covariates were ecological measures of socio-demographic variables, social capital, substance use behaviours (smoking and alcohol consumption), rural/urban status of the region, and absolute income in the region. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regressions were performed to ascertain the relationship between income inequality and population health, adjusting for important covariates. The measure of income inequality alone appeared to explain 18% of the variability in the measure of population health. However, after adding the measure of absolute income to the model, although 29% of the variability was explained, the independent contribution of the inequality measure became non-significant. Linear regression models suggested that the absolute income variable alone could explain 30% of the variance in the health status of populations. Other variables with a statistically significant contribution to the final model were education and alcohol consumption. The effect of rural/urban geographic status on the relationship of interest was similar to other covariates. This variable did not change the individual relationship between income inequality or absolute income and the measure of population health status. In both rural and urban regions, absolute income and education had positive effects on population health. In urban regions alcohol consumption was a significant negative contributor to population health status; whereas, in rural regions, smoking status had a significant negative effect on population health status. Across Canadian health regions, health status in populations was a function of absolute income but not relative income. Regions with higher levels of education had better levels of self-rated health. A larger percentage of heavy drinkers was also correlated with lower population health status. Findings were consistently observed in rural and urban populations. The study findings have implications for public health, economic, and social policies.

Effects of bariatric surgery on gout incidence in the Swedish Obese Subjects study: a non-randomised, prospective, controlled intervention trial.

PubMed

Maglio, Cristina; Peltonen, Markku; Neovius, Martin; Jacobson, Peter; Jacobsson, Lennart; Rudin, Anna; Carlsson, Lena M S

2017-04-01

To assess the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on the incidence of gout and hyperuricaemia in participants of the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study. This report includes 1982 subjects who underwent bariatric surgery and 1999 obese controls from the SOS study, a prospective intervention trial designed to assess the effect of bariatric surgery compared with conventional treatment. None of the subjects had gout at baseline. An endpoint on gout incidence was created based on information on gout diagnosis and use of gout medications through national registers and questionnaires. Median follow-up for the incidence of gout was about 19 years for both groups. Moreover, the incidence of hyperuricaemia over up to 20 years was examined in a subgroup of participants having baseline uric acid levels <6.8 mg/dL. Bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced incidence of gout compared with usual care (adjusted HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.75, p<0.001). The difference in absolute risk between groups was 3 percentage points at 15 years, and the number of subjects needed to be treated by bariatric surgery to prevent one incident gout event was 32 (95% CI 22 to 59). The effect of bariatric surgery on gout incidence was not influenced by baseline risk factors, including body mass index. During follow-up, the surgery group had a lower incidence of hyperuricaemia (adjusted HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.58, p<0.001). The difference in absolute risk between groups was 12 percentage points at 15 years, and the number of participants needed to be treated by bariatric surgery to prevent hyperuricaemia was 8 (95% CI 6 to 13). Bariatric surgery prevents gout and hyperuricaemia in obese subjects. NCT01479452; Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Short-term ezetimibe is well tolerated and effective in combination with statin therapy to treat elevated LDL cholesterol in HIV-infected patients.

PubMed

Chow, Dominic; Chen, Huichao; Glesby, Marshall J; Busti, Anthony; Souza, Scott; Andersen, Janet; Kohrs, Sharon; Wu, Julia; Koletar, Susan L

2009-10-23

Ezetimibe inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Multicentered double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study to determine the short-term safety, efficacy, and tolerability of ezetimibe in combination with ongoing statin therapy in HIV-infected adults with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Participants on stable HAART with fasting LDL-C at least 130 mg/dl and stable statin were randomized to ezetimibe 10 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks followed by 4 weeks of washout and then 12 weeks with alternative study assignment. Percentage and absolute change in LDL-C (primary endpoint), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were compared. Changes in clinical symptoms and safety laboratory measurements were assessed. Forty-four participants enrolled: 70% men, median age 49 years, 43% White/Non-Hispanic, median CD4 cell count 547 cells/microl, and 95% HIV RNA less than 50 copies/ml. Median (interquartile range) percentage change in LDL-C was -20.8% (-25.4, -10.7) with ezetimibe and -0.7% (-10.3,18.6) with placebo; the median within-participant effect of ezetimibe was -14.1% (-33.0, -5.0; P < 0.0001). Median difference in absolute LDL-C values between ezetimibe and placebo was -32 mg/dl (-58, -6, P < 0.0001). Significant differences in within-participant effect of ezetimibe were noted for total cholesterol -18.60% (-27.22, -11.67, P < 0.001), non-HDL-C -23.18% (-33.14, -14.36, P < 0.0001), and apolipoprotein B -8.73% (-18.75, 1.99, P = 0.02). No significant changes seen in HDL-C, triglyceride, or high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Ezetimibe was well tolerated. Adverse events were similar between phases. The present short-term study found adding ezetimibe to ongoing statin therapy was well tolerated and effective in reducing LDL-C, total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B. Adding ezetimibe to statin therapy offers reasonable treatment option for HIV-infected patients with elevated LDL-C.

Reduction of Plasma Globotriaosylsphingosine Levels After Switching from Agalsidase Alfa to Agalsidase Beta as Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Fabry Disease.

PubMed

Goker-Alpan, Ozlem; Gambello, Michael J; Maegawa, Gustavo H B; Nedd, Khan J; Gruskin, Daniel J; Blankstein, Larry; Weinreb, Neal J

2016-01-01

Agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta, recombinant enzyme preparations for treatment of Fabry disease (FD), have different approved dosing schedules: 0.2 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg every other week (EOW), respectively. This open-label, multicenter, exploratory phase 4 study evaluated plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-GL-3) and plasma and urine globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) levels at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after the switch from agalsidase alfa (0.2 mg/kg EOW for ≥12 months) to agalsidase beta (1.0 mg/kg EOW) in 15 male patients with FD. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G antidrug antibody titers were assessed, and safety was monitored throughout the study. Plasma lyso-GL-3 concentrations decreased significantly within 2 months after switch and reductions continued through month 6 (mean absolute changes, -12.8, -16.1, and -16.7 ng/mL at 2, 4, and 6 months, respectively; all P < 0.001). The mean percentage reduction from baseline was 39.5% (P < 0.001) at month 6. For plasma GL-3, the mean absolute change from baseline (-0.9 μg/mL) and percentage reduction (17.9%) at month 6 were both significant (P < 0.05). Urine GL-3 measurements showed intra-patient variability and changes from baseline were not significant. No clinical outcomes were assessed in this 6-month study, and, therefore, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the correlation of observed reductions in glycosphingolipid concentrations with clinically relevant outcomes. There were no differences in IgG antidrug antibody titers between the two enzymes. The switch from agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta was well tolerated. Plasma lyso-GL-3 and GL-3 levels reduced after switching from agalsidase alfa to agalsidase beta, indicating that agalsidase beta has a greater pharmacodynamic effect on these markers at the recommended dose. These data further support the use of agalsidase beta 1.0 mg/kg EOW as enzyme replacement therapy in FD.

6-Mercaptopurine modifies cerebrospinal fluid T cell abnormalities in paediatric opsoclonus-myoclonus as steroid sparer.

PubMed

Pranzatelli, M R; Tate, E D; Allison, T J

2017-11-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), a known immunosuppressant, to normalize cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocyte frequencies in opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) and function as a steroid sparer. CSF and blood lymphocytes were immunophenotyped in 11 children with OMS (without CSF B cell expansion) using a comprehensive panel of cell surface adhesion, activation and maturation markers by flow cytometry, and referenced to 18 paediatric controls. Drug metabolites, lymphocyte counts and liver function tests were used clinically to monitoring therapeutic range and toxicity. In CSF, adjunctive oral 6-MP was associated with a 21% increase in the low percentage of CD4 + T cells in OMS, restoring the CD4/CD8 ratio. The percentage of CD4 + T cells that were interferon (IFN)-γ + was reduced by 66%, shifting the cytokine balance away from T helper type 1 (Th1) (proinflammatory) predominance. The percentage of natural killer (NK) cells decreased significantly in CSF (-32%) and blood (-67 to -82%). Low blood absolute lymphocyte count was more predictive of improvement in CSF lymphocyte proportions (correlated with % CD4 + T cells) than the 6-thioguanine level (no correlation). 6-MP was difficult to titrate: 50% achieved the target absolute lymphocyte count (< 1·5 K/mm); 20%, the 'therapeutic' 6-thioguanine level; and 40% the non-toxic 6-methylmercaptopurine level. Side effects and transaminase elevation were mild and reversible. Clinical steroid-sparing properties and lowered relapse frequency were demonstrated. 6-MP displayed unique pharmacodynamic properties that may be useful in OMS and other autoimmune disorders. Its steroid sparer capacity is limited to children in whom the therapeutic window can be reached without limiting pharmacokinetic factors or side effects. © 2017 British Society for Immunology.

Radiological properties of normoxic polymer gel dosimeters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venning, A.J.; Nitschke, K.N.; Keall, P.J.

2005-04-01

The radiological properties of the normoxic polymer gel dosimeters MAGIC, MAGAS, and MAGAT [methacrylic and ascorbic acid in gelatin initiated by copper; methacrylic acid gelatine gel with ascorbic acid; and methacrylic acid gelatine and tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride, respectively] have been investigated. The radiological water equivalence was determined by comparing the polymer gel macroscopic photon and electron interaction cross sections over the energy range from 10 keV to 20 MeV and by Monte Carlo modeling of depth doses. Normoxic polymer gel dosimeters have a high gelatine and monomer concentration and therefore mass density (kg m{sup -3}) up to 3.8% highermore » than water. This results in differences between the cross-section ratios of the normoxic polymer gels and water of up to 3% for the attenuation, energy absorption, and collision stopping power coefficient ratios through the Compton dominant energy range. The mass cross-section ratios were within 2% of water except for the mass attenuation and energy absorption coefficients ratios, which showed differences with water of up to 6% for energies less than 100 keV. Monte Carlo modeling was undertaken for the polymer gel dosimeters to model the electron and photon transport resulting from a 6 MV photon beam. The absolute percentage differences between gel and water were within 1% and the relative percentage differences were within 3.5%. The results show that the MAGAT gel formulation is the most radiological water equivalent of the normoxic polymer gel dosimeters investigated due to its lower mass density measurement compared with MAGAS and MAGIC gels.« less

Northeast Minneapolis: Location and Movement in an Ethnic Community.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

not resurrected again until 1918 when all three suffered political reversals at nearly the same moment. Between 1795 and 1918 a person from the region...birth Germany, Russia, Austria, or simply Poland. Since Poland did not exist as a nation from the Third Partition of 1795 to 1918 , it is remarkable...little significance in absolute and percentage terms in 1905 Minneapolis (Figures 3-38 and 3-39). Romania , France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark

A calculation and uncertainty evaluation method for the effective area of a piston rod used in quasi-static pressure calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Tingwei; Kong, Deren; Shang, Fei; Chen, Jing

2018-04-01

This paper describes the merits and demerits of different sensors for measuring propellant gas pressure, the applicable range of the frequently used dynamic pressure calibration methods, and the working principle of absolute quasi-static pressure calibration based on the drop-weight device. The main factors affecting the accuracy of pressure calibration are analyzed from two aspects of the force sensor and the piston area. To calculate the effective area of the piston rod and evaluate the uncertainty between the force sensor and the corresponding peak pressure in the absolute quasi-static pressure calibration process, a method for solving these problems based on the least squares principle is proposed. According to the relevant quasi-static pressure calibration experimental data, the least squares fitting model between the peak force and the peak pressure, and the effective area of the piston rod and its measurement uncertainty, are obtained. The fitting model is tested by an additional group of experiments, and the peak pressure obtained by the existing high-precision comparison calibration method is taken as the reference value. The test results show that the peak pressure obtained by the least squares fitting model is closer to the reference value than the one directly calculated by the cross-sectional area of the piston rod. When the peak pressure is higher than 150 MPa, the percentage difference is less than 0.71%, which can meet the requirements of practical application.

The safety and efficacy of baclofen to reduce alcohol use in veterans with chronic hepatitis C: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hauser, Peter; Fuller, Bret; Ho, Samuel B; Thuras, Paul; Kern, Shira; Dieperink, Eric

2017-07-01

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are common among people with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and accelerate the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by HCV. Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) beta-receptor agonist, differs from medications for AUDs currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as it is metabolized primarily through the kidneys. The primary outcome of this study was to compare baclofen with a placebo in the percentage of days abstinent from alcohol. A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Hepatology clinics in four separate US Veteran Affairs Medical Centers in the United States. One hundred and eighty Veteran men and women older than 18 years with chronic HCV, a comorbid AUD and current alcohol use. Oral baclofen was given at dosages of 0 (placebo) or 30 mg/day over 12 weeks with concomitant manual-guided counseling. The primary measurement was percentage of days abstinent during the 12-week study period between the baclofen and placebo groups [measured by time-line follow-back (TLFB)]. Secondary measurements were the percentage of Veterans who achieved complete abstinence, the percentage of Veterans who achieved no heavy drinking between weeks 4 and 12 of the study, alcohol craving, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Primary outcome: compared with placebo, baclofen did not improve the percentage of days abstinent. For all subjects there were significant reductions from baseline to 12 weeks in percentage of days abstinent from 37.0% [standard error (SE) = 2.7] to 68.6% (SE = 2.8, F (1151.1)  = 66.1, P < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups for change in percentage of days abstinent over the 12-week study period [absolute difference 1.3% (-9.1 to 1.7%), F (1152.6)  = 0.005, P = 0.95]. Of subjects who completed the first 4 weeks of the study, 8.9% (15 of 168) achieved complete abstinence; 10.1% (nine of 89) in the placebo group and 7.6% (six of 79) in the baclofen group [χ 2 (1)  = 0.33, odds ratio (OR) = 0.73 (0.24-2.15)]. The percentage of no heavy drinking for all subjects between weeks 4 and 12 was 20.2% (34 of 168), but no statistically significant differences were found between placebo 15.7% (14 of 89) and baclofen 25.3% (20 of 79) [χ 2 (1)  = 2.38, OR = 1.82 (0.85-3.90)]. There were significant reductions for all subjects in all other secondary variables over the course of the study, but no differences between groups. Measures of various biomarkers of alcohol use did not change significantly throughout the course of the study for either the baclofen or placebo groups. Baclofen administered at 30 mg/day does not appear to be superior to placebo in increasing abstinence or in reducing alcohol use, cravings for alcohol or anxiety among people with alcohol use disorder. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Long term weight maintenance after advice to consume low carbohydrate, higher protein diets--a systematic review and meta analysis.

PubMed

Clifton, P M; Condo, D; Keogh, J B

2014-03-01

Meta analysis of short term trials indicates that a higher protein, lower carbohydrate weight loss diet enhances fat mass loss and limits lean mass loss compared with a normal protein weight loss diet. Whether this benefit persists long term is not clear. We selected weight loss studies in adults with at least a 12 month follow up in which a higher percentage protein/lower carbohydrate diet was either planned or would be expected for either weight loss or weight maintenance. Studies were selected regardless of the success of the advice but difference in absolute and percentage protein intake at 12 months was used as a moderator in the analysis. Data was analysed using Comprehensive Meta analysis V2 using a random effects analysis. As many as 32 studies with 3492 individuals were analysed with data on fat and lean mass, glucose and insulin from 18 to 22 studies and lipids from 28 studies. A recommendation to consume a lower carbohydrate, higher protein diet in mostly short term intensive interventions with long term follow up was associated with better weight and fat loss but the effect size was small-standardised means of 0.14 and 0.22, p = 0.008 and p < 0.001 respectively (equivalent to 0.4 kg for both). A difference of 5% or greater in percentage protein between diets at 12 mo was associated with a 3 fold greater effect size compared with <5% (p = 0.038) in fat mass (0.9 vs. 0.3 kg). Fasting triglyceride and insulin were also lower with high protein diets with effect sizes of 0.17 and 0.22, p = 0.003 and p = 0.042 respectively. Other lipids and glucose were not different. The short term benefit of higher protein diets appears to persist to a small degree long term. Benefits are greater with better compliance to the diet. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Normal CD4 Count Range among Healthy Nigerian Population in Ilorin.

PubMed

Afolabi, J K; Fadeyi, A; Desalu, O O; Durotoye, I A; Fawibe, A E; Adeboye, M A N; Olawumi, H O; Babatunde, A S; Ernest, S K; Aderibigbe, S A; Saadu, R; Salami, A K; Aboyeji, A P

For the establishment and monitoring of the immune status, CD4 count is critical. To determine the CD4 count range of apparently healthy Nigerians resident in Ilorin and compare with the national value. An automated blood analyzer was used to determine the full blood count and CD4 count. The percentage of CD4 count was derived by using other variables. Of the 1205 participants, the reference CD4 count (percentage of CD4) range for adult was 400 to 1288 cells/mm 3 (19%-48%) and for children was 582 to 3652 cells/mm 3 (17%-50%). CD4 count and percentage of CD4 were significantly ( P = .001) higher in females than in males, and the CD4 count declined significantly with increasing age ( r = -.174, P ≤ .0001). The percentage of CD4 count shows less variation with age ( r = -.051, P = .076). Adult residents of Ilorin had significantly lower absolute mean CD4 count (808 ± 260) than that of the national reference values of 847.0 ± 307.0 cells/mm 3 ( P = .001). We therefore advocate the use of CD4 count range derived in this study is lower than that of the national reference values.

Minimizing excess air could be wasting energy in process heaters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lieberman, N.P.

1988-02-01

Operating a process heater simply to achieve a minimum excess oxygen target in the flue gas may be wasting energy in some process heaters. That's because the real minimum excess oxygen percentage is that required to reach the point of absolute combustion in the furnace. The oxygen target required to achieve absolute combustion may be 1%, or it may be 6%, depending on the operating characteristics of the furnace. Where natural gas is burned, incomplete combustion can occur, wasting fuel dollars. Energy can be wasted because of some misconceptions regarding excess air control. These are: 2-3% excess oxygen in themore » flue gas is a universally good target, too little excess oxygen will always cause the evolution of black smoke in the stack, and excess air requirements are unaffected by commissioning an air preheater.« less

[Prediction of schistosomiasis infection rates of population based on ARIMA-NARNN model].

PubMed

Ke-Wei, Wang; Yu, Wu; Jin-Ping, Li; Yu-Yu, Jiang

2016-07-12

To explore the effect of the autoregressive integrated moving average model-nonlinear auto-regressive neural network (ARIMA-NARNN) model on predicting schistosomiasis infection rates of population. The ARIMA model, NARNN model and ARIMA-NARNN model were established based on monthly schistosomiasis infection rates from January 2005 to February 2015 in Jiangsu Province, China. The fitting and prediction performances of the three models were compared. Compared to the ARIMA model and NARNN model, the mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the ARIMA-NARNN model were the least with the values of 0.011 1, 0.090 0 and 0.282 4, respectively. The ARIMA-NARNN model could effectively fit and predict schistosomiasis infection rates of population, which might have a great application value for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis.

Comparison of INAR(1)-Poisson model and Markov prediction model in forecasting the number of DHF patients in west java Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahdika, Atina; Lusiyana, Novyan

2017-02-01

World Health Organization (WHO) noted Indonesia as the country with the highest dengue (DHF) cases in Southeast Asia. There are no vaccine and specific treatment for DHF. One of the efforts which can be done by both government and resident is doing a prevention action. In statistics, there are some methods to predict the number of DHF cases to be used as the reference to prevent the DHF cases. In this paper, a discrete time series model, INAR(1)-Poisson model in specific, and Markov prediction model are used to predict the number of DHF patients in West Java Indonesia. The result shows that MPM is the best model since it has the smallest value of MAE (mean absolute error) and MAPE (mean absolute percentage error).

Reliability and validity of ten consumer activity trackers.

PubMed

Kooiman, Thea J M; Dontje, Manon L; Sprenger, Siska R; Krijnen, Wim P; van der Schans, Cees P; de Groot, Martijn

2015-01-01

Activity trackers can potentially stimulate users to increase their physical activity behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of ten consumer activity trackers for measuring step count in both laboratory and free-living conditions. Healthy adult volunteers (n = 33) walked twice on a treadmill (4.8 km/h) for 30 min while wearing ten different activity trackers (i.e. Lumoback, Fitbit Flex, Jawbone Up, Nike+ Fuelband SE, Misfit Shine, Withings Pulse, Fitbit Zip, Omron HJ-203, Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 and Moves mobile application). In free-living conditions, 56 volunteers wore the same activity trackers for one working day. Test-retest reliability was analyzed with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Validity was evaluated by comparing each tracker with the gold standard (Optogait system for laboratory and ActivPAL for free-living conditions), using paired samples t-tests, mean absolute percentage errors, correlations and Bland-Altman plots. Test-retest analysis revealed high reliability for most trackers except for the Omron (ICC .14), Moves app (ICC .37) and Nike+ Fuelband (ICC .53). The mean absolute percentage errors of the trackers in laboratory and free-living conditions respectively, were: Lumoback (-0.2, -0.4), Fibit Flex (-5.7, 3.7), Jawbone Up (-1.0, 1.4), Nike+ Fuelband (-18, -24), Misfit Shine (0.2, 1.1), Withings Pulse (-0.5, -7.9), Fitbit Zip (-0.3, 1.2), Omron (2.5, -0.4), Digiwalker (-1.2, -5.9), and Moves app (9.6, -37.6). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the limits of agreement varied from 46 steps (Fitbit Zip) to 2422 steps (Nike+ Fuelband) in the laboratory condition, and 866 steps (Fitbit Zip) to 5150 steps (Moves app) in the free-living condition. The reliability and validity of most trackers for measuring step count is good. The Fitbit Zip is the most valid whereas the reliability and validity of the Nike+ Fuelband is low.

Acute cardiorespiratory, perceptual and enjoyment responses to high-intensity interval exercise in adolescents.

PubMed

Malik, Adam A; Williams, Craig A; Bond, Bert; Weston, Kathryn L; Barker, Alan R

2017-11-01

This study aimed to examine adolescents' acute cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses during high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and enjoyment responses following HIIE and work-matched continuous moderate intensity exercise (CMIE). Fifty-four 12- to 15-year olds (27 boys) completed 8 × 1-min cycling at 90% peak power with 75-s recovery (HIIE) and at 90% of the gas exchange threshold (CMIE). Absolute oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), percentage of maximal [Formula: see text] (%[Formula: see text]), heart rate (HR), percentage of maximal HR (%HR max ) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during HIIE. Enjoyment was measured using the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) following HIIE and CMIE. Boys elicited higher absolute [Formula: see text] during HIIE work (p < .01, effect size (ES) > 1.22) and recovery (p < .02, ES > 0.51) intervals but lower %[Formula: see text] during HIIE recovery intervals compared to girls (p < .01, ES > 0.67). No sex differences in HR and %HR max were evident during HIIE and 48 participants attained ≥90% HR max . Boys produced higher RPE at intervals 6 (p = .004, ES = 1.00) and 8 (p = .003, ES = 1.00) during HIIE. PACES was higher after HIIE compared with CMIE (p = .003, ES = 0.58). Items from PACES "I got something out of it", "It's very exciting" and "It gives me a strong feeling of success" were higher after HIIE (all p < .01, ES > 0.32). The items "I feel bored" and "It's not at all interesting" were higher after CMIE (all p < .01, ES > 0.46). HIIE elicits a maximal cardiorespiratory response in most adolescents. Greater enjoyment after HIIE was due to elevated feelings of reward, excitement and success and may serve as a strategy to promote health in youth.

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in triple negative breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

PubMed Central

Castaneda, Carlos A; Mittendorf, Elizabeth; Casavilca, Sandro; Wu, Yun; Castillo, Miluska; Arboleda, Patricia; Nunez, Teresa; Guerra, Henry; Barrionuevo, Carlos; Dolores-Cerna, Ketty; Belmar-Lopez, Carolina; Abugattas, Julio; Calderon, Gabriela; De La Cruz, Miguel; Cotrina, Manuel; Dunstan, Jorge; Gomez, Henry L; Vidaurre, Tatiana

2016-01-01

AIM To determine influence of neoadjuvant-chemotherapy (NAC) over tumor-infiltrating-lymphocytes (TIL) in triple-negative-breast-cancer (TNBC). METHODS TILs were evaluated in 98 TNBC cases who came to Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas from 2005 to 2010. Immunohistochemistry staining for CD3, CD4, CD8 and FOXP3 was performed in tissue microarrays (TMA) sections. Evaluation of H/E in full-face and immunohistochemistry in TMA sections was performed in pre and post-NAC samples. STATA software was used and P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Higher TIL evaluated in full-face sections from pre-NAC tumors was associated to pathologic-complete-response (pCR) (P = 0.0251) and outcome (P = 0.0334). TIL evaluated in TMA sections showed low level of agreement with full-face sections (ICC = 0.017-0.20) and was not associated to pCR or outcome. TIL in post-NAC samples were not associated to response or outcome. Post-NAC lesions with pCR had similar TIL levels than those without pCR (P = 0.6331). NAC produced a TIL decrease in full-face sections (P < 0.0001). Percentage of TIL subpopulations was correlated with their absolute counts. Higher counts of CD3, CD4, CD8 and FOXP3 in pre-NAC samples had longer disease-free-survival (DFS). Higher counts of CD3 in pre-NAC samples had longer overall-survival. Higher ratio of CD8/CD4 counts in pre-NAC was associated with pCR. Higher ratio of CD4/FOXP3 counts in pre-NAC was associated with longer DFS. Higher counts of CD4 in post-NAC samples were associated with pCR. CONCLUSION TIL in pre-NAC full-face sections in TNBC are correlated to longer survival. TIL in full-face differ from TMA sections, absolute count and percentage analysis of TIL subpopulation closely related. PMID:27777881

9 CFR 439.20 - Criteria for maintaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is...) Variability: The absolute value of the standardized difference between the accredited laboratory's result and... constant, is used in place of the absolute value of the standardized difference to determine the CUSUM-V...

9 CFR 439.20 - Criteria for maintaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is...) Variability: The absolute value of the standardized difference between the accredited laboratory's result and... constant, is used in place of the absolute value of the standardized difference to determine the CUSUM-V...

9 CFR 439.20 - Criteria for maintaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is...) Variability: The absolute value of the standardized difference between the accredited laboratory's result and... constant, is used in place of the absolute value of the standardized difference to determine the CUSUM-V...

9 CFR 439.20 - Criteria for maintaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is...) Variability: The absolute value of the standardized difference between the accredited laboratory's result and... constant, is used in place of the absolute value of the standardized difference to determine the CUSUM-V...

9 CFR 439.20 - Criteria for maintaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is...) Variability: The absolute value of the standardized difference between the accredited laboratory's result and... constant, is used in place of the absolute value of the standardized difference to determine the CUSUM-V...

Cirrus cloud retrieval with MSG/SEVIRI using artificial neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strandgren, Johan; Bugliaro, Luca; Sehnke, Frank; Schröder, Leon

2017-09-01

Cirrus clouds play an important role in climate as they tend to warm the Earth-atmosphere system. Nevertheless their physical properties remain one of the largest sources of uncertainty in atmospheric research. To better understand the physical processes of cirrus clouds and their climate impact, enhanced satellite observations are necessary. In this paper we present a new algorithm, CiPS (Cirrus Properties from SEVIRI), that detects cirrus clouds and retrieves the corresponding cloud top height, ice optical thickness and ice water path using the SEVIRI imager aboard the geostationary Meteosat Second Generation satellites. CiPS utilises a set of artificial neural networks trained with SEVIRI thermal observations, CALIOP backscatter products, the ECMWF surface temperature and auxiliary data. CiPS detects 71 and 95 % of all cirrus clouds with an optical thickness of 0.1 and 1.0, respectively, that are retrieved by CALIOP. Among the cirrus-free pixels, CiPS classifies 96 % correctly. With respect to CALIOP, the cloud top height retrieved by CiPS has a mean absolute percentage error of 10 % or less for cirrus clouds with a top height greater than 8 km. For the ice optical thickness, CiPS has a mean absolute percentage error of 50 % or less for cirrus clouds with an optical thickness between 0.35 and 1.8 and of 100 % or less for cirrus clouds with an optical thickness down to 0.07 with respect to the optical thickness retrieved by CALIOP. The ice water path retrieved by CiPS shows a similar performance, with mean absolute percentage errors of 100 % or less for cirrus clouds with an ice water path down to 1.7 g m-2. Since the training reference data from CALIOP only include ice water path and optical thickness for comparably thin clouds, CiPS also retrieves an opacity flag, which tells us whether a retrieved cirrus is likely to be too thick for CiPS to accurately derive the ice water path and optical thickness. By retrieving CALIOP-like cirrus properties with the large spatial coverage and high temporal resolution of SEVIRI during both day and night, CiPS is a powerful tool for analysing the temporal evolution of cirrus clouds including their optical and physical properties. To demonstrate this, the life cycle of a thin cirrus cloud is analysed.

Precision and accuracy in measuring absence from work as a basis for calculating productivity costs in The Netherlands.

PubMed

Severens, J L; Mulder, J; Laheij, R J; Verbeek, A L

2000-07-01

The impact of disease on the ability of a person to perform work should be part of an economic evaluation when a societal viewpoint is used for the analysis. This impact is reflected by calculating productivity costs. Measurement of these costs is often performed retrospectively. The purpose of our study was to study precision and accuracy of a retrospective self-administered questionnaire on sick leave. Employees of a company were asked to indicate the number of days absent from work due to illness during the past 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, and the past 12 months. The percentage of respondents with an absolute difference of a maximum of respectively 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 or more days between reported, and company-registered absence due to illness was determined. Besides this, the proportional difference was calculated. A systematic difference was tested with a signed rank test. Of the reported data, 95% matched the registered data perfectly when the recall period was limited to 2 and 4 weeks. This percentage decreased to 87%, 57%, and 51% for 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The weighted mean proportional differences for the recall periods were respectively 32.9, 35.2, 45.3, 34.9, and 113.6%. No systematic positive or negative difference was found between registered and reported sick leave. The results suggest that the recall period for retrospective measurement of sick leave is limited according to the precision level, which seems to be appropriate for the subject and the purpose of the study. We recommend using a recall period of no more than 2 months.

Self-digitization microfluidic chip for absolute quantification of mRNA in single cells.

PubMed

Thompson, Alison M; Gansen, Alexander; Paguirigan, Amy L; Kreutz, Jason E; Radich, Jerald P; Chiu, Daniel T

2014-12-16

Quantification of mRNA in single cells provides direct insight into how intercellular heterogeneity plays a role in disease progression and outcomes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the current gold standard for evaluating gene expression, is insufficient for providing absolute measurement of single-cell mRNA transcript abundance. Challenges include difficulties in handling small sample volumes and the high variability in measurements. Microfluidic digital PCR provides far better sensitivity for minute quantities of genetic material, but the typical format of this assay does not allow for counting of the absolute number of mRNA transcripts samples taken from single cells. Furthermore, a large fraction of the sample is often lost during sample handling in microfluidic digital PCR. Here, we report the absolute quantification of single-cell mRNA transcripts by digital, one-step reverse transcription PCR in a simple microfluidic array device called the self-digitization (SD) chip. By performing the reverse transcription step in digitized volumes, we find that the assay exhibits a linear signal across a wide range of total RNA concentrations and agrees well with standard curve qPCR. The SD chip is found to digitize a high percentage (86.7%) of the sample for single-cell experiments. Moreover, quantification of transferrin receptor mRNA in single cells agrees well with single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments. The SD platform for absolute quantification of single-cell mRNA can be optimized for other genes and may be useful as an independent control method for the validation of mRNA quantification techniques.

Evaluation of factors affecting CGMS calibration.

PubMed

Buckingham, Bruce A; Kollman, Craig; Beck, Roy; Kalajian, Andrea; Fiallo-Scharer, Rosanna; Tansey, Michael J; Fox, Larry A; Wilson, Darrell M; Weinzimer, Stuart A; Ruedy, Katrina J; Tamborlane, William V

2006-06-01

The optimal number/timing of calibrations entered into the CGMS (Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) continuous glucose monitoring system have not been previously described. Fifty subjects with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (10-18 years old) were hospitalized in a clinical research center for approximately 24 h on two separate days. CGMS and OneTouch Ultra meter (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA) data were obtained. The CGMS was retrospectively recalibrated using the Ultra data varying the number and timing of calibrations. Resulting CGMS values were compared against laboratory reference values. There was a modest improvement in accuracy with increasing number of calibrations. The median relative absolute deviation (RAD) was 14%, 15%, 13%, and 13% when using three, four, five, and seven calibration values, respectively (P < 0.001). Corresponding percentages of CGMS-reference pairs meeting the International Organisation for Standardisation criteria were 66%, 67%, 71%, and 72% (P < 0.001). Nighttime accuracy improved when daytime calibrations (pre-lunch and pre-dinner) were removed leaving only two calibrations at 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (median difference, -2 vs. -9 mg/dL, P < 0.001; median RAD, 12% vs. 15%, P = 0.001). Accuracy was better on visits where the average absolute rate of glucose change at the times of calibration was lower. On visits with average absolute rates <0.5, 0.5 to <1.0, 1.0 to <1.5, and >or=1.5 mg/dL/min, median RAD values were 13% versus 14% versus 17% versus 19%, respectively (P = 0.05). Although accuracy is slightly improved with more calibrations, the timing of the calibrations appears more important. Modifying the algorithm to put less weight on daytime calibrations for nighttime values and calibrating during times of relative glucose stability may have greater impact on accuracy.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting CGMS Calibration

PubMed Central

2006-01-01

Background The optimal number/timing of calibrations entered into the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (“CGMS”; Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) have not been previously described. Methods Fifty subjects with T1DM (10–18y) were hospitalized in a clinical research center for ~24h on two separate days. CGMS and OneTouch® Ultra® Meter (“Ultra”; LifeScan, Milpitas, CA) data were obtained. The CGMS was retrospectively recalibrated using the Ultra data varying the number and timing of calibrations. Resulting CGMS values were compared against laboratory reference values. Results There was a modest improvement in accuracy with increasing number of calibrations. The median relative absolute deviation (RAD) was 14%, 15%, 13% and 13% when using 3, 4, 5 and 7 calibration values, respectively (p<0.001). Corresponding percentages of CGMS-reference pairs meeting the ISO criteria were 66%, 67%, 71% and 72% (p<0.001). Nighttime accuracy improved when daytime calibrations (pre-lunch and pre-dinner) were removed leaving only two calibrations at 9p.m. and 6a.m. (median difference: −2 vs. −9mg/dL, p<0.001; median RAD: 12% vs. 15%, p=0.001). Accuracy was better on visits where the average absolute rate of glucose change at the times of calibration was lower. On visits with average absolute rates <0.5, 0.5-<1.0, 1.0-<1.5 and ≥1.5mg/dL/min, median RAD values were 13% vs. 14% vs. 17% vs. 19%, respectively (p=0.05). Conclusions Although accuracy is slightly improved with more calibrations, the timing of the calibrations appears more important. Modifying the algorithm to put less weight on daytime calibrations for nighttime values and calibrating during times of relative glucose stability may have greater impact on accuracy. PMID:16800753

Liberal or restrictive transfusion in high-risk patients after hip surgery.

PubMed

Carson, Jeffrey L; Terrin, Michael L; Noveck, Helaine; Sanders, David W; Chaitman, Bernard R; Rhoads, George G; Nemo, George; Dragert, Karen; Beaupre, Lauren; Hildebrand, Kevin; Macaulay, William; Lewis, Courtland; Cook, Donald Richard; Dobbin, Gwendolyn; Zakriya, Khwaja J; Apple, Fred S; Horney, Rebecca A; Magaziner, Jay

2011-12-29

The hemoglobin threshold at which postoperative red-cell transfusion is warranted is controversial. We conducted a randomized trial to determine whether a higher threshold for blood transfusion would improve recovery in patients who had undergone surgery for hip fracture. We enrolled 2016 patients who were 50 years of age or older, who had either a history of or risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and whose hemoglobin level was below 10 g per deciliter after hip-fracture surgery. We randomly assigned patients to a liberal transfusion strategy (a hemoglobin threshold of 10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive transfusion strategy (symptoms of anemia or at physician discretion for a hemoglobin level of <8 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was death or an inability to walk across a room without human assistance on 60-day follow-up. A median of 2 units of red cells were transfused in the liberal-strategy group and none in the restrictive-strategy group. The rates of the primary outcome were 35.2% in the liberal-strategy group and 34.7% in the restrictive-strategy group (odds ratio in the liberal-strategy group, 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.22), for an absolute risk difference of 0.5 percentage points (95% CI, -3.7 to 4.7). The rates of in-hospital acute coronary syndrome or death were 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively (absolute risk difference, -0.9%; 99% CI, -3.3 to 1.6), and rates of death on 60-day follow-up were 7.6% and 6.6%, respectively (absolute risk difference, 1.0%; 99% CI, -1.9 to 4.0). The rates of other complications were similar in the two groups. A liberal transfusion strategy, as compared with a restrictive strategy, did not reduce rates of death or inability to walk independently on 60-day follow-up or reduce in-hospital morbidity in elderly patients at high cardiovascular risk. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; FOCUS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00071032.).

Surface Observation Climatic Summaries for Fort Devens Ain, Massachusetts

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

AVAILABLE. GIVEN: THE GREATEST MONTHLY VALUE FOR ALL YEARS COMBINED, TOE GREATEST YEARLY VALUE FOR ALL YEARS COMINED, AND TIE DATE OF THE ABSOLUTE ...SUMMARY IS A BIVARIATE DISTRIBUTION OF PERCENTAGE FREQUENCY BY CLASSES OF CEILING (FROM ZERO FEET TO 20,000 FEET-- *NO CEILING* IS A SEPARATE CLASS) VERSUS...VISIBILITY CLASSES (FRO4 ZERO MILES (METERS) TO GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 7 STATUTE MILES (11,200 METERS)). THE TABLES SUMMARIZE THE DATA AS FOLLOWS

Dosimetric validation for an automatic brain metastases planning software using single-isocenter dynamic conformal arcsDosimetric validation for an automatic brain metastases planning software using single-isocenter dynamic conformal arcs.

PubMed

Liu, Haisong; Li, Jun; Pappas, Evangelos; Andrews, David; Evans, James; Werner-Wasik, Maria; Yu, Yan; Dicker, Adam; Shi, Wenyin

2016-09-08

An automatic brain-metastases planning (ABMP) software has been installed in our institution. It is dedicated for treating multiple brain metastases with radiosurgery on linear accelerators (linacs) using a single-setup isocenter with noncoplanar dynamic conformal arcs. This study is to validate the calculated absolute dose and dose distribution of ABMP. Three types of measurements were performed to validate the planning software: 1, dual micro ion chambers were used with an acrylic phantom to measure the absolute dose; 2, a 3D cylindrical phantom with dual diode array was used to evaluate 2D dose distribution and point dose for smaller targets; and 3, a 3D pseudo-in vivo patient-specific phantom filled with polymer gels was used to evaluate the accuracy of 3D dose distribution and radia-tion delivery. Micro chamber measurement of two targets (volumes of 1.2 cc and 0.9 cc, respectively) showed that the percentage differences of the absolute dose at both targets were less than 1%. Averaged GI passing rate of five different plans measured with the diode array phantom was above 98%, using criteria of 3% dose difference, 1 mm distance to agreement (DTA), and 10% low-dose threshold. 3D gel phantom measurement results demonstrated a 3D displacement of nine targets of 0.7 ± 0.4 mm (range 0.2 ~ 1.1 mm). The averaged two-dimensional (2D) GI passing rate for several region of interests (ROI) on axial slices that encompass each one of the nine targets was above 98% (5% dose difference, 2 mm DTA, and 10% low-dose threshold). Measured D95, the minimum dose that covers 95% of the target volume, of the nine targets was 0.7% less than the calculated D95. Three different types of dosimetric verification methods were used and proved the dose calculation of the new automatic brain metastases planning (ABMP) software was clinical acceptable. The 3D pseudo-in vivo patient-specific gel phantom test also served as an end-to-end test for validating not only the dose calculation, but the treatment delivery accuracy as well. © 2016 The Authors.

Quality of Care for White and Hispanic Medicare Advantage Enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico.

PubMed

Rivera-Hernandez, Maricruz; Leyva, Bryan; Keohane, Laura M; Trivedi, Amal N

2016-06-01

Geographic, racial, and ethnic variations in quality of care and outcomes have been well documented among the Medicare population. Few data exist on beneficiaries living in Puerto Rico, three-quarters of whom enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA). To determine the quality of care provided to white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico. A cross-sectional study of MA enrollees in 2011 was conducted, including white enrollees in the United States (n = 6 289 374), Hispanic enrollees in the United States (n = 795 039), and Hispanic enrollees in Puerto Rico (n = 267 016). The study was conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011; data analysis took place from January 19, 2015, to January 2, 2016. Seventeen performance measures related to diabetes mellitus (including hemoglobin A1c control, retinal eye examination, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, nephropathy screening, and blood pressure control), cardiovascular disease (including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, blood pressure control, and use of a β-blocker after myocardial infarction), cancer screening (colorectal and breast), and appropriate medications (including systemic corticosteroids and bronchodilators for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). Of the 7.35 million MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico in our study, 1.06 million (14.4%) were Hispanic. Approximately 25.1% of all Hispanic MA enrollees resided in Puerto Rico, which was more than those residing in any state. For 15 of the 17 measures assessed, Hispanic MA enrollees in Puerto Rico received worse care compared with Hispanics in the United States, with absolute differences in performance rates ranging from 2.2 percentage points for blood pressure control in diabetes mellitus (P = .03) to 31.3 percentage points for use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy (P < .01). Adjusted performance differences between Hispanic MA enrollees in Puerto Rico and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States exceeded 20 percentage points for 3 measures: use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy (-23.8 percentage points [95% CI, -30.9 to -16.8]), use of systemic corticosteroid in COPD exacerbation (-21.3 percentage points [95% CI, -27.5 to -15.1]), and use of bronchodilator therapy in COPD exacerbation (-22.7 percentage points [95% CI, -27.7 to -17.6]). We found modest differences in care between white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States but substantially worse care for enrollees in Puerto Rico compared with their US counterparts. Major efforts are needed to improve care delivery on the island to a level equivalent to the United States.

Quality of Care for White and Hispanic Medicare Advantage Enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico

PubMed Central

Rivera-Hernandez, Maricruz; Leyva, Bryan; Keohane, Laura M.; Trivedi, Amal N.

2016-01-01

IMPORTANCE Geographic, racial, and ethnic variations in quality of care and outcomes have been well documented among the Medicare population. Few data exist on beneficiaries living in Puerto Rico, three-quarters of whom enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA). OBJECTIVE To determine the quality of care provided to white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A cross-sectional study of MA enrollees in 2011 was conducted, including white enrollees in the United States (n = 6 289 374), Hispanic enrollees in the United States (n = 795 039), and Hispanic enrollees in Puerto Rico (n = 267 016). The study was conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011; data analysis took place from January 19, 2015, to January 2, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Seventeen performance measures related to diabetes mellitus (including hemoglobin A1c control, retinal eye examination, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, nephropathy screening, and blood pressure control), cardiovascular disease (including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, blood pressure control, and use of a β-blocker after myocardial infarction), cancer screening (colorectal and breast), and appropriate medications (including systemic corticosteroids and bronchodilators for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). RESULTS Of the 7.35 million MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico in our study, 1.06 million (14.4%) were Hispanic. Approximately 25.1% of all Hispanic MA enrollees resided in Puerto Rico, which was more than those residing in any state. For 15 of the 17 measures assessed, Hispanic MA enrollees in Puerto Rico received worse care compared with Hispanics in the United States, with absolute differences in performance rates ranging from 2.2 percentage points for blood pressure control in diabetes mellitus (P = .03) to 31.3 percentage points for use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy (P < .01). Adjusted performance differences between Hispanic MA enrollees in Puerto Rico and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States exceeded 20 percentage points for 3 measures: use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy (−23.8 percentage points [95% CI, −30.9 to −16.8]), use of systemic corticosteroid in COPD exacerbation (−21.3 percentage points [95% CI, −27.5 to −15.1]), and use of bronchodilator therapy in COPD exacerbation (−22.7 percentage points [95% CI, −27.7 to −17.6]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE We found modest differences in care between white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States but substantially worse care for enrollees in Puerto Rico compared with their US counterparts. Major efforts are needed to improve care delivery on the island to a level equivalent to the United States. PMID:27111865

Comparison of Nine Statistical Model Based Warfarin Pharmacogenetic Dosing Algorithms Using the Racially Diverse International Warfarin Pharmacogenetic Consortium Cohort Database

PubMed Central

Liu, Rong; Li, Xi; Zhang, Wei; Zhou, Hong-Hao

2015-01-01

Objective Multiple linear regression (MLR) and machine learning techniques in pharmacogenetic algorithm-based warfarin dosing have been reported. However, performances of these algorithms in racially diverse group have never been objectively evaluated and compared. In this literature-based study, we compared the performances of eight machine learning techniques with those of MLR in a large, racially-diverse cohort. Methods MLR, artificial neural network (ANN), regression tree (RT), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), boosted regression tree (BRT), support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), lasso regression (LAR) and Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) were applied in warfarin dose algorithms in a cohort from the International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium database. Covariates obtained by stepwise regression from 80% of randomly selected patients were used to develop algorithms. To compare the performances of these algorithms, the mean percentage of patients whose predicted dose fell within 20% of the actual dose (mean percentage within 20%) and the mean absolute error (MAE) were calculated in the remaining 20% of patients. The performances of these techniques in different races, as well as the dose ranges of therapeutic warfarin were compared. Robust results were obtained after 100 rounds of resampling. Results BART, MARS and SVR were statistically indistinguishable and significantly out performed all the other approaches in the whole cohort (MAE: 8.84–8.96 mg/week, mean percentage within 20%: 45.88%–46.35%). In the White population, MARS and BART showed higher mean percentage within 20% and lower mean MAE than those of MLR (all p values < 0.05). In the Asian population, SVR, BART, MARS and LAR performed the same as MLR. MLR and LAR optimally performed among the Black population. When patients were grouped in terms of warfarin dose range, all machine learning techniques except ANN and LAR showed significantly higher mean percentage within 20%, and lower MAE (all p values < 0.05) than MLR in the low- and high- dose ranges. Conclusion Overall, machine learning-based techniques, BART, MARS and SVR performed superior than MLR in warfarin pharmacogenetic dosing. Differences of algorithms’ performances exist among the races. Moreover, machine learning-based algorithms tended to perform better in the low- and high- dose ranges than MLR. PMID:26305568

Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease.

PubMed

Ornish, D; Scherwitz, L W; Billings, J H; Brown, S E; Gould, K L; Merritt, T A; Sparler, S; Armstrong, W T; Ports, T A; Kirkeeide, R L; Hogeboom, C; Brand, R J

1998-12-16

The Lifestyle Heart Trial demonstrated that intensive lifestyle changes may lead to regression of coronary atherosclerosis after 1 year. To determine the feasibility of patients to sustain intensive lifestyle changes for a total of 5 years and the effects of these lifestyle changes (without lipid-lowering drugs) on coronary heart disease. Randomized controlled trial conducted from 1986 to 1992 using a randomized invitational design. Forty-eight patients with moderate to severe coronary heart disease were randomized to an intensive lifestyle change group or to a usual-care control group, and 35 completed the 5-year follow-up quantitative coronary arteriography. Two tertiary care university medical centers. Intensive lifestyle changes (10% fat whole foods vegetarian diet, aerobic exercise, stress management training, smoking cessation, group psychosocial support) for 5 years. Adherence to intensive lifestyle changes, changes in coronary artery percent diameter stenosis, and cardiac events. Experimental group patients (20 [71%] of 28 patients completed 5-year follow-up) made and maintained comprehensive lifestyle changes for 5 years, whereas control group patients (15 [75%] of 20 patients completed 5-year follow-up) made more moderate changes. In the experimental group, the average percent diameter stenosis at baseline decreased 1.75 absolute percentage points after 1 year (a 4.5% relative improvement) and by 3.1 absolute percentage points after 5 years (a 7.9% relative improvement). In contrast, the average percent diameter stenosis in the control group increased by 2.3 percentage points after 1 year (a 5.4% relative worsening) and by 11.8 percentage points after 5 years (a 27.7% relative worsening) (P=.001 between groups. Twenty-five cardiac events occurred in 28 experimental group patients vs 45 events in 20 control group patients during the 5-year follow-up (risk ratio for any event for the control group, 2.47 [95% confidence interval, 1.48-4.20]). More regression of coronary atherosclerosis occurred after 5 years than after 1 year in the experimental group. In contrast, in the control group, coronary atherosclerosis continued to progress and more than twice as many cardiac events occurred.

Morphological study of rat skin flaps treated with subcutaneous dimethyl sulfoxide combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

PubMed

Almeida, K G; Oliveira, R J; Dourado, D M; Filho, E A; Fernandes, W S; Souza, A S; Araújo, F H S

2015-12-28

This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in tissue necrosis, genotoxicity, and cell apoptosis. Random skin flaps were made in 50 male Wistar rats, randomly divided into the following groups. Control group (CT), wherein a rectangular skin section (2 x 8 cm) was dissected from the dorsal muscle layer, preserving the cranial vessels, lifted, and refixed to the bed; distilled water (DW) group, in which DW was injected into the distal half of the skin flap; DMSO group, wherein 5% DMSO was injected; HBOT group, comprising animals treated only with HBOT; and HBOT + DMSO group, comprising animals treated with 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 1 h, 2 h after the experiment, daily for 10 consecutive days. A skinflap specimen investigated by microscopy. The percentage of necrosis was not significantly different between groups. The cell viability index was significantly different between groups (P < 0.001): 87.40% (CT), 86.20% (DW), 84.60% (DMSO), 86.60% (DMSO + HBO), and 91% (HBO) (P < 0.001), as was the cell apoptosis index of 12.60 (CT), 12.00 (DW), 15.40 (DMSO), 9.00 (HBO), and 12.00 (DMSO + HBO) (P < 0.001). The genotoxicity test revealed the percentage of cells with DNA damage to be 22.80 (CT), 22.60 (DW), 26.00 (DMSO), 8.80 (DMSO + HBO), and 7.20 (HBO) (P < 0.001). Although the necrotic area was not different between groups, there was a significant reduction in the cellular DNA damage and apoptosis index in the HBOT group.

Sex differences in macronutrient intake and adherence to dietary recommendations: findings from the UK Biobank.

PubMed

Bennett, Elizabeth; Peters, Sanne A E; Woodward, Mark

2018-04-24

To characterise sex differences in macronutrient intakes and adherence to dietary recommendations in the UK Biobank population. Cross-sectional population-based study. UK Biobank Resource. 210 106 (52.5% women) individuals with data on dietary behaviour. Women-to-men mean differences in nutrient intake in grams and as a percentage of energy and women-to-men ORs in non-adherence, adjusting for age, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. There were sex differences in energy intake and distribution. Men had greater intakes of energy and were less likely to have energy intakes above the estimated average requirement compared with women. Small, but significant, sex differences were found in the intakes of all macronutrients. For all macronutrients, men had greater absolute intakes while women had greater intakes as a percentage of energy. Women were more likely to have intakes that exceeded recommendations for total fat, saturated fat and total sugar. Men were less likely to achieve the minimum recommended intakes for protein, polyunsaturated fat and total carbohydrate. Over 95% of men and women were non-adherent to fibre recommendations. Sex differences in dietary intakes were moderated by age and to some extent by socioeconomic status. There are significant sex differences in adherence to dietary recommendations, particularly for sugar. However, given the increased focus on food groups and dietary patterns for nutritional policy, these differences alone may not be sufficient for policy and health promotion. Future studies that are able to explore the sex differences in intakes of different food groups that are risk factors for diet-related diseases are warranted to improve the current understanding of the differential impact of diet on health in women and men. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Communicating cardiovascular disease risk: an interview study of General Practitioners' use of absolute risk within tailored communication strategies.

PubMed

Bonner, Carissa; Jansen, Jesse; McKinn, Shannon; Irwig, Les; Doust, Jenny; Glasziou, Paul; McCaffery, Kirsten

2014-05-29

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines encourage assessment of absolute CVD risk - the probability of a CVD event within a fixed time period, based on the most predictive risk factors. However, few General Practitioners (GPs) use absolute CVD risk consistently, and communication difficulties have been identified as a barrier to changing practice. This study aimed to explore GPs' descriptions of their CVD risk communication strategies, including the role of absolute risk. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 25 GPs in New South Wales, Australia. Transcribed audio-recordings were thematically coded, using the Framework Analysis method to ensure rigour. GPs used absolute CVD risk within three different communication strategies: 'positive', 'scare tactic', and 'indirect'. A 'positive' strategy, which aimed to reassure and motivate, was used for patients with low risk, determination to change lifestyle, and some concern about CVD risk. Absolute risk was used to show how they could reduce risk. A 'scare tactic' strategy was used for patients with high risk, lack of motivation, and a dismissive attitude. Absolute risk was used to 'scare' them into taking action. An 'indirect' strategy, where CVD risk was not the main focus, was used for patients with low risk but some lifestyle risk factors, high anxiety, high resistance to change, or difficulty understanding probabilities. Non-quantitative absolute risk formats were found to be helpful in these situations. This study demonstrated how GPs use three different communication strategies to address the issue of CVD risk, depending on their perception of patient risk, motivation and anxiety. Absolute risk played a different role within each strategy. Providing GPs with alternative ways of explaining absolute risk, in order to achieve different communication aims, may improve their use of absolute CVD risk assessment in practice.

Milk production of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey cows in a pasture-based feeding system.

PubMed

Goni, Sindisile; Muller, Carel Johan Christiaan; Dube, Bekezela; Dzama, Kennedy

2015-01-01

Milk production parameters of purebred Jersey (J) cows and Fleckvieh × Jersey (F × J) cows in a pasture-based feeding system were compared using standard milk recording procedures. Milk, fat and protein production was adjusted to 305 days per lactation and corrected for age at calving. Effects of breed, parity, month and year were estimated for milk, fat and protein yield as well as fat and protein percentage, using the general linear model procedure. Fixed effects identified as affecting milk production parameters significantly were breed, parity and year. F × J cows produced significantly more milk than J cows (6141 ± 102 and 5398 ± 95 kg milk, respectively). Similarly, fat and protein yields were significantly higher in F × J (272 ± 4 and 201 ± 3 kg, respectively) than in Jersey cows (246 ± 3 and 194 ± 2 kg, respectively). Fat and protein percentages only differed slightly in absolute terms being 4.61 ± 0.04% fat in the Jersey compared to 4.47 ± 0.04% fat in the F × J. Protein levels for J and F × J cows were 3.62 ± 0.03 and 3.51 ± 0.03%, respectively. Despite a lower fat percentage, F × J crossbred cows may be more productive than purebred Jersey cows which may be due to heterotic effects.

Evaluation of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations for Colorado, 2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kohn, Michael S.; Stevens, Michael R.; Bock, Andrew R.; Char, Stephen J.

2015-01-01

The median absolute differences between the observed and computed mean-monthly streamflow for Mountain, Northwest, and Southwest hydrologic regions are fairly uniform throughout the year, with the exception of late summer and early fall (July, August, and September), when each hydrologic region exhibits a substantial increase in median absolute percent difference. The greatest difference occurs in the Northwest hydrologic region, and the smallest difference occurs in the Mountain hydrologic region. The Rio Grande hydrologic region shows seasonal variation in median absolute percent difference with March, April, August, and September having a median absolute difference near or below 40 percent, and the remaining months of the year having a median absolute difference near or above 50 percent. In the Mountain, Northwest, and Southwest hydrologic regions, the mean-monthly streamflow equations perform the best during spring (March, April, and May). However, in the Rio Grande hydrologic region, the mean-monthly streamflow equations perform the best during late summer and early fall (August and September).

Direct and indirect selection of visceral lipid weight, fillet weight, and fillet percentage in a rainbow trout breeding program.

PubMed

Kause, A; Paananen, T; Ritola, O; Koskinen, H

2007-12-01

We assessed whether visceral lipid weight, fillet weight, and percentage fillet from BW, 3 traits laborious to record, could be genetically improved by indirect selection on more easily measured traits in farmed rainbow trout. Visceral lipid is discarded as waste during slaughter, influencing production efficiency and production costs. Fillet weight and fillet percentage directly influence economic returns in trout production. The study comprised 3 steps. First, we assessed the degree to which selection on percentage of visceral weight from BW indirectly changes visceral lipid weight and the size of intestines and internal organs. The phenotypic analysis of weights of viscera, intestines, visceral lipid, liver, and gonads measured from 40 fish revealed that phenotypic selection against visceral weight was most strongly directed to visceral lipid, and to a lesser degree to intestines and gonads. Because genetic relationships among these traits were not established, it is not known whether indirect selection leads to genetic responses. Second, we examined whether direct selection for the fillet traits could be replaced by indirect selection on BW, eviscerated BW, visceral weight, visceral percentage, head volume, and relative head volume (head volume relative to BW). The selection index calculations based on the quantitative genetic parameters obtained from multigenerational pedigree data showed that genetic improvement of fillet percentage through direct selection (selection accuracy, r(TI) = 0.54) was equally efficient compared with indirect selection on visceral percentage ( r(TI) = 0.54). Genetic improvement of fillet weight through direct selection (r(TI) = 0.56) was always more efficient than indirect selection, yet indirect selection for eviscerated BW ( r(TI) = 0.50) was almost as efficient as direct selection. Third, the expected genetic responses to alternative selection indices showed that improved fillet percentage was mainly a result of a moderate decrease in visceral weight rather than of a major increase in absolute fillet weight. Moreover, fillet percentage is challenging to improve, even if it exhibits moderate heritability (h(2) = 0.29). This is because fillet percentage displays low phenotypic variation. In conclusion, fillet weight and fillet percentage can be increased by indirect selection against visceral percentage and for high eviscerated BW.

Forecasting in foodservice: model development, testing, and evaluation.

PubMed

Miller, J L; Thompson, P A; Orabella, M M

1991-05-01

This study was designed to develop, test, and evaluate mathematical models appropriate for forecasting menu-item production demand in foodservice. Data were collected from residence and dining hall foodservices at Ohio State University. Objectives of the study were to collect, code, and analyze the data; develop and test models using actual operation data; and compare forecasting results with current methods in use. Customer count was forecast using deseasonalized simple exponential smoothing. Menu-item demand was forecast by multiplying the count forecast by a predicted preference statistic. Forecasting models were evaluated using mean squared error, mean absolute deviation, and mean absolute percentage error techniques. All models were more accurate than current methods. A broad spectrum of forecasting techniques could be used by foodservice managers with access to a personal computer and spread-sheet and database-management software. The findings indicate that mathematical forecasting techniques may be effective in foodservice operations to control costs, increase productivity, and maximize profits.

Influence of the number of players and the relative pitch area per player on heart rate and physical demands in youth soccer.

PubMed

Castellano, Julen; Puente, Asier; Echeazarra, Ibon; Casamichana, David

2015-06-01

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different large-sided games on the physical and physiological variables in under-13 soccer players. The effects on heart rate (HR) and physical demands of different number of players (NP) (7, 9, and 11) together with the relative pitch area (RPA) (100, 200, and 300 m) during two 12-minute repetitions were analyzed in this study. The variables analyzed were mean, maximum and different intensity zones of HR; total distance (TD); work:rest ratio (W:R); player load (PL); 5 absolute and 3 relative speed categories. The results support the hypothesis that a change in pitch dimensions affects locomotor activity more than the NP does but also refute the hypothesis that the change in the NP has a greater effect on HR. To be more specific, an increase in the RPA per player (300/200/100 m2) was associated with higher values of the following variables: TD (2,250-2,314/2,003-2,148/1,766-1,845 m), W:R (0.5-0.6/0.4-0.5/0.3 arbitrary unit [AU]), PL (271-306/246-285/229-267 AU), %HRmean (85-88/85-89/81-83%), %HRmax (95-100/97-100/95-98%), and affected the percentage of time spent in both absolute (above 8 km·h(-1)) and relative speed (above 40% Vmax) categories (p ≤ 0.05, effect size: 0.31-0.85). These results may help youth soccer coaches to plan the progressive introduction of large-sided games so that task demands are adapted to the physiological and physical development of participants.

Effect of heterogeneity correction on dosimetric parameters of radiotherapy planning for thoracic esophageal cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nakayama, Masao, E-mail: naka2008@med.kobe-u.ac.jp; Yoshida, Kenji; Nishimura, Hideki

2014-04-01

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of heterogeneity correction (HC) on dosimetric parameters in 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 20 patients. Two treatment plans were generated for each patient using a superposition algorithm on the Xio radiotherapy planning system. The first plan was calculated without HC. The second was a new plan calculated with HC, using identical beam geometries and maintaining the same number of monitor units as the first. With regard to the planning target volume (PTV), the overall mean differences in the prescription dose, maximum dose, mean dose,more » and dose that covers 95% of the PTV between the first and second plans were 1.10 Gy (1.8%), 1.35 Gy (2.2%), 1.10 Gy (1.9%), and 0.56 Gy (1.0%), respectively. With regard to parameters related to the organs at risk (OARs), the mean differences in the absolute percentages of lung volume receiving greater than 5, 10, 20, and 30 Gy (lung V{sub 5}, V{sub 10}, V{sub 20}, and V{sub 30}) between the first and second plans were 7.1%, 2.7%, 0.4%, and 0.5%, respectively. These results suggest that HC might have a more pronounced effect on the percentages of lung volume receiving lower doses (e.g., V{sub 5} and V{sub 10}) than on the dosimetric parameters related to the PTV and other OARs.« less

Comparison of Physical Activity Adult Questionnaire results with accelerometer data.

PubMed

Garriguet, Didier; Tremblay, Sylvain; Colley, Rachel C

2015-07-01

Discrepancies between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity are well-known. For the purpose of validation, this study compares a new self-reported physical activity questionnaire with an existing one and with accelerometer data. Data collected at one site of the Canadian Health Measures Survey in 2013 were used for this validation study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was administered to respondents during the household interview, and the new Physical Activity for Adults Questionnaire (PAAQ) was administered during a subsequent visit to a mobile examination centre (MEC). At the MEC, respondents were given an accelerometer to wear for seven days. The analysis pertains to 112 respondents aged 18 to 79 who wore the accelerometer for 10 or more hours on at least four days. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by accelerometer had higher correlation with data from the PAAQ (r = 0.44) than with data from the IPAQ (r = 0.20). The differences between accelerometer and PAAQ data were greater based on accelerometer-measured physical activity accumulated in 10-minute bouts (30-minute difference in MVPA) than on all minutes (9-minute difference). The percentages of respondents meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines were 90% based on self-reported IPAQ minutes, 70% based on all accelerometer MVPA minutes, 29% based on accelerometer MVPA minutes accumulated in 10-minute bouts, and 61% based on self-reported PAAQ minutes. The PAAQ demonstrated reasonable validity against the accelerometer criterion. Based on correlations and absolute differences between daily minutes of MVPA and the percentages of respondents meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, PAAQ results were closer to accelerometer data than were the IPAQ results for the study sample and previous Statistics Canada self-reported questionnaire findings.

Endovascular Therapy after Intravenous t-PA versus t-PA Alone for Stroke

PubMed Central

Broderick, Joseph P.; Palesch, Yuko Y.; Demchuk, Andrew M.; Yeatts, Sharon D.; Khatri, Pooja; Hill, Michael D.; Jauch, Edward C.; Jovin, Tudor G.; Yan, Bernard; Silver, Frank L.; von Kummer, Rüdiger; Molina, Carlos A.; Demaerschalk, Bart M.; Budzik, Ronald; Clark, Wayne M.; Zaidat, Osama O.; Malisch, Tim W.; Goyal, Mayank; Schonewille, Wouter J.; Mazighi, Mikael; Engelter, Stefan T.; Anderson, Craig; Spilker, Judith; Carrozzella, Janice; Ryckborst, Karla J.; Janis, L. Scott; Martin, Renée H.; Foster, Lydia D.; Tomsick, Thomas A.

2013-01-01

BACKGROUND Endovascular therapy is increasingly used after the administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for patients with moderate-to-severe acute ischemic stroke, but whether a combined approach is more effective than intravenous t-PA alone is uncertain. METHODS We randomly assigned eligible patients who had received intravenous t-PA within 3 hours after symptom onset to receive additional endovascular therapy or intravenous t-PA alone, in a 2:1 ratio. The primary outcome measure was a modified Rankin scale score of 2 or less (indicating functional independence) at 90 days (scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability). RESULTS The study was stopped early because of futility after 656 participants had undergone randomization (434 patients to endovascular therapy and 222 to intravenous t-PA alone). The proportion of participants with a modified Rankin score of 2 or less at 90 days did not differ significantly according to treatment (40.8% with endovascular therapy and 38.7% with intravenous t-PA; absolute adjusted difference, 1.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −6.1 to 9.1, with adjustment for the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score [8–19, indicating moderately severe stroke, or ≥20, indicating severe stroke]), nor were there significant differences for the predefined subgroups of patients with an NIHSS score of 20 or higher (6.8 percentage points; 95% CI, −4.4 to 18.1) and those with a score of 19 or lower (−1.0 percentage point; 95% CI, −10.8 to 8.8). Findings in the endovascular-therapy and intravenous t-PA groups were similar for mortality at 90 days (19.1% and 21.6%, respectively; P = 0.52) and the proportion of patients with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage within 30 hours after initiation of t-PA (6.2% and 5.9%, respectively; P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS The trial showed similar safety outcomes and no significant difference in functional independence with endovascular therapy after intravenous t-PA, as compared with intravenous t-PA alone. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00359424.) PMID:23390923

The two radii of a charged particle.

PubMed

Michov, B M

1989-01-01

The existence of two radii of each charged particle-a geometric and electrokinetic radii, is supposed. The mathematical relationship between them in the four possible combinations of an ion and its counterion is analyzed: (i) at equal geometric radii and, in absolute values, equal valencies; (ii) at equal geometric radii and, in absolute values, different valencies; (iii) at different geometric radii and, in absolute values, equal valencies; (iv) at different geometric radii and, in absolute values, different valencies. One of the equations worked out can be used to define the relationship between the geometric and electrokinetic radii of a polyion. All the equations are used in working out precise calculations.

Parathyroid Hormone Regulates the Distribution and Osteoclastogenic Potential of Hematopoietic Progenitors in the Bone Marrow

PubMed Central

Jacome-Galarza, Christian E; Lee, Sun-Kyeong; Lorenzo, Joseph A; Aguila, Hector Leonardo

2011-01-01

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases both the number of osteoclast in bone and the number of early hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in bone marrow. We previously characterized the phenotype of multiple populations of bone marrow cells with in vitro osteoclastogenic potential in mice. Here we examined whether intermittent administration of PTH influences these osteoclast progenitor (OCP) populations. C57BL/6 mice were treated with daily injections of bPTH(1–34) (80 μg/kg/day) for 7 or 14 days. We found that PTH caused a significant increase in the percentage of TN/CD115+CD117high and TN/CD115+CD117int cells ( p <.05) in bone marrow on day 7. In contrast, PTH decreased the absolute number of TN/CD115+CD117low cells by 39% on day 7 ( p <.05). On day 14, there was no effect of PTH on osteoclast progenitor distribution in vivo. However, PTH treatment for 7 and 14 days did increase receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)– and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)–stimulated in vitro osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in TN/CD115+ cells. In the periphery, 14 days of treatment increased the percentage and absolute numbers of HSCs (Lin−CD117+Sca-1+) in the spleen ( p <.05). These data correlated with an increase in the percent and absolute numbers of HSCs in bone marrow on day 14 ( p <.05). Interestingly, the effects on hematopoietic progenitors do not depend on osteoclast resorption activity. These results suggest that in vivo PTH treatment increased in vitro osteoclastogenesis and resorption without altering the number of osteoclast precursors. This implies that in vivo PTH induces sustained changes, possibly through an epigenetic mechanism, in the in vitro responsiveness of the cells to M-CSF and RANKL. PMID:21611963

Accuracy evaluation of Fourier series analysis and singular spectrum analysis for predicting the volume of motorcycle sales in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasmita, Yoga; Darmawan, Gumgum

2017-08-01

This research aims to evaluate the performance of forecasting by Fourier Series Analysis (FSA) and Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) which are more explorative and not requiring parametric assumption. Those methods are applied to predicting the volume of motorcycle sales in Indonesia from January 2005 to December 2016 (monthly). Both models are suitable for seasonal and trend component data. Technically, FSA defines time domain as the result of trend and seasonal component in different frequencies which is difficult to identify in the time domain analysis. With the hidden period is 2,918 ≈ 3 and significant model order is 3, FSA model is used to predict testing data. Meanwhile, SSA has two main processes, decomposition and reconstruction. SSA decomposes the time series data into different components. The reconstruction process starts with grouping the decomposition result based on similarity period of each component in trajectory matrix. With the optimum of window length (L = 53) and grouping effect (r = 4), SSA predicting testing data. Forecasting accuracy evaluation is done based on Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The result shows that in the next 12 month, SSA has MAPE = 13.54 percent, MAE = 61,168.43 and RMSE = 75,244.92 and FSA has MAPE = 28.19 percent, MAE = 119,718.43 and RMSE = 142,511.17. Therefore, to predict volume of motorcycle sales in the next period should use SSA method which has better performance based on its accuracy.

HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY IN CAPTIVE WHITE-NAPED CRANES (GRUS VIPIO).

PubMed

Rayhel, Laura; Aitken-Palmer, Copper; Joyner, Priscilla; Cray, Carolyn; Lizárraga, César Andrés; Ackerman, Betty; Crowe, Chris

2015-12-01

In this retrospective study, 36 hematologic and biochemistry samples from white-naped crane (Grus vipio) were analyzed. All birds were housed at a single institution, and samples were obtained between 1990 and 2013. All cranes were healthy at the time of sample collection, and ages ranged from 1 mo to 33 yr old. Cranes below 18 mo old were considered juveniles. Comparisons were made between means for juveniles and adults and for males and females. Significant increases in adults (P < 0.05) were found in the following variables (differences shown in parentheses): packed cell volume (8.3%), mean cell volume (28 fl), monocyte percentage (3.2%), absolute monocyte count (200 × 10³/ml), total solids (1.0 g/dl), albumin (0.5 g/dl), and sodium (3 mM/L). Significant decreases in adults (P < 0.05) were found in phosphorus (1.7 mg/dl), creatine phosphokinase (1,146 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (451 U/L), lactate dehydrogenase (149 U/L), and glucose (25 mg/dl). Results from adult male and female cranes were also compared; calcium levels were higher in females (4.68 mg/dl, P < 0.05). Plasma electrophoresis and radioimmunoassay for bile acids were performed on 25 banked serum or plasma samples; results from juvenile and adult samples were also compared. Significant increases in adult birds were found in total protein (1.2 g/dl, P < 0.05) and in all absolute values for all protein types; however, no difference was found when protein fractions were compared. Bile acids were found to decrease in adults (19.9 μM/L, P < 0.05).

Hollow cathode, quasi-steady MPD arc

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parmentier, N.; Jahn, R. G.

1971-01-01

A quasi-steady MPD accelerator has been operated with four different hollow cathodes over a power range from 5 kilowatts to 5 megawatts. The absolute level of the argon mass flow, as well as the fractional division of the flow between the cathode and the six standard chamber injectors, is varied over a range of 1 to 12 grams per second. For a fixed total current, it is observed that the voltage increases monotonically with mass flow rate, compared to the usual experience with solid cathodes where the voltage decreases with mass flow rate. For a fixed percentage of flow through the cathode, each hollow cathode configuration displays a minimum impedance at a particular value of the total mass flow. It is asserted that in order to keep the discharge inside the hollow cathode the magnetic pressure and gasdynamic pressure have to match inside the cavity.

Improving the Glucose Meter Error Grid With the Taguchi Loss Function.

PubMed

Krouwer, Jan S

2016-07-01

Glucose meters often have similar performance when compared by error grid analysis. This is one reason that other statistics such as mean absolute relative deviation (MARD) are used to further differentiate performance. The problem with MARD is that too much information is lost. But additional information is available within the A zone of an error grid by using the Taguchi loss function. Applying the Taguchi loss function gives each glucose meter difference from reference a value ranging from 0 (no error) to 1 (error reaches the A zone limit). Values are averaged over all data which provides an indication of risk of an incorrect medical decision. This allows one to differentiate glucose meter performance for the common case where meters have a high percentage of values in the A zone and no values beyond the B zone. Examples are provided using simulated data. © 2015 Diabetes Technology Society.

Working times of elastomeric impression materials determined by dimensional accuracy.

PubMed

Tan, E; Chai, J; Wozniak, W T

1996-01-01

The working times of five poly(vinyl siloxane) impression materials were estimated by evaluating the dimensional accuracy of stone dies of impressions of a standard model made at successive time intervals. The stainless steel standard model was represented by two abutments having known distances between landmarks in three dimensions. Three dimensions in the x-, y-, and z-axes of the stone dies were measured with a traveling microscope. A time interval was rejected as being within the working time if the percentage change of the resultant dies, in any dimension, was statistically different from those measured from stone dies from previous time intervals. The absolute dimensions of those dies from the rejected time interval also must have exceeded all those from previous time intervals. Results showed that the working times estimated with this method generally were about 30 seconds longer than those recommended by the manufacturers.

An evaluation of bilateral monitoring of cerebral oxygen saturation during pediatric cardiac surgery.

PubMed

Kussman, Barry D; Wypij, David; DiNardo, James A; Newburger, Jane; Jonas, Richard A; Bartlett, Jodi; McGrath, Ellen; Laussen, Peter C

2005-11-01

Cerebral oximetry is a technique that enables monitoring of regional cerebral oxygenation during cardiac surgery. In this study, we evaluated differences in bi-hemispheric measurement of cerebral oxygen saturation using near-infrared spectroscopy in 62 infants undergoing biventricular repair without aortic arch reconstruction. Left and right regional cerebral oxygen saturation index (rSO2i) were recorded continuously after the induction of anesthesia, and data were analyzed at 12 time points. Baseline rSO2i measurements were left 65 +/- 13 and right 66 +/- 13 (P = 0.17). Mean left and right rSO2i measurements were similar (< or =2 percentage points/absolute scale units) before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass, irrespective of the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Further longitudinal neurological outcome studies are required to determine whether uni- or bi-hemispheric monitoring is required in this patient population.

Prediction of the compression ratio for municipal solid waste using decision tree.

PubMed

Heshmati R, Ali Akbar; Mokhtari, Maryam; Shakiba Rad, Saeed

2014-01-01

The compression ratio of municipal solid waste (MSW) is an essential parameter for evaluation of waste settlement and landfill design. However, no appropriate model has been proposed to estimate the waste compression ratio so far. In this study, a decision tree method was utilized to predict the waste compression ratio (C'c). The tree was constructed using Quinlan's M5 algorithm. A reliable database retrieved from the literature was used to develop a practical model that relates C'c to waste composition and properties, including dry density, dry weight water content, and percentage of biodegradable organic waste using the decision tree method. The performance of the developed model was examined in terms of different statistical criteria, including correlation coefficient, root mean squared error, mean absolute error and mean bias error, recommended by researchers. The obtained results demonstrate that the suggested model is able to evaluate the compression ratio of MSW effectively.

Quiet Eye and Performance in Sport: A Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Lebeau, Jean-Charles; Liu, Sicong; Sáenz-Moncaleano, Camilo; Sanduvete-Chaves, Susana; Chacón-Moscoso, Salvador; Becker, Betsy Jane; Tenenbaum, Gershon

2016-10-01

Research linking the "quiet eye" (QE) period to subsequent performance has not been systematically synthesized. In this paper we review the literature on the link between the two through nonintervention (Synthesis 1) and intervention (Synthesis 2) studies. In the first synthesis, 27 studies with 38 effect sizes resulted in a large mean effect (d = 1.04) reflecting differences between experts' and novices' QE periods, and a moderate effect size (d = 0.58) comparing QE periods for successful and unsuccessful performances within individuals. Studies reporting QE duration as a percentage of the total time revealed a larger mean effect size than studies reporting an absolute duration (in milliseconds). The second synthesis of 9 articles revealed very large effect sizes for both the quiet-eye period (d = 1.53) and performance (d = 0.84). QE also showed some ability to predict performance effects across studies.

Gene expression programming approach for the estimation of moisture ratio in herbal plants drying with vacuum heat pump dryer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dikmen, Erkan; Ayaz, Mahir; Gül, Doğan; Şahin, Arzu Şencan

2017-07-01

The determination of drying behavior of herbal plants is a complex process. In this study, gene expression programming (GEP) model was used to determine drying behavior of herbal plants as fresh sweet basil, parsley and dill leaves. Time and drying temperatures are input parameters for the estimation of moisture ratio of herbal plants. The results of the GEP model are compared with experimental drying data. The statistical values as mean absolute percentage error, root-mean-squared error and R-square are used to calculate the difference between values predicted by the GEP model and the values actually observed from the experimental study. It was found that the results of the GEP model and experimental study are in moderately well agreement. The results have shown that the GEP model can be considered as an efficient modelling technique for the prediction of moisture ratio of herbal plants.

Taxi trips distribution modeling based on Entropy-Maximizing theory: A case study in Harbin city-China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Jinjun; Zhang, Shen; Chen, Xinqiang; Liu, Fang; Zou, Yajie

2018-03-01

Understanding Origin-Destination distribution of taxi trips is very important for improving effects of transportation planning and enhancing quality of taxi services. This study proposes a new method based on Entropy-Maximizing theory to model OD distribution in Harbin city using large-scale taxi GPS trajectories. Firstly, a K-means clustering method is utilized to partition raw pick-up and drop-off location into different zones, and trips are assumed to start from and end at zone centers. A generalized cost function is further defined by considering travel distance, time and fee between each OD pair. GPS data collected from more than 1000 taxis at an interval of 30 s during one month are divided into two parts: data from first twenty days is treated as training dataset and last ten days is taken as testing dataset. The training dataset is used to calibrate model while testing dataset is used to validate model. Furthermore, three indicators, mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean percentage absolute error (MPAE), are applied to evaluate training and testing performance of Entropy-Maximizing model versus Gravity model. The results demonstrate Entropy-Maximizing model is superior to Gravity model. Findings of the study are used to validate the feasibility of OD distribution from taxi GPS data in urban system.

Jasminum sambac flower absolutes from India and China--geographic variations.

PubMed

Braun, Norbert A; Sim, Sherina

2012-05-01

Seven Jasminum sambac flower absolutes from different locations in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Focus was placed on 41 key ingredients to investigate geographic variations in this species. These seven absolutes were compared with an Indian bud absolute and commercially available J. sambac flower absolutes from India and China. All absolutes showed broad variations for the 10 main ingredients between 8% and 96%. In addition, the odor of Indian and Chinese J. sambac flower absolutes were assessed.

A decomposition analysis of change in skilled birth attendants, 2003 to 2008, Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys.

PubMed

Bosomprah, Samuel; Aryeetey, Genevieve Cecelia; Nonvignon, Justice; Adanu, Richard M

2014-12-24

The single most critical intervention to improve maternal and neonatal survival is to ensure that a competent health worker with midwifery skills is present at every birth, and transport is available to a referral facility for obstetric care in case of an emergency. This study aims to describe changes in percentage of skilled birth attendants in Ghana and to identify causes of the observed changes as well as the contribution of different categories of mother's characteristics to these changes. This study uses two successive nationally representative household surveys: the 2003 and 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS). The two datasets have comparable information on household characteristics and skilled attendants at birth at the time of the survey. The 2003 GDHS database includes information on 6,251 households and 3639 live births in the five years preceding the survey, whereas the 2008 GDHS database had information on11, 778 households and 2909 live births in the five years preceding the survey. A decomposition approach was used to explain the observed change in percentage of skilled birth attendants. Random-effects generalized least square regression was used to explore the effect of changes in population structure in respect of the mother's characteristics on percentage of skilled birth attendants over the period. Overall, the data showed absolute gain in the proportion of births attended by a health professional from 47.1% in 2003 to 58.7% in 2008, which represents 21.9% of gap closed to reach universal coverage. The increase in skilled birth attendants was found to be caused by changes in general health behaviour. The gain is regardless of the mother's characteristics. The structural change in the proportion of births in respect of birth order and mother's education had little effect on the change in percentage of skilled birth attendants. Improvement in general health behaviour can potentially contribute to an accelerated increase in proportion of births attended by skilled personnel in Ghana.

Communicating cardiovascular disease risk: an interview study of General Practitioners’ use of absolute risk within tailored communication strategies

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines encourage assessment of absolute CVD risk - the probability of a CVD event within a fixed time period, based on the most predictive risk factors. However, few General Practitioners (GPs) use absolute CVD risk consistently, and communication difficulties have been identified as a barrier to changing practice. This study aimed to explore GPs’ descriptions of their CVD risk communication strategies, including the role of absolute risk. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 25 GPs in New South Wales, Australia. Transcribed audio-recordings were thematically coded, using the Framework Analysis method to ensure rigour. Results GPs used absolute CVD risk within three different communication strategies: ‘positive’, ‘scare tactic’, and ‘indirect’. A ‘positive’ strategy, which aimed to reassure and motivate, was used for patients with low risk, determination to change lifestyle, and some concern about CVD risk. Absolute risk was used to show how they could reduce risk. A ‘scare tactic’ strategy was used for patients with high risk, lack of motivation, and a dismissive attitude. Absolute risk was used to ‘scare’ them into taking action. An ‘indirect’ strategy, where CVD risk was not the main focus, was used for patients with low risk but some lifestyle risk factors, high anxiety, high resistance to change, or difficulty understanding probabilities. Non-quantitative absolute risk formats were found to be helpful in these situations. Conclusions This study demonstrated how GPs use three different communication strategies to address the issue of CVD risk, depending on their perception of patient risk, motivation and anxiety. Absolute risk played a different role within each strategy. Providing GPs with alternative ways of explaining absolute risk, in order to achieve different communication aims, may improve their use of absolute CVD risk assessment in practice. PMID:24885409

Genetic African Ancestry and Markers of Mineral Metabolism in CKD

PubMed Central

Parsa, Afshin; Isakova, Tamara; Scialla, Julia J.; Chen, Jing; Flack, John M.; Nessel, Lisa C.; Gupta, Jayanta; Bellovich, Keith A.; Steigerwalt, Susan; Sondheimer, James H.; Wright, Jackson T.; Feldman, Harold I.; Kusek, John W.; Lash, James P.; Wolf, Myles

2016-01-01

Background and objectives Disorders of mineral metabolism are more common in African Americans with CKD than in European Americans with CKD. Previous studies have focused on the differences in mineral metabolism by self-reported race, making it difficult to delineate the importance of environmental compared with biologic factors. Design, setting, participants, & measurements In a cross-sectional analysis of 3013 participants of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study with complete data, we compared markers of mineral metabolism (phosphorus, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23, and urine calcium and phosphorus excretion) in European Americans versus African Americans and separately, across quartiles of genetic African ancestry in African Americans (n=1490). Results Compared with European Americans, African Americans had higher blood concentrations of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, fibroblast growth factor 23, and parathyroid hormone, lower 24-hour urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus, and lower urinary fractional excretion of calcium and phosphorus at baseline (P<0.001 for all). Among African Americans, a higher percentage of African ancestry was associated with lower 24-hour urinary excretion of phosphorus (Ptrend<0.01) in unadjusted analyses. In linear regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, kidney function, serum phosphorus, and dietary phosphorus intake, higher percentage of African ancestry was significantly associated with lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus excretion (each 10% higher African ancestry was associated with 39.6 mg lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus, P<0.001) and fractional excretion of phosphorus (each 10% higher African ancestry was associated with an absolute 1.1% lower fractional excretion of phosphorus, P=0.01). Conclusions A higher percentage of African ancestry was independently associated with lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus excretion and lower fractional excretion of phosphorus among African Americans with CKD. These findings suggest that genetic variability might contribute to racial differences in urinary phosphorus excretion in CKD. PMID:26912553

Genetic African Ancestry and Markers of Mineral Metabolism in CKD.

PubMed

Gutiérrez, Orlando M; Parsa, Afshin; Isakova, Tamara; Scialla, Julia J; Chen, Jing; Flack, John M; Nessel, Lisa C; Gupta, Jayanta; Bellovich, Keith A; Steigerwalt, Susan; Sondheimer, James H; Wright, Jackson T; Feldman, Harold I; Kusek, John W; Lash, James P; Wolf, Myles

2016-04-07

Disorders of mineral metabolism are more common in African Americans with CKD than in European Americans with CKD. Previous studies have focused on the differences in mineral metabolism by self-reported race, making it difficult to delineate the importance of environmental compared with biologic factors. In a cross-sectional analysis of 3013 participants of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study with complete data, we compared markers of mineral metabolism (phosphorus, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23, and urine calcium and phosphorus excretion) in European Americans versus African Americans and separately, across quartiles of genetic African ancestry in African Americans (n=1490). Compared with European Americans, African Americans had higher blood concentrations of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, fibroblast growth factor 23, and parathyroid hormone, lower 24-hour urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus, and lower urinary fractional excretion of calcium and phosphorus at baseline (P<0.001 for all). Among African Americans, a higher percentage of African ancestry was associated with lower 24-hour urinary excretion of phosphorus (Ptrend<0.01) in unadjusted analyses. In linear regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, kidney function, serum phosphorus, and dietary phosphorus intake, higher percentage of African ancestry was significantly associated with lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus excretion (each 10% higher African ancestry was associated with 39.6 mg lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus, P<0.001) and fractional excretion of phosphorus (each 10% higher African ancestry was associated with an absolute 1.1% lower fractional excretion of phosphorus, P=0.01). A higher percentage of African ancestry was independently associated with lower 24-hour urinary phosphorus excretion and lower fractional excretion of phosphorus among African Americans with CKD. These findings suggest that genetic variability might contribute to racial differences in urinary phosphorus excretion in CKD. Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Statistical variability comparison in MODIS and AERONET derived aerosol optical depth over Indo-Gangetic Plains using time series modeling.

PubMed

Soni, Kirti; Parmar, Kulwinder Singh; Kapoor, Sangeeta; Kumar, Nishant

2016-05-15

A lot of studies in the literature of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) done by using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) derived data, but the accuracy of satellite data in comparison to ground data derived from ARrosol Robotic NETwork (AERONET) has been always questionable. So to overcome from this situation, comparative study of a comprehensive ground based and satellite data for the period of 2001-2012 is modeled. The time series model is used for the accurate prediction of AOD and statistical variability is compared to assess the performance of the model in both cases. Root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), stationary R-squared, R-squared, maximum absolute percentage error (MAPE), normalized Bayesian information criterion (NBIC) and Ljung-Box methods are used to check the applicability and validity of the developed ARIMA models revealing significant precision in the model performance. It was found that, it is possible to predict the AOD by statistical modeling using time series obtained from past data of MODIS and AERONET as input data. Moreover, the result shows that MODIS data can be formed from AERONET data by adding 0.251627 ± 0.133589 and vice-versa by subtracting. From the forecast available for AODs for the next four years (2013-2017) by using the developed ARIMA model, it is concluded that the forecasted ground AOD has increased trend. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling and Predicting the Electrical Conductivity of Composite Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Using Support Vector Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, J. L.; Cai, C. Z.; Xiao, T. T.; Huang, S. J.

2012-07-01

The electrical conductivity of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode is one of the most important indices affecting the efficiency of SOFC. In order to improve the performance of fuel cell system, it is advantageous to have accurate model with which one can predict the electrical conductivity. In this paper, a model utilizing support vector regression (SVR) approach combined with particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for its parameter optimization was established to modeling and predicting the electrical conductivity of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2 O3-δ-xSm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ (BSCF-xSSC) composite cathode under two influence factors, including operating temperature (T) and SSC content (x) in BSCF-xSSC composite cathode. The leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) test result by SVR strongly supports that the generalization ability of SVR model is high enough. The absolute percentage error (APE) of 27 samples does not exceed 0.05%. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of all 30 samples is only 0.09% and the correlation coefficient (R2) as high as 0.999. This investigation suggests that the hybrid PSO-SVR approach may be not only a promising and practical methodology to simulate the properties of fuel cell system, but also a powerful tool to be used for optimal designing or controlling the operating process of a SOFC system.

Effects of healthcare reforms on coverage, access, and disparities: quasi-experimental analysis of evidence from Massachusetts.

PubMed

Pande, Aakanksha H; Ross-Degnan, Dennis; Zaslavsky, Alan M; Salomon, Joshua A

2011-07-01

The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has been controversial. The potential impact of national healthcare reform may be considered using a similar set of state-level reforms including exchanges and a mandate, enacted in 2006 in Massachusetts. To evaluate the effects of reforms on healthcare access, affordability, and disparities. Interrupted time series with comparison series. Longitudinal survey data from 2002 to 2009 from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System including 178,040 nonelderly adults residing in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Analysis was conducted from January to August 2010. Massachusetts 2006 healthcare reform, which included an individual health insurance mandate. Being uninsured, having no personal doctor, and forgoing care because of cost, evaluated in Massachusetts and four comparison states before (2002-2005) and after (2007-2009) the healthcare reform. Effects on disparities defined by race, education, income, and employment also were assessed. Living in Massachusetts in 2009 was associated with a 7.6 percentage point (95% CI=3.9, 11.3) higher probability of being insured; 4.8 percentage point (-0.9, 10.6) lower probability of forgoing care because of cost; and a 6.6 percentage point (1.9, 11.3) higher probability of having a personal doctor, compared to expected levels in the absence of reform, defined by trends in control states and adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The effects of the reform on insurance coverage attenuated from 2008 to 2009. In a socioeconomically disadvantaged group, the reforms had a greater effect in improving outcomes on the absolute but not relative scale. Healthcare reforms in Massachusetts, which included a health insurance mandate, were associated with significant increases in insurance coverage and access. The absolute effects of the reform were greater for disadvantaged populations. This is important evidence to consider as debate over national healthcare reform continues. Copyright © 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of PD-1 expression in the monocyte subsets from non-septic and septic preterm neonates

PubMed Central

Lenart, Marzena; Rutkowska-Zapała, Magdalena; Stec, Małgorzata; Durlak, Wojciech; Grudzień, Andrzej; Krzeczkowska, Agnieszka; Mól, Nina; Pilch, Marta; Siedlar, Maciej; Kwinta, Przemko

2017-01-01

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor system represents a part of recently reported immunoregulatory pathway. PD-1 is an immune checkpoint molecule, which plays an important role in downregulating the immune system proinflammatory activity. Until recently, PD-1 expression was not established on immune cells of the preterm infants. The study objectives were to confirm expression of the PD-1 receptors on the monocytes isolated from very low birth weight newborns (VLBW), and to analyze their expression during the first week of life and late-onset sepsis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 76 VLBW patients without early-onset sepsis on their 5th day of life (DOL). PD-1 expression was determined on the monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, non-classical) by flow cytometry. In case of late-onset sepsis (LOS), the same analysis was performed. Our results demonstrated that on the 5th DOL, PD-1 receptors were present in all the monocyte subsets. Children, whose mothers had received antenatal steroids, presented higher absolute numbers of non-classical monocytes with PD-1 expression. Infants born extremely preterm who later developed LOS, initially showed a lower percentage of PD-1 receptor-positive intermediate monocytes in comparison to neonates born very preterm. During LOS, we observed a rise in the percentage of classical monocytes with PD-1 expression. In case of septic shock or fatal outcome, there was a higher percentage and absolute count of intermediate monocytes with PD-1 expression in comparison to children without these complications. In conclusion, monocytes from VLBW children express PD-1 receptors. Antenatal steroid administration seems to induce PD-1 receptor expression in the non-classical monocytes. PD-1 might play a role in immunosuppressive phase of sepsis in the prematurely born children with septic shock and fatal outcome. PMID:29049359

Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Weight Loss is Dependent on Body Position During Sleep.

PubMed

Joosten, Simon A; Khoo, Jun K; Edwards, Bradley A; Landry, Shane A; Naughton, Matthew T; Dixon, John B; Hamilton, Garun S

2017-05-01

Weight loss fails to resolve obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in most patients; however, it is unknown as to whether weight loss differentially affects OSA in the supine compared with nonsupine sleeping positions. We aimed to determine if weight loss in obese patients with OSA results in a greater reduction in the nonsupine apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) compared with the supine AHI, thus converting participants into supine-predominant OSA. Post hoc analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of weight loss (bariatric surgery vs. medical weight loss) on OSA in 60 participants with obesity (body mass index: >35 and <55) with recently diagnosed (<6 months) OSA and AHI of ≥ 20 events/hour. Patients were randomized to very low calorie diet with regular review (n = 30) or to laproscopic adjustable gastric banding (n = 30) with follow-up sleep study at 2 years. Eight of 37 (22%) patients demonstrated a normal nonsupine AHI (<5 events/hour) on follow-up compared to 0/37 (0%) patients at baseline (p = .003). These patients were younger (40.0 ± 9.6 years vs. 48.4 ± 6.5 years, p = .007) and lost significantly more weight (percentage weight change -23.0 [-21.0 to -31.6]% vs. -6.9 [1.9 to -17.4], p = .001). The percentage change in nonsupine AHI was greater than the percentage change in supine AHI (-54.0 [-15.4 to -87.9]% vs -33.1 [-1.8 to -69.1]%, p = .05). However, the change in absolute nonsupine AHI was not related to change in absolute supine AHI (p = .23). Following weight loss, a significant proportion (22%) of patients with obesity have normalization of the nonsupine AHI. For these patients, supine sleep avoidance may cure their OSA. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Fingerprints of flower absolutes using supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated with high resolution mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Santerre, Cyrille; Vallet, Nadine; Touboul, David

2018-06-02

Supercritical fluid chromatography hyphenated with high resolution mass spectrometry (SFC-HRMS) was developed for fingerprint analysis of different flower absolutes commonly used in cosmetics field, especially in perfumes. Supercritical fluid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (SFC-APPI-HRMS) technique was employed to identify the components of the fingerprint. The samples were separated with a porous graphitic carbon (PGC) Hypercarb™ column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) by gradient elution using supercritical CO 2 and ethanol (0.0-20.0 min (2-30% B), 20.0-25.0 min (30% B), 25.0-26.0 min (30-2% B) and 26.0-30.0 min (2% B)) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. In order to compare the SFC fingerprints between five different flower absolutes: Jasminum grandiflorum absolutes, Jasminum sambac absolutes, Narcissus jonquilla absolutes, Narcissus poeticus absolutes, Lavandula angustifolia absolutes from different suppliers and batches, the chemometric procedure including principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to classify the samples according to their genus and their species. Consistent results were obtained to show that samples could be successfully discriminated. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Left ventricular systolic function assessed by echocardiography in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin alone or in combination with dexrazoxane.

PubMed

de Matos Neto, Ranulfo Pinheiro; Petrilli, Antônio Sérgio; Silva, Célia Maria Campos; Campos Filho, Orlando; Oporto, Victor Manuel; Gomes, Lourdes de Fátima Gonçalves; Paiva, Marcelo Goulart; Carvalho, Antônio Carlos Camargo; Moisés, Valdir Ambrósio

2006-12-01

To evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic function by means of echocardiography in patients with osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin alone or in combination with dexrazoxane. The study analyzed 55 patients with osteosarcoma, with or without metastasis, undergoing a six-cycle chemotherapy regimen of doxorubicin, who were divided into two groups according to dexrazoxane use. Group I: Thirty-seven patients who did not receive dexrazoxane (28 males, average age 15.4 years). Group II: Eighteen patients who did receive dexrazoxane (15 males, average age 15.1 years). Four echocardiographic evaluations were performed: 1) before the beginning of the chemotherapy (initial evaluation); 2) up to two weeks after the third cycle; 3) up to two weeks after the fifth cycle; and 4) up to four weeks after the sixth cycle of chemotherapy (final evaluation). The left ventricular systolic function was assessed by the fractional percentage of systolic shortening (FS%) on echocardiography. Alterations in the contractile function or cardiac toxicity were defined as FS% values equal to or lower than 29%, and/or by a drop in FS% by an absolute value equal to or greater than 10 units of the baseline value of each patient. No significant difference as to age, gender, and race was observed between the groups. The cumulative dose of doxorubicin was significantly higher in group II throughout all phases of the treatment: 174 x 203 mg/m(2); 292 x 338 mg/m(2) and 345 x 405 mg/(2) (p < 0.0001). According to previously established criteria, the incidence of LV systolic dysfunction was not significantly different (p=0.248) between patients in group I (18.92%) and patients in group II (11.1%). The variance analysis with repeated measurements did not show significant differences in the means of fractional percentage of systolic percentage (FS%) throughout the study (p=0.967). However, a significant difference (p=0.029) was observed between the FS% means in groups I and II at evaluations 2 (35.67 x 37.21%), 3 (34.95 x 38.47%) and 4 (35.26 x 38.22%). Data in this study show that in patients with osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin alone or combined with dexrazoxane, the LV systolic function, as assessed by the fractional percentage of systolic shortening mean, showed a better performance in the group that received dexrazoxane. On the other hand, the occurrence of systolic dysfunction was similar in both groups.

Combined use of rapamycin and leflunomide in prevention of acute cardiac allografts rejection in rats.

PubMed

Sun, Yan; Chen, Xi; Zhao, Jiabin; Zou, Xiaoming; Li, Gang; Li, Xiaolin; Shen, Bin; Sun, Shibo

2012-08-01

This study aimed to evaluate the role of combined use of rapamycin and leflunomide(Lef) on the prevention of acute allograft rejection in rats. After cardiac transplantations, rats were randomly divided into untreated group, rapamycin group, Lef group and rapamycin+Lef group. The drugs were given by gavage from day 0 to day 9 after transplantations. Graft survival time was observed. Some grafts were harvested for histopathological investigation on day 10 after transplantations. The levels of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes and the concentrations of interleukin 2(IL-2) and interferon (IFN)γ in peripheral blood were examined on day 10 after transplantations. At the same time, the body weight, the hepatic function, renal function and the haemoglobin of the recipients were also examined. The graft survival time of untreated group was 7.14 ± 1.07 days. Rapamycin group was 11.14 ± 1.35 days. Lef group was 11.29 ± 1.80 days. While in rapamycin+Lef group, the graft survival time was prolonged to 13.86 ± 1.57 days(P<0.05). Histological changes of the allografts in rapamycin+Lef group were much milder than either of the two single drug groups. The absolute number and the percentage of CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes in peripheral blood in rapamycin+Lef group were lower than those of rapamycin or Lef group on day 10 after transplantations(P<0.05), while the percentage of CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes in rapamycin+Lef group was higher than that of rapamycin or Lef group(P<0.05). The absolute number of CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes was not significantly different among rapamycin group, Lef group and rapamycin+Lef group. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in rapamycin+Lef group were significantly lower than that of rapamycin group or Lef group(P<0.05). The body weight, the hepatic function, renal function and the haemoglobin were not significantly different among rapamycin group, Lef group and rapamycin+Lef group (P>0.05). Combined use of rapamycin and Lef had better effect on the prevention of acute cardiac allografts rejection in rats than monotherapy. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Registry-based Study of Trends in Breast Cancer Screening Mammography before and after the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

PubMed Central

Bolton, Kenyon C.; Mace, John L.; Herschorn, Sally D.; James, Ted A.; Vacek, Pamela M.; Weaver, Donald L.; Geller, Berta M.

2014-01-01

Purpose To determine whether the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for breast cancer mammography screening were followed by changes in screening utilization in the state of Vermont. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was HIPAA compliant and approved by the institutional review board, with waiver of informed consent. Trends in screening mammography utilization during 1997–2011 were examined among approximately 150 000 women aged 40 years and older in the state of Vermont using statewide mammography registry data. Results The percentage of Vermont women aged 40 years and older screened in the past year declined from 45.3% in 2009% to 41.6% in 2011 (an absolute decrease of −3.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.3, −4.1). The largest decline in utilization was among women aged 40–49 years (−4.8 percentage points; 95% CI: −4.1, −5.4), although substantial declines were also observed among women aged 50–74 years (−3.0 percentage points; 95% CI: −2.6, −3.5) and women aged 75 years and older (−3.1 percentage points; 95% CI: −2.3, −4.0). The percentage of women aged 50–74 years screened within the past 2 years declined by −3.4 percentage points (95% CI: −3.0, −3.9) from 65.4% in 2009 to 61.9% in 2011. Conclusion After years of increasing screening mammography utilization in Vermont, there was a decline in screening, which coincided with the release of the 2009 USPSTF recommendations. The age-specific patterns in utilization were generally consistent with the USPSTF recommendations, although there was also evidence that the percentage of women aged 50–74 years screened in the past 2 years declined since 2009. © RSNA, 2013 PMID:24072778

Cold-air performance of compressor-drive turbine of department of energy upgraded automobile gas turbine engine. 3: Performance of redesigned turbine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roelke, R. J.; Haas, J. E.

1984-01-01

The aerodynamic performance of a redesigned compressor drive turbine of the gas turbine engine is determined in air at nominal inlet conditions of 325 K and 0.8 bar absolute. The turbine is designed with a lower flow factor, higher rotor reaction and a redesigned inlet volute compared to the first turbine. Comparisons between this turbine and the originally designed turbine show about 2.3 percentage points improvement in efficiency at the same rotor tip clearance. Two versions of the same rotor are tested: (1) an as cast rotor, and (2) the same rotor with reduced surface roughness. The effect of reducing surface roughness is about one half percentage point improvement in efficiency. Tests made to determine the effect of Reynolds number on the turbine performance show no effect for the range from 100,000 to 500,000.

Solvent relaxation of fluorescent labels as a new tool for the detection of polarity and rigidity changes in membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hof, Martin; Hutterer, Rudi

1998-04-01

Since solvent relaxation (SR) exclusively depends on the physical properties of the dye environment, SR spectroscopy of defined located labels in amphiphilic assemblies accomplishes the characterisation of specific domains. The most accurate way to characterise SR is the determination of the time-dependent Stokes shift. The time course of the Stokes shift, expressed as a solvent relaxation time, gives information about both the rigidity and polarity of the dye environment. The absolute value of the Stokes shift following the excitation is correlated with the polarity of the probed region. The validity of this approach for the investigation of phospholipid bilayers is illustrated by listing the parameters influencing the SR kinetics of appropriate membrane labels: membrane curvature, percentage of phosphatidylserine (PS) in small unilamell vesicles (SUV), addition of Ca2+ ions, binding of vitamin-K dependent proteins, percentage of diether-lipids in phosphatidylcholine (PC)-vesicles, and temperature.

Kinetics of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) in SIV-infected macaques

PubMed Central

Ahsan, Muhammad H.; Gill, Amy F.; Alvarez, Xavier; Lackner, Andrew A.; Veazey, Ronald S.

2013-01-01

Since the liver drains antigens from the intestinal tract, and since the intestinal tract is a major site of viral replication, we examined the dynamics of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) throughout SIV infection. Absolute numbers of Kupffer cells increased in the livers in acute infection, and in animals with AIDS. Significantly higher percentages of proliferating (BrdU+) Kupffer cells were detected in acute infection and in AIDS with similar trends in blood monocytes. Significantly higher percentages of apoptotic (AC3+) Kupffer cells were also found in acute and AIDS stages. However, productively infected cells were not detected in liver of 41/42 animals examined, despite abundant infected cells in gut and lymph nodes of all animals. Increased rates of Kupffer cell proliferation resulting in an increase in Kupffer cells without productive infection indicate SIV infection affects Kupffer cells, but the liver does not appear to be a major site of productive viral replication. PMID:24074569

Empirical ocean color algorithms and bio-optical properties of the western coastal waters of Svalbard, Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Young-Sun; Kim, Hyun-cheol

2018-05-01

Chlorophyll (Chl) concentration is one of the key indicators identifying changes in the Arctic marine ecosystem. However, current Chl algorithms are not accurate in the Arctic Ocean due to different bio-optical properties from those in the lower latitude oceans. In this study, we evaluated the current Chl algorithms and analyzed the cause of the error in the western coastal waters of Svalbard, which are known to be sensitive to climate change. The NASA standard algorithms showed to overestimate the Chl concentration in the region. This was due to the high non-algal particles (NAP) absorption and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) variability at the blue wavelength. In addition, at lower Chl concentrations (0.1-0.3 mg m-3), chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficients were ∼2.3 times higher than those of other Arctic oceans. This was another reason for the overestimation of Chl concentration. OC4 algorithm-based regionally tuned-Svalbard Chl (SC4) algorithm for retrieving more accurate Chl estimates reduced the mean absolute percentage difference (APD) error from 215% to 49%, the mean relative percentage difference (RPD) error from 212% to 16%, and the normalized root mean square (RMS) error from 211% to 68%. This region has abundant suspended matter due to the melting of tidal glaciers. We evaluated the performance of total suspended matter (TSM) algorithms. Previous published TSM algorithms generally overestimated the TSM concentration in this region. The Svalbard TSM-single band algorithm for low TSM range (ST-SB-L) decreased the APD and RPD errors by 52% and 14%, respectively, but the RMS error still remained high (105%).

Pituitary-gonadal hormones during prolonged residency in Antarctica.

PubMed

Sawhney, R C; Malhotra, A S; Prasad, R; Pal, K; Kumar, R; Bajaj, A C

1998-08-01

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone levels were measured in nine eugonadal men in New Delhi and during the 1st week of different months of their stay at Dakshin Gangotri in Antarctica. During their 12-month stay in Antarctica, they were exposed to a severely cold climate, long polar nights and polar days, high wind velocity, increased amounts of solar and ultraviolet radiation and geomagnetism, as well as physical and social isolation. Plasma testosterone tended to increase in March, but a significant increase (P < 0.05) was not seen until April. The mean testosterone levels in May, June, September and November were also significantly higher than the March or New Delhi values. The absolute values of LH, FSH and PRL did not show any month-to-month changes in Antarctica. However, when the hormone levels were expressed as a percentage of the individual annual Antarctic mean, significant differences as a percentage of the individual annual Antarctic mean, significant differences were observed. The testosterone peak in April, May and June was associated with an increase in LH. The nadirs of testosterone, LH, FSH and PRL were seen in either July or August. FSH showed the highest values in March, whereas the highest PRL values were seen in November. These observations suggest the presence of circannual variations in gonadotropin, PRL and LH in Antarctica which are independent of polar days and polar nights. It appears that factors other than the duration of daylight might be involved in regulating these changes. The significance of maintenance of testosterone levels in the supra-physiological range in Antarctica remains unknown but may be important in acclimatization/habituation to the extreme polar cold by increasing basal metabolic rate, protein synthesis and erythropoiesis.

Poster — Thur Eve — 58: Dosimetric validation of electronic compensation for radiotherapy treatment planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gräfe, James; Khan, Rao; Meyer, Tyler

2014-08-15

In this study we investigate the deliverability of dosimetric plans generated by the irregular surface compensator (ISCOMP) algorithm for 6 MV photon beams in Eclipse (Varian Medical System, CA). In contrast to physical tissue compensation, the electronic ISCOMP uses MLCs to dynamically modulate the fluence of a photon beam in order to deliver a uniform dose at a user defined plane in tissue. This method can be used to shield critical organs that are located within the treatment portal or improve dose uniformity by tissue compensation in inhomogeneous regions. Three site specific plans and a set of test fields weremore » evaluated using the γ-metric of 3%/ 3 mm on Varian EPID, MapCHECK, and Gafchromic EBT3 film with a clinical tolerance of >95% passing rates. Point dose measurements with an NRCC calibrated ionization chamber were also performed to verify the absolute dose delivered. In all cases the MapCHECK measured plans met the gamma criteria. The mean passing rate for the six EBT3 film field measurements was 96.2%, with only two fields at 93.4 and 94.0% passing rates. The EPID plans passed for fields encompassing the central ∼10 × 10 cm{sup 2} region of the detector; however for larger fields and greater off-axis distances discrepancies were observed and attributed to the profile corrections and modeling of backscatter in the portal dose calculation. The magnitude of the average percentage difference for 21 ion chamber point dose measurements and 17 different fields was 1.4 ± 0.9%, and the maximum percentage difference was −3.3%. These measurements qualify the algorithm for routine clinical use subject to the same pre-treatment patient specific QA as IMRT.« less

Patient characteristics and factors associated with inter-arm difference of blood pressure measurements in a general population in Ohasama, Japan.

PubMed

Kimura, Atsushi; Hashimoto, Junichiro; Watabe, Daisuke; Takahashi, Hisaki; Ohkubo, Takayoshi; Kikuya, Masahiro; Imai, Yutaka

2004-12-01

To assess whether there is a natural difference in blood pressure (BP) measurements between the right and left arms, and to identify what factors are associated with this difference in a general population. The study subjects were 1090 individuals who participated in a medical check-up in Ohasama, Japan. The BP was measured simultaneously in both arms, using an automated device. The inter-arm BP difference was expressed as the relative difference [right-arm BP (R) minus left-arm BP (L): R - L] and the absolute difference (|R - L|). The relationship between inter-arm difference and various factors was analyzed using univariate analysis. The characteristics of subjects in whom the absolute systolic BP (SBP) difference was greater than 10 mmHg were analyzed using multivariate logistic analysis. The relative differences in SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) were -0.6 +/- 6.6 (mean +/- SD) and 1.1 +/- 4.7 mmHg, while the absolute differences were 4.9 +/- 4.4 and 3.7 +/- 3.0 mmHg. The absolute SBP difference was found to correlate significantly with age, body mass index, ankle-brachial index (ABI), and hypertension. Subjects with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and low ABI had a significant and independent increase in the risk of an absolute SBP difference greater than 10 mmHg. The results suggest that there is considerable difference in the measured BP in the right and left arms and that large differences in the absolute SBP are associated with risk factors for arteriosclerosis such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, metabolic abnormalities and low ABI.

Pulmonary emphysema is a predictor of pneumothorax after CT-guided transthoracic pulmonary biopsies of pulmonary nodules.

PubMed

Lendeckel, Derik; Kromrey, Marie-Luise; Ittermann, Till; Schäfer, Sophia; Mensel, Birger; Kühn, Jens-Peter

2017-01-01

Pneumothoraces are the most frequently occurring complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic pulmonary biopsies (PTPB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-diagnostic lung emphysema on the incidence and extent of pneumothoraces and to establish a risk stratification for the evaluation of the pre-procedure complication probability. CT-guided PTPB of 100 pre-selected patients (mean age 67.1±12.8 years) were retrospectively enrolled from a single center database of 235 PTPB performed between 2012-2014. Patients were grouped according to pneumothorax appearance directly after PTPB (group I: without pneumothorax, n = 50; group II: with pneumothorax, n = 50). Group II was further divided according to post-interventional treatment (group IIa: chest tube placement, n = 24; group IIb: conservative therapy, n = 26). For each patient pre-diagnostic percentage of emphysema was quantified using CT density analysis. Emphysema stages were compared between groups using bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Emphysema percentage was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-interventional pneumothorax (p = 0.006). Adjusted for potential confounders (age, gender, lesion size and length of interventional pathway) the study yielded an OR of 1.07 (p = 0.042). Absolute risk of pneumothorax increased from 43.4% at an emphysema rate of 5% to 73.8% at 25%. No differences could be seen in patients with pneumothorax between percentage of emphysema and mode of therapy (p = 0.721). The rate of lung emphysema is proportionally related to the incidence of pneumothorax after CT-guided PTPB and allows pre-interventional risk stratification. There is no association between stage of emphysema and post-interventional requirement of chest tube placement.

Pulmonary emphysema is a predictor of pneumothorax after CT-guided transthoracic pulmonary biopsies of pulmonary nodules

PubMed Central

Lendeckel, Derik; Kromrey, Marie-Luise; Ittermann, Till; Schäfer, Sophia; Mensel, Birger; Kühn, Jens-Peter

2017-01-01

Purpose Pneumothoraces are the most frequently occurring complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic pulmonary biopsies (PTPB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-diagnostic lung emphysema on the incidence and extent of pneumothoraces and to establish a risk stratification for the evaluation of the pre-procedure complication probability. Material and methods CT-guided PTPB of 100 pre-selected patients (mean age 67.1±12.8 years) were retrospectively enrolled from a single center database of 235 PTPB performed between 2012–2014. Patients were grouped according to pneumothorax appearance directly after PTPB (group I: without pneumothorax, n = 50; group II: with pneumothorax, n = 50). Group II was further divided according to post-interventional treatment (group IIa: chest tube placement, n = 24; group IIb: conservative therapy, n = 26). For each patient pre-diagnostic percentage of emphysema was quantified using CT density analysis. Emphysema stages were compared between groups using bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results Emphysema percentage was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-interventional pneumothorax (p = 0.006). Adjusted for potential confounders (age, gender, lesion size and length of interventional pathway) the study yielded an OR of 1.07 (p = 0.042). Absolute risk of pneumothorax increased from 43.4% at an emphysema rate of 5% to 73.8% at 25%. No differences could be seen in patients with pneumothorax between percentage of emphysema and mode of therapy (p = 0.721). Conclusion The rate of lung emphysema is proportionally related to the incidence of pneumothorax after CT-guided PTPB and allows pre-interventional risk stratification. There is no association between stage of emphysema and post-interventional requirement of chest tube placement. PMID:28574995

Quality of life research in neuro-oncology: a quantitative comparison.

PubMed

Klein, Elizabeth; Altshuler, David; Hallock, Abhirami; Szerlip, Nicholas

2014-01-01

Our understanding of the biology of neuro-oncologic disease has improved vastly over time, however overall patient survival remains relatively poor. Our goal as clinicians, therefore, should be to ensure that the quality of life (QOL) in that survival time is optimized. Here we review neuro-oncology QOL abstracts presented at major oncology conferences and the published literature to make a quantitative comparison to other common cancer subtypes. First, all abstracts presented at major oncology meetings from 2008 to 2012 were reviewed and filtered to find those related to QOL in CNS, breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Next, a Medline search was performed to identify all QOL papers published from 2003 to 2012 for the same cancer subtypes. The results were compared as absolute values and percentages. The average percentage of CNS QOL-related abstracts presented at ASCO and ASTRO over the last 5 years was 4.9 %, compared to 6.4 % for breast, 4.4 % for lung, and 6.1 % for prostate. There is a significant difference in total percentage of QOL abstracts over the time period when comparing CNS to breast and prostate, but not lung (p < 0.05). The Medline search revealed an average of 25.2 publications per year for CNS cancer, compared to 146.2 for breast, 39.3 for lung, and 64.2 for prostate. When looking at trends over time, publications in CNS cancer have not been as prolific and have not increased as rapidly as publications in breast and lung cancer, indicating that QOL is underrepresented in neuro-oncology research. We need to improve this by standardizing QOL measures and including them in every outcome study.

Have First-Year Emergency Medicine Residents Achieved Level 1 on Care-Based Milestones?

PubMed Central

Weizberg, Moshe; Bond, Michael C.; Cassara, Michael; Doty, Christopher; Seamon, Jason

2015-01-01

Background Residents in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited emergency medicine (EM) residencies were assessed on 23 educational milestones to capture their progression from medical student level (Level 1) to that of an EM attending physician (Level 5). Level 1 was conceptualized to be at the level of an incoming postgraduate year (PGY)-1 resident; however, this has not been confirmed. Objectives Our primary objective in this study was to assess incoming PGY-1 residents to determine what percentage achieved Level 1 for the 8 emergency department (ED) patient care–based milestones (PC 1–8), as assessed by faculty. Secondary objectives involved assessing what percentage of residents had achieved Level 1 as assessed by themselves, and finally, we calculated the absolute differences between self- and faculty assessments. Methods Incoming PGY-1 residents at 4 EM residencies were assessed by faculty and themselves during their first month of residency. Performance anchors were adapted from ACGME milestones. Results Forty-one residents from 4 programs were included. The percentage of residents who achieved Level 1 for each subcompetency on faculty assessment ranged from 20% to 73%, and on self-assessment from 34% to 92%. The majority did not achieve Level 1 on faculty assessment of milestones PC-2, PC-3, PC-5a, and PC-6, and on self-assessment of PC-3 and PC-5a. Self-assessment was higher than faculty assessment for PC-2, PC-5b, and PC-6. Conclusions Less than 75% of PGY-1 residents achieved Level 1 for ED care-based milestones. The majority did not achieve Level 1 on 4 milestones. Self-assessments were higher than faculty assessments for several milestones. PMID:26692971

Inter-Rater Agreement of Auscultation, Palpable Fremitus, and Ventilator Waveform Sawtooth Patterns Between Clinicians.

PubMed

Berry, Marc P; Martí, Joan-Daniel; Ntoumenopoulos, George

2016-10-01

Clinicians often use numerous bedside assessments for secretion retention in participants who are receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to evaluate inter-rater agreement between clinicians when using standard clinical assessments of secretion retention and whether differences in clinician experience influenced inter-rater agreement. Seventy-one mechanically ventilated participants were assessed by a research clinician and by one of 13 ICU clinicians. Each clinician conducted a standardized assessment of lung auscultation, palpation for chest-wall (rhonchal) fremitus, and ventilator inspiratory/expiratory flow-time waveforms for the sawtooth pattern. On the presence of breath sounds, agreement ranged from absolute to moderate in the upper zones and the lower zones, respectively. Kappa values for abnormal and adventitious lung sounds achieved moderate agreement in the upper zones, less than chance agreement to substantial agreement in the middle zones, and moderate agreement to almost perfect agreement in the lower zones. Moderate to almost perfect agreement was established for palpable fremitus in the upper zones, moderate to substantial agreement in the middle zones, and less than chance to moderate agreement in the lower zones. Inter-rater agreement on the presence of expiratory sawtooth pattern identification showed moderate agreement. The level of percentage agreement between the research and ICU clinicians for each respiratory assessment studied did not relate directly to level of clinical experience. Inter-rater agreement for all assessments showed variability between lung regions but maintained reasonable percentage agreement in mechanically ventilated participants. The level of percentage agreement achieved between clinicians did not directly relate to clinical experience for all respiratory assessments. Therefore, these respiratory assessments should not necessarily be viewed in isolation but interpreted within the context of a full clinical assessment. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Effects of Partner's Improvisational Resistance Training on dancers' muscular strength.

PubMed

Vetter, Rheba E; Dorgo, Sandor

2009-05-01

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Partner's Improvisational Resistance Training (PIRT) on muscular strength, body circumference, and body fat percentage in 10 female college-age dancers in comparison with 8 female dancers in a control group. The PIRT program, based on the concepts of manual resistance training, is the application of contact improvisation in a systematic strength development program, which proposes a way of contextualizing muscular strength development within the dance class. The program lasted 8 weeks, meeting 3 times weekly for 60-minute sessions. The muscular strength pre- and posttests included 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for leg extension, leg flexion, leg press, bench press, lat pulldown, back extension, and modified sit-up. Hydrostatic weighing for body composition and circumference measures on the waist, hip, shoulder, upper arm, and thigh were made pre- and posttest analyses. There were no significant pretest differences between the groups for age, height, body weight, body fat percentage, any of the circumference measures, or 5 of the 7 muscular strength measures. At posttest, neither group showed significant changes in total body weight, body fat percentage, or lean body weight. The experimental group showed significant decrements in the waist and hip circumference measures, and all other body circumference changes were nonsignificant. The experimental group showed significant changes from pretest to posttest for all seven 1RM strength measures and greater absolute and relative strength improvements in 5 measures compared with the control group. Thus, the 8-week PIRT program for female dancers was found effective in improving overall muscular strength and decreasing circumference in the waist-hip region, but it did not elicit significant changes in body composition.

Azithromycin versus Doxycycline for Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

PubMed

Geisler, William M; Uniyal, Apurva; Lee, Jeannette Y; Lensing, Shelly Y; Johnson, Shacondra; Perry, Raymond C W; Kadrnka, Carmel M; Kerndt, Peter R

2015-12-24

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains prevalent and causes substantial reproductive morbidity. Recent studies have raised concern about the efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection. We conducted a randomized trial comparing oral azithromycin with doxycycline for the treatment of urogenital chlamydia infection among adolescents in youth correctional facilities, to evaluate the noninferiority of azithromycin (1 g in one dose) to doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days). The treatment was directly observed. The primary end point was treatment failure at 28 days after treatment initiation, with treatment failure determined on the basis of nucleic acid amplification testing, sexual history, and outer membrane protein A (OmpA) genotyping of C. trachomatis strains. Among the 567 participants enrolled, 284 were randomly assigned to receive azithromycin, and 283 were randomly assigned to receive doxycycline. A total of 155 participants in each treatment group (65% male) made up the per-protocol population. There were no treatment failures in the doxycycline group. In the azithromycin group, treatment failure occurred in 5 participants (3.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 7.4%). The observed difference in failure rates between the treatment groups was 3.2 percentage points, with an upper boundary of the 90% confidence interval of 5.9 percentage points, which exceeded the prespecified absolute 5-percentage-point cutoff for establishing the noninferiority of azithromycin. In the context of a closed population receiving directly observed treatment for urogenital chlamydia infection, the efficacy of azithromycin was 97%, and the efficacy of doxycycline was 100%. The noninferiority of azithromycin was not established in this setting. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00980148.).

Neural Sensitivity to Absolute and Relative Anticipated Reward in Adolescents

PubMed Central

Vaidya, Jatin G.; Knutson, Brian; O'Leary, Daniel S.; Block, Robert I.; Magnotta, Vincent

2013-01-01

Adolescence is associated with a dramatic increase in risky and impulsive behaviors that have been attributed to developmental differences in neural processing of rewards. In the present study, we sought to identify age differences in anticipation of absolute and relative rewards. To do so, we modified a commonly used monetary incentive delay (MID) task in order to examine brain activity to relative anticipated reward value (neural sensitivity to the value of a reward as a function of other available rewards). This design also made it possible to examine developmental differences in brain activation to absolute anticipated reward magnitude (the degree to which neural activity increases with increasing reward magnitude). While undergoing fMRI, 18 adolescents and 18 adult participants were presented with cues associated with different reward magnitudes. After the cue, participants responded to a target to win money on that trial. Presentation of cues was blocked such that two reward cues associated with $.20, $1.00, or $5.00 were in play on a given block. Thus, the relative value of the $1.00 reward varied depending on whether it was paired with a smaller or larger reward. Reflecting age differences in neural responses to relative anticipated reward (i.e., reference dependent processing), adults, but not adolescents, demonstrated greater activity to a $1 reward when it was the larger of the two available rewards. Adults also demonstrated a more linear increase in ventral striatal activity as a function of increasing absolute reward magnitude compared to adolescents. Additionally, reduced ventral striatal sensitivity to absolute anticipated reward (i.e., the difference in activity to medium versus small rewards) correlated with higher levels of trait Impulsivity. Thus, ventral striatal activity in anticipation of absolute and relative rewards develops with age. Absolute reward processing is also linked to individual differences in Impulsivity. PMID:23544046

Nucleated erythrocytes in blood smears of dogs undergoing chemotherapy.

PubMed

Moretti, P; Giordano, A; Stefanello, D; Ferrari, R; Castellano, S; Paltrinieri, S

2017-03-01

The frequency of normoblastemia in dogs receiving chemotherapy is unknown. To provide this information, we calculated the percentage and number of nucleated erythrocytes (nRBCs) in blood of dogs treated for lymphoma (n = 284), mast cell tumour (n = 40) or carcinoma (n = 46). Relative normoblastemia (>1 or >5%) and absolute normoblastemia (>0.1 or >0.4 × 10 3  µL -1 ) were found after administration of vincristine (49.3, 20.5, 42.5, 19.2%, respectively), carboplatin (37.0, 2.2, 34.8, 13.0%), cyclophosphamide (30.8, 7.7, 23.1, 7.7%), doxorubicin (25.0, 8.3, 21.7, 6.7%), vinblastine and prednisone (25.0; 5.0; 22.5; 7.5%). Absolute normoblastemia was very severe (>1.0 × 10 3 nRBC µL -1 ) after administration of vincristine (9.6%), doxorubicin (3.3%), vinblastine and prednisone (2.5%). Absolute normoblastemia negatively correlated with RBC counts (P < 0.001) and positively (P < 0.001) with reticulocyte and WBC counts, but correlation coefficients were low (-0.19, 0.37, 0.15). Vincristine, doxorubicin or vinblastine and prednisone may induce severe normoblastemia. This may increase WBC counts and mask neutropenia associated with chemotherapy. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Characterization of 3-Aminopropyl Oligosilsesquioxane.

PubMed

Dimzon, Ian Ken D; Frömel, Tobias; Knepper, Thomas P

2016-05-03

The synthesis routes in the production of polysilsesquioxanes have largely relied upon in situ formations. This perspective often leads to polymers in which their basic structures including molecular weight and functionality are unknown [ Lichtenhan , J. D. ; et al. Silsesquioxane-siloxane copolymers from polyhedral silsesquioxanes Macromolecules , 1993 , 26 , 2141 - 2142 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ma0060a053 ]. For a better understanding of the polysilsesquioxane properties and applications, there is a need to develop more techniques to enable their chemical characterization. An innovative method was developed to determine the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of an oligosilsesquioxane synthesized in-house from (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. This method, which can be applied to other silsesquioxanes, siloxanes, and similar oligomers and polymers, involved separation using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and detection using mass spectrometry (MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). The novelty of the method lies on the unique determination of the absolute concentrations of the individual homologues present in the sample formulation. The use of absolute concentrations is necessary in estimating the MWD of the formulation when relative percentage, which is based solely on mass spectral ion intensities, becomes irrelevant due to the disproportionate response factors of the homologues. Determination of absolute concentration requires the use of single-homologue calibration standards. Because of commercial unavailability, these standards were prepared by efficient fractionation of the original formulation.

Inverse Monte Carlo in a multilayered tissue model: merging diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry.

PubMed

Fredriksson, Ingemar; Burdakov, Oleg; Larsson, Marcus; Strömberg, Tomas

2013-12-01

The tissue fraction of red blood cells (RBCs) and their oxygenation and speed-resolved perfusion are estimated in absolute units by combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The DRS spectra (450 to 850 nm) are assessed at two source-detector separations (0.4 and 1.2 mm), allowing for a relative calibration routine, whereas LDF spectra are assessed at 1.2 mm in the same fiber-optic probe. Data are analyzed using nonlinear optimization in an inverse Monte Carlo technique by applying an adaptive multilayered tissue model based on geometrical, scattering, and absorbing properties, as well as RBC flow-speed information. Simulations of 250 tissue-like models including up to 2000 individual blood vessels were used to evaluate the method. The absolute root mean square (RMS) deviation between estimated and true oxygenation was 4.1 percentage units, whereas the relative RMS deviations for the RBC tissue fraction and perfusion were 19% and 23%, respectively. Examples of in vivo measurements on forearm and foot during common provocations are presented. The method offers several advantages such as simultaneous quantification of RBC tissue fraction and oxygenation and perfusion from the same, predictable, sampling volume. The perfusion estimate is speed resolved, absolute (% RBC×mm/s), and more accurate due to the combination with DRS.

Inverse Monte Carlo in a multilayered tissue model: merging diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fredriksson, Ingemar; Burdakov, Oleg; Larsson, Marcus; Strömberg, Tomas

2013-12-01

The tissue fraction of red blood cells (RBCs) and their oxygenation and speed-resolved perfusion are estimated in absolute units by combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The DRS spectra (450 to 850 nm) are assessed at two source-detector separations (0.4 and 1.2 mm), allowing for a relative calibration routine, whereas LDF spectra are assessed at 1.2 mm in the same fiber-optic probe. Data are analyzed using nonlinear optimization in an inverse Monte Carlo technique by applying an adaptive multilayered tissue model based on geometrical, scattering, and absorbing properties, as well as RBC flow-speed information. Simulations of 250 tissue-like models including up to 2000 individual blood vessels were used to evaluate the method. The absolute root mean square (RMS) deviation between estimated and true oxygenation was 4.1 percentage units, whereas the relative RMS deviations for the RBC tissue fraction and perfusion were 19% and 23%, respectively. Examples of in vivo measurements on forearm and foot during common provocations are presented. The method offers several advantages such as simultaneous quantification of RBC tissue fraction and oxygenation and perfusion from the same, predictable, sampling volume. The perfusion estimate is speed resolved, absolute (% RBC×mm/s), and more accurate due to the combination with DRS.

Identification and absolute quantification of enzymes in laundry detergents by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Gaubert, Alexandra; Jeudy, Jérémy; Rougemont, Blandine; Bordes, Claire; Lemoine, Jérôme; Casabianca, Hervé; Salvador, Arnaud

2016-07-01

In a stricter legislative context, greener detergent formulations are developed. In this way, synthetic surfactants are frequently replaced by bio-sourced surfactants and/or used at lower concentrations in combination with enzymes. In this paper, a LC-MS/MS method was developed for the identification and quantification of enzymes in laundry detergents. Prior to the LC-MS/MS analyses, a specific sample preparation protocol was developed due to matrix complexity (high surfactant percentages). Then for each enzyme family mainly used in detergent formulations (protease, amylase, cellulase, and lipase), specific peptides were identified on a high resolution platform. A LC-MS/MS method was then developed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) MS mode for the light and corresponding heavy peptides. The method was linear on the peptide concentration ranges 25-1000 ng/mL for protease, lipase, and cellulase; 50-1000 ng/mL for amylase; and 5-1000 ng/mL for cellulase in both water and laundry detergent matrices. The application of the developed analytical strategy to real commercial laundry detergents enabled enzyme identification and absolute quantification. For the first time, identification and absolute quantification of enzymes in laundry detergent was realized by LC-MS/MS in a single run. Graphical Abstract Identification and quantification of enzymes by LC-MS/MS.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morley, Steven

The PyForecastTools package provides Python routines for calculating metrics for model validation, forecast verification and model comparison. For continuous predictands the package provides functions for calculating bias (mean error, mean percentage error, median log accuracy, symmetric signed bias), and for calculating accuracy (mean squared error, mean absolute error, mean absolute scaled error, normalized RMSE, median symmetric accuracy). Convenience routines to calculate the component parts (e.g. forecast error, scaled error) of each metric are also provided. To compare models the package provides: generic skill score; percent better. Robust measures of scale including median absolute deviation, robust standard deviation, robust coefficient ofmore » variation and the Sn estimator are all provided by the package. Finally, the package implements Python classes for NxN contingency tables. In the case of a multi-class prediction, accuracy and skill metrics such as proportion correct and the Heidke and Peirce skill scores are provided as object methods. The special case of a 2x2 contingency table inherits from the NxN class and provides many additional metrics for binary classification: probability of detection, probability of false detection, false alarm ration, threat score, equitable threat score, bias. Confidence intervals for many of these quantities can be calculated using either the Wald method or Agresti-Coull intervals.« less

Distillation of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states by selective information manipulation.

PubMed

Cohen, O; Brun, T A

2000-06-19

Methods for distilling Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states from arbitrary entangled tripartite pure states are described. These techniques work for virtually any input state. Each technique has two stages which we call primary and secondary distillations. Primary distillation produces a GHZ state with some probability, so that when applied to an ensemble of systems a certain percentage is discarded. Secondary distillation produces further GHZs from the discarded systems. These protocols are developed with the help of an approach to quantum information theory based on absolutely selective information, which has other potential applications.

Test-retest reliability of a continuous glucose monitoring system in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Terada, Tasuku; Loehr, Sarah; Guigard, Emmanuel; McCargar, Linda J; Bell, Gordon J; Senior, Peter; Boulé, Normand G

2014-08-01

This study determined the test-retest reliability of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) (iPro™2; Medtronic, Northridge, CA) under standardized conditions in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fourteen individuals with T2D spent two nonconsecutive days in a calorimetry unit. On both days, meals, medication, and exercise were standardized. Glucose concentrations were measured continuously by CGMS, from which daily mean glucose concentration (GLU(mean)), time spent in hyperglycemia (t(>10.0 mmol/L)), and meal, exercise, and nocturnal mean glucose concentrations, as well as glycemic variability (SD(w), percentage coefficient of variation [%cv(w)], mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGEc, MAGE(ave), and MAGE(abs.gos)], and continuous overlapping net glycemic action [CONGA(n)]) were estimated. Absolute and relative reliabilities were investigated using coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation, respectively. Relative reliability ranged from 0.77 to 0.95 (P<0.05) for GLU(mean) and meal, exercise, and nocturnal glycemia with CV ranging from 3.9% to 11.7%. Despite significant relative reliability (R=0.93; P<0.01), t(>10.0 mmol/L) showed larger CV (54.7%). Among the different glycemic variability measures, a significant between-day difference was observed in MAGEc, MAGE(ave), CONGA6, and CONGA12. The remaining measures (i.e., SD(w), %cv(w), MAGE(abs.gos), and CONGA1-4) indicated no between-day differences and significant relative reliability. In individuals with T2D, CGMS-estimated glycemic profiles were characterized by high relative and absolute reliability for both daily and shorter-term measurements as represented by GLUmean and meal, exercise, and nocturnal glycemia. Among the different methods to calculate glycemic variability, our results showed SD(w), %cv(w), MAGE(abs.gos), and CONGAn with n ≤ 4 were reliable measures. These results suggest the usefulness of CGMS in clinical trials utilizing repeated measured.

Dosimetric validation and clinical implementation of two 3D dose verification systems for quality assurance in volumetric-modulated arc therapy techniques.

PubMed

Clemente-Gutiérrez, Francisco; Pérez-Vara, Consuelo

2015-03-08

A pretreatment quality assurance program for volumetric techniques should include redundant calculations and measurement-based verifications. The patient-specific quality assurance process must be based in clinically relevant metrics. The aim of this study was to show the commission, clinical implementation, and comparison of two systems that allow performing a 3D redundant dose calculation. In addition, one of them is capable of reconstructing the dose on patient anatomy from measurements taken with a 2D ion chamber array. Both systems were compared in terms of reference calibration data (absolute dose, output factors, percentage depth-dose curves, and profiles). Results were in good agreement for absolute dose values (discrepancies were below 0.5%) and output factors (mean differences were below 1%). Maximum mean discrepancies were located between 10 and 20 cm of depth for PDDs (-2.7%) and in the penumbra region for profiles (mean DTA of 1.5 mm). Validation of the systems was performed by comparing point-dose measurements with values obtained by the two systems for static, dynamic fields from AAPM TG-119 report, and 12 real VMAT plans for different anatomical sites (differences better than 1.2%). Comparisons between measurements taken with a 2D ion chamber array and results obtained by both systems for real VMAT plans were also performed (mean global gamma passing rates better than 87.0% and 97.9% for the 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm criteria). Clinical implementation of the systems was evaluated by comparing dose-volume parameters for all TG-119 tests and real VMAT plans with TPS values (mean differences were below 1%). In addition, comparisons between dose distributions calculated by TPS and those extracted by the two systems for real VMAT plans were also performed (mean global gamma passing rates better than 86.0% and 93.0% for the 2%/2 mm and 3%/ 3 mm criteria). The clinical use of both systems was successfully evaluated.

A comparative effectiveness analysis of three continuous glucose monitors.

PubMed

Damiano, Edward R; El-Khatib, Firas H; Zheng, Hui; Nathan, David M; Russell, Steven J

2013-02-01

To compare three continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices in subjects with type 1 diabetes under closed-loop blood glucose (BG) control. Six subjects with type 1 diabetes (age 52 ± 14 years, diabetes duration 32 ± 14 years) each participated in two 51-h closed-loop BG control experiments in the hospital. Venous plasma glucose (PG) measurements (GlucoScout, International Biomedical) obtained every 15 min (2,360 values) were paired in time with corresponding CGM glucose (CGMG) measurements obtained from three CGM devices, the Navigator (Abbott Diabetes Care), the Seven Plus (DexCom), and the Guardian (Medtronic), worn simultaneously by each subject. Errors in paired PG-CGMG measurements and data reporting percentages were obtained for each CGM device. The Navigator had the best overall accuracy, with an aggregate mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of all paired points of 11.8 ± 11.1% and an average MARD across all 12 experiments of 11.8 ± 3.8%. The Seven Plus and Guardian produced aggregate MARDs of all paired points of 16.5 ± 17.8% and 20.3 ± 18.0%, respectively, and average MARDs across all 12 experiments of 16.5 ± 6.7% and 20.2 ± 6.8%, respectively. Data reporting percentages, a measure of reliability, were 76% for the Seven Plus and nearly 100% for the Navigator and Guardian. A comprehensive head-to-head-to-head comparison of three CGM devices for BG values from 36 to 563 mg/dL revealed marked differences in performance characteristics that include accuracy, precision, and reliability. The Navigator outperformed the other two in these areas.

Effect of heterogeneity correction on dosimetric parameters of radiotherapy planning for thoracic esophageal cancer.

PubMed

Nakayama, Masao; Yoshida, Kenji; Nishimura, Hideki; Miyawaki, Daisuke; Uehara, Kazuyuki; Okamoto, Yoshiaki; Okayama, Takanobu; Sasaki, Ryohei

2014-01-01

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of heterogeneity correction (HC) on dosimetric parameters in 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning for patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 20 patients. Two treatment plans were generated for each patient using a superposition algorithm on the Xio radiotherapy planning system. The first plan was calculated without HC. The second was a new plan calculated with HC, using identical beam geometries and maintaining the same number of monitor units as the first. With regard to the planning target volume (PTV), the overall mean differences in the prescription dose, maximum dose, mean dose, and dose that covers 95% of the PTV between the first and second plans were 1.10Gy (1.8%), 1.35Gy (2.2%), 1.10Gy (1.9%), and 0.56Gy (1.0%), respectively. With regard to parameters related to the organs at risk (OARs), the mean differences in the absolute percentages of lung volume receiving greater than 5, 10, 20, and 30Gy (lung V5, V10, V20, and V30) between the first and second plans were 7.1%, 2.7%, 0.4%, and 0.5%, respectively. These results suggest that HC might have a more pronounced effect on the percentages of lung volume receiving lower doses (e.g., V5 and V10) than on the dosimetric parameters related to the PTV and other OARs. © 2013 Published by American Association of Medical Dosimetrists on behalf of American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.

Development and evaluation of a gyroscope-based wheel rotation monitor for manual wheelchair users.

PubMed

Hiremath, Shivayogi V; Ding, Dan; Cooper, Rory A

2013-07-01

To develop and evaluate a wireless gyroscope-based wheel rotation monitor (G-WRM) that can estimate speeds and distances traveled by wheelchair users during regular wheelchair propulsion as well as wheelchair sports such as handcycling, and provide users with real-time feedback through a smartphone application. The speeds and the distances estimated by the G-WRM were compared with the criterion measures by calculating absolute difference, mean difference, and percentage errors during a series of laboratory-based tests. Intraclass correlations (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plots were also used to assess the agreements between the G-WRM and the criterion measures. In addition, battery life and wireless data transmission tests under a number of usage conditions were performed. The percentage errors for the angular velocities, speeds, and distances obtained from three prototype G-WRMs were less than 3% for all the test trials. The high ICC values (ICC (3,1) > 0.94) and the Bland-Altman plots indicate excellent agreement between the estimated speeds and distances by the G-WRMs and the criterion measures. The battery life tests showed that the device could last for 35 hours in wireless mode and 139 hours in secure digital card mode. The wireless data transmission tests indicated less than 0.3% of data loss. The results indicate that the G-WRM is an appropriate tool for tracking a spectrum of wheelchair-related activities from regular wheelchair propulsion to wheelchair sports such as handcycling. The real-time feedback provided by the G-WRM can help wheelchair users self-monitor their everyday activities.

Non-destructive mobile monitoring of microbial contaminations on meat surfaces using porphyrin fluorescence intensities.

PubMed

Durek, J; Fröhling, A; Bolling, J; Thomasius, R; Durek, P; Schlüter, O K

2016-05-01

A non-destructive mobile system for meat quality monitoring was developed and investigated for the possible application along the whole production chain of fresh meat. Pork and lamb meat was stored at 5 °C for up to 20 days post mortem and measured with a fluorescence spectrometer. Additionally, the bacterial influence on the fluorescence signals was evaluated by different experimental procedures. Fluorescence of NADH and different porphyrins could be correlated to the growth of diverse bacteria and hence used for contamination monitoring. The increase of porphyrin fluorescence started after 9 days p.m. for pork and after 2 days p.m. for lamb meat. Based on the results, a mobile fluorescence system was built and compared with the laboratory system. The corrected function of the meat slices showed a root mean square error of 1156.97 r.u. and a mean absolute percentage error of 12.59%; for lamb the values were 470.81 r.u. and 15.55%, respectively. A mobile and non-invasive measurement system would improve the microbial security of fresh meat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robust estimation of adaptive tensors of curvature by tensor voting.

PubMed

Tong, Wai-Shun; Tang, Chi-Keung

2005-03-01

Although curvature estimation from a given mesh or regularly sampled point set is a well-studied problem, it is still challenging when the input consists of a cloud of unstructured points corrupted by misalignment error and outlier noise. Such input is ubiquitous in computer vision. In this paper, we propose a three-pass tensor voting algorithm to robustly estimate curvature tensors, from which accurate principal curvatures and directions can be calculated. Our quantitative estimation is an improvement over the previous two-pass algorithm, where only qualitative curvature estimation (sign of Gaussian curvature) is performed. To overcome misalignment errors, our improved method automatically corrects input point locations at subvoxel precision, which also rejects outliers that are uncorrectable. To adapt to different scales locally, we define the RadiusHit of a curvature tensor to quantify estimation accuracy and applicability. Our curvature estimation algorithm has been proven with detailed quantitative experiments, performing better in a variety of standard error metrics (percentage error in curvature magnitudes, absolute angle difference in curvature direction) in the presence of a large amount of misalignment noise.

Optimizing Blasting’s Air Overpressure Prediction Model using Swarm Intelligence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nur Asmawisham Alel, Mohd; Ruben Anak Upom, Mark; Asnida Abdullah, Rini; Hazreek Zainal Abidin, Mohd

2018-04-01

Air overpressure (AOp) resulting from blasting can cause damage and nuisance to nearby civilians. Thus, it is important to be able to predict AOp accurately. In this study, 8 different Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were developed for the purpose of prediction of AOp. The ANN models were trained using different variants of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. AOp predictions were also made using an empirical equation, as suggested by United States Bureau of Mines (USBM), to serve as a benchmark. In order to develop the models, 76 blasting operations in Hulu Langat were investigated. All the ANN models were found to outperform the USBM equation in three performance metrics; root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and coefficient of determination (R2). Using a performance ranking method, MSO-Rand-Mut was determined to be the best prediction model for AOp with a performance metric of RMSE=2.18, MAPE=1.73% and R2=0.97. The result shows that ANN models trained using PSO are capable of predicting AOp with great accuracy.

Multi-step prediction for influenza outbreak by an adjusted long short-term memory.

PubMed

Zhang, J; Nawata, K

2018-05-01

Influenza results in approximately 3-5 million annual cases of severe illness and 250 000-500 000 deaths. We urgently need an accurate multi-step-ahead time-series forecasting model to help hospitals to perform dynamical assignments of beds to influenza patients for the annually varied influenza season, and aid pharmaceutical companies to formulate a flexible plan of manufacturing vaccine for the yearly different influenza vaccine. In this study, we utilised four different multi-step prediction algorithms in the long short-term memory (LSTM). The result showed that implementing multiple single-output prediction in a six-layer LSTM structure achieved the best accuracy. The mean absolute percentage errors from two- to 13-step-ahead prediction for the US influenza-like illness rates were all <15%, averagely 12.930%. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that LSTM has been applied and refined to perform multi-step-ahead prediction for influenza outbreaks. Hopefully, this modelling methodology can be applied in other countries and therefore help prevent and control influenza worldwide.

On-line vs off-line electrical conductivity characterization. Polycarbonate composites developed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes by compounding technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llorens-Chiralt, R.; Weiss, P.; Mikonsaari, I.

2014-05-01

Material characterization is one of the key steps when conductive polymers are developed. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a polymeric matrix using melt mixing influence final composite properties. The compounding becomes trial and error using a huge amount of materials, spending time and money to obtain competitive composites. Traditional methods to carry out electrical conductivity characterization include compression and injection molding. Both methods need extra equipments and moulds to obtain standard bars. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of the data obtained from absolute resistance recorded during the melt compounding, using an on-line setup developed by our group, and to correlate these values with off-line characterization and processing parameters (screw/barrel configuration, throughput, screw speed, temperature profile and CNTs percentage). Compounds developed with different percentages of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polycarbonate has been characterized during and after extrusion. Measurements, on-line resistance and off-line resistivity, showed parallel response and reproducibility, confirming method validity. The significance of the results obtained stems from the fact that we are able to measure on-line resistance and to change compounding parameters during production to achieve reference values reducing production/testing cost and ensuring material quality. Also, this method removes errors which can be found in test bars development, showing better correlation with compounding parameters.

CORE MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING THE CLEAN AND JERK LIFT WITH BARBELL VERSUS SANDBAGS AND WATER BAGS.

PubMed

Calatayud, Joaquin; Colado, Juan C; Martin, Fernando; Casaña, José; Jakobsen, Markus D; Andersen, Lars L

2015-11-01

While the traditional clean and jerk maneuver implies simultaneous participation of a large number of muscle groups, the use of this exercise with some variations to enhance core muscle activity remains uninvestigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activity during clean and jerk lift when performed with a barbell, sandbag and a water bag at same absolute load. Descriptive, repeated-measures study. Twenty-one young fit male university students (age: 25 ± 2.66 years; height: 180.71 ± 5.42 cm; body mass: 80.32 ± 9.8 kg; body fat percentage: 12.41 ± 3.56 %) participated. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from the anterior deltoid (AD), external oblique (OBLIQ), lumbar erector spinae (LUMB), and gluteus medius (GM) and were expressed as a percentage of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). There were no significantly significant differences for AD muscle activity between conditions, whereas muscle activation values for OBLIQ (60%MVIC), GM (29%MVIC) and LUMB (85%MVIC) were significantly higher during the water bag power clean and jerk maneuver when compared with the other conditions. The clean and jerk is an exercise that may be used to enhance core muscle activity. Performing the maneuver with water bags resulted in higher core muscle activity compared with sandbag and standard barbell versions. 3.

New principle for measuring arterial blood oxygenation, enabling motion-robust remote monitoring.

PubMed

van Gastel, Mark; Stuijk, Sander; de Haan, Gerard

2016-12-07

Finger-oximeters are ubiquitously used for patient monitoring in hospitals worldwide. Recently, remote measurement of arterial blood oxygenation (SpO 2 ) with a camera has been demonstrated. Both contact and remote measurements, however, require the subject to remain static for accurate SpO 2 values. This is due to the use of the common ratio-of-ratios measurement principle that measures the relative pulsatility at different wavelengths. Since the amplitudes are small, they are easily corrupted by motion-induced variations. We introduce a new principle that allows accurate remote measurements even during significant subject motion. We demonstrate the main advantage of the principle, i.e. that the optimal signature remains the same even when the SNR of the PPG signal drops significantly due to motion or limited measurement area. The evaluation uses recordings with breath-holding events, which induce hypoxemia in healthy moving subjects. The events lead to clinically relevant SpO 2 levels in the range 80-100%. The new principle is shown to greatly outperform current remote ratio-of-ratios based methods. The mean-absolute SpO 2 -error (MAE) is about 2 percentage-points during head movements, where the benchmark method shows a MAE of 24 percentage-points. Consequently, we claim ours to be the first method to reliably measure SpO 2 remotely during significant subject motion.

Constraint on Absolute Accuracy of Metacomprehension Assessments: The Anchoring and Adjustment Model vs. the Standards Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kwon, Heekyung

2011-01-01

The objective of this study is to provide a systematic account of three typical phenomena surrounding absolute accuracy of metacomprehension assessments: (1) the absolute accuracy of predictions is typically quite low; (2) there exist individual differences in absolute accuracy of predictions as a function of reading skill; and (3) postdictions…

Models for estimating daily rainfall erosivity in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yun; Yin, Shui-qing; Liu, Bao-yuan; Nearing, Mark A.; Zhao, Ying

2016-04-01

The rainfall erosivity factor (R) represents the multiplication of rainfall energy and maximum 30 min intensity by event (EI30) and year. This rainfall erosivity index is widely used for empirical soil loss prediction. Its calculation, however, requires high temporal resolution rainfall data that are not readily available in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to parameterize models suitable for estimating erosivity from daily rainfall data, which are more widely available. One-minute resolution rainfall data recorded in sixteen stations over the eastern water erosion impacted regions of China were analyzed. The R-factor ranged from 781.9 to 8258.5 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 y-1. A total of 5942 erosive events from one-minute resolution rainfall data of ten stations were used to parameterize three models, and 4949 erosive events from the other six stations were used for validation. A threshold of daily rainfall between days classified as erosive and non-erosive was suggested to be 9.7 mm based on these data. Two of the models (I and II) used power law functions that required only daily rainfall totals. Model I used different model coefficients in the cool season (Oct.-Apr.) and warm season (May-Sept.), and Model II was fitted with a sinusoidal curve of seasonal variation. Both Model I and Model II estimated the erosivity index for average annual, yearly, and half-month temporal scales reasonably well, with the symmetric mean absolute percentage error MAPEsym ranging from 10.8% to 32.1%. Model II predicted slightly better than Model I. However, the prediction efficiency for the daily erosivity index was limited, with the symmetric mean absolute percentage error being 68.0% (Model I) and 65.7% (Model II) and Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency being 0.55 (Model I) and 0.57 (Model II). Model III, which used the combination of daily rainfall amount and daily maximum 60-min rainfall, improved predictions significantly, and produced a Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency for daily erosivity index prediction of 0.93. Thus daily rainfall data was generally sufficient for estimating annual average, yearly, and half-monthly time scales, while sub-daily data was needed when estimating daily erosivity values.

Changes in Retail Prices of Prescription Dermatologic Drugs From 2009 to 2015.

PubMed

Rosenberg, Miranda E; Rosenberg, Steven P

2016-02-01

Physicians from many specialties as well as primary care prescribe dermatologic medications; as insurance formularies become increasingly restrictive and more patients are covered with high-deductible insurance plans, many patients are forced to pay high retail prices to obtain their medications. To determine the changes in the prices of commonly prescribed dermatologic medications since 2009 and to identify trends in price increases for different classes of drugs. Four national chain pharmacies received surveys requesting price data on commonly prescribed dermatologic drugs in 2009, 2011, 2014, and 2015. The initial survey requested information on 72 brand-name drugs. Subsequent surveys increased to eventually include 120 additional brand-name drugs and their generic alternatives when available. Owing to the frequency of prescription, diseases treated, or unusual price increases, 19 brand-name drugs surveyed in all 4 years were selected for final price trend analysis, which was conducted from August 1 to 15, 2015. Retail prices of topical and systemic drugs for the treatment of various dermatologic conditions. Prices of surveyed brand-name drugs increased rapidly between 2009 and 2015. Of the 19 brand-name drugs analyzed, the retail prices of 7 drugs more than quadrupled during the study period. Among these 19 drugs, the mean price increase was 401% during the 6-year survey period, with the majority of the price increases occurring after 2011. Prices of topical antineoplastic drugs had the greatest mean absolute and percentage increase ($10,926.58 [1240%]). Prices of drugs in the antiinfective class had the smallest mean absolute increase ($333.99); prices of psoriasis medications had the smallest mean percentage increase (180%). Prices of acne and rosacea medications increased a mean of 195%, and prices of topical corticosteroids increased a mean of 290% during the study period. Selected generic drugs surveyed in 2011 and 2014 also increased a mean of 279% during the 3-year period. The price of prescription dermatologic drugs rose considerably from 2009 to 2015, with the vast majority of price increases occurring after 2011. Percent increases for multiple, frequently prescribed medications greatly outpaced inflation, national health expenditure growth, and increases in reimbursements for physician services.

Does exposure to the food environment differ by socioeconomic position? Comparing area-based and person-centred metrics in the Fenland Study, UK.

PubMed

Maguire, Eva R; Burgoine, Thomas; Penney, Tarra L; Forouhi, Nita G; Monsivais, Pablo

2017-09-06

Retail food environments (foodscapes) are a recognised determinant of eating behaviours and may contribute to inequalities in diet. However, findings from studies measuring socioeconomic inequality in the foodscape have been mixed, which may be due to methodological differences. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare exposure to the foodscape by socioeconomic position using different measures, to test whether the presence, direction or amplitude of differences was sensitive to the choice of foodscape metric or socioeconomic indicator. A sample of 10,429 adults aged 30-64 years with valid home address data were obtained from the Fenland Study, UK. Of this sample, 7270 participants also had valid work location data. The sample was linked to data on food outlets obtained from local government records. Foodscape metrics included count, density and proximity of takeaway outlets and supermarkets, and the percentage of takeaway outlets relative to all food outlets. Exposure metrics were area-based (lower super output areas), and person-centred (proximity to nearest; Euclidean and Network buffers at 800 m, 1 km, and 1 mile). Person-centred buffers were constructed using home and work locations. Socioeconomic status was measured at the area-level (2010 Index of Multiple Deprivation) and the individual-level (highest educational attainment; equivalised household income). Participants were classified into socioeconomic groups and average exposures estimated. Results were analysed using the statistical and percent differences between the highest and lowest socioeconomic groups. In area-based measures, the most deprived areas contained higher takeaway outlet densities (p < 0.001). However, in person-centred metrics lower socioeconomic status was associated with lower exposure to takeaway outlets and supermarkets (all home-based exposures p < 0.001) and socioeconomic differences were greatest at the smallest buffer sizes. Socioeconomic differences in exposure was similar for home and combined home and work measures. Measuring takeaway exposure as a percentage of all outlets reversed the socioeconomic differences; the lowest socioeconomic groups had a higher percentage of takeaway outlets compared to the middle and highest groups (p < 0.001). We compared approaches to measuring socioeconomic variation in the foodscape and found that the association was sensitive to the metric used. In particular, the direction of association varied between area- and person-centred measures and between absolute and relative outlet measures. Studies need to consider the most appropriate measure for the research question, and may need to consider multiple measures as a single measure may be context dependent.

Applications and Comparisons of Four Time Series Models in Epidemiological Surveillance Data

PubMed Central

Young, Alistair A.; Li, Xiaosong

2014-01-01

Public health surveillance systems provide valuable data for reliable predication of future epidemic events. This paper describes a study that used nine types of infectious disease data collected through a national public health surveillance system in mainland China to evaluate and compare the performances of four time series methods, namely, two decomposition methods (regression and exponential smoothing), autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and support vector machine (SVM). The data obtained from 2005 to 2011 and in 2012 were used as modeling and forecasting samples, respectively. The performances were evaluated based on three metrics: mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean square error (MSE). The accuracy of the statistical models in forecasting future epidemic disease proved their effectiveness in epidemiological surveillance. Although the comparisons found that no single method is completely superior to the others, the present study indeed highlighted that the SVMs outperforms the ARIMA model and decomposition methods in most cases. PMID:24505382

Knowing what to expect, forecasting monthly emergency department visits: A time-series analysis.

PubMed

Bergs, Jochen; Heerinckx, Philipe; Verelst, Sandra

2014-04-01

To evaluate an automatic forecasting algorithm in order to predict the number of monthly emergency department (ED) visits one year ahead. We collected retrospective data of the number of monthly visiting patients for a 6-year period (2005-2011) from 4 Belgian Hospitals. We used an automated exponential smoothing approach to predict monthly visits during the year 2011 based on the first 5 years of the dataset. Several in- and post-sample forecasting accuracy measures were calculated. The automatic forecasting algorithm was able to predict monthly visits with a mean absolute percentage error ranging from 2.64% to 4.8%, indicating an accurate prediction. The mean absolute scaled error ranged from 0.53 to 0.68 indicating that, on average, the forecast was better compared with in-sample one-step forecast from the naïve method. The applied automated exponential smoothing approach provided useful predictions of the number of monthly visits a year in advance. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Artificial neural network modelling of a large-scale wastewater treatment plant operation.

PubMed

Güçlü, Dünyamin; Dursun, Sükrü

2010-11-01

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), a method of artificial intelligence method, provide effective predictive models for complex processes. Three independent ANN models trained with back-propagation algorithm were developed to predict effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS) and aeration tank mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations of the Ankara central wastewater treatment plant. The appropriate architecture of ANN models was determined through several steps of training and testing of the models. ANN models yielded satisfactory predictions. Results of the root mean square error, mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error were 3.23, 2.41 mg/L and 5.03% for COD; 1.59, 1.21 mg/L and 17.10% for SS; 52.51, 44.91 mg/L and 3.77% for MLSS, respectively, indicating that the developed model could be efficiently used. The results overall also confirm that ANN modelling approach may have a great implementation potential for simulation, precise performance prediction and process control of wastewater treatment plants.

Value of HIV patients with regular follow-up as in-house internal controls of flow cytometry measurement of lymphocyte subsets.

PubMed

de Carvalho Bittencourt, Marcelo; Kohler, Chantal; Henard, Sandrine; Rabaud, Christian; Béné, Marie C; Faure, Gilbert C

2013-07-08

Background. Quality assessment in flow cytometry cannot obey the same rules as those applicable to the measurement of chemical analytes. However, regular follow-up of known patients may provide a robust in-house control of cell subsets evaluation. Methods. Sequential blood samples assessed for 32 HIV patients over several years and showing good stability were retrospectively assessed to establish coefficient of variations of the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and CD4+ absolute counts. Results. Mean relative standard variations for the whole cohort were of 0.04, 0.14, 0.08 and 0.18 for CD3%, CD4% CD8% and CD4 absolute counts respectively. Discussion. In-house follow up of regularly checked compliant patients is a good alternative to traditional and costly repeatability and reproducibility studies for the validation of routine flow cytometry. © 2013 Clinical Cytometry Society. Copyright © 2013 Clinical Cytometry Society.

Descriptive Analysis on the Impacts of Universal Zero-Markup Drug Policy on a Chinese Urban Tertiary Hospital

PubMed Central

Yang, Dong

2016-01-01

Background Universal Zero-Markup Drug Policy (UZMDP) mandates no price mark-ups on any drug dispensed by a healthcare institution, and covers the medicines not included in the China’s National Essential Medicine System. Five tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China implemented UZMDP in 2012. Its impacts on these hospitals are unknown. We described the effects of UZMDP on a participating hospital, Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China (JST). Methods This retrospective longitudinal study examined the hospital-level data of JST and city-level data of tertiary hospitals of Beijing, China (BJT) 2009–2015. Rank-sum tests and join-point regression analyses were used to assess absolute changes and differences in trends, respectively. Results In absolute terms, after the UZDMP implementation, there were increased annual patient-visits and decreased ratios of medicine-to-healthcare-charges (RMOH) in JST outpatient and inpatient services; however, in outpatient service, physician work-days decreased and physician-workload and inflation-adjusted per-visit healthcare charges increased, while the inpatient physician work-days increased and inpatient mortality-rate reduced. Interestingly, the decreasing trend in inpatient mortality-rate was neutralized after UZDMP implementation. Compared with BJT and under influence of UZDMP, JST outpatient and inpatient services both had increasing trends in annual patient-visits (annual percentage changes[APC] = 8.1% and 6.5%, respectively) and decreasing trends in RMOH (APC = -4.3% and -5.4%, respectively), while JST outpatient services had increasing trend in inflation-adjusted per-visit healthcare charges (APC = 3.4%) and JST inpatient service had decreasing trend in inflation-adjusted per-visit medicine-charges (APC = -5.2%). Conclusion Implementation of UZMDP seems to increase annual patient-visits, reduce RMOH and have different impacts on outpatient and inpatient services in a Chinese urban tertiary hospital. PMID:27627811

Urinary uric acid:creatinine ratio, serum erythropoietin, and blood 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PubMed

McKeon, J L; Saunders, N A; Murree-Allen, K; Olson, L G; Gyulay, S; Dickeson, J; Houghton, A; Wlodarczyk, J; Hensley, M J

1990-07-01

A noninvasive, inexpensive method of excluding significant sleep-associated hypoxemia would be desirable for patients being investigated and treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sixty-eight such patients provided specimens before and after sleep studies for estimation of urinary uric acid:creatinine ratio (UA:Cr), serum erythropoietin (EPO), and blood 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). Mean (SD) morning 2,3-DPG was higher in 26 patients with overnight hypoxemia than in 42 normoxemic patients (2.54 [0.46] versus 2.24 [0.44] mmol/L; p = 0.01). Neither overnight change nor absolute values of serum EPO or urinary UA:Cr were significantly different between hypoxemic and normoxemic groups. There was a diurnal variation in serum EPO in normoxemic patients (P.M. EPO = 14.8 [7.1] mU/ml; A.M. EPO = 10.7 [7.1] mU/ml; p less than 0.05) but not in hypoxemic patients. Eighteen hypoxemic patients were restudied after using nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for at least 4 wk. Seven normoxemic patients not using nCPAP were restudied after a similar time. There were no significant differences between pretreatment and posttreatment nights in absolute values or percentage overnight change of blood 2,3-DPG or serum EPO in either group. In the hypoxemic (nCPAP) group, overnight change in urinary UA:Cr was lower on the second night (p = 0.04); there was no significant change in the control group. We conclude that although urinary UA:Cr, serum EPO, and 2,3-DPG may be physiologically related to hypoxemia, none of these measures can be used to predict accurately the presence of moderate nocturnal hypoxemia in patients with OSA or in monitoring the effect of their therapy.

Evaluation of equivalent and effective dose by KAP for patient and orthopedic surgeon in vertebral compression fracture surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Felipe A.; Galeano, Diego C.; Santos, William S.; Silva, Ademir X.; Souza, Susana O.; Carvalho Júnior, Albérico B.

2017-03-01

Clinical scenarios were virtually modeled to estimate both the equivalent and effective doses normalized by KAP (Kerma Area Product) to vertebra compression fracture surgery in patient and surgeon. This surgery is known as kyphoplasty and involves the use of X-ray equipment, the C-arm, which provides real-time images to assist the surgeon in conducting instruments inserted into the patient and in the delivery of surgical cement into the fractured vertebra. The radiation transport code used was MCNPX (Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended) and a pair of UFHADM (University of Florida Hybrid ADult Male) virtual phantoms. The developed scenarios allowed us to calculate a set of equivalent dose (HT) and effective dose (E) for patients and surgeons. In additional, the same scenario was calculated KAP in the tube output and was used for calculating conversion coefficients (E/KAP and HT/KAP). From the knowledge of the experimental values of KAP and the results presented in this study, it is possible to estimate absolute values of effective doses for different exposure conditions. In this work, we developed scenarios with and without the surgical table with the purpose of comparison with the existing data in the literature. The absence of the bed in the scenario promoted a percentage absolute difference of 56% in the patient effective doses in relation to scenarios calculated with a bed. Regarding the surgeon, the use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) reduces between 75% and 79% the effective dose and the use of the under table shield (UTS) reduces the effective dose of between 3% and 7%. All these variations emphasize the importance of the elaboration of virtual scenarios that approach the actual clinical conditions generating E/KAP and HT/KAP closer to the actual values.

A hybrid SVM-FFA method for prediction of monthly mean global solar radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shamshirband, Shahaboddin; Mohammadi, Kasra; Tong, Chong Wen; Zamani, Mazdak; Motamedi, Shervin; Ch, Sudheer

2016-07-01

In this study, a hybrid support vector machine-firefly optimization algorithm (SVM-FFA) model is proposed to estimate monthly mean horizontal global solar radiation (HGSR). The merit of SVM-FFA is assessed statistically by comparing its performance with three previously used approaches. Using each approach and long-term measured HGSR, three models are calibrated by considering different sets of meteorological parameters measured for Bandar Abbass situated in Iran. It is found that the model (3) utilizing the combination of relative sunshine duration, difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, water vapor pressure, average temperature, and extraterrestrial solar radiation shows superior performance based upon all approaches. Moreover, the extraterrestrial radiation is introduced as a significant parameter to accurately estimate the global solar radiation. The survey results reveal that the developed SVM-FFA approach is greatly capable to provide favorable predictions with significantly higher precision than other examined techniques. For the SVM-FFA (3), the statistical indicators of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), relative root mean square error (RRMSE), and coefficient of determination ( R 2) are 3.3252 %, 0.1859 kWh/m2, 3.7350 %, and 0.9737, respectively which according to the RRMSE has an excellent performance. As a more evaluation of SVM-FFA (3), the ratio of estimated to measured values is computed and found that 47 out of 48 months considered as testing data fall between 0.90 and 1.10. Also, by performing a further verification, it is concluded that SVM-FFA (3) offers absolute superiority over the empirical models using relatively similar input parameters. In a nutshell, the hybrid SVM-FFA approach would be considered highly efficient to estimate the HGSR.

Calretinin and parvalbumin immunoreactive interneurons in the retrosplenial cortex of the rat brain: Qualitative and quantitative analyses.

PubMed

Salaj, Martin; Druga, Rastislav; Cerman, Jiří; Kubová, Hana; Barinka, Filip

2015-11-19

The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a mesocortical region broadly involved with memory and navigation. It shares many characteristics with the perirhinal cortex (PRC), both of which appear to be significantly involved in the spreading of epileptic activity. We hypothesized that RSC possesses an interneuronal composition similar to that of PRC. To prove the hypothesis we studied the general pattern of calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) immunoreactivity in the RSC of the rat brain, its optical density as well as the morphological features and density of CR- and PV-immunoreactive (CR+ and PV+) interneurons. We also analyzed the overall neuronal density on Nissl-stained sections in RSC. Finally, we compared our results with our earlier analysis of PRC (Barinka et al., 2012). Compared to PRC, RSC was observed to have a higher intensity of PV staining and lower intensity of CR staining of neuropil. Vertically-oriented bipolar neurons were the most common morphological type among CR+ neurons. The staining pattern did not allow for a similarly detailed analysis of somatodendritic morphology of PV+ neurons. RSC possessed lower absolute (i.e., neurons/mm(3)) and relative (i.e., percentage of the overall neuronal population) densities of CR+ neurons and similar absolute and lower relative densities of PV+ neurons relative to PRC. CR: PV neuronal ratio in RSC (1:2 in area 29 and 1:2.2 in area 30) differed from PRC (1:1.2 in area 35 and 1:1.7 in area 36). In conclusion, RSC, although similar in many aspects to PRC, differs strikingly in the interneuronal composition relative to PRC. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular deconditioning in fatigued and non-fatigued breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Neil, Sarah E; Klika, Riggs J; Garland, S Jayne; McKenzie, Donald C; Campbell, Kristin L

2013-03-01

Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported side effects during treatment for breast cancer and can persist following treatment completion. Cancer-related fatigue after treatment is multifactorial in nature, and one hypothesized mechanism is cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular deconditioning. The purpose of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular function in breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment and met the specified criteria for cancer-related fatigue and a control group of breast cancer survivors without fatigue. Participants in the fatigue (n = 16) and control group (n = 11) performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer for determination of peak power, power at lactate threshold, and VO(2) peak. Neuromuscular fatigue was induced with a sustained submaximal contraction of the right quadriceps. Central fatigue (failure of voluntary activation) was evaluated using twitch interpolation, and peripheral fatigue was measured with an electrically evoked twitch. Power at lactate threshold was lower in the fatigue group (p = 0.05). There were no differences between groups for power at lactate threshold as percentage of peak power (p = 0.10) or absolute or relative VO(2) peak (p = 0.08 and 0.33, respectively). When adjusted for age, the fatigue group had a lower power at lactate threshold (p = 0.02) and absolute VO(2) peak (p = 0.03). There were no differences between groups in change in any neuromuscular parameters after the muscle-fatiguing protocol. Findings support the hypothesis that cardiorespiratory deconditioning may play a role in the development and persistence of cancer-related fatigue following treatment. Future research into the use of exercise training to reduce cardiorespiratory deconditioning as a treatment for cancer-related fatigue is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.

Descriptive Analysis on the Impacts of Universal Zero-Markup Drug Policy on a Chinese Urban Tertiary Hospital.

PubMed

Tian, Wei; Yuan, Jiangfan; Yang, Dong; Zhang, Lanjing

2016-01-01

Universal Zero-Markup Drug Policy (UZMDP) mandates no price mark-ups on any drug dispensed by a healthcare institution, and covers the medicines not included in the China's National Essential Medicine System. Five tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China implemented UZMDP in 2012. Its impacts on these hospitals are unknown. We described the effects of UZMDP on a participating hospital, Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China (JST). This retrospective longitudinal study examined the hospital-level data of JST and city-level data of tertiary hospitals of Beijing, China (BJT) 2009-2015. Rank-sum tests and join-point regression analyses were used to assess absolute changes and differences in trends, respectively. In absolute terms, after the UZDMP implementation, there were increased annual patient-visits and decreased ratios of medicine-to-healthcare-charges (RMOH) in JST outpatient and inpatient services; however, in outpatient service, physician work-days decreased and physician-workload and inflation-adjusted per-visit healthcare charges increased, while the inpatient physician work-days increased and inpatient mortality-rate reduced. Interestingly, the decreasing trend in inpatient mortality-rate was neutralized after UZDMP implementation. Compared with BJT and under influence of UZDMP, JST outpatient and inpatient services both had increasing trends in annual patient-visits (annual percentage changes[APC] = 8.1% and 6.5%, respectively) and decreasing trends in RMOH (APC = -4.3% and -5.4%, respectively), while JST outpatient services had increasing trend in inflation-adjusted per-visit healthcare charges (APC = 3.4%) and JST inpatient service had decreasing trend in inflation-adjusted per-visit medicine-charges (APC = -5.2%). Implementation of UZMDP seems to increase annual patient-visits, reduce RMOH and have different impacts on outpatient and inpatient services in a Chinese urban tertiary hospital.

Absolute and Relative Socioeconomic Health Inequalities across Age Groups

PubMed Central

van Zon, Sander K. R.; Bültmann, Ute; Mendes de Leon, Carlos F.; Reijneveld, Sijmen A.

2015-01-01

Background The magnitude of socioeconomic health inequalities differs across age groups. It is less clear whether socioeconomic health inequalities differ across age groups by other factors that are known to affect the relation between socioeconomic position and health, like the indicator of socioeconomic position, the health outcome, gender, and as to whether socioeconomic health inequalities are measured in absolute or in relative terms. The aim is to investigate whether absolute and relative socioeconomic health inequalities differ across age groups by indicator of socioeconomic position, health outcome and gender. Methods The study sample was derived from the baseline measurement of the LifeLines Cohort Study and consisted of 95,432 participants. Socioeconomic position was measured as educational level and household income. Physical and mental health were measured with the RAND-36. Age concerned eleven 5-years age groups. Absolute inequalities were examined by comparing means. Relative inequalities were examined by comparing Gini-coefficients. Analyses were performed for both health outcomes by both educational level and household income. Analyses were performed for all age groups, and stratified by gender. Results Absolute and relative socioeconomic health inequalities differed across age groups by indicator of socioeconomic position, health outcome, and gender. Absolute inequalities were most pronounced for mental health by household income. They were larger in younger than older age groups. Relative inequalities were most pronounced for physical health by educational level. Gini-coefficients were largest in young age groups and smallest in older age groups. Conclusions Absolute and relative socioeconomic health inequalities differed cross-sectionally across age groups by indicator of socioeconomic position, health outcome and gender. Researchers should critically consider the implications of choosing a specific age group, in addition to the indicator of socioeconomic position and health outcome, as findings on socioeconomic health inequalities may differ between them. PMID:26717482

A Special Application of Absolute Value Techniques in Authentic Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stupel, Moshe

2013-01-01

There are at least five different equivalent definitions of the absolute value concept. In instances where the task is an equation or inequality with only one or two absolute value expressions, it is a worthy educational experience for learners to solve the task using each one of the definitions. On the other hand, if more than two absolute value…

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wen, N; Lu, S; Qin, Y

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric uncertainty associated with Gafchromic (EBT3) films and establish an absolute dosimetry protocol for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods: EBT3 films were irradiated at each of seven different dose levels between 1 and 15 Gy with open fields, and standard deviations of dose maps were calculated at each color channel for evaluation. A scanner non-uniform response correction map was built by registering and comparing film doses to the reference diode array-based dose map delivered with the same doses. To determine the temporal dependence of EBT3 films, the average correction factors of differentmore » dose levels as a function of time were evaluated up to four days after irradiation. An integrated film dosimetry protocol was developed for dose calibration, calibration curve fitting, dose mapping, and profile/gamma analysis. Patient specific quality assurance (PSQA) was performed for 93 SRS/SBRT treatment plans. Results: The scanner response varied within 1% for the field sizes less than 5 × 5 cm{sup 2}, and up to 5% for the field sizes of 10 × 10 cm{sup 2}. The scanner correction method was able to remove visually evident, irregular detector responses found for larger field sizes. The dose response of the film changed rapidly (∼10%) in the first two hours and plateaued afterwards, ∼3% change between 2 and 24 hours. The mean uncertainties (mean of the standard deviations) were <0.5% over the dose range 1∼15Gy for all color channels for the OD response curves. The percentage of points passing the 3%/1mm gamma criteria based on absolute dose analysis, averaged over all tests, was 95.0 ± 4.2. Conclusion: We have developed an absolute film dose dosimetry protocol using EBT3 films. The overall uncertainty has been established to be approximately 1% for SRS and SBRT PSQA. The work was supported by a Research Scholar Grant, RSG-15-137-01-CCE from the American Cancer Society.« less

An Engaging Illustration of the Physical Differences among Menthol Stereoisomers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Treadwell, Edward M.; Black, T. Howard

2005-01-01

An experiment illustrating stereochemical principles, like different physical properties in achiral environments, assignment of absolute stereochemistry, and the stereoisomeric relationships to differences in absolute stereochemistry is devised. A demonstration of how enantiomers have the same physical properties until placed in chiral…

Quantification of CD4 Responses to Combined Antiretroviral Therapy Over 5 Years Among HIV-Infected Children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

PubMed Central

Edmonds, Andrew; Yotebieng, Marcel; Lusiama, Jean; Matumona, Yori; Kitetele, Faustin; Nku, David; Napravnik, Sonia; Cole, Stephen R.; Van Rie, Annelies; Behets, Frieda

2017-01-01

Background The long-term effects of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) on CD4 percentage in HIV-infected children are incompletely understood, with evidence from resource-deprived areas particularly scarce even though most children with HIV live in such settings. We sought to describe this relationship. Methods Observational longitudinal data from cART-naive children enrolled between December 2004 and May 2010 into an HIV care and treatment program in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo were analyzed. To estimate the effect of cART on CD4 percentage while accounting for time-dependent confounders affected by prior exposure to cART, a marginal structural linear mean model was used. Results Seven hundred ninety children were active for 2090 person-years and a median of 31 months; 619 (78%) initiated cART. At baseline, 405 children (51%) were in HIV clinical stage 3 or 4; 528 (67%) had advanced or severe immunodeficiency. Compared with no cART, the estimated absolute rise in CD4 percentage was 6.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.7% to 8.9%] after 6 months of cART, 8.6% (95% CI, 7.0% to 10.2%) after 12 months, and 20.5% (95% CI, 16.1% to 24.9%) after 60 months. cART-mediated CD4 percentage gains were slowest but greatest among children with baseline CD4 percentage <15. The cumulative incidence of recovery to “not significant” World Health Organization age-specific immunodeficiency was lower if cART was started when immunodeficiency was severe rather than mild or advanced. Conclusions cART increased CD4 percentages among HIV-infected children in a resource-deprived setting, as previously noted among children in the United States. More gradual and protracted recovery in children with lower baseline CD4 percentages supports earlier initiation of pediatric cART. PMID:22732464

Visual and Refractive Outcomes in Manual versus Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Analysis of 1838 Eyes.

PubMed

Berk, Thomas A; Schlenker, Matthew B; Campos-Möller, Xavier; Pereira, Austin M; Ahmed, Iqbal Ike K

2018-03-06

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) has emerged as an alternative to manual cataract surgery (MCS) for corneal incision and capsulorhexis creation, as well as nuclear fragmentation. This study compares postoperative refractive and visual outcomes in eyes receiving MCS or FLACS. Single-center, comparative, retrospective cohort analysis. Consecutive eyes receiving FLACS and MCS from July 1, 2012, to July 31, 2015, at a single tertiary care center. Demographic data, ocular history, preoperative measurements and biometry, and postoperative surgical results were retrospectively obtained and statistically analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics and within-patient correlation. A 2-tailed P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant throughout the study. Percentage of eyes achieving absolute error (AE) ≤0.5 diopters (D). Secondary outcomes included percentage of eyes with AE ≤0.25 D and ≤1.0 D, and percentage of distance-targeted eyes achieving uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better, 20/25 or better, and 20/30 or better. A total of 883 eyes received MCS and 955 received FLACS among 1089 patients. Some 82.6% of FLACS eyes and 78.8% of MCS eyes had ≤0.5 D of AE at 3 weeks, representing an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.66) of FLACS relative to MCS being within target. Some 97.1% of FLACS and 97.2% of MCS eyes had ≤1.0 D of AE (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.57-1.60) and 49.3% of FLACS and 46.3% of MCS eyes, ≤0.25 D of AE (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.91-1.39). Factors predictive of a favorable refractive outcome included axial length between 22 and 24.8 mm, receiving a toric intraocular lens, less preoperative cylinder, and greater preoperative average keratometry. There was no significant difference in the percentage of patients targeted for distance who achieved UDVA of 20/20 or better (P = 0.30), 20/25 or better (P = 0.06), or 20/30 or better (P = 0.66) vision. Postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference found between eyes undergoing FLACS and eyes undergoing MCS with respect to refractive and visual outcomes. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effectiveness of avalanche airbags.

PubMed

Haegeli, Pascal; Falk, Markus; Procter, Emily; Zweifel, Benjamin; Jarry, Frédéric; Logan, Spencer; Kronholm, Kalle; Biskupič, Marek; Brugger, Hermann

2014-09-01

Asphyxia is the primary cause of death among avalanche victims. Avalanche airbags can lower mortality by directly reducing grade of burial, the single most important factor for survival. This study aims to provide an updated perspective on the effectiveness of this safety device. A retrospective analysis of avalanche accidents involving at least one airbag user between 1994 and 2012 in Austria, Canada, France, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States. A multivariate analysis was used to calculate adjusted absolute risk reduction and estimate the effectiveness of airbags on grade of burial and mortality. A univariate analysis was used to examine causes of non-deployment. Binomial linear regression models showed main effects for airbag use, avalanche size and injuries on critical burial, and for grade of burial, injuries and avalanche size on mortality. The adjusted risk of critical burial is 47% with non-inflated airbags and 20% with inflated airbags. The adjusted mortality is 44% for critically buried victims and 3% for non-critically buried victims. The adjusted absolute mortality reduction for inflated airbags is -11 percentage points (22% to 11%; 95% confidence interval: -4 to -18 percentage points) and adjusted risk ratio is 0.51 (95% confidence interval: 0.29 to 0.72). Overall non-inflation rate is 20%, 60% of which is attributed to deployment failure by the user. Although the impact on survival is smaller than previously reported, these results confirm the effectiveness of airbags. Non-deployment remains the most considerable limitation to effectiveness. Development of standardized data collection protocols is encouraged to facilitate further research. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Minerals in the foods and diet of diademed sifakas: Are they nutritional challenges?

PubMed

Irwin, Mitchell T; Raharison, Jean-Luc; Chapman, Colin A; Junge, Randall E; Rothman, Jessica M

2017-04-01

Minerals, though needed in small quantities, are essential to metabolic processes, and deficiencies can seriously threaten health, reproduction and survival. Despite this, few studies have measured mineral composition of wild primate foods and fewer have quantified mineral intake. Here we measured the concentration of nine minerals in 75 foods of diademed sifakas (Propithecus diadema; five groups) in habitats with varying levels of disturbance at Tsinjoarivo and estimated daily intakes using focal-animal feeding data and intake rates over one year. For six minerals (Ca, P, Na, Fe, Zn, and Cu), mean concentrations in foods fell short of the National Research Council's (NRC) recommendations for captive primates. Concentrations were highest in lianas, herbs, and epiphytes, and hemiparasites had exceptionally high Na. Leaves tended to have higher concentrations than fruits or flowers, but overlap was extensive. Mineral concentrations in daily diets varied little seasonally, but absolute intakes (g/day) were higher in the abundant season, due to the increase in food ingested. Disturbed habitat groups' diets had higher mineral concentrations for five minerals, but this translated into increased intakes only for Cu, as these groups ate less food overall. Overall, comparisons with percentage-based NRC recommendations suggests deficiencies, but this is contradicted by: (1) the fact that mass-specific intakes exceeded human recommendations, and (2) the lack of observed signs of deficiency. Ongoing efforts to quantify mineral consumption across wild primate populations and better understanding requirements on both a percentage and absolute basis will help in understanding effects on food selection, managing primate habitats and formulating captive diets. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Modeling the relationship between photosynthetically active radiation and global horizontal irradiance using singular spectrum analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zempila, Melina-Maria; Taylor, Michael; Bais, Alkiviadis; Kazadzis, Stelios

2016-10-01

We report on the construction of generic models to calculate photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from global horizontal irradiance (GHI), and vice versa. Our study took place at stations of the Greek UV network (UVNET) and the Hellenic solar energy network (HNSE) with measurements from NILU-UV multi-filter radiometers and CM pyranometers, chosen due to their long (≈1 M record/site) high temporal resolution (≈1 min) record that captures a broad range of atmospheric environments and cloudiness conditions. The uncertainty of the PAR measurements is quantified to be ±6.5% while the uncertainty involved in GHI measurements is up to ≈±7% according to the manufacturer. We show how multi-linear regression and nonlinear neural network (NN) models, trained at a calibration site (Thessaloniki) can be made generic provided that the input-output time series are processed with multi-channel singular spectrum analysis (M-SSA). Without M-SSA, both linear and nonlinear models perform well only locally. M-SSA with 50 time-lags is found to be sufficient for identification of trend, periodic and noise components in aerosol, cloud parameters and irradiance, and to construct regularized noise models of PAR from GHI irradiances. Reconstructed PAR and GHI time series capture ≈95% of the variance of the cross-validated target measurements and have median absolute percentage errors <2%. The intra-site median absolute error of M-SSA processed models were ≈8.2±1.7 W/m2 for PAR and ≈9.2±4.2 W/m2 for GHI. When applying the models trained at Thessaloniki to other stations, the average absolute mean bias between the model estimates and measured values was found to be ≈1.2 W/m2 for PAR and ≈0.8 W/m2 for GHI. For the models, percentage errors are well within the uncertainty of the measurements at all sites. Generic NN models were found to perform marginally better than their linear counterparts.

Pixel-by-pixel absolute phase retrieval using three phase-shifted fringe patterns without markers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Chufan; Li, Beiwen; Zhang, Song

2017-04-01

This paper presents a method that can recover absolute phase pixel by pixel without embedding markers on three phase-shifted fringe patterns, acquiring additional images, or introducing additional hardware component(s). The proposed three-dimensional (3D) absolute shape measurement technique includes the following major steps: (1) segment the measured object into different regions using rough priori knowledge of surface geometry; (2) artificially create phase maps at different z planes using geometric constraints of structured light system; (3) unwrap the phase pixel by pixel for each region by properly referring to the artificially created phase map; and (4) merge unwrapped phases from all regions into a complete absolute phase map for 3D reconstruction. We demonstrate that conventional three-step phase-shifted fringe patterns can be used to create absolute phase map pixel by pixel even for large depth range objects. We have successfully implemented our proposed computational framework to achieve absolute 3D shape measurement at 40 Hz.

Gender Difference in Aerobic Capacity and the Contribution by Body Composition and Haemoglobin Concentration: A Study in Young Indian National Hockey Players

PubMed Central

Kailashiya, Jyotsna

2016-01-01

Introduction Although gender difference in aerobic capacity is known, the contributing factors have been researched seldom. Aim To investigate the gender gap and the contribution by percentage Body Fat (BF), Body Mass Index (BMI) and haemoglobin concentration Hb. Materials and Methods The study was conducted on 30 (17 males, 13 females) training status matched young hockey players. Healthy players who were playing upto national level competition were included. BW (Body Weight), BF, BMI, LBM (Lean Body Mass), rHR (restring Heart Rate), HRR (Heart Rate Recovery), Hb, a/rVO2max (absolute/relative), a/rPWC (Physical Work Capacity) and RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) were measured and analysed. Results There was significant gender difference in the measured parameters. Difference in a/rVO2max remained significant even after controlling for BF, BMI and Hb. Multiple regression and correlation analysis revealed gender difference in VO2max/LBM was due to: BMI(31.91%)>BF(27.60%)>Hb(9.91%). BMI also significantly contributed 3.66% of VO2max/LBM variance, independent of that by gender. Difference in RMR was mainly related to LBM, BF and BMI. Conclusion The study provided an understanding for gender gap in aerobic capacity. Differences in BMI & BF were one of the main reasons. PMID:28050360

Effects of race and sex on cerebral hemodynamics, oxygen delivery and blood flow distribution in response to high altitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jie; Liu, Yang; Ren, Li-Hua; Li, Li; Wang, Zhen; Liu, Shan-Shan; Li, Su-Zhi; Cao, Tie-Sheng

2016-08-01

To assess racial, sexual, and regional differences in cerebral hemodynamic response to high altitude (HA, 3658 m). We performed cross-sectional comparisons on total cerebral blood flow (TCBF = sum of bilateral internal carotid and vertebral arterial blood flows = QICA + QVA), total cerebrovascular resistance (TCVR), total cerebral oxygen delivery (TCOD) and QVA/TCBF (%), among six groups of young healthy subjects: Tibetans (2-year staying) and Han (Han Chinese) at sea level, Han (2-day, 1-year and 5-year) and Tibetans at HA. Bilateral ICA and VA diameters and flow velocities were derived from duplex ultrasonography; and simultaneous measurements of arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin concentration were conducted. Neither acute (2-day) nor chronic (>1 year) responses showed sex differences in Han, except that women showed lower TCOD compared with men. Tibetans and Han exhibited different chronic responses (percentage alteration relative to the sea-level counterpart value) in TCBF (-17% vs. 0%), TCVR (22% vs. 12%), TCOD (0% vs. 10%) and QVA/TCBF (0% vs. 2.4%, absolute increase), with lower resting TCOD found in SL- and HA-Tibetans. Our findings indicate racial but not sex differences in cerebral hemodynamic adaptations to HA, with Tibetans (but not Han) demonstrating an altitude-related change of CBF distribution.

Modeling the compliance of polyurethane nanofiber tubes for artificial common bile duct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moazeni, Najmeh; Vadood, Morteza; Semnani, Dariush; Hasani, Hossein

2018-02-01

The common bile duct is one of the body’s most sensitive organs and a polyurethane nanofiber tube can be used as a prosthetic of the common bile duct. The compliance is one of the most important properties of prosthetic which should be adequately compliant as long as possible to keep the behavioral integrity of prosthetic. In the present paper, the prosthetic compliance was measured and modeled using regression method and artificial neural network (ANN) based on the electrospinning process parameters such as polymer concentration, voltage, tip-to-collector distance and flow rate. Whereas, the ANN model contains different parameters affecting on the prediction accuracy directly, the genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimize the ANN parameters. Finally, it was observed that the optimized ANN model by GA can predict the compliance with high accuracy (mean absolute percentage error = 8.57%). Moreover, the contribution of variables on the compliance was investigated through relative importance analysis and the optimum values of parameters for ideal compliance were determined.

Principal component analysis and neurocomputing-based models for total ozone concentration over different urban regions of India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chattopadhyay, Goutami; Chattopadhyay, Surajit; Chakraborthy, Parthasarathi

2012-07-01

The present study deals with daily total ozone concentration time series over four metro cities of India namely Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and New Delhi in the multivariate environment. Using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure, it is established that the data set under consideration are suitable for principal component analysis. Subsequently, by introducing rotated component matrix for the principal components, the predictors suitable for generating artificial neural network (ANN) for daily total ozone prediction are identified. The multicollinearity is removed in this way. Models of ANN in the form of multilayer perceptron trained through backpropagation learning are generated for all of the study zones, and the model outcomes are assessed statistically. Measuring various statistics like Pearson correlation coefficients, Willmott's indices, percentage errors of prediction, and mean absolute errors, it is observed that for Mumbai and Kolkata the proposed ANN model generates very good predictions. The results are supported by the linearly distributed coordinates in the scatterplots.

Comparison of genetic algorithm and imperialist competitive algorithms in predicting bed load transport in clean pipe.

PubMed

Ebtehaj, Isa; Bonakdari, Hossein

2014-01-01

The existence of sediments in wastewater greatly affects the performance of the sewer and wastewater transmission systems. Increased sedimentation in wastewater collection systems causes problems such as reduced transmission capacity and early combined sewer overflow. The article reviews the performance of the genetic algorithm (GA) and imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) in minimizing the target function (mean square error of observed and predicted Froude number). To study the impact of bed load transport parameters, using four non-dimensional groups, six different models have been presented. Moreover, the roulette wheel selection method is used to select the parents. The ICA with root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.007, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) = 3.5% show better results than GA (RMSE = 0.007, MAPE = 5.6%) for the selected model. All six models return better results than the GA. Also, the results of these two algorithms were compared with multi-layer perceptron and existing equations.

Semiautomated spleen volumetry with diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

PubMed

Lee, Jeongjin; Kim, Kyoung Won; Lee, Ho; Lee, So Jung; Choi, Sanghyun; Jeong, Woo Kyoung; Kye, Heewon; Song, Gi-Won; Hwang, Shin; Lee, Sung-Gyu

2012-07-01

In this article, we determined the relative accuracy of semiautomated spleen volumetry with diffusion-weighted (DW) MR images compared to standard manual volumetry with DW-MR or CT images. Semiautomated spleen volumetry using simple thresholding followed by 3D and 2D connected component analysis was performed with DW-MR images. Manual spleen volumetry was performed on DW-MR and CT images. In this study, 35 potential live liver donor candidates were included. Semiautomated volumetry results were highly correlated with manual volumetry results using DW-MR (r = 0.99; P < 0.0001; mean percentage absolute difference, 1.43 ± 0.94) and CT (r = 0.99; P < 0.0001; 1.76 ± 1.07). Mean total processing time for semiautomated volumetry was significantly shorter compared to that of manual volumetry with DW-MR (P < 0.0001) and CT (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, semiautomated spleen volumetry with DW-MR images can be performed rapidly and accurately when compared with standard manual volumetry. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anticipated changes in reimbursements for US outpatient emergency department encounters after health reform.

PubMed

Galarraga, Jessica E; Pines, Jesse M

2014-04-01

We study how reimbursements to emergency departments (EDs) for outpatient visits may be affected by the insurance coverage expansion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as previously uninsured patients gain coverage either through the Medicaid expansion or through health insurance exchanges. We conducted a secondary analysis of data (2005 to 2010) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We specified multiple linear regression models to examine differences in the payments, charges, and reimbursement ratios by insurance category. Comparisons were made between 2 groups to reflect likely movements in insurance status after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation: (1) the uninsured who will be Medicaid eligible afterward versus Medicaid insured, and (2) the uninsured who will be Medicaid ineligible afterward versus the privately insured. From 2005 to 2010, as a percentage of total ED charges, outpatient ED encounters for Medicaid beneficiaries reimbursed 17% more than for uninsured individuals who will become Medicaid eligible after Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation: 40.0% versus 34.0%, mean absolute difference=5.9%, 95% confidence interval 5.7% to 6.2%. During the same period, the privately insured reimbursed 39% more than for uninsured individuals who will not be Medicaid eligible after Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation: 54.0% versus 38.8%, mean absolute difference=15.2%, 95% confidence interval 12.8% to 17.6%. Assuming historical reimbursement patterns remain after Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation, outpatient ED encounters could reimburse considerably more for both the previously uninsured patients who will obtain Medicaid insurance and for those who move into private insurance products through health insurance exchanges. Although our study does provide insight into the future, multiple factors will ultimately influence reimbursements after implementation of the act. Copyright © 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends of relative and absolute socioeconomic equity in access to coronary revascularisations in 1995-2010 in Finland: a register study.

PubMed

Lumme, Sonja; Manderbacka, Kristiina; Keskimäki, Ilmo

2017-02-20

Resources for coronary revascularisations have increased substantially since the early 1990s in Finland. At the same time, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality has decreased markedly. This study aims to examine how these changes have influenced trends in absolute and relative differences between socioeconomic groups in revascularisations and age group differences in them using IHD mortality as a proxy for need. Hospital Discharge Register data on revascularisations among Finns aged 45-84 in 1995-2010 were individually linked to population registers to obtain socio-demographic data. We measured absolute and relative income group differences in revascularisation and IHD mortality with slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (C), and relative equity taking need for care into account with horizontal inequity index (HII). The supply of procedures doubled during the years. Socioeconomic distribution of revascularisations was in absolute and relative terms equal in 1995 (Men: SII = -12, C = -0.00; Women, SII = -30, C = -0.03), but differences favouring low-income groups emerged by 2010 (M: SII = -340, C = -0.08; W: SII = -195, C = -0.14). IHD mortality decreased markedly, but absolute and relative differences favouring the better-off existed throughout study years. Absolute differences decreased somewhat (M: SII = -760 in 1995, SII = -681 in 2010; W: SII = -318 in 1995, SII = -211 in 2010), but relative differences increased significantly (M: C = -0.14 in 1995, C = -0.26 in 2010; W: C = -0.15 in 1995, C = -0.25 in 2010). HII was greater than zero in each year indicating inequity favouring the better-off. HII increased from 0.15 to 0.18 among men and from 0.10 to 0.12 among women. We found significant and increasing age group differences in HII. Despite large increase in supply of revascularisations and decrease in IHD mortality, there is still marked socioeconomic inequity in revascularisations in Finland. However, since changes in absolute distributions of both supply and need for coronary care have favoured low-income groups, absolute inequity can be claimed to have decreased although it cannot be quantified numerically.

Absolute Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Hand Held Dynamometry and Isokinetic Dynamometry in the Hip, Knee and Ankle Joint: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Chamorro, Claudio; Armijo-Olivo, Susan; De la Fuente, Carlos; Fuentes, Javiera; Javier Chirosa, Luis

2017-01-01

Abstract The purpose of the study is to establish absolute reliability and concurrent validity between hand-held dynamometers (HHDs) and isokinetic dynamometers (IDs) in lower extremity peak torque assessment. Medline, Embase, CINAHL databases were searched for studies related to psychometric properties in muscle dynamometry. Studies considering standard error of measurement SEM (%) or limit of agreement LOA (%) expressed as percentage of the mean, were considered to establish absolute reliability while studies using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were considered to establish concurrent validity between dynamometers. In total, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The COSMIN checklist classified them between fair and poor. Using HHDs, knee extension LOA (%) was 33.59%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 23.91 to 43.26 and ankle plantar flexion LOA (%) was 48.87%, CI 35.19 to 62.56. Using IDs, hip adduction and extension; knee flexion and extension; and ankle dorsiflexion showed LOA (%) under 15%. Lower hip, knee, and ankle LOA (%) were obtained using an ID compared to HHD. ICC between devices ranged between 0.62, CI (0.37 to 0.87) for ankle dorsiflexion to 0.94, IC (0.91to 0.98) for hip adduction. Very high correlation were found for hip adductors and hip flexors and moderate correlations for knee flexors/extensors and ankle plantar/dorsiflexors. PMID:29071305

The pharmacokinetics study of ginkgolide A, B and the effect of food on bioavailability after oral administration of ginkgolide extracts in beagle dogs.

PubMed

Aa, Lixiang; Fei, Fei; Tan, Zhaoyi; Aa, Jiye; Wang, Guangji; Liu, Changxiao

2018-06-01

Ginkgolides are the primarily active components in Ginkgo products that are popular worldwide. However, few studies have evaluated the bioavailability of ginkgolides and the effects of food on it after oral administration of ginkgolides. In this article, pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of the primary components in ginkgolide extracts were evaluated in beagle dogs. For the first time, we showed that the fed dogs had significantly increased area under the concentration-time curve and peak concentration relative to the fasted dogs based on the data from both the prototype form and total lactones of ginkgolide A (GA) and ginkgolide B (GB). In terms of the free form of the prototype ginkgolides, the absolute bioavailabilities of GA and GB were 34.8 and 5.2% in the fasted dogs, respectively, which significantly increased to an average of 78.6 and 17.0%, respectively, in the fed dogs. In terms of acidified total lactones, the absolute bioavailabilities of GA and GB were 7.5 and 14.5% in the fed dogs, and the percentages declined to 4.1 and 3.7% in the fasted dogs, respectively. It was suggested that administration of ginkgolides after meals could promote the in vivo exposure and the bioavailability of GA and GB, and hence potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Easy Absolute Values? Absolutely

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Sharon E.; Mittag, Kathleen Cage

2015-01-01

The authors teach a problem-solving course for preservice middle-grades education majors that includes concepts dealing with absolute-value computations, equations, and inequalities. Many of these students like mathematics and plan to teach it, so they are adept at symbolic manipulations. Getting them to think differently about a concept that they…

Two-Finger Tightness: What Is It? Measuring Torque and Reproducibility in a Simulated Model.

PubMed

Acker, William B; Tai, Bruce L; Belmont, Barry; Shih, Albert J; Irwin, Todd A; Holmes, James R

2016-05-01

Residents in training are often directed to insert screws using "two-finger tightness" to impart adequate torque but minimize the chance of a screw stripping in bone. This study seeks to quantify and describe two-finger tightness and to assess the variability of its application by residents in training. Cortical bone was simulated using a polyurethane foam block (30-pcf density) that was prepared with predrilled holes for tightening 3.5 × 14-mm long cortical screws and mounted to a custom-built apparatus on a load cell to capture torque data. Thirty-three residents in training, ranging from the first through fifth years of residency, along with 8 staff members, were directed to tighten 6 screws to two-finger tightness in the test block, and peak torque values were recorded. The participants were blinded to their torque values. Stripping torque (2.73 ± 0.56 N·m) was determined from 36 trials and served as a threshold for failed screw placement. The average torques varied substantially with regard to absolute torque values, thus poorly defining two-finger tightness. Junior residents less consistently reproduced torque compared with other groups (0.29 and 0.32, respectively). These data quantify absolute values of two-finger tightness but demonstrate considerable variability in absolute torque values, percentage of stripping torque, and ability to consistently reproduce given torque levels. Increased years in training are weakly correlated with reproducibility, but experience does not seem to affect absolute torque levels. These results question the usefulness of two-finger tightness as a teaching tool and highlight the need for improvement in resident motor skill training and development within a teaching curriculum. Torque measuring devices may be a useful simulation tools for this purpose.

Absolute flatness measurements of silicon mirrors by a three-intersection method by near-infrared interferometry

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Absolute flatness of three silicon plane mirrors have been measured by a three-intersection method based on the three-flat method using a near-infrared interferometer. The interferometer was constructed using a near-infrared laser diode with a 1,310-nm wavelength light where the silicon plane mirror is transparent. The height differences at the coordinate values between the absolute line profiles by the three-intersection method have been evaluated. The height differences of the three flats were 4.5 nm or less. The three-intersection method using the near-infrared interferometer was useful for measuring the absolute flatness of the silicon plane mirrors. PMID:23758916

Assessment of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance analysis and anthropometrics in children: the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study.

PubMed

Tompuri, Tuomo T; Lakka, Timo A; Hakulinen, Mikko; Lindi, Virpi; Laaksonen, David E; Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O; Jääskeläinen, Jarmo; Lakka, Hanna-Maaria; Laitinen, Tomi

2015-01-01

We compared InBody720 segmental multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (SMF-BIA) with Lunar Prodigy Advance dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in assessment of body composition among 178 predominantly prepubertal children. Segmental agreement analysis of body compartments was carried out, and inter-relationships of anthropometric and other measures of body composition were defined. Moreover, the relations of different reference criteria for excess body fat were evaluated. The prevalence of excess body fat varies greatly according to the used criteria. Intraclass and Pearson's correlations between SMF-BIA and DXA were >0·92 in total body and >0·74 in regional measures. SMF-BIA underestimated percentage body fat (%BF) and fat mass (FM), and overestimated lean mass (LM) and percentage LM with significant offset trend bias. Higher adiposity increased offsets, and overall agreement was poorer in girls. On average, %BF offsets (girls/boys) and limits of agreement (LA) were 3·9/1·6% [(-)1·4-9·2%/(-)3·4-6·7%]. Interestingly percentage offsets of fat content (%BF: 18·9/10·1%, FM: 18·8/11·1%) showed no significant bias trends indicating that the corresponding absolute methodological offset depends on the amount of fat content. The smallest percentage offset was found with LM: 4·3/0·1%, referring offset (LA) of 0·88/0·03 kg (±2·05/±1·71 kg). Correspondingly, segmental LM had poorer agreement than total body LM. All anthropometrics except for the waist-to-hip ratio showed strong correlations (r = 0·76-0·95) with abdominal and total body fat. Segmental multifrequency bioimpedance analysis is precise enough for total-LM analysis and had also sufficient trueness for total body composition analysis to be used in epidemiological purposes. There is need to generate scientifically and clinically relevant criteria and reference values for excess body fat. © 2013 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prediction of Carcass Composition Using Carcass Grading Traits in Hanwoo Steers.

PubMed

Lee, Jooyoung; Won, Seunggun; Lee, Jeongkoo; Kim, Jongbok

2016-09-01

The prediction of carcass composition in Hanwoo steers is very important for value-based marketing, and the improvement of prediction accuracy and precision can be achieved through the analyses of independent variables using a prediction equation with a sufficient dataset. The present study was conducted to develop a prediction equation for Hanwoo carcass composition for which data was collected from 7,907 Hanwoo steers raised at a private farm in Gangwon Province, South Korea, and slaughtered in the period between January 2009 and September 2014. Carcass traits such as carcass weight (CWT), back fat thickness (BFT), eye-muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MAR) were used as independent variables for the development of a prediction equation for carcass composition, such as retail cut weight and percentage (RC, and %RC, respectively), trimmed fat weight and percentage (FAT, and %FAT, respectively), and separated bone weight and percentage (BONE, and %BONE), and its feasibility for practical use was evaluated using the estimated retail yield percentage (ELP) currently used in Korea. The equations were functions of all the variables, and the significance was estimated via stepwise regression analyses. Further, the model equations were verified by means of the residual standard deviation and the coefficient of determination (R(2)) between the predicted and observed values. As the results of stepwise analyses, CWT was the most important single variable in the equation for RC and FAT, and BFT was the most important variable for the equation of %RC and %FAT. The precision and accuracy of three variable equation consisting CWT, BFT, and EMA were very similar to those of four variable equation that included all for independent variables (CWT, BFT, EMA, and MAR) in RC and FAT, while the three variable equations provided a more accurate prediction for %RC. Consequently, the three-variable equation might be more appropriate for practical use than the four-variable equation based on its easy and cost-effective measurement. However, a relatively high average difference for the ELP in absolute value implies a revision of the official equation may be required, although the current official equation for predicting RC with three variables is still valid.

Ecological footprint model using the support vector machine technique.

PubMed

Ma, Haibo; Chang, Wenjuan; Cui, Guangbai

2012-01-01

The per capita ecological footprint (EF) is one of the most widely recognized measures of environmental sustainability. It aims to quantify the Earth's biological resources required to support human activity. In this paper, we summarize relevant previous literature, and present five factors that influence per capita EF. These factors are: National gross domestic product (GDP), urbanization (independent of economic development), distribution of income (measured by the Gini coefficient), export dependence (measured by the percentage of exports to total GDP), and service intensity (measured by the percentage of service to total GDP). A new ecological footprint model based on a support vector machine (SVM), which is a machine-learning method based on the structural risk minimization principle from statistical learning theory was conducted to calculate the per capita EF of 24 nations using data from 123 nations. The calculation accuracy was measured by average absolute error and average relative error. They were 0.004883 and 0.351078% respectively. Our results demonstrate that the EF model based on SVM has good calculation performance.

Effects of isolation on interferon production and hematological and immunological parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sonnenfeld, G.; Measel, J.; Loken, M. R.; Degioanni, J.; Follini, S.; Galvagno, A.; Montalbini, M.

1992-01-01

A 27-year-old woman was maintained in an isolated state for 131 days in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. Her diet was vitamin D-depleted. Determinations on the effects of such isolation on levels and activities of peripheral blood cells that are important for hematological homeostasis and immunological function were carried out. Throughout the duration of the study, the percentage of lymphoid cells that expressed CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, Leu 8, and other markers remained relatively constant although the absolute numbers of these cells varied. Although the percentage of natural killer (NK) cells did not vary, the activity of these cells did change. NK cell activity became elevated as the isolation study progressed. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to mitogen stimulation was higher than expected throughout the isolation periods, but returned to the normal range after termination of the isolation. Red and white cell counts dropped significantly upon entering isolation, but soon returned to normal.

Kinetics of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) in SIV-infected macaques.

PubMed

Ahsan, Muhammad H; Gill, Amy F; Alvarez, Xavier; Lackner, Andrew A; Veazey, Ronald S

2013-11-01

Since the liver drains antigens from the intestinal tract, and since the intestinal tract is a major site of viral replication, we examined the dynamics of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) throughout SIV infection. Absolute numbers of Kupffer cells increased in the livers in acute infection, and in animals with AIDS. Significantly higher percentages of proliferating (BrdU+) Kupffer cells were detected in acute infection and in AIDS with similar trends in blood monocytes. Significantly higher percentages of apoptotic (AC3+) Kupffer cells were also found in acute and AIDS stages. However, productively infected cells were not detected in liver of 41/42 animals examined, despite abundant infected cells in gut and lymph nodes of all animals. Increased rates of Kupffer cell proliferation resulting in an increase in Kupffer cells without productive infection indicate SIV infection affects Kupffer cells, but the liver does not appear to be a major site of productive viral replication. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Invariant NKT cells from HIV-1 or Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients express an activated phenotype.

PubMed

Montoya, Carlos J; Cataño, Juan C; Ramirez, Zoraida; Rugeles, Maria T; Wilson, S Brian; Landay, Alan L

2008-04-01

The frequency, subsets and activation status of peripheral blood invariant NKT (iNKT) cells were evaluated in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and in chronically HIV-1-infected subjects. The absolute numbers of iNKT cells were significantly decreased in TB patients and in HIV-1+ individuals who were antiretroviral therapy naive or had detectable viremia despite receiving HAART. iNKT cell subset analysis demonstrated a decreased percentage of CD4(+) iNKT cells in HIV-1+ subjects, and a decreased percentage of double negative iNKT cells in TB patients. Peripheral blood iNKT cells from HIV-1+ and TB patients had significantly increased expression of CD69, CD38, HLA-DR, CD16, CD56, and CD62L. The expression of CD25 was significantly increased only on iNKT cells from TB patients. These findings indicate that peripheral blood iNKT cells in these two chronic infections show an up-regulated expression of activation markers, suggesting their role in the immune response to infection.

Altered cytokine production by specific human peripheral blood cell subsets immediately following space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crucian, B. E.; Cubbage, M. L.; Sams, C. F.

2000-01-01

In this study, flow cytometry was used to positively identify the specific lymphocyte subsets exhibiting space flight-induced alterations in cytokine production. Whole blood samples were collected from 27 astronauts at three points (one preflight, two postflight) surrounding four space shuttle missions. Assays performed included serum/urine stress hormones, white blood cell (WBC) phenotyping, and intracellular cytokine production following mitogenic stimulation. Absolute levels of peripheral granulocytes were significantly elevated following space flight, but the levels of circulating lymphocytes and monocytes were unchanged. Lymphocyte subset analysis demonstrated a decreased percentage of T cells, whereas percentages of B cells and natural killer (NK) cells remained unchanged after flight. Nearly all the astronauts exhibited an increased CD4/CD8 T cell ratio. Assessment of naive (CD45RA+) vs. memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cell subsets was ambiguous, and subjects tended to group within specific missions. Although no significant trend was seen in absolute monocyte levels, a significant decrease in the percentage of the CD14+ CD16+ monocytes was seen following space flight in all subjects tested. T cell (CD3+) production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) was significantly decreased after space flight, as was IL-2 production by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was not altered by space flight for the CD8+ cell subset, but there was a significant decrease in IFN-gamma production for the CD4+ T cell subset. Serum and urine stress hormone analysis indicated significant physiologic stresses in astronauts following space flight. Altered peripheral leukocyte subsets, altered serum and urine stress hormone levels, and altered T cell cytokine secretion profiles were all observed postflight. In addition, there appeared to be differential susceptibility to space flight regarding cytokine secretion by T cell subsets. These alterations may be the result of either microgravity exposure or the physiologic stresses of landing and readaptation to unit gravity. Future studies, including in-flight analysis or sampling, will be necessary to determine the cause of these alterations.

Trends in malaria research in 11 Asian Pacific countries: an analysis of peer-reviewed publications over two decades.

PubMed

Andersen, Finn; Douglas, Nick M; Bustos, Dorina; Galappaththy, Gawrie; Qi, Gao; Hsiang, Michelle S; Kusriastuti, Rita; Mendis, Kamini; Taleo, George; Whittaker, Maxine; Price, Ric N; von Seidlein, Lorenz

2011-05-18

Quantitative data are lacking on published malaria research. The purpose of the study is to characterize trends in malaria-related literature from 1990 to 2009 in 11 Asian-Pacific countries that are committed to malaria elimination as a national goal. A systematic search was conducted for articles published from January 1990 to December 2009 in PubMed/MEDLINE using terms for malaria and 11 target countries (Bhutan, China, North Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu). The references were collated and categorized according to subject, Plasmodium species, and whether they contained original or derivative data. 2,700 articles published between 1990 and 2009 related to malaria in the target countries. The annual output of malaria-related papers increased linearly whereas the overall biomedical output from these countries grew exponentially. The percentage of malaria-related publications was nearly 3% (111/3741) of all biomedical publications in 1992 and decreased to less than 1% (118/12171; p < 0.001) in 2009. Thailand had the highest absolute output of malaria-related papers (n = 1211), followed by China (n = 609) and Indonesia (n = 346). Solomon Islands and Vanuatu had lower absolute numbers of publications, but both countries had the highest number of publications per capita (1.3 and 2.5 papers/1,000 population). The largest percentage of papers concerned the epidemiology and control of malaria (53%) followed by studies of drugs and drug resistance (47%). There was an increase in the proportion of articles relating to epidemiology, entomology, biology, molecular biology, pathophysiology and diagnostics from the first to the second decade, whereas the percentage of papers on drugs, clinical aspects of malaria, immunology, and social sciences decreased. The proportion of malaria-related publications out of the overall biomedical output from the 11 target Asian-Pacific countries is decreasing. The discovery and evaluation of new, safe and effective drugs and vaccines is paramount. In addition the elimination of malaria will require operational research to implement and scale up interventions.

Cytoarchitectonic analysis of the SDN-POA of the intact and gonadectomized rat.

PubMed

Bloch, G J; Gorski, R A

1988-09-22

The densely staining group of cells referred to as the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) is greater in volume in the male than in the female rat. Because we and others have reported absolute volumes that have been consistent within individual studies but that vary considerably, we characterized the SDN-POA by describing its morphology with respect to the cytoarchitectonic divisions of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) in intact and gonadectomized rats. We report three major findings: the SDN-POA is heterogeneous and is composed of cells belonging to three distinct cytoarchitectonic divisions; the cytoarchitecture of the MPN and its medial and lateral divisions (MPNm and MPNl, respectively) in male rats appear to be influenced by the hormonal status in adulthood; and a small anteroventral division of the MPN (MPNav) is present in males but virtually absent in females. Specifically, the SDN-POA is located within the MPNm, but consists of subcomponents located within the central division of the MPN (MPNc), the MPNav, and part of the MPNm-exclusive of the MPNc and MPNav. The percentage of the total SDN-POA located within the MPNc and MPNav. The percentage of the total SDN-POA located within the MPNc and MPNav was greater in males, and that in the MPNm-exclusive of the MPNc and MPNav was greater in females, indicating that the SDN-POA has a different cytoarchitectonic composition in the two sexes. Gonadectomy produced no significant differences in SDN-POA volume, but the MPN, MPNl, and MPNm were significantly reduced in gonadectomized versus intact males, suggesting an activational effect of testicular hormones on these structures.

Vestibular schwannomas: Accuracy of tumor volume estimated by ice cream cone formula using thin-sliced MR images.

PubMed

Ho, Hsing-Hao; Li, Ya-Hui; Lee, Jih-Chin; Wang, Chih-Wei; Yu, Yi-Lin; Hueng, Dueng-Yuan; Ma, Hsin-I; Hsu, Hsian-He; Juan, Chun-Jung

2018-01-01

We estimated the volume of vestibular schwannomas by an ice cream cone formula using thin-sliced magnetic resonance images (MRI) and compared the estimation accuracy among different estimating formulas and between different models. The study was approved by a local institutional review board. A total of 100 patients with vestibular schwannomas examined by MRI between January 2011 and November 2015 were enrolled retrospectively. Informed consent was waived. Volumes of vestibular schwannomas were estimated by cuboidal, ellipsoidal, and spherical formulas based on a one-component model, and cuboidal, ellipsoidal, Linskey's, and ice cream cone formulas based on a two-component model. The estimated volumes were compared to the volumes measured by planimetry. Intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver agreement was tested. Estimation error, including absolute percentage error (APE) and percentage error (PE), was calculated. Statistical analysis included intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), linear regression analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and paired t-tests with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Overall tumor size was 4.80 ± 6.8 mL (mean ±standard deviation). All ICCs were no less than 0.992, suggestive of high intraobserver reproducibility and high interobserver agreement. Cuboidal formulas significantly overestimated the tumor volume by a factor of 1.9 to 2.4 (P ≤ 0.001). The one-component ellipsoidal and spherical formulas overestimated the tumor volume with an APE of 20.3% and 29.2%, respectively. The two-component ice cream cone method, and ellipsoidal and Linskey's formulas significantly reduced the APE to 11.0%, 10.1%, and 12.5%, respectively (all P < 0.001). The ice cream cone method and other two-component formulas including the ellipsoidal and Linskey's formulas allow for estimation of vestibular schwannoma volume more accurately than all one-component formulas.

Modeling of Compressive Strength for Self-Consolidating High-Strength Concrete Incorporating Palm Oil Fuel Ash

PubMed Central

Safiuddin, Md.; Raman, Sudharshan N.; Abdus Salam, Md.; Jumaat, Mohd. Zamin

2016-01-01

Modeling is a very useful method for the performance prediction of concrete. Most of the models available in literature are related to the compressive strength because it is a major mechanical property used in concrete design. Many attempts were taken to develop suitable mathematical models for the prediction of compressive strength of different concretes, but not for self-consolidating high-strength concrete (SCHSC) containing palm oil fuel ash (POFA). The present study has used artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the compressive strength of SCHSC incorporating POFA. The ANN model has been developed and validated in this research using the mix proportioning and experimental strength data of 20 different SCHSC mixes. Seventy percent (70%) of the data were used to carry out the training of the ANN model. The remaining 30% of the data were used for testing the model. The training of the ANN model was stopped when the root mean square error (RMSE) and the percentage of good patterns was 0.001 and ≈100%, respectively. The predicted compressive strength values obtained from the trained ANN model were much closer to the experimental values of compressive strength. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the relationship between the predicted and experimental compressive strengths was 0.9486, which shows the higher degree of accuracy of the network pattern. Furthermore, the predicted compressive strength was found very close to the experimental compressive strength during the testing process of the ANN model. The absolute and percentage relative errors in the testing process were significantly low with a mean value of 1.74 MPa and 3.13%, respectively, which indicated that the compressive strength of SCHSC including POFA can be efficiently predicted by the ANN. PMID:28773520

Randomized trial of a dual-hormone artificial pancreas with dosing adjustment during exercise compared with no adjustment and sensor-augmented pump therapy.

PubMed

Jacobs, P G; El Youssef, J; Reddy, R; Resalat, N; Branigan, D; Condon, J; Preiser, N; Ramsey, K; Jones, M; Edwards, C; Kuehl, K; Leitschuh, J; Rajhbeharrysingh, U; Castle, J R

2016-11-01

To test whether adjusting insulin and glucagon in response to exercise within a dual-hormone artificial pancreas (AP) reduces exercise-related hypoglycaemia. In random order, 21 adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) underwent three 22-hour experimental sessions: AP with exercise dosing adjustment (APX); AP with no exercise dosing adjustment (APN); and sensor-augmented pump (SAP) therapy. After an overnight stay and 2 hours after breakfast, participants exercised for 45 minutes at 60% of their maximum heart rate, with no snack given before exercise. During APX, insulin was decreased and glucagon was increased at exercise onset, while during SAP therapy, subjects could adjust dosing before exercise. The two primary outcomes were percentage of time spent in hypoglycaemia (<3.9 mmol/L) and percentage of time spent in euglycaemia (3.9-10 mmol/L) from the start of exercise to the end of the study. The mean (95% confidence interval) times spent in hypoglycaemia (<3.9 mmol/L) after the start of exercise were 0.3% (-0.1, 0.7) for APX, 3.1% (0.8, 5.3) for APN, and 0.8% (0.1, 1.4) for SAP therapy. There was an absolute difference of 2.8% less time spent in hypoglycaemia for APX versus APN (p = .001) and 0.5% less time spent in hypoglycaemia for APX versus SAP therapy (p = .16). Mean time spent in euglycaemia was similar across the different sessions. Adjusting insulin and glucagon delivery at exercise onset within a dual-hormone AP significantly reduces hypoglycaemia compared with no adjustment and performs similarly to SAP therapy when insulin is adjusted before exercise. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modeling of Compressive Strength for Self-Consolidating High-Strength Concrete Incorporating Palm Oil Fuel Ash.

PubMed

Safiuddin, Md; Raman, Sudharshan N; Abdus Salam, Md; Jumaat, Mohd Zamin

2016-05-20

Modeling is a very useful method for the performance prediction of concrete. Most of the models available in literature are related to the compressive strength because it is a major mechanical property used in concrete design. Many attempts were taken to develop suitable mathematical models for the prediction of compressive strength of different concretes, but not for self-consolidating high-strength concrete (SCHSC) containing palm oil fuel ash (POFA). The present study has used artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the compressive strength of SCHSC incorporating POFA. The ANN model has been developed and validated in this research using the mix proportioning and experimental strength data of 20 different SCHSC mixes. Seventy percent (70%) of the data were used to carry out the training of the ANN model. The remaining 30% of the data were used for testing the model. The training of the ANN model was stopped when the root mean square error (RMSE) and the percentage of good patterns was 0.001 and ≈100%, respectively. The predicted compressive strength values obtained from the trained ANN model were much closer to the experimental values of compressive strength. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the relationship between the predicted and experimental compressive strengths was 0.9486, which shows the higher degree of accuracy of the network pattern. Furthermore, the predicted compressive strength was found very close to the experimental compressive strength during the testing process of the ANN model. The absolute and percentage relative errors in the testing process were significantly low with a mean value of 1.74 MPa and 3.13%, respectively, which indicated that the compressive strength of SCHSC including POFA can be efficiently predicted by the ANN.

Frequency of consumption of cariogenic food items by 4-month-old to 24-month-old children: comparison between two rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

PubMed

MacKeown, Jennifer M; Faber, Mieke

2005-03-01

The objective of the study was to compare the frequency of consumption of cariogenic food items among 4-month-old to 24-month-old children in two neighbouring rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: Nyuswa/Embo (Area A) (n = 127) and Ndunakazi (Area B) (n = 105). Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Mothers or caregivers were interviewed by a team of Zulu-speaking fieldworkers. The percentage of children consuming the individual food items (consumers) and the weekly consumption for consumers were calculated for the two areas separately. The food items were ranked in descending order according to the combined group of children and reported for each area within five selected food groups (carbohydrates, sugars, fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products, and other foods and snacks). Food items were 'flagged' according to their cariogenic potential. Fisher's exact test on absolute numbers tested for significant differences in the frequency of intake between individual food items between the two groups. Significance was set at P < 0.05. The frequency of consumption of certain listed cariogenic food items showed significant differences between the two areas. A higher percentage of children in Area A than in Area B consumed most of the food items and also more frequently. Children mainly consumed foods with a cariogenic score of 2, solid foods with 8-20% sugars as well as foods high in starch with less than 10% sugars. This knowledge is essential to gain insight into the eating pattern among rural communities and will provide a baseline for developing and adapting dietary advice specifically for young rural South African children with particular emphasis on the prevention of dental caries.

A new metric for assessing IMRT modulation complexity and plan deliverability.

PubMed

McNiven, Andrea L; Sharpe, Michael B; Purdie, Thomas G

2010-02-01

To evaluate the utility of a new complexity metric, the modulation complexity score (MCS), in the treatment planning and quality assurance processes and to evaluate the relationship of the metric with deliverability. A multisite (breast, rectum, prostate, prostate bed, lung, and head and neck) and site-specific (lung) dosimetric evaluation has been completed. The MCS was calculated for each beam and the overall treatment plan. A 2D diode array (MapCHECK, Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL) was used to acquire measurements for each beam. The measured and planned dose (PINNACLE3, Phillips, Madison, WI) was evaluated using different percent differences and distance to agreement (DTA) criteria (3%/ 3 mm and 2%/ 1 mm) and the relationship between the dosimetric results and complexity (as measured by the MCS or simple beam parameters) assessed. For the multisite analysis (243 plans total), the mean MCS scores for each treatment site were breast (0.92), rectum (0.858), prostate (0.837), prostate bed (0.652), lung (0.631), and head and neck (0.356). The MCS allowed for compilation of treatment site-specific statistics, which is useful for comparing different techniques, as well as for comparison of individual treatment plans with the typical complexity levels. For the six plans selected for dosimetry, the average diode percent pass rate was 98.7% (minimum of 96%) for 3%/3 mm evaluation criteria. The average difference in absolute dose measurement between the planned and measured dose was 1.7 cGy. The detailed lung analysis also showed excellent agreement between the measured and planned dose, as all beams had a diode percentage pass rate for 3%/3 mm criteria of greater than 95.9%, with an average pass rate of 99.0%. The average absolute maximum dose difference for the lung plans was 0.7 cGy. There was no direct correlation between the MCS and simple beam parameters which could be used as a surrogate for complexity level (i.e., number of segments or MU). An evaluation criterion of 2%/ 1 mm reliably allowed for the identification of beams that are dosimetrically robust. In this study we defined a robust beam or plan as one that maintained a diode percentage pass rate greater than 90% at 2%/ 1 mm, indicating delivery that was deemed accurate when compared to the planned dose, even under stricter evaluation criterion. MCS and MU threshold criteria were determined by defining a required specificity of 1.0. A MCS threshold of 0.8 allowed for identification of robust deliverability with a sensitivity of 0.36. In contrast, MU had a lower sensitivity of 0.23 for a threshold of 50 MU. The MCS allows for a quantitative assessment of plan complexity, on a fixed scale, that can be applied to all treatment sites and can provide more information related to dose delivery than simple beam parameters. This could prove useful throughout the entire treatment planning and QA process.

Commissioning of a 3D image‐based treatment planning system for high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy of cervical cancer

PubMed Central

Kim, Yongbok; Modrick, Joseph M.; Pennington, Edward C.

2016-01-01

The objective of this work is to present commissioning procedures to clinically implement a three‐dimensional (3D), image‐based, treatment‐planning system (TPS) for high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) for gynecological (GYN) cancer. The physical dimensions of the GYN applicators and their values in the virtual applicator library were varied by 0.4 mm of their nominal values. Reconstruction uncertainties of the titanium tandem and ovoids (T&O) were less than 0.4 mm on CT phantom studies and on average between 0.8‐1.0 mm on MRI when compared with X‐rays. In‐house software, HDRCalculator, was developed to check HDR plan parameters such as independently verifying active tandem or cylinder probe length and ovoid or cylinder size, source calibration and treatment date, and differences between average Point A dose and prescription dose. Dose‐volume histograms were validated using another independent TPS. Comprehensive procedures to commission volume optimization algorithms and process in 3D image‐based planning were presented. For the difference between line and volume optimizations, the average absolute differences as a percentage were 1.4% for total reference air KERMA (TRAK) and 1.1% for Point A dose. Volume optimization consistency tests between versions resulted in average absolute differences in 0.2% for TRAK and 0.9 s (0.2%) for total treatment time. The data revealed that the optimizer should run for at least 1 min in order to avoid more than 0.6% dwell time changes. For clinical GYN T&O cases, three different volume optimization techniques (graphical optimization, pure inverse planning, and hybrid inverse optimization) were investigated by comparing them against a conventional Point A technique. End‐to‐end testing was performed using a T&O phantom to ensure no errors or inconsistencies occurred from imaging through to planning and delivery. The proposed commissioning procedures provide a clinically safe implementation technique for 3D image‐based TPS for HDR BT for GYN cancer. PACS number(s): 87.55.D‐ PMID:27074463

Comparison of the gold standard of hemoglobin measurement with the clinical standard (BGA) and noninvasive hemoglobin measurement (SpHb) in small children: a prospective diagnostic observational study.

PubMed

Wittenmeier, Eva; Bellosevich, Sophia; Mauff, Susanne; Schmidtmann, Irene; Eli, Michael; Pestel, Gunther; Noppens, Ruediger R

2015-10-01

Collecting a blood sample is usually necessary to measure hemoglobin levels in children. Especially in small children, noninvasively measuring the hemoglobin level could be extraordinarily helpful, but its precision and accuracy in the clinical environment remain unclear. In this study, noninvasive hemoglobin measurement and blood gas analysis were compared to hemoglobin measurement in a clinical laboratory. In 60 healthy preoperative children (0.2-7.6 years old), hemoglobin was measured using a noninvasive method (SpHb; Radical-7 Pulse Co-Oximeter), a blood gas analyzer (clinical standard, BGAHb; ABL 800 Flex), and a laboratory hematology analyzer (reference method, labHb; Siemens Advia). Agreement between the results was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and by determining the percentage of outliers. Sixty SpHb measurements, 60 labHb measurements, and 59 BGAHb measurements were evaluated. In 38% of the children, the location of the SpHb sensor had to be changed more than twice for the signal quality to be sufficient. The bias/limits of agreement between SpHb and labHb were -0.65/-3.4 to 2.1 g·dl(-1) . Forty-four percent of the SpHb values differed from the reference value by more than 1 g·dl(-1) . Age, difficulty of measurement, and the perfusion index (PI) had no influence on the accuracy of SpHb. The bias/limits of agreement between BGAHb and labHb were 1.14/-1.6 to 3.9 g·dl(-1) . Furthermore, 66% of the BGAHb values differed from the reference values by more than 1 g·dl(-1) . The absolute mean difference between SpHb and labHb (1.1 g·dl(-1) ) was smaller than the absolute mean difference between BGAHb and labHb (1.5 g·dl(-1) /P = 0.024). Noninvasive measurement of hemoglobin agrees more with the reference method than the measurement of hemoglobin using a blood gas analyzer. However, both methods can show clinically relevant differences from the reference method (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01693016). © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

In vivo evaluation of axial integrity of coronary stents using intravascular ultrasound: Insights on longitudinal stent deformation.

PubMed

Dvir, Danny; Kitabata, Hironori; Barbash, Israel M; Minha, Sa'ar; Badr, Salem; Loh, Joshua P; Chen, Fang; Torguson, Rebecca; Waksman, Ron

2014-09-01

To evaluate the axial integrity of different coronary stents using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Longitudinal stent deformation was recently reported. Consecutive patients who underwent IVUS analysis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for de novo coronary lesions were evaluated. Stent length was compared with label length for calculation of absolute change and relative difference (absolute change divided by label length). A total of 233 DES utilizing five different platforms were included. The median absolute change in stent length was 0.90 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 0.48-1.39) and the relative difference was 5.24% (IQR 2.55-8.29). There was no significant difference among the groups in median absolute or relative change: Cypher 0.89 mm/3.89%, Taxus 0.88 mm/5.39%, Endeavor 1.16 mm/6.77%, Xience V 0.86 mm/5.80%, and PROMUS Element 0.79 mm/5.34% (P = 0.085, P = 0.072, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the Cypher stent was independently correlated with a lower change in length, whereas stent label length and deployment pressure were correlated with higher absolute change. The axial integrity of DES platforms examined in vivo was high, with only mild changes in stent length after implantation. While there are differences between first- and second-generation DES, axial integrity among second-generation DES was similar. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of Content on the American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification Examination With Conditions Seen in Practice by General Internists.

PubMed

Gray, Bradley; Vandergrift, Jonathan; Lipner, Rebecca S; Green, Marianne M

2017-06-13

Success on the internal medicine (IM) examination is a central requirement of the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM's) Maintenance of Certification program (MOC). Therefore, it is important to understand the degree to which this examination reflects conditions seen in practice, one dimension of content validity, which focuses on the match between content in the discipline and the topics on the examination questions. To assess whether the frequency of questions on IM-MOC examinations were concordant with the frequency of conditions seen in practice. The 2010-2013 IM-MOC examinations were used to calculate the percentage of questions for 186 medical condition categories from the examination blueprint, which balances examination content by considering importance and frequency of conditions seen in practice. Nationally representative estimates of conditions seen in practice by general internists were estimated from the primary diagnosis for 13 832 office visits (2010-2013 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys) and 108 472 hospital stays (2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey). Prevalence of conditions included on the IM-MOC examination questions. The outcome measure was the concordance between the percentages of IM-MOC examination questions and the percentages of conditions seen in practice during either office visits or hospital stays for each of 186 condition categories (eg, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, liver disease). The concordance thresholds were 0.5 SD of the weighted mean percentages of the applicable 186 conditions seen in practice (0.74% for office visits; 0.51% for hospital stays). If the absolute differences between the percentages of examination questions and the percentages of office visit conditions or hospital stay conditions seen were less than the applicable concordance threshold, then the condition category was judged to be concordant. During the 2010-2013 IM-MOC examination periods, 3600 questions (180 questions per examination form) were administered and 3461 questions (96.1%) were mapped into the 186 study conditions (mean, 18.6 questions per condition). Comparison of the percentages of 186 categories of medical conditions seen in 13 832 office visits and 108 472 hospital stays with the percentages of 3461 questions on IM-MOC examinations revealed that 2389 examination questions (69.0%; 95% CI, 67.5%-70.6% involving 158 conditions) were categorized as concordant. For concordance between questions and office visits only, 2010 questions (58.08%; 95% CI, 56.43%-59.72% of all examination questions) involving 145 conditions were categorized as concordant. For concordance between questions and hospital stays only, 1456 questions (42.07%; 95% CI, 40.42%-43.71% of all examination questions) involving 122 conditions were categorized as concordant. Among questions on IM-MOC examinations from 2010-2013, 69% were concordant with conditions seen in general internal medicine practices, although some areas of discordance were identified.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Caillet, V; Colvill, E; Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the dosimetric benefits of multi-leaf collimator (MLC) tracking for lung SABR treatments in end-to-end clinically realistic planning and delivery scenarios. Methods: The clinical benefits of MLC tracking were assessed using previously delivered treatment plans and physical experiments. The 10 most recent single lesion lung SABR patients were re-planned following a 4D-GTV-based real-time adaptive protocol (PTV defined as the end-of-exhalation GTV plus 5.0 mm margins). The plans were delivered on a Trilogy Varian linac. Electromagnetic transponders (Calypso, Varian Medical Systems, USA) were embedded into a programmable moving phantom (HexaMotion platform) tracked withmore » the Varian Calypso system. For each physical experiment, the MLC positions were collected and used as input for dose reconstruction. For both planned and physical experiments, the OAR dose metrics from the conventional and real-time adaptive SABR plans (Mean Lung Dose (MLD), V20 for lung, and near-maximum dose (D2%) for spine and heart) were statistically compared. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare plan and physical experiment dose metrics. Results: While maintaining target coverage, percentage reductions in dose metrics to the OARs were observed for both planned and physical experiments. Comparing the two plans showed MLD percentage reduction (MLDr) of 25.4% (absolute differences of 1.41 Gy) and 28.9% (1.29%) for the V20r. D2% percentage reduction for spine and heart were respectively 27.9% (0.3 Gy) and 20.2% (0.3 Gy). For the physical experiments, MLDr was 23.9% (1.3 Gy), and V20r 37.4% (1.6%). D2% reduction for spine and heart were respectively 27.3% (0.3 Gy) and 19.6% (0.3 Gy). For both plans and physical experiments, significant OAR dose differences (p<0.05) were found between the conventional SABR and real-time adaptive plans. Conclusion: Application of MLC tracking for lung SABR patients has the potential to reduce the dose to OARs during radiation therapy.« less

Vedolizumab as induction and maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis.

PubMed

Feagan, Brian G; Rutgeerts, Paul; Sands, Bruce E; Hanauer, Stephen; Colombel, Jean-Frédéric; Sandborn, William J; Van Assche, Gert; Axler, Jeffrey; Kim, Hyo-Jong; Danese, Silvio; Fox, Irving; Milch, Catherine; Sankoh, Serap; Wyant, Tim; Xu, Jing; Parikh, Asit

2013-08-22

Gut-selective blockade of lymphocyte trafficking by vedolizumab may constitute effective treatment for ulcerative colitis. We conducted two integrated randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of vedolizumab in patients with active disease. In the trial of induction therapy, 374 patients (cohort 1) received vedolizumab (at a dose of 300 mg) or placebo intravenously at weeks 0 and 2, and 521 patients (cohort 2) received open-label vedolizumab at weeks 0 and 2, with disease evaluation at week 6. In the trial of maintenance therapy, patients in either cohort who had a response to vedolizumab at week 6 were randomly assigned to continue receiving vedolizumab every 8 or 4 weeks or to switch to placebo for up to 52 weeks. A response was defined as a reduction in the Mayo Clinic score (range, 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating more active disease) of at least 3 points and a decrease of at least 30% from baseline, with an accompanying decrease in the rectal bleeding subscore of at least 1 point or an absolute rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1. Response rates at week 6 were 47.1% and 25.5% among patients in the vedolizumab group and placebo group, respectively (difference with adjustment for stratification factors, 21.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6 to 31.7; P<0.001). At week 52, 41.8% of patients who continued to receive vedolizumab every 8 weeks and 44.8% of patients who continued to receive vedolizumab every 4 weeks were in clinical remission (Mayo Clinic score ≤2 and no subscore >1), as compared with 15.9% of patients who switched to placebo (adjusted difference, 26.1 percentage points for vedolizumab every 8 weeks vs. placebo [95% CI, 14.9 to 37.2; P<0.001] and 29.1 percentage points for vedolizumab every 4 weeks vs. placebo [95% CI, 17.9 to 40.4; P<0.001]). The frequency of adverse events was similar in the vedolizumab and placebo groups. Vedolizumab was more effective than placebo as induction and maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis. (Funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals; GEMINI 1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00783718.).

High-frequency rock temperature data from hyper-arid desert environments in the Atacama and the Antarctic Dry Valleys and implications for rock weathering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKay, Christopher P.; Molaro, Jamie L.; Marinova, Margarita M.

2009-09-01

In desert environments with low water and salt contents, rapid thermal variations may be an important source of rock weathering. We have obtained temperature measurements of the surface of rocks in hyper-arid hot and cold desert environments at a rate of 1/s over several days. The values of temperature change over 1-second intervals were similar in hot and cold deserts despite a 30 °C difference in absolute rock surface temperature. The average percentage of the time dT/dt > 2 °C/min was ~ 8 ± 3%, > 4 °C/min was 1 ± 0.9%, and > 8 °C/min was 0.02 ± 0.03%. The maximum change over a 1-second interval was ~ 10 °C/min. When sampled to simulate data taken over intervals longer than 1 s, we found a reduction in time spent above the 2 °C/min temperature gradient threshold. For 1-minute samples, the time spent above any given threshold was about two orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding value for 1-second sampling. We suggest that a rough measure of efficacy of weathering as a function of frequency is the product of the percentage of time spent above a given threshold value multiplied by the damping depth for the corresponding frequency. This product has a broad maximum for periods between 3 and 10 s.

Calibration of an x-ray cabinet unit for radiobiology use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKerracher, Carolyn; Thwaites, David I.

2006-07-01

A Faxitron sealed x-ray cabinet, operated at 100 kV, was modified to irradiate monkey testicles, to a uniform, accurately calibrated dose, for work aimed at investigating spermatogenesis in children undergoing radiotherapy. An aluminium filter was added to increase the beam quality and a lead collimating system manufactured to reduce the beam size to between 1 and 4 cm diameter. Percentage depth doses and profiles were analysed and relative in-air outputs measured with a selection of small (0.2 cc, 0.015 cc) ion chambers. The absolute calibration of the unit was carried out in a 10 × 10 cm2 beam with a 0.6 cc chamber. Backscatter factors were based on standard tables, but then modified according to experimental results with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) in a phantom to account for reduced scatter in the irradiation situations. A suitable irradiation set-up was devised for the monkeys, to ensure accuracy of delivered dose to the target volume and minimize the dose to the surrounding healthy tissue. The homogeneity throughout the testes was calculated to be well within ±5%, using a parallel-opposed irradiation technique. The TLD measured doses to the testes on three monkeys were lower than the calculated doses by 3 to 6%. Following modifications to the standard percentage depth doses to account for changes in scatter conditions, these differences became ±3%. The uncertainties on both calculated and measured dose were estimated to be approximately ±3.2% at 1 SD.

Comparison of Percentage of Syllables Stuttered With Parent-Reported Severity Ratings as a Primary Outcome Measure in Clinical Trials of Early Stuttering Treatment.

PubMed

Onslow, Mark; Jones, Mark; O'Brian, Sue; Packman, Ann; Menzies, Ross; Lowe, Robyn; Arnott, Simone; Bridgman, Kate; de Sonneville, Caroline; Franken, Marie-Christine

2018-04-17

This report investigates whether parent-reported stuttering severity ratings (SRs) provide similar estimates of effect size as percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) for randomized trials of early stuttering treatment with preschool children. Data sets from 3 randomized controlled trials of an early stuttering intervention were selected for analyses. Analyses included median changes and 95% confidence intervals per treatment group, Bland-Altman plots, analysis of covariance, and Spearman rho correlations. Both SRs and %SS showed large effect sizes from pretreatment to follow-up, although correlations between the 2 measures were moderate at best. Absolute agreement between the 2 measures improved as percentage reduction of stuttering frequency and severity increased, probably due to innate measurement limitations for participants with low baseline severity. Analysis of covariance for the 3 trials showed consistent results. There is no statistical reason to favor %SS over parent-reported stuttering SRs as primary outcomes for clinical trials of early stuttering treatment. However, there are logistical reasons to favor parent-reported stuttering SRs. We conclude that parent-reported rating of the child's typical stuttering severity for the week or month prior to each assessment is a justifiable alternative to %SS as a primary outcome measure in clinical trials of early stuttering treatment.

An Integrated Model of Choices and Response Times in Absolute Identification

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Scott D.; Marley, A. A. J.; Donkin, Christopher; Heathcote, Andrew

2008-01-01

Recent theoretical developments in the field of absolute identification have stressed differences between relative and absolute processes, that is, whether stimulus magnitudes are judged relative to a shorter term context provided by recently presented stimuli or a longer term context provided by the entire set of stimuli. The authors developed a…

The effect of insulin resistance and exercise on the percentage of CD16(+) monocyte subset in obese individuals.

PubMed

de Matos, Mariana A; Duarte, Tamiris C; Ottone, Vinícius de O; Sampaio, Pâmela F da M; Costa, Karine B; de Oliveira, Marcos F Andrade; Moseley, Pope L; Schneider, Suzanne M; Coimbra, Cândido C; Brito-Melo, Gustavo E A; Magalhães, Flávio de C; Amorim, Fabiano T; Rocha-Vieira, Etel

2016-06-01

Obesity is a low-grade chronic inflammation condition, and macrophages, and possibly monocytes, are involved in the pathological outcomes of obesity. Physical exercise is a low-cost strategy to prevent and treat obesity, probably because of its anti-inflammatory action. We evaluated the percentage of CD16(-) and CD16(+) monocyte subsets in obese insulin-resistant individuals and the effect of an exercise bout on the percentage of these cells. Twenty-seven volunteers were divided into three experimental groups: lean insulin sensitive, obese insulin sensitive and obese insulin resistant. Venous blood samples collected before and 1 h after an aerobic exercise session on a cycle ergometer were used for determination of monocyte subsets by flow cytometry. Insulin-resistant obese individuals have a higher percentage of CD16(+) monocytes (14.8 ± 2.4%) than the lean group (10.0 ± 1.3%). A positive correlation of the percentage of CD16(+) monocytes with body mass index and fasting plasma insulin levels was found. One bout of moderate exercise reduced the percentage of CD16(+) monocytes by 10% in all the groups evaluated. Also, the absolute monocyte count, as well as all other leukocyte populations, in lean and obese individuals, increased after exercise. This fact may partially account for the observed reduction in the percentage of CD16(+) cells in response to exercise. Insulin-resistant, but not insulin-sensitive obese individuals, have an increased percentage of CD16(+) monocytes that can be slightly modulated by a single bout of moderate aerobic exercise. These findings may be clinically relevant to the population studied, considering the involvement of CD16(+) monocytes in the pathophysiology of obesity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Obesity is now considered to be an inflammatory condition associated with many pathological consequences, including insulin resistance. It is proposed that insulin resistance contributes to the aggravation of the inflammatory dysfunction in obesity. The effect of obesity on the percentage of monocytes was previously observed in class II and III obese individuals who presented other alterations in addition to insulin resistance. In this study we observed that insulin-resistant obese individuals, but not insulin-sensitive ones, had an increased percentage of CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes. This fact shows that a dysfunction of the monocyte percentage in class I obese individuals is only seen when this condition is associated with insulin resistance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Spatial and temporal variability of the overall error of National Atmospheric Deposition Program measurements determined by the USGS collocated-sampler program, water years 1989-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wetherbee, G.A.; Latysh, N.E.; Gordon, J.D.

2005-01-01

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collocated-sampler program for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) are used to estimate the overall error of NADP/NTN measurements. Absolute errors are estimated by comparison of paired measurements from collocated instruments. Spatial and temporal differences in absolute error were identified and are consistent with longitudinal distributions of NADP/NTN measurements and spatial differences in precipitation characteristics. The magnitude of error for calcium, magnesium, ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate concentrations, specific conductance, and sample volume is of minor environmental significance to data users. Data collected after a 1994 sample-handling protocol change are prone to less absolute error than data collected prior to 1994. Absolute errors are smaller during non-winter months than during winter months for selected constituents at sites where frozen precipitation is common. Minimum resolvable differences are estimated for different regions of the USA to aid spatial and temporal watershed analyses.

Concurrently examining unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism: Temporal shifts, individual-difference and event-specific correlates, and behavioural outcomes.

PubMed

Ruthig, Joelle C; Gamblin, Bradlee W; Jones, Kelly; Vanderzanden, Karen; Kehn, Andre

2017-02-01

Researchers have spent considerable effort examining unrealistic absolute optimism and unrealistic comparative optimism, yet there is a lack of research exploring them concurrently. This longitudinal study repeatedly assessed unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism within a performance context over several months to identify the degree to which they shift as a function of proximity to performance and performance feedback, their associations with global individual difference and event-specific factors, and their link to subsequent behavioural outcomes. Results showed similar shifts in unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism based on proximity to performance and performance feedback. Moreover, increases in both types of unrealistic optimism were associated with better subsequent performance beyond the effect of prior performance. However, several differences were found between the two forms of unrealistic optimism in their associations with global individual difference factors and event-specific factors, highlighting the distinctiveness of the two constructs. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

Bayesian dynamic modeling of time series of dengue disease case counts.

PubMed

Martínez-Bello, Daniel Adyro; López-Quílez, Antonio; Torres-Prieto, Alexander

2017-07-01

The aim of this study is to model the association between weekly time series of dengue case counts and meteorological variables, in a high-incidence city of Colombia, applying Bayesian hierarchical dynamic generalized linear models over the period January 2008 to August 2015. Additionally, we evaluate the model's short-term performance for predicting dengue cases. The methodology shows dynamic Poisson log link models including constant or time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Calendar effects were modeled using constant or first- or second-order random walk time-varying coefficients. The meteorological variables were modeled using constant coefficients and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients. We applied Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations for parameter estimation, and deviance information criterion statistic (DIC) for model selection. We assessed the short-term predictive performance of the selected final model, at several time points within the study period using the mean absolute percentage error. The results showed the best model including first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for calendar trend and first-order random walk time-varying coefficients for the meteorological variables. Besides the computational challenges, interpreting the results implies a complete analysis of the time series of dengue with respect to the parameter estimates of the meteorological effects. We found small values of the mean absolute percentage errors at one or two weeks out-of-sample predictions for most prediction points, associated with low volatility periods in the dengue counts. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the dynamic Poisson models for studying the association between time series of dengue disease and meteorological variables. The key conclusion of the study is that dynamic Poisson models account for the dynamic nature of the variables involved in the modeling of time series of dengue disease, producing useful models for decision-making in public health.

Socio-economic factors associated with infant mortality in Italy: an ecological study.

PubMed

Dallolio, Laura; Di Gregori, Valentina; Lenzi, Jacopo; Franchino, Giuseppe; Calugi, Simona; Domenighetti, Gianfranco; Fantini, Maria Pia

2012-08-16

One issue that continues to attract the attention of public health researchers is the possible relationship in high-income countries between income, income inequality and infant mortality (IM). The aim of this study was to assess the associations between IM and major socio-economic determinants in Italy. Associations between infant mortality rates in the 20 Italian regions (2006-2008) and the Gini index of income inequality, mean household income, percentage of women with at least 8 years of education, and percentage of unemployed aged 15-64 years were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Univariate linear regression and multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to determine the magnitude and direction of the effect of the four socio-economic variables on IM. The Gini index and the total unemployment rate showed a positive strong correlation with IM (r = 0.70; p < 0.001 and r = 0.84; p < 0.001 respectively), mean household income showed a strong negative correlation (r = -0.78; p < 0.001), while female educational attainment presented a weak negative correlation (r = -0.45; p < 0.05). Using a multiple stepwise linear regression model, only unemployment rate was independently associated with IM (b = 0.15, p < 0.001). In Italy, a high-income country where health care is universally available, variations in IM were strongly associated with relative and absolute income and unemployment rate. These results suggest that in Italy IM is not only related to income distribution, as demonstrated for other developed countries, but also to economic factors such as absolute income and unemployment. In order to reduce IM and the existing inequalities, the challenge for Italian decision makers is to promote economic growth and enhance employment levels.

Body composition and cardiac dimensions in elite rhythmic gymnasts.

PubMed

Galetta, F; Franzoni, F; D'alessandro, C; Piazza, M; Tocchini, L; Fallahi, P; Antonelli, A; Cupisti, F; Santoro, G

2015-09-01

Rhythmic gymnasts are often believed to be a population at risk of malnutrition because of their tendency to keep a low weight and a lean appearance for better athletic performance, and because they start intensive training at a very young age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in adolescent elite gymnasts the effects of physical activity on body composition and cardiac morphology and function. Sixteen national level rhythmic gymnasts and 16 control adolescent female underwent anthropometric measurements, bioelectric impedance and echocardiography to assess body composition and cardiac morphology and function. As compared to controls, gymnasts had lower body mass index (16.9±1.1 vs. 18.7±1.0, P<0.001), fatty mass (14.2±4.5 vs. 15.8±2.9 %, P<0.05) and greater fat-free mass (84.0±4.7 vs. 80.5±5.0 %, P<0.05), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (4.7±0.4 vs. 4.4±0.3 cm) and left ventricular mass, as absolute (132.8±21.2 vs. 112.5±22.8 g, P<0.01) and indexed (44.5±9.3 vs. 36.1±8.2 g/m2.7, P<0.01). Left ventricular mass was directly related to fat-free mass as absolute (r=0.37, P<0.05) and indexed (r=0.43, P<0.02). Body composition analysis showed a lower percentage of body fat in the gymnasts, together with a higher percentage of fat-free mass. Echocardiographic findings indicate that elite rhythmic gymnastics present left ventricular remodeling as training-induced cardiac adaptation. Intensive training, dietary attitude and evident leanness of rhythmic gymnasts are not associated with cardiac abnormalities, as it is the case of pathological leanness.

Financial burden of raising CSHCN: association with state policy choices.

PubMed

Parish, Susan L; Shattuck, Paul T; Rose, Roderick A

2009-12-01

We examined the association between state Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) income eligibility and the financial burden reported by low-income families raising children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Data on low-income CSHCN and their families were from the National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs (N = 17039), with a representative sample from each state. State Medicaid and SCHIP income-eligibility thresholds were from publicly available sources. The 3 outcomes included whether families had any out-of-pocket health care expenditures during the previous 12 months for their CSHCN, amount of expenditure, and expenditures as a percentage of family income. We used multilevel logistic regression to model the association between Medicaid and SCHIP characteristics and families' financial burden, controlling state median income and child- and family-level characteristics. Overall, 61% of low-income families reported expenditures of >$0. Among these families, 30% had expenses between $250 and $500, and 34% had expenses of more than $500. Twenty-seven percent of the families reporting any expenses had expenditures that exceeded 3% of their total household income. The percentage of low-income families with out-of-pocket expenses that exceeded 3% of their income varied considerably according to state and ranged from 5.6% to 25.8%. Families living in states with higher Medicaid and SCHIP income-eligibility guidelines were less likely to have high absolute burden and high relative burden. Beyond child and family characteristics, there is considerable state-level variability in low-income families' out-of-pocket expenditures for their CSHCN. A portion of this variability is associated with states' Medicaid and SCHIP income-eligibility thresholds. Families living in states with more generous programs report less absolute and relative financial burden than families living in states with less generous benefits.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides growth in food products: prediction and sensitivity analysis by adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference systems.

PubMed

Wang, Hue-Yu; Wen, Ching-Feng; Chiu, Yu-Hsien; Lee, I-Nong; Kao, Hao-Yun; Lee, I-Chen; Ho, Wen-Hsien

2013-01-01

An adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was compared with an artificial neural network (ANN) in terms of accuracy in predicting the combined effects of temperature (10.5 to 24.5°C), pH level (5.5 to 7.5), sodium chloride level (0.25% to 6.25%) and sodium nitrite level (0 to 200 ppm) on the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. THE ANFIS AND ANN MODELS WERE COMPARED IN TERMS OF SIX STATISTICAL INDICES CALCULATED BY COMPARING THEIR PREDICTION RESULTS WITH ACTUAL DATA: mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), standard error of prediction percentage (SEP), bias factor (Bf), accuracy factor (Af), and absolute fraction of variance (R (2)). Graphical plots were also used for model comparison. The learning-based systems obtained encouraging prediction results. Sensitivity analyses of the four environmental factors showed that temperature and, to a lesser extent, NaCl had the most influence on accuracy in predicting the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The observed effectiveness of ANFIS for modeling microbial kinetic parameters confirms its potential use as a supplemental tool in predictive mycology. Comparisons between growth rates predicted by ANFIS and actual experimental data also confirmed the high accuracy of the Gaussian membership function in ANFIS. Comparisons of the six statistical indices under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions also showed that the ANFIS model was better than all ANN models in predicting the four kinetic parameters. Therefore, the ANFIS model is a valuable tool for quickly predicting the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Trends in physician referrals in the United States, 1999-2009.

PubMed

Barnett, Michael L; Song, Zirui; Landon, Bruce E

2012-01-23

Physician referrals play a central role in ambulatory care in the United States; however, little is known about national trends in physician referrals over time. The objective of this study was to assess changes in the annual rate of referrals to other physicians from physician office visits in the United States from 1999 to 2009. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sections of ambulatory patient visits in the United States, using a sample of 845 243 visits from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1993 to 2009, focusing on the decade from 1999 to 2009. The main outcome measures were survey-weighted estimates of the total number and percentage of visits resulting in a referral to another physician across several patient and physician characteristics. From 1999 to 2009, the probability that an ambulatory visit to a physician resulted in a referral to another physician increased from 4.8% to 9.3% (P < .001), a 94% increase. The absolute number of visits resulting in a physician referral increased 159% nationally during this time, from 41 million to 105 million. This trend was consistent across all subgroups examined, except for slower growth among physicians with ownership stakes in their practice (P = .02) or those with the majority of income from managed care contracts (P = .007). Changes in referral rates varied according to the principal symptoms accounting for patients' visits, with significant increases noted for visits to primary care physicians from patients with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, dermatologic, and ear/nose/throat symptoms. The percentage and absolute number of ambulatory visits resulting in a referral in the United States grew substantially from 1999 to 2009. More research is necessary to understand the contribution of rising referral rates to costs of care.

Leuconostoc Mesenteroides Growth in Food Products: Prediction and Sensitivity Analysis by Adaptive-Network-Based Fuzzy Inference Systems

PubMed Central

Wang, Hue-Yu; Wen, Ching-Feng; Chiu, Yu-Hsien; Lee, I-Nong; Kao, Hao-Yun; Lee, I-Chen; Ho, Wen-Hsien

2013-01-01

Background An adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was compared with an artificial neural network (ANN) in terms of accuracy in predicting the combined effects of temperature (10.5 to 24.5°C), pH level (5.5 to 7.5), sodium chloride level (0.25% to 6.25%) and sodium nitrite level (0 to 200 ppm) on the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Methods The ANFIS and ANN models were compared in terms of six statistical indices calculated by comparing their prediction results with actual data: mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), standard error of prediction percentage (SEP), bias factor (Bf), accuracy factor (Af), and absolute fraction of variance (R 2). Graphical plots were also used for model comparison. Conclusions The learning-based systems obtained encouraging prediction results. Sensitivity analyses of the four environmental factors showed that temperature and, to a lesser extent, NaCl had the most influence on accuracy in predicting the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The observed effectiveness of ANFIS for modeling microbial kinetic parameters confirms its potential use as a supplemental tool in predictive mycology. Comparisons between growth rates predicted by ANFIS and actual experimental data also confirmed the high accuracy of the Gaussian membership function in ANFIS. Comparisons of the six statistical indices under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions also showed that the ANFIS model was better than all ANN models in predicting the four kinetic parameters. Therefore, the ANFIS model is a valuable tool for quickly predicting the growth rate of Leuconostoc mesenteroides under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. PMID:23705023

Relative and Absolute Error Control in a Finite-Difference Method Solution of Poisson's Equation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prentice, J. S. C.

2012-01-01

An algorithm for error control (absolute and relative) in the five-point finite-difference method applied to Poisson's equation is described. The algorithm is based on discretization of the domain of the problem by means of three rectilinear grids, each of different resolution. We discuss some hardware limitations associated with the algorithm,…

Presenting efficacy information in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements.

PubMed

O'Donoghue, Amie C; Sullivan, Helen W; Aikin, Kathryn J; Chowdhury, Dhuly; Moultrie, Rebecca R; Rupert, Douglas J

2014-05-01

We evaluated whether presenting prescription drug efficacy information in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising helps individuals accurately report a drug's benefits and, if so, which numerical format is most helpful. We conducted a randomized, controlled study of individuals diagnosed with high cholesterol (n=2807) who viewed fictitious prescription drug print or television ads containing either no drug efficacy information or efficacy information in one of five numerical formats. We measured drug efficacy recall, drug perceptions and attitudes, behavioral intentions, and drug risk recall. Individuals who viewed absolute frequency and/or percentage information more accurately reported drug efficacy than participants who viewed no efficacy information. Participants who viewed relative frequency information generally reported drug efficacy less accurately than participants who viewed other numerical formats. Adding efficacy information to DTC ads-both in print and on television-may potentially increase an individual's knowledge of a drug's efficacy, which may improve patient-provider communication and promote more informed decisions. Providing quantitative efficacy information in a combination of formats (e.g., absolute frequency and percent) may help patients remember information and make decisions about prescription drugs. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Anomalies in the detection of change: When changes in sample size are mistaken for changes in proportions.

PubMed

Fiedler, Klaus; Kareev, Yaakov; Avrahami, Judith; Beier, Susanne; Kutzner, Florian; Hütter, Mandy

2016-01-01

Detecting changes, in performance, sales, markets, risks, social relations, or public opinions, constitutes an important adaptive function. In a sequential paradigm devised to investigate detection of change, every trial provides a sample of binary outcomes (e.g., correct vs. incorrect student responses). Participants have to decide whether the proportion of a focal feature (e.g., correct responses) in the population from which the sample is drawn has decreased, remained constant, or increased. Strong and persistent anomalies in change detection arise when changes in proportional quantities vary orthogonally to changes in absolute sample size. Proportional increases are readily detected and nonchanges are erroneously perceived as increases when absolute sample size increases. Conversely, decreasing sample size facilitates the correct detection of proportional decreases and the erroneous perception of nonchanges as decreases. These anomalies are however confined to experienced samples of elementary raw events from which proportions have to be inferred inductively. They disappear when sample proportions are described as percentages in a normalized probability format. To explain these challenging findings, it is essential to understand the inductive-learning constraints imposed on decisions from experience.

Assessment of children for acute respiratory infections in hospital outpatients in Tanzania: what drives good practice?

PubMed

Chandler, Clare I R; Nadjm, Behzad; Boniface, Gloria; Juma, Kaseem; Reyburn, Hugh; Whitty, Christopher J M

2008-12-01

Respiratory infections cause significant mortality in developing countries but are frequently undiagnosed. Reasons for this are unclear. We observed 1,081 outpatient consultations with patients less than five years of age in Tanzania. In 554 patients with cough or difficulty breathing, the absolute percentages examined were 5% for respiratory rate counted, 14% chest exposed, and 25% stethoscope used. Decisions to conduct particular examinations did appear to follow clinical logic, with odds ratios of 4.28 for counting respiratory rate (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.75-10.47), 2.57 for exposing the chest (95% CI=1.67-3.95), and 18.91 for using a stethoscope (95% CI=9.52-37.57) in patients with cough or difficulty breathing. Non-clinical variables, including salary level, were also associated with examinations, and history taking was more common among clinicians originating outside the hospital area. Although respiratory examinations are relatively more common in those with cough or difficulty breathing, the absolute rates are low and related to non-clinical and clinical factors.

Multivariate Time Series Forecasting of Crude Palm Oil Price Using Machine Learning Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanchymalay, Kasturi; Salim, N.; Sukprasert, Anupong; Krishnan, Ramesh; Raba'ah Hashim, Ummi

2017-08-01

The aim of this paper was to study the correlation between crude palm oil (CPO) price, selected vegetable oil prices (such as soybean oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil), crude oil and the monthly exchange rate. Comparative analysis was then performed on CPO price forecasting results using the machine learning techniques. Monthly CPO prices, selected vegetable oil prices, crude oil prices and monthly exchange rate data from January 1987 to February 2017 were utilized. Preliminary analysis showed a positive and high correlation between the CPO price and soy bean oil price and also between CPO price and crude oil price. Experiments were conducted using multi-layer perception, support vector regression and Holt Winter exponential smoothing techniques. The results were assessed by using criteria of root mean square error (RMSE), means absolute error (MAE), means absolute percentage error (MAPE) and Direction of accuracy (DA). Among these three techniques, support vector regression(SVR) with Sequential minimal optimization (SMO) algorithm showed relatively better results compared to multi-layer perceptron and Holt Winters exponential smoothing method.

Depicting mass flow rate of R134a /LPG refrigerant through straight and helical coiled adiabatic capillary tubes of vapor compression refrigeration system using artificial neural network approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gill, Jatinder; Singh, Jagdev

2018-07-01

In this work, an experimental investigation is carried out with R134a and LPG refrigerant mixture for depicting mass flow rate through straight and helical coil adiabatic capillary tubes in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Various experiments were conducted under steady-state conditions, by changing capillary tube length, inner diameter, coil diameter and degree of subcooling. The results showed that mass flow rate through helical coil capillary tube was found lower than straight capillary tube by about 5-16%. Dimensionless correlation and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were developed to predict mass flow rate. It was found that dimensionless correlation and ANN model predictions agreed well with experimental results and brought out an absolute fraction of variance of 0.961 and 0.988, root mean square error of 0.489 and 0.275 and mean absolute percentage error of 4.75% and 2.31% respectively. The results suggested that ANN model shows better statistical prediction than dimensionless correlation model.

Measurement effects of seasonal and monthly variability on pedometer-determined data.

PubMed

Kang, Minsoo; Bassett, David R; Barreira, Tiago V; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ainsworth, Barbara E

2012-03-01

The seasonal and monthly variability of pedometer-determined physical activity and its effects on accurate measurement have not been examined. The purpose of the study was to reduce measurement error in step-count data by controlling a) the length of the measurement period and b) the season or month of the year in which sampling was conducted. Twenty-three middle-aged adults were instructed to wear a Yamax SW-200 pedometer over 365 consecutive days. The step-count measurement periods of various lengths (eg, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days, etc.) were randomly selected 10 times for each season and month. To determine accurate estimates of yearly step-count measurement, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and bias were calculated. The year-round average was considered as a criterion measure. A smaller MAPE and bias represent a better estimate. Differences in MAPE and bias among seasons were trivial; however, they varied among different months. The months in which seasonal changes occur presented the highest MAPE and bias. Targeting the data collection during certain months (eg, May) may reduce pedometer measurement error and provide more accurate estimates of year-round averages.

Comparative Time Series Analysis of Aerosol Optical Depth over Sites in United States and China Using ARIMA Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, X.; Zhang, C.; Li, W.

2017-12-01

Long-term spatiotemporal analysis and modeling of aerosol optical depth (AOD) distribution is of paramount importance to study radiative forcing, climate change, and human health. This study is focused on the trends and variations of AOD over six stations located in United States and China during 2003 to 2015, using satellite-retrieved Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Collection 6 retrievals and ground measurements derived from Aerosol Robotic NETwork (AERONET). An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model is applied to simulate and predict AOD values. The R2, adjusted R2, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) are used as indices to select the best fitted model. Results show that there is a persistent decreasing trend in AOD for both MODIS data and AERONET data over three stations. Monthly and seasonal AOD variations reveal consistent aerosol patterns over stations along mid-latitudes. Regional differences impacted by climatology and land cover types are observed for the selected stations. Statistical validation of time series models indicates that the non-seasonal ARIMA model performs better for AERONET AOD data than for MODIS AOD data over most stations, suggesting the method works better for data with higher quality. By contrast, the seasonal ARIMA model reproduces the seasonal variations of MODIS AOD data much more precisely. Overall, the reasonably predicted results indicate the applicability and feasibility of the stochastic ARIMA modeling technique to forecast future and missing AOD values.

Computer vision-based carbohydrate estimation for type 1 patients with diabetes using smartphones.

PubMed

Anthimopoulos, Marios; Dehais, Joachim; Shevchik, Sergey; Ransford, Botwey H; Duke, David; Diem, Peter; Mougiakakou, Stavroula

2015-05-01

Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have to count the carbohydrates (CHOs) of their meal to estimate the prandial insulin dose needed to compensate for the meal's effect on blood glucose levels. CHO counting is very challenging but also crucial, since an error of 20 grams can substantially impair postprandial control. The GoCARB system is a smartphone application designed to support T1D patients with CHO counting of nonpacked foods. In a typical scenario, the user places a reference card next to the dish and acquires 2 images with his/her smartphone. From these images, the plate is detected and the different food items on the plate are automatically segmented and recognized, while their 3D shape is reconstructed. Finally, the food volumes are calculated and the CHO content is estimated by combining the previous results and using the USDA nutritional database. To evaluate the proposed system, a set of 24 multi-food dishes was used. For each dish, 3 pairs of images were taken and for each pair, the system was applied 4 times. The mean absolute percentage error in CHO estimation was 10 ± 12%, which led to a mean absolute error of 6 ± 8 CHO grams for normal-sized dishes. The laboratory experiments demonstrated the feasibility of the GoCARB prototype system since the error was below the initial goal of 20 grams. However, further improvements and evaluation are needed prior launching a system able to meet the inter- and intracultural eating habits. © 2015 Diabetes Technology Society.

Method For Detecting The Presence Of A Ferromagnetic Object

DOEpatents

Roybal, Lyle G.

2000-11-21

A method for detecting a presence or an absence of a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area may comprise the steps of sensing, during a sample time, a magnetic field adjacent the sensing area; producing surveillance data representative of the sensed magnetic field; determining an absolute value difference between a maximum datum and a minimum datum comprising the surveillance data; and determining whether the absolute value difference has a positive or negative sign. The absolute value difference and the corresponding positive or negative sign thereof forms a representative surveillance datum that is indicative of the presence or absence in the sensing area of the ferromagnetic material.

Improved Reproductive Health Equity Between the Poor and the Rich: An Analysis of Trends in 46 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

PubMed

Ross, John

2015-09-07

While several indicators for reproductive health have improved for entire populations, few analyses are available for trends over time in the gaps between the poor and the rich. This paper tracks improvements in the equitable distribution of reproductive health indicators according to wealth quintiles, especially for contraceptive use, in 46 low- and middle-income countries based on national population-based surveys conducted between 1990 and 2013. It focuses on the gaps between the poorest and richest quintiles in the earliest and latest survey rounds across a number of reproductive health indicators related to family planning, fertility desires, antenatal care, and infant and child mortality, as well as on improvements in the absolute levels of contraceptive use by the poorest quintile. Gap changes were decomposed to show how the gaps can either diminish or grow due to either the bottom or top quintile, or both. In addition, bivariate correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship of the gaps, and of contraceptive use by the poor, to national family planning program efforts. Overall, the gaps between the poorest and richest have narrowed, due primarily to faster improvements among the poor than the rich. For example, the gap between the richest and poorest in the modern contraceptive prevalence rate has declined by 25%, from a 20.4 percentage point difference to a 15.4 point difference. And the gap has decreased more where family planning programs have been stronger. Across most of 18 other reproductive health indicators, the gaps have also been narrowing. For instance, the poor-rich gap for antenatal care decreased by over a third, from a difference of 30.7 percentage points to 19.6 percentage points. Gaps in infant and child mortality also have declined by about one-third. The pattern for contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa, however, has been mixed, with the gap actually increasing in some countries with strong programs. This disparity may largely reflect that family planning in the region is generally at an earlier stage in its history, and so programs may initially be reaching better-off clients, especially in urban areas. To promote additional equity, programs should emphasize efforts to increase access to voluntary family planning services to the least well-off, including those in rural and peri-urban areas. © Ross.

Improved Reproductive Health Equity Between the Poor and the Rich: An Analysis of Trends in 46 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

While several indicators for reproductive health have improved for entire populations, few analyses are available for trends over time in the gaps between the poor and the rich. This paper tracks improvements in the equitable distribution of reproductive health indicators according to wealth quintiles, especially for contraceptive use, in 46 low- and middle-income countries based on national population-based surveys conducted between 1990 and 2013. It focuses on the gaps between the poorest and richest quintiles in the earliest and latest survey rounds across a number of reproductive health indicators related to family planning, fertility desires, antenatal care, and infant and child mortality, as well as on improvements in the absolute levels of contraceptive use by the poorest quintile. Gap changes were decomposed to show how the gaps can either diminish or grow due to either the bottom or top quintile, or both. In addition, bivariate correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship of the gaps, and of contraceptive use by the poor, to national family planning program efforts. Overall, the gaps between the poorest and richest have narrowed, due primarily to faster improvements among the poor than the rich. For example, the gap between the richest and poorest in the modern contraceptive prevalence rate has declined by 25%, from a 20.4 percentage point difference to a 15.4 point difference. And the gap has decreased more where family planning programs have been stronger. Across most of 18 other reproductive health indicators, the gaps have also been narrowing. For instance, the poor-rich gap for antenatal care decreased by over a third, from a difference of 30.7 percentage points to 19.6 percentage points. Gaps in infant and child mortality also have declined by about one-third. The pattern for contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa, however, has been mixed, with the gap actually increasing in some countries with strong programs. This disparity may largely reflect that family planning in the region is generally at an earlier stage in its history, and so programs may initially be reaching better-off clients, especially in urban areas. To promote additional equity, programs should emphasize efforts to increase access to voluntary family planning services to the least well-off, including those in rural and peri-urban areas. PMID:26374803

Cycling peak power in obese and lean 6- to 8-year-old girls and boys.

PubMed

Aucouturier, Julien; Lazaar, Nordine; Doré, Eric; Meyer, Martine; Ratel, Sebastien; Duché, Pascale

2007-06-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effect of the difference in percentage body fat (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) on cycling peak power (CPP) in 6- to 8-year-old obese and lean untrained girls and boys. Obese (35 girls, 35 boys) and lean (35 girls, 35 boys) children were measured for obesity, %BF, calculated from skinfold measurements. FFM was calculated as body mass (BM) minus body fat. A force-velocity test on a cycle ergometer was used to measure CPP. CPP was related to anthropometric variables using standard and allometric models. CPP in absolute terms was higher in obese children than in lean children irrespective of gender. BM-related CPP was significantly lower in obese children than in lean ones, whereas no effect of obesity appeared on FFM-related CPP. Velocity at CPP (Vopt) was significantly lower and force at CPP (Fopt) was significantly higher in girls than in boys. Muscle power production was unaffected by obesity in children. Low BM-related CPP could explain the difficulty of taking up physical activities that are body-mass related in obese children. Gender difference for Vopt and Fopt shows that girls and boys may have different maturation patterns affecting CPP.

Comparisons of Body Volumes and Dimensions Using Three-Dimensional Photonic Scanning in Adult Hispanic-Americans and Caucasian-Americans

PubMed Central

Olivares, Josefina; Wang, Jack; Yu, Wen; Pereg, Vicente; Weil, Richard; Kovacs, Betty; Gallagher, Dympna; Pi-Sunyer, F. Xavier

2007-01-01

Background We studied whether significant differences exist between Hispanic-Americans (H-A) and Caucasian-Americans (C-A) in body dimensions using a newly validated three-dimensional photonic scanner (3DPS). Methods We compared two cohorts of 34 adult U.S.-based H-A (19 females) and 40 adult C-A (25 females) of similar age and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). We measured total body volume (TBV), trunk volume (TV), and other body dimensions, including waist and hip circumferences, estimated percentage body fat (%fat), calculated TV/TBV, and waist-to-hip ratio. Results For female cohorts, there were no significant differences in age, weight, height, and 3DPS-measured variables between the two ethnic cohorts. For male cohorts, C-A had greater height (p = 0.014), but there were no significant differences in absolute or proportional volumes or dimensions between the two cohorts. Conclusions Results demonstrate that, in these H-A and C-A cohorts of similar age and BMI, total and regional body volumes and dimensions, as well as their proportions, approximate each other very closely in both sexes; these variables also show similar relationships with %fat in each sex. This is in contradistinction to previous study reports using other measurement techniques. PMID:19885167

Height system connection between island and mainland using a hydrodynamic model: a case study connecting the Dutch Wadden islands to the Amsterdam ordnance datum (NAP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slobbe, D. C.; Klees, R.; Verlaan, M.; Zijl, F.; Alberts, B.; Farahani, H. H.

2018-03-01

We present an efficient and flexible alternative method to connect islands and offshore tide gauges with the height system on land. The method uses a regional, high-resolution hydrodynamic model that provides total water levels. From the model, we obtain the differences in mean water level (MWL) between tide gauges at the mainland and at the islands or offshore platforms. Adding them to the MWL relative to the national height system at the mainland's tide gauges realizes a connection of the island and offshore platforms with the height system on the mainland. Numerical results are presented for the connection of the Dutch Wadden islands with the national height system (Normaal Amsterdams Peil, NAP). Several choices of the period over which the MWLs are computed are tested and validated. The best results were obtained when we computed the MWL only over the summer months of our 19-year simulation period. Based on this strategy, the percentage of connections for which the absolute differences between the observation- and model-derived MWL differences are ≤ 1 cm is about 34% (46 out of 135 possible leveling connections). In this case, for each Wadden island we can find several connections that allow the transfer of NAP with (sub-)centimeter accuracy.

Force decay of elastomeric chains - a mechanical design and product comparison study.

PubMed

Balhoff, David A; Shuldberg, Matthew; Hagan, Joseph L; Ballard, Richard W; Armbruster, Paul C

2011-03-01

To evaluate the percentage force decay of elastomeric chain products utilizing three different design mechanisms simulating canine retraction; and to evaluate the percentage force decay of elastomeric chain products from four different companies. In vitro, laboratory study. LSUHSC Dental School, New Orleans, LA, USA. Closed (non-spaced), grey elastomeric chains from four companies were selected for the study. Three acrylic resin jigs were constructed to provide a framework for three simulated space closure mechanisms. The 6-5-3, the chain loop, and the 6-3 were the configuration mechanisms used in the study. An electronic force gauge was used to measure the percentage force decay associated with each elastomeric chain over 28 days at preselected times. There was a significant difference in the mean percentage force decay for the three different mechanisms (P < 0·001). For all four companies, the 6-3 mechanical design had the smallest mean percentage force decay. There was a significant difference in the mean percentage force decay for the different companies (P < 0·001). For all three mechanisms, Ormco had the smallest percentage force decay while Unitek had the highest percentage force decay. The significant difference in the mean percentage force decay for the different mechanisms suggests that the 6-3 design is a more efficient means of closing extraction spaces utilizing elastomeric chains.

The Relation between the Absolute Level of Parenting and Differential Parental Treatment with Adolescent Siblings' Adjustment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tamrouti-Makkink, Ilse D.; Dubas, Judith Semon; Gerris, Jan R. M.; van Aken, Marcel A. G.

2004-01-01

Background: The present study extends existing studies on the role of differential parental treatment in explaining individual differences in adolescent problem behaviors above the absolute level of parenting and clarifies the function of gender of the child, birth rank and gender constellation of the sibling dyads. Method: The absolute level of…

Parameterization of photon beam dosimetry for a linear accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lebron, Sharon; Barraclough, Brendan; Lu, Bo

2016-02-15

Purpose: In radiation therapy, accurate data acquisition of photon beam dosimetric quantities is important for (1) beam modeling data input into a treatment planning system (TPS), (2) comparing measured and TPS modeled data, (3) the quality assurance process of a linear accelerator’s (Linac) beam characteristics, (4) the establishment of a standard data set for comparison with other data, etcetera. Parameterization of the photon beam dosimetry creates a data set that is portable and easy to implement for different applications such as those previously mentioned. The aim of this study is to develop methods to parameterize photon beam dosimetric quantities, includingmore » percentage depth doses (PDDs), profiles, and total scatter output factors (S{sub cp}). Methods: S{sub cp}, PDDs, and profiles for different field sizes, depths, and energies were measured for a Linac using a cylindrical 3D water scanning system. All data were smoothed for the analysis and profile data were also centered, symmetrized, and geometrically scaled. The S{sub cp} data were analyzed using an exponential function. The inverse square factor was removed from the PDD data before modeling and the data were subsequently analyzed using exponential functions. For profile modeling, one halfside of the profile was divided into three regions described by exponential, sigmoid, and Gaussian equations. All of the analytical functions are field size, energy, depth, and, in the case of profiles, scan direction specific. The model’s parameters were determined using the minimal amount of measured data necessary. The model’s accuracy was evaluated via the calculation of absolute differences between the measured (processed) and calculated data in low gradient regions and distance-to-agreement analysis in high gradient regions. Finally, the results of dosimetric quantities obtained by the fitted models for a different machine were also assessed. Results: All of the differences in the PDDs’ buildup and the profiles’ penumbra regions were less than 2 and 0.5 mm, respectively. The differences in the low gradient regions were 0.20% ± 0.20% (<1% for all) and 0.50% ± 0.35% (<1% for all) for PDDs and profiles, respectively. For S{sub cp} data, all of the absolute differences were less than 0.5%. Conclusions: This novel analytical model with minimum measurement requirements was proved to accurately calculate PDDs, profiles, and S{sub cp} for different field sizes, depths, and energies.« less

Knowledge of family planning methods in Bangladesh, 1969-1979: trends and implications.

PubMed

Amin, R; Mariam, A G

1986-12-01

The changes in levels of knowledge about different contraceptive methods in Bangladesh between 1969-79 were assessed. 2 surveys provided the data: the 1969 National Impact Survey (NIS) of family planning and the 1979 Contraceptive Prevalence Survey (CPS) from Bangladesh. Both surveys were nationally representative and retrospective, containing detailed questions of pregnancy histories, socioeconomic background, family planning knowledge and attitude, and contraceptive practices. The sampling frames for both surveys consisted of all households in Bangladesh from which national probability samples of married women between the ages of 10-50 were selected and stratified by urban-rural residence. Unprompted data were analyzed. Apparently, the National Family Planning Program (NFPP) was successful in communicating general knowledge of family planning among the masses in Bangladesh. In terms of absolute level, the increase in general knowledge of family planning was from 46.3% in 1969 to 82.8% in 1979. With the exception of the oral contraceptive (OC), absolute increase in knowledge of specific family planning methods or a variety of methods was far less than that of general knowledge of family planning. Knowledge of condoms, female sterilization, and male sterilization increased between 1969-79, yet in terms of absolute levels these increases were far less than those of either general knowledge of family planning or knowledge of OCs. The percentages of couples reporting knowledge of the IUD, vaginal methods, rhythm, injection, or induced abortion either decreased or slightly increased between 1969-79. Nearly 40% of couples had knowledge of only 1 method; fewer couples knew of 2 or more methods. There were relative increases in the knowledge of OCs and female sterilization, an 8-fold increase in knowledge of the OC and a 6-fold increase in knowledge of female sterilization between 1969-79. Respondents from the urban areas or those who attended schools were more likely to know about different contraceptive methods. Despite government orders stipulating that each household be visited every month by a family planning worker, face-to-face contact with family planning extension workers continued to be very low. In view of poor field worker performance, the government has made various modifications in the NFPP operation aimed at strengthening information and service delivery programs, yet recent evidence shows their continuing ineffectiveness. The low levels of knowledge about different family planning methods and low level of contact between family planning workers and family planning target couples show that the NFPP, by failing to inform married couples of wider choice of methods, missed many potential new acceptors of family planning methods.

Mind and body therapy for fibromyalgia.

PubMed

Theadom, Alice; Cropley, Mark; Smith, Helen E; Feigin, Valery L; McPherson, Kathryn

2015-04-09

Mind-body interventions are based on the holistic principle that mind, body and behaviour are all interconnected. Mind-body interventions incorporate strategies that are thought to improve psychological and physical well-being, aim to allow patients to take an active role in their treatment, and promote people's ability to cope. Mind-body interventions are widely used by people with fibromyalgia to help manage their symptoms and improve well-being. Examples of mind-body therapies include psychological therapies, biofeedback, mindfulness, movement therapies and relaxation strategies. To review the benefits and harms of mind-body therapies in comparison to standard care and attention placebo control groups for adults with fibromyalgia, post-intervention and at three and six month follow-up. Electronic searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), AMED (EBSCO) and CINAHL (Ovid) were conducted up to 30 October 2013. Searches of reference lists were conducted and authors in the field were contacted to identify additional relevant articles. All relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of mind-body interventions for adults with fibromyalgia were included. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted the data and assessed trials for low, unclear or high risk of bias. Any discrepancy was resolved through discussion and consensus. Continuous outcomes were analysed using mean difference (MD) where the same outcome measure and scoring method was used and standardised mean difference (SMD) where different outcome measures were used. For binary data standard estimation of the risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was used. Seventy-four papers describing 61 trials were identified, with 4234 predominantly female participants. The nature of fibromyalgia varied from mild to severe across the study populations. Twenty-six studies were classified as having a low risk of bias for all domains assessed. The findings of mind-body therapies compared with usual care were prioritised.There is low quality evidence that in comparison to usual care controls psychological therapies have favourable effects on physical functioning (SMD -0.4, 95% CI -0.6 to -0.3, -7.5% absolute change, 2 point shift on a 0 to 100 scale), pain (SMD -0.3, 95% CI -0.5 to -0.2, -3.5% absolute change, 2 point shift on a 0 to 100 scale) and mood (SMD -0.5, 95% CI -0.6 to -0.3, -4.8% absolute change, 3 point shift on a 20 to 80 scale). There is very low quality evidence of more withdrawals in the psychological therapy group in comparison to usual care controls (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.69, 6% absolute risk difference). There is lack of evidence of a difference between the number of adverse events in the psychological therapy and control groups (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.06 to 2.50, 4% absolute risk difference).There was very low quality evidence that biofeedback in comparison to usual care controls had an effect on physical functioning (SMD -0.1, 95% CI -0.4 to 0.3, -1.2% absolute change, 1 point shift on a 0 to 100 scale), pain (SMD -2.6, 95% CI -91.3 to 86.1, -2.6% absolute change) and mood (SMD 0.1, 95% CI -0.3 to 0.5, 1.9% absolute change, less than 1 point shift on a 0 to 90 scale) post-intervention. In view of the quality of evidence we cannot be certain that biofeedback has a little or no effect on these outcomes. There was very low quality evidence that biofeedback led to more withdrawals from the study (RR 4.08, 95% CI 1.43 to 11.62, 20% absolute risk difference). No adverse events were reported.There was no advantage observed for mindfulness in comparison to usual care for physical functioning (SMD -0.3, 95% CI -0.6 to 0.1, -4.8% absolute change, 4 point shift on a scale 0 to 100), pain (SMD -0.1, CI -0.4 to 0.3, -1.3% absolute change, less than 1 point shift on a 0 to 10 scale), mood (SMD -0.2, 95% CI -0.5 to 0.0, -3.7% absolute change, 2 point shift on a 20 to 80 scale) or withdrawals (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.72, 2% absolute risk difference) between the two groups post-intervention. However, the quality of the evidence was very low for pain and moderate for mood and number of withdrawals. No studies reported any adverse events.Very low quality evidence revealed that movement therapies in comparison to usual care controls improved pain (MD -2.3, CI -4.2 to -0.4, -23% absolute change) and mood (MD -9.8, 95% CI -18.5 to -1.2, -16.4% absolute change) post-intervention. There was no advantage for physical functioning (SMD -0.2, 95% CI -0.5 to 0.2, -3.4% absolute change, 2 point shift on a 0 to 100 scale), participant withdrawals (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.38, 11% absolute difference) or adverse events (RR 4.62, 95% CI 0.23 to 93.92, 4% absolute risk difference) between the two groups, however rare adverse events may include worsening of pain.Low quality evidence revealed that relaxation based therapies in comparison to usual care controls showed an advantage for physical functioning (MD -8.3, 95% CI -10.1 to -6.5, -10.4% absolute change) and pain (SMD -1.0, 95% CI -1.6 to -0.5, -3.5% absolute change, 2 point shift on a 0 to 78 scale) but not for mood (SMD -4.4, CI -14.5 to 5.6, -7.4% absolute change) post-intervention. There was no difference between the groups for number of withdrawals (RR 4.40, 95% CI 0.59 to 33.07, 31% absolute risk difference) and no adverse events were reported. Psychological interventions therapies may be effective in improving physical functioning, pain and low mood for adults with fibromyalgia in comparison to usual care controls but the quality of the evidence is low. Further research on the outcomes of therapies is needed to determine if positive effects identified post-intervention are sustained. The effectiveness of biofeedback, mindfulness, movement therapies and relaxation based therapies remains unclear as the quality of the evidence was very low or low. The small number of trials and inconsistency in the use of outcome measures across the trials restricted the analysis.

Linking Comparisons of Absolute Gravimeters: A Proof of Concept for a new Global Absolute Gravity Reference System.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wziontek, H.; Palinkas, V.; Falk, R.; Vaľko, M.

2016-12-01

Since decades, absolute gravimeters are compared on a regular basis on an international level, starting at the International Bureau for Weights and Measures (BIPM) in 1981. Usually, these comparisons are based on constant reference values deduced from all accepted measurements acquired during the comparison period. Temporal changes between comparison epochs are usually not considered. Resolution No. 2, adopted by IAG during the IUGG General Assembly in Prague 2015, initiates the establishment of a Global Absolute Gravity Reference System based on key comparisons of absolute gravimeters (AG) under the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) in order to establish a common level in the microGal range. A stable and unique reference frame can only be achieved, if different AG are taking part in different kind of comparisons. Systematic deviations between the respective comparison reference values can be detected, if the AG can be considered stable over time. The continuous operation of superconducting gravimeters (SG) on selected stations further supports the temporal link of comparison reference values by establishing a reference function over time. By a homogenous reprocessing of different comparison epochs and including AG and SG time series at selected stations, links between several comparisons will be established and temporal comparison reference functions will be derived. By this, comparisons on a regional level can be traced to back to the level of key comparisons, providing a reference for other absolute gravimeters. It will be proved and discussed, how such a concept can be used to support the future absolute gravity reference system.

Development and application of absolute quantitative detection by duplex chamber-based digital PCR of genetically modified maize events without pretreatment steps.

PubMed

Zhu, Pengyu; Fu, Wei; Wang, Chenguang; Du, Zhixin; Huang, Kunlun; Zhu, Shuifang; Xu, Wentao

2016-04-15

The possibility of the absolute quantitation of GMO events by digital PCR was recently reported. However, most absolute quantitation methods based on the digital PCR required pretreatment steps. Meanwhile, singleplex detection could not meet the demand of the absolute quantitation of GMO events that is based on the ratio of foreign fragments and reference genes. Thus, to promote the absolute quantitative detection of different GMO events by digital PCR, we developed a quantitative detection method based on duplex digital PCR without pretreatment. Moreover, we tested 7 GMO events in our study to evaluate the fitness of our method. The optimized combination of foreign and reference primers, limit of quantitation (LOQ), limit of detection (LOD) and specificity were validated. The results showed that the LOQ of our method for different GMO events was 0.5%, while the LOD is 0.1%. Additionally, we found that duplex digital PCR could achieve the detection results with lower RSD compared with singleplex digital PCR. In summary, the duplex digital PCR detection system is a simple and stable way to achieve the absolute quantitation of different GMO events. Moreover, the LOQ and LOD indicated that this method is suitable for the daily detection and quantitation of GMO events. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Conditioning procedure and color discrimination in the honeybee Apis mellifera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giurfa, Martin

We studied the influence of the conditioning procedure on color discrimination by free-flying honeybees. We asked whether absolute and differential conditioning result in different discrimination capabilities for the same pairs of colored targets. In absolute conditioning, bees were rewarded on a single color; in differential conditioning, bees were rewarded on the same color but an alternative, non-rewarding, similar color was also visible. In both conditioning procedures, bees learned their respective task and could also discriminate the training stimulus from a novel stimulus that was perceptually different from the trained one. Discrimination between perceptually closer stimuli was possible after differential conditioning but not after absolute conditioning. Differences in attention inculcated by these training procedures may underlie the different discrimination performances of the bees.

Absolutely nondestructive discrimination of Huoshan Dendrobium nobile species with miniature near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer engine.

PubMed

Hu, Tian; Yang, Hai-Long; Tang, Qing; Zhang, Hui; Nie, Lei; Li, Lian; Wang, Jin-Feng; Liu, Dong-Ming; Jiang, Wei; Wang, Fei; Zang, Heng-Chang

2014-10-01

As one very precious traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Huoshan Dendrobium has not only high price, but also significant pharmaceutical efficacy. However, different species of Huoshan Dendrobium exhibit considerable difference in pharmaceutical efficacy, so rapid and absolutely non-destructive discrimination of Huoshan Dendrobium nobile according to different species is crucial to quality control and pharmaceutical effect. In this study, as one type of miniature near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, MicroNIR 1700 was used for absolutely nondestructive determination of NIR spectra of 90 batches of Dendrobium from five species of differ- ent commodity grades. The samples were intact and not smashed. Soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) pattern recognition based on principal component analysis (PCA) was used to classify and recognize different species of Dendrobium samples. The results indicated that the SIMCA qualitative models established with pretreatment method of standard normal variate transformation (SNV) in the spectra range selected by Qs method had 100% recognition rates and 100% rejection rates. This study demonstrated that a rapid and absolutely non-destructive analytical technique based on MicroNIR 1700 spectrometer was developed for successful discrimination of five different species of Huoshan Dendrobium with acceptable accuracy.

Are Study and Journal Characteristics Reliable Indicators of "Truth" in Imaging Research?

PubMed

Frank, Robert A; McInnes, Matthew D F; Levine, Deborah; Kressel, Herbert Y; Jesurum, Julia S; Petrcich, William; McGrath, Trevor A; Bossuyt, Patrick M

2018-04-01

Purpose To evaluate whether journal-level variables (impact factor, cited half-life, and Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies [STARD] endorsement) and study-level variables (citation rate, timing of publication, and order of publication) are associated with the distance between primary study results and summary estimates from meta-analyses. Materials and Methods MEDLINE was searched for meta-analyses of imaging diagnostic accuracy studies, published from January 2005 to April 2016. Data on journal-level and primary-study variables were extracted for each meta-analysis. Primary studies were dichotomized by variable as first versus subsequent publication, publication before versus after STARD introduction, STARD endorsement, or by median split. The mean absolute deviation of primary study estimates from the corresponding summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity was compared between groups. Means and confidence intervals were obtained by using bootstrap resampling; P values were calculated by using a t test. Results Ninety-eight meta-analyses summarizing 1458 primary studies met the inclusion criteria. There was substantial variability, but no significant differences, in deviations from the summary estimate between paired groups (P > .0041 in all comparisons). The largest difference found was in mean deviation for sensitivity, which was observed for publication timing, where studies published first on a topic demonstrated a mean deviation that was 2.5 percentage points smaller than subsequently published studies (P = .005). For journal-level factors, the greatest difference found (1.8 percentage points; P = .088) was in mean deviation for sensitivity in journals with impact factors above the median compared with those below the median. Conclusion Journal- and study-level variables considered important when evaluating diagnostic accuracy information to guide clinical decisions are not systematically associated with distance from the truth; critical appraisal of individual articles is recommended. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Fluorescent intensity-based differential counting of FITC-doped silica nanoparticles: applications of CD4+ T-cell detection in microchip-type flowcytometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Hoyoung; Bang, Hyunwoo; Lee, Won Gu; Lim, Hyunchang; Park, Junha; Lee, Joonmo; Riaz, Asif; Cho, Keunchang; Chung, Chanil; Han, Dong-Chul; Chang, Jun Keun

2007-12-01

Although CD4+ T-cells are an important target of HIV detection, there have been still major problems in making a diagnosis and monitoring in the third world and the region with few medical facilities. Then, it is necessary to use portable diagnosis devices at low cost when you put an enumeration of CD4+ T-cells. In general, the counting of CD4 below 200cells/uL makes it necessary to initiate antiretroviral treatment in adults (over 13 years old). However, lymphocyte subsets (including CD4 counts) of infants and young children are higher than those of adults. This fact shows the percentage of CD4+ T-cells of blood subsets, i.e., CD4/CD45%, CD4/CD8% or CD4/CD3% means a more reliable indicator of HIV infection than absolute counts in children. To know the percentage of CD4+ T-cell by using two fluorescent dyes of different emission wavelength, at least, one laser and two PMT detectors are in general needed. Then, it is so hard to develop a portable device like a 'toaster size' because this makes such a device more complex including many peripheral modules. In this study, we developed a novel technique to control the intensity of fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles. I synthesized FITC-doped silica nanoparticles conjugated CD4 antibody 10 times brighter than FITC-conjugated CD45 antibody. With the difference of intensity of two fluorescent dyes, we measured two parameters by using only a single detector and laser. Most experiments were achieved with uFACS (microfabricated fluorescence-activated cell sorter) on an inverted microscope (IX71, Olympus). In conclusion, this method enables us to discriminate the difference between CD4 and CD45 in an intensity domain simultaneously. Furthermore, this technique would make it possible develop much cheaper and smaller devices which can count the number of CD4 T-cells.

Finding the most accurate method to measure head circumference for fetal weight estimation.

PubMed

Schmidt, Ulrike; Temerinac, Dunja; Bildstein, Katharina; Tuschy, Benjamin; Mayer, Jade; Sütterlin, Marc; Siemer, Jörn; Kehl, Sven

2014-07-01

Accurate measurement of fetal head biometry is important for fetal weight estimation (FWE) and is therefore an important prognostic parameter for neonatal morbidity and mortality and a valuable tool for determining the further obstetric management. Measurement of the head circumference (HC) in particular is employed in many commonly used weight equations. The aim of the present study was to find the most accurate method to measure head circumference for fetal weight estimation. This prospective study included 481 term pregnancies. Inclusion criteria were a singleton pregnancy and ultrasound examination with complete fetal biometric parameters within 3 days of delivery, and an absence of structural or chromosomal malformations. Different methods were used for ultrasound measurement of the HC (ellipse-traced, ellipse-calculated, and circle-calculated). As a reference method, HC was also determined using a measuring tape immediately after birth. FWE was carried out with Hadlock formulas, including either HC or biparietal diameter (BPD), and differences were compared using percentage error (PE), absolute percentage error (APE), limits of agreement (LOA), and cumulative distribution. The ellipse-traced method showed the best results for FWE among all of the ultrasound methods assessed. It had the lowest median APE and the narrowest LOA. With regard to the cumulative distribution, it included the largest number of cases at a discrepancy level of ±10%. The accuracy of BPD was similar to that of the ellipse-traced method when it was used instead of HC for weight estimation. Differences between the three techniques for calculating HC were small but significant. For clinical use, the ellipse-traced method should be recommended. However, when BPD is used instead of HC for FWE, the accuracy is similar to that of the ellipse-traced method. The BPD might therefore be a good alternative to head measurements in estimating fetal weight. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ethnic differences in microvascular function in apparently healthy South African men and women.

PubMed

Pienaar, P R; Micklesfield, L K; Gill, J M R; Shore, A C; Gooding, K M; Levitt, N S; Lambert, E V

2014-07-01

Microvascular dysfunction precedes the clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. Given the ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease, we aimed to investigate ethnic differences in microvascular endothelial function in a group of young (18-33 years old), apparently healthy individuals (n = 33, nine Black African, 12 mixed ancestry and 12 Caucasian). Microvascular endothelium-dependent and -independent function was assessed by laser Doppler imagery and iontophoresis of ACh and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively, adjusting for skin resistance. Microvascular reactivity was expressed as maximum absolute perfusion, percentage change from baseline and area under the curve (AUC). Skin resistance was significantly lower in the Caucasian group in response to ACh (Caucasian, mean 0.16 ± 0.03 Ω versus Black, 0.21 ± 0.04 Ω and mixed ancestry, 0.20 ± 0.02 Ω, P < 0.01) and SNP (Caucasian, 0.08 ± 0.01 Ω versus Black, 0.11 ± 0.02 Ω and mixed ancestry, 0.12 ± 0.01 Ω, P < 0.01). Microvascular function in response to ACh was significantly higher in the Caucasian group compared with the other two groups; however, after adjusting for skin resistance these differences were no longer significant. Conversely, the microvascular SNP response remained significantly higher in the Caucasian group, even after adjusting for skin resistance (P < 0.01). Diastolic blood pressure was inversely associated with the AUC of ACh (r = -0.4) and all SNP responses (r = -0.3 to -0.6). Skin resistance was inversely associated with AUC and maximum absolute ACh response (r = -0.59 and -0.64, respectively) and all SNP responses (r = -0.37 to -0.79). Ethnic differences in endothelium-independent microvascular function may contribute to ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease. Moreover, skin resistance plays a significant role in the interpretation of the microvascular response to outcomes of iontophoresis in a multiethnic group. © 2014 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2014 The Physiological Society.

Dosimetric validation and clinical implementation of two 3D dose verification systems for quality assurance in volumetric‐modulated arc therapy techniques

PubMed Central

Pérez‐Vara, Consuelo

2015-01-01

A pretreatment quality assurance program for volumetric techniques should include redundant calculations and measurement‐based verifications. The patient‐specific quality assurance process must be based in clinically relevant metrics. The aim of this study was to show the commission, clinical implementation, and comparison of two systems that allow performing a 3D redundant dose calculation. In addition, one of them is capable of reconstructing the dose on patient anatomy from measurements taken with a 2D ion chamber array. Both systems were compared in terms of reference calibration data (absolute dose, output factors, percentage depth‐dose curves, and profiles). Results were in good agreement for absolute dose values (discrepancies were below 0.5%) and output factors (mean differences were below 1%). Maximum mean discrepancies were located between 10 and 20 cm of depth for PDDs (‐2.7%) and in the penumbra region for profiles (mean DTA of 1.5 mm). Validation of the systems was performed by comparing point‐dose measurements with values obtained by the two systems for static, dynamic fields from AAPM TG‐119 report, and 12 real VMAT plans for different anatomical sites (differences better than 1.2%). Comparisons between measurements taken with a 2D ion chamber array and results obtained by both systems for real VMAT plans were also performed (mean global gamma passing rates better than 87.0% and 97.9% for the 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm criteria). Clinical implementation of the systems was evaluated by comparing dose‐volume parameters for all TG‐119 tests and real VMAT plans with TPS values (mean differences were below 1%). In addition, comparisons between dose distributions calculated by TPS and those extracted by the two systems for real VMAT plans were also performed (mean global gamma passing rates better than 86.0% and 93.0% for the 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm criteria). The clinical use of both systems was successfully evaluated. PACS numbers: 87.56.Fc, 87.56.‐v, 87.55.dk, 87.55.Qr, 87.55.‐x, 07.57.Kp, 85.25.Pb PMID:26103189

Redefinition of the crater-density and absolute-age boundaries for the chronostratigraphic system of Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Werner, S.C.; Tanaka, K.L.

2011-01-01

For the boundaries of each chronostratigraphic epoch on Mars, we present systematically derived crater-size frequencies based on crater counts of geologic referent surfaces and three proposed " standard" crater size-frequency production distributions as defined by (a) a simple -2 power law, (b) Neukum and Ivanov, (c) Hartmann. In turn, these crater count values are converted to model-absolute ages based on the inferred cratering rate histories. We present a new boundary definition for the Late Hesperian-Early Amazonian transition. Our fitting of crater size-frequency distributions to the chronostratigraphic record of Mars permits the assignment of cumulative counts of craters down to 100. m, 1. km, 2. km, 5. km, and 16. km diameters to martian epochs. Due to differences in the " standard" crater size-frequency production distributions, a generalized crater-density-based definition to the chronostratigraphic system cannot be provided. For the diameter range used for the boundary definitions, the resulting model absolute age fits vary within 1.5% for a given set of production function and chronology model ages. Crater distributions translated to absolute ages utilizing different curve descriptions can result in absolute age differences exceeding 10%. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Teaching Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound to Novice Pediatric Learners: Web-Based E-Learning Versus Traditional Classroom Didactic.

PubMed

Soon, Aun Woon; Toney, Amanda Greene; Stidham, Timothy; Kendall, John; Roosevelt, Genie

2018-04-24

To assess whether Web-based teaching is at least as effective as traditional classroom didactic in improving the proficiency of pediatric novice learners in the image acquisition and interpretation of pneumothorax and pleural effusion using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We conducted a randomized controlled noninferiority study comparing the effectiveness of Web-based teaching to traditional classroom didactic. The participants were randomized to either group A (live classroom lecture) or group B (Web-based lecture) and completed a survey and knowledge test. They also received hands-on training and completed an objective structured clinical examination. The participants were invited to return 2 months later to test for retention of knowledge and skills. There were no significant differences in the mean written test scores between the classroom group and Web group for the precourse test (absolute difference, -2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], -12 to 6.9), postcourse test (absolute difference, 2.0; 95% CI, -1.4, 5.3), and postcourse 2-month retention test (absolute difference, -0.8; 95% CI, -9.6 to 8.1). Similarly, no significant differences were noted in the mean objective structured clinical examination scores for both intervention groups in postcourse (absolute difference, 1.9; 95% CI, -4.7 to 8.5) and 2-month retention (absolute difference, -0.6; 95% CI, -10.7 to 9.5). Web-based teaching is at least as effective as traditional classroom didactic in improving the proficiency of novice learners in POCUS. The usage of Web-based tutorials allows a more efficient use of time and a wider dissemination of knowledge.

Protein intake trends and conformity with the Dietary Reference Intakes in the United States: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2014.

PubMed

Berryman, Claire E; Lieberman, Harris R; Fulgoni, Victor L; Pasiakos, Stefan M

2018-06-21

Systematic analysis of dietary protein intake may identify demographic groups within the American population that are not meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). This cross-sectional study analyzed protein intake trends (2001-2014) and evaluated recent conformity to the DRIs (2011-2014) according to age, sex, and race or ethnicity in the US population. Protein intakes and trends during 2-y cycles of NHANES 2001-2014 (n = 57,980; ≥2 y old) were calculated as absolute (grams per day) and relative [grams per kilogram of ideal body weight (IBW) per day] intakes and as a percentage of total energy. Sex and race or ethnicity [Asian, Hispanic, non-Hispanic black (NHB), and non-Hispanic white (NHW)] differences were determined for protein intake and percentage of the population below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance, and above and below the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Usual protein intakes (mean ± SE) averaged from 55.3 ± 0.9 (children aged 2-3 y) to 88.2 ± 1.1 g/d (adults aged 19-30 y). Protein comprised 14-16% of total energy intakes. Relative protein intakes averaged from 1.10 ± 0.01 (adults aged ≥71 y) to 3.63 ± 0.07 g · kg IBW-1 · d-1 (children aged 2-3 y), and were above the EAR in all demographic groups. Asian and Hispanic populations aged >19 y consumed more relative protein (1.32 ± 0.02 and 1.32 ± 0.02 g · kg IBW-1 · d-1, respectively) than did NHB and NHW (1.18 ± 0.01 g · kg IBW-1 · d-1). Relative protein intakes did not differ by race or ethnicity in the 2-18 y population. Adolescent (aged 14-18 y) females and older (aged ≥71 y) NHB men had the largest population percentages below the EAR (11% and 13%, respectively); <1% of any demographic group had intakes above the AMDR. The majority of the US population exceeds minimum recommendations for protein intake. Protein intake remains well below the upper end of the AMDR, indicating that protein intake, as a percentage of energy intake, is not excessive in the American diet. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN76534484.

Determination of the absolute molecular weight averages and molecular weight distributions of alginates used as ice cream stabilizers by using multiangle laser light scattering measurements.

PubMed

Turquois, T; Gloria, H

2000-11-01

High-performance size exclusion chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering detection (HPSEC-MALLS) was used for characterizing complete molecular weight distributions for a range of commercial alginates used as ice cream stabilizers. For the samples investigated, molecular weight averages were found to vary between 115 000 and 321 700 g/mol and polydispersity indexes varied from 1. 53 to 3.25. These samples displayed a high content of low molecular weights. Thus, the weight percentage of material below 100 000 g/mol ranged between 6.9 and 54.4%.

Comparison of elicitation potential of chloroatranol and atranol--2 allergens in oak moss absolute.

PubMed

Johansen, Jeanne D; Bernard, Guillaume; Giménez-Arnau, Elena; Lepoittevin, Jean-Pierre; Bruze, Magnus; Andersen, Klaus E

2006-04-01

Chloroatranol and atranol are degradation products of chloroatranorin and atranorin, respectively, and have recently been identified as important contact allergens in the natural fragrance extract, oak moss absolute. Oak moss absolute is widely used in perfumery and is the cause of many cases of fragrance allergic contact dermatitis. Chloroatranol elicits reactions at very low levels of exposure. In oak moss absolute, chloroatranol and atranol are present together and both may contribute to the allergenicity and eliciting capacity of the natural extract. In this study, 10 eczema patients with known sensitization to chloroatranol and oak moss absolute were tested simultaneously to a serial dilution of chloroatranol and atranol in ethanol, in equimolar concentrations (0.0034-1072 microM). Dose-response curves were estimated and analysed by logistic regression. The estimated difference in elicitation potency of chloroatranol relative to atranol based on testing with equimolar concentrations was 217% (95% confidence interval 116-409%). Both substances elicited reactions at very low levels of exposure. It is concluded that the differences in elicitation capacity between the 2 substances are counterbalanced by exposure being greater to atranol than to chloroatranol and that both substances contribute to the clinical problems seen in oak moss absolute-sensitized individuals.

Determination of the absolute binding free energies of HIV-1 protease inhibitors using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngo, Son Tung; Nguyen, Minh Tung; Nguyen, Minh Tho

2017-05-01

The absolute binding free energy of an inhibitor to HIV-1 Protease (PR) was determined throughout evaluation of the non-bonded interaction energy difference between the two bound and unbound states of the inhibitor and surrounding molecules by the fast pulling of ligand (FPL) process using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations. The calculated free energy difference terms help clarifying the nature of the binding. Theoretical binding affinities are in good correlation with experimental data, with R = 0.89. The paradigm used is able to rank two inhibitors having the maximum difference of ∼1.5 kcal/mol in absolute binding free energies.

Effects of Controlled Cooling-Induced Ferrite-Pearlite Microstructure on the Cold Forgeability of XC45 Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chengliang; Chen, Lunqiang; Zhao, Zhen; Gong, Aijun; Shi, Weibing

2018-05-01

The combination of hot/warm and cold forging with an intermediate controlled cooling process is a promising approach to saving costs in the manufacture of automobile parts. In this work, the effects of the ferrite-pearlite microstructure, which formed after controlled cooling, on the cold forgeability of a medium-carbon steel were investigated. Different specimens for both normal and notched tensile tests were directly heated to high temperature and then cooled down at different cooling rates, producing different ferrite volume fractions, ranging from 6.69 to 40.53%, in the ferrite-pearlite microstructure. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation rate, percentage reduction of area, and fracture strain were measured by tensile testing. The yield strength, indicating deformation resistance, and fracture strain, indicating formability, were used to evaluate the cold forgeability. As the ferrite volume fraction increased, the cold forgeability of the dual-phase ferritic-pearlitic steel improved. A quantitatively relationship between the ferrite volume fraction and the evaluation indexes of cold forgeability for XC45 steel was obtained from the test data. To validate the mathematical relationship, different tensile specimens machined from real hot-forged workpieces were tested. There was good agreement between the predicted and measured values. Our predictions from the relationship for cold forgeability had an absolute error less than 5%, which is acceptable for industrial applications and will help to guide the design of combined forging processes.

9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

9 CFR 439.10 - Criteria for obtaining accreditation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... absolute value of the average standardized difference must not exceed the following: (i) For food chemistry... samples must be less than 5.0. A result will have a large deviation measure equal to zero when the absolute value of the result's standardized difference, (d), is less than 2.5 and otherwise a measure equal...

EIT Imaging of admittivities with a D-bar method and spatial prior: experimental results for absolute and difference imaging.

PubMed

Hamilton, S J

2017-05-22

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an emerging imaging modality that uses harmless electrical measurements taken on electrodes at a body's surface to recover information about the internal electrical conductivity and or permittivity. The image reconstruction task of EIT is a highly nonlinear inverse problem that is sensitive to noise and modeling errors making the image reconstruction task challenging. D-bar methods solve the nonlinear problem directly, bypassing the need for detailed and time-intensive forward models, to provide absolute (static) as well as time-difference EIT images. Coupling the D-bar methodology with the inclusion of high confidence a priori data results in a noise-robust regularized image reconstruction method. In this work, the a priori D-bar method for complex admittivities is demonstrated effective on experimental tank data for absolute imaging for the first time. Additionally, the method is adjusted for, and tested on, time-difference imaging scenarios. The ability of the method to be used for conductivity, permittivity, absolute as well as time-difference imaging provides the user with great flexibility without a high computational cost.

Relatively Different? How Do Gender Differences in Well-Being Depend on Paid and Unpaid Work in Europe?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boye, Katarina

2009-01-01

Absolute as well as relative hours of paid and unpaid work may influence well-being. This study investigates whether absolute hours spent on paid work and housework account for the lower well-being among women as compared to men in Europe, and whether the associations between well-being and hours of paid work and housework differ by gender…

Effects of different fresh gas flows with or without a heat and moisture exchanger on inhaled gas humidity in adults undergoing general anaesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

PubMed

Braz, José R C; Braz, Mariana G; Hayashi, Yoko; Martins, Regina H G; Betini, Marluci; Braz, Leandro G; El Dib, Regina

2017-08-01

The minimum inhaled gas absolute humidity level is 20 mgH2O l for short-duration use in general anaesthesia and 30 mgH2O l for long-duration use in intensive care to avoid respiratory tract dehydration. The aim is to compare the effects of different fresh gas flows (FGFs) through a circle rebreathing system with or without a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on inhaled gas absolute humidity in adults undergoing general anaesthesia. Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. We defined FGF (l min) as minimal (0.25 to 0.5), low (0.6 to 1.0) or high (≥2). We extracted the inhaled gas absolute humidity data at 60 and 120 min after connection of the patient to the breathing circuit. The effect size is expressed as the mean differences and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). PubMed, EMBASE, SciELO, LILACS and CENTRAL until January 2017. We included 10 studies. The inhaled gas absolute humidity was higher with minimal flow compared with low flow at 120 min [mean differences 2.51 (95%CI: 0.32 to 4.70); P = 0.02] but not at 60 min [mean differences 2.95 (95%CI: -0.95 to 6.84); P = 0.14], and higher with low flow compared with high flow at 120 min [mean differences 7.19 (95%CI: 4.53 to 9.86); P < 0.001]. An inhaled gas absolute humidity minimum of 20 mgH2O l was attained with minimal flow at all times but not with low or high flows. An HME increased the inhaled gas absolute humidity: with minimal flow at 120 min [mean differences 8.49 (95%CI: 1.15 to 15.84); P = 0.02]; with low flow at 60 min [mean differences 9.87 (95%CI: 3.18 to 16.57); P = 0.04] and 120 min [mean differences 7.19 (95%CI: 3.29 to 11.10); P = 0.003]; and with high flow of 2 l min at 60 min [mean differences 6.46 (95%CI: 4.05 to 8.86); P < 0.001] and of 3 l min at 120 min [mean differences 12.18 (95%CI: 6.89 to 17.47); P < 0.001]. The inhaled gas absolute humidity data attained or were near 30 mgH2O l when an HME was used at all FGFs and times. All intubated patients should receive a HME with low or high flows. With minimal flow, a HME adds cost and is not needed to achieve an appropriate inhaled gas absolute humidity.

Design and characterization of a new high-dose-rate brachytherapy Valencia applicator for larger skin lesions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Candela-Juan, C., E-mail: ccanjuan@gmail.com; Niatsetski, Y.; Laarse, R. van der

Purpose: The aims of this study were (i) to design a new high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy applicator for treating surface lesions with planning target volumes larger than 3 cm in diameter and up to 5 cm in size, using the microSelectron-HDR or Flexitron afterloader (Elekta Brachytherapy) with a {sup 192}Ir source; (ii) to calculate by means of the Monte Carlo (MC) method the dose distribution for the new applicator when it is placed against a water phantom; and (iii) to validate experimentally the dose distributions in water. Methods: The PENELOPE2008 MC code was used to optimize dwell positions and dwell times.more » Next, the dose distribution in a water phantom and the leakage dose distribution around the applicator were calculated. Finally, MC data were validated experimentally for a {sup 192}Ir mHDR-v2 source by measuring (i) dose distributions with radiochromic EBT3 films (ISP); (ii) percentage depth–dose (PDD) curve with the parallel-plate ionization chamber Advanced Markus (PTW); and (iii) absolute dose rate with EBT3 films and the PinPoint T31016 (PTW) ionization chamber. Results: The new applicator is made of tungsten alloy (Densimet) and consists of a set of interchangeable collimators. Three catheters are used to allocate the source at prefixed dwell positions with preset weights to produce a homogenous dose distribution at the typical prescription depth of 3 mm in water. The same plan is used for all available collimators. PDD, absolute dose rate per unit of air kerma strength, and off-axis profiles in a cylindrical water phantom are reported. These data can be used for treatment planning. Leakage around the applicator was also scored. The dose distributions, PDD, and absolute dose rate calculated agree within experimental uncertainties with the doses measured: differences of MC data with chamber measurements are up to 0.8% and with radiochromic films are up to 3.5%. Conclusions: The new applicator and the dosimetric data provided here will be a valuable tool in clinical practice, making treatment of large skin lesions simpler, faster, and safer. Also the dose to surrounding healthy tissues is minimal.« less

Bone grafts utilized in dentistry: an analysis of patients' preferences.

PubMed

Fernández, Ramón Fuentes; Bucchi, Cristina; Navarro, Pablo; Beltrán, Víctor; Borie, Eduardo

2015-10-20

Many procedures currently require the use of bone grafts to replace or recover bone volume that has been resorbed. However, the patient's opinion and preferences must be taken into account before implementing any treatment. Researchers have focused primarily on assessing the effectiveness of bone grafts rather than on patients' perceptions. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore patients' opinions regarding the different types of bone grafts used in dental treatments. One hundred patients were randomly chosen participated in the study. A standardized survey of 10 questions was used to investigate their opinions regarding the different types of bone grafts used in dental treatments. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the different variables, and absolute frequencies and percentages were used as summary measures. A value of p <0.05 was selected as the threshold for statistical significance. The highest rate of refusal was observed for allografts and xenografts. The grafts with the lowest rates of refusal were autologous grafts (3 %) and alloplastics (2 %). No significant differences were found between the various types of bone grafts in the sociodemographic variables or the refusal/acceptance variable. Similarly, no significant relations were observed between a specific religious affiliation and the acceptance/refusal rates of the various types of graft. Allografts and xenografts elicited the highest refusal rates among the surveyed patients, and autologous bone and alloplastics were the most accepted bone grafts. Moreover, no differences were found in the sociodemographic variables or religious affiliations in terms of the acceptance/refusal rates of the different bone grafts.

Quantifying risk: the role of absolute and relative measures in interpreting risk of adverse reactions from product labels of antipsychotic medications.

PubMed

Citrome, Leslie

2009-09-01

Pharmaceutical product labeling as approved by regulatory agencies include statements of adverse event risk. Product labels include descriptive statements such as whether events are uncommon or rare, as well as percentage occurrence for more common events. In addition tables are provided with the frequencies of the latter events for both product and placebo as observed in clinical trials. Competing products are not mentioned in a specific drug's product labeling but indirect comparisons can be made using the corresponding label information for the alternate product. Two types of tools are easily used for this purpose: absolute measures such as number needed to harm (NNH), and relative measures such as relative risk increase (RRI). The calculations for both of these types of quantitative measures are presented using as examples the oral first-line second-generation antipsychotic medications. Among three sample outcomes selected a priori, akathisia, weight gain, and discontinuation from a clinical trial because of an adverse reaction, there appears to be differences among the different antipsychotics versus placebo. Aripiprazole was associated with the highest risk for akathisia, particularly when used as adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (NNH 5, 95% CI 4-7; RRI 525%, 95% CI 267%-964%). Although insufficient information was available in product labeling to calculate the CI, olanzapine was associated with the highest risk for weight gain of at least 7% from baseline (NNH 6, RRI 640% for adults; NNH 4, RRI 314% for adolescents), and quetiapine for the indication of bipolar depression was associated with the highest risk of discontinuation from a clinical trial because of an adverse reaction (NNH 8, RRI 265% for 600 mg/d; NNH 15, RRI 137% for 300 mg/d). In conclusion, with certain limitations, it is possible for the clinician to extract information from medication product labeling regarding the frequency with which certain adverse reactions can be expected. This supplements, but does not replace, information reported directly in clinical trial reports.

Measurement and modeling of particulate matter concentrations: Applying spatial analysis and regression techniques to assess air quality.

PubMed

Sajjadi, Seyed Ali; Zolfaghari, Ghasem; Adab, Hamed; Allahabadi, Ahmad; Delsouz, Mehri

2017-01-01

This paper presented the levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in different stations at the city of Sabzevar, Iran. Furthermore, this study was an attempt to evaluate spatial interpolation methods for determining the PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations in the city of Sabzevar. Particulate matters were measured by Haz-Dust EPAM at 48 stations. Then, four interpolating models, including Radial Basis Functions (RBF), Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Ordinary Kriging (OK), and Universal Kriging (UK) were used to investigate the status of air pollution in the city. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) were employed to compare the four models. The results showed that the PM 2.5 concentrations in the stations were between 10 and 500 μg/m 3 . Furthermore, the PM 10 concentrations for all of 48 stations ranged from 20 to 1500 μg/m 3 . The concentrations obtained for the period of nine months were greater than the standard limits. There was difference in the values of MAPE, RMSE, MBE, and MAE. The results indicated that the MAPE in IDW method was lower than other methods: (41.05 for PM 2.5 and 25.89 for PM 10 ). The best interpolation method for the particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ) seemed to be IDW method. •The PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentration measurements were performed in the period of warm and risky in terms of particulate matter at 2016.•Concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were measured by a monitoring device, environmental dust model Haz-Dust EPAM 5000.•Interpolation is used to convert data from observation points to continuous fields to compare spatial patterns sampled by these measurements with spatial patterns of other spatial entities.

Stage at diagnosis of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Jedy-Agba, Elima; McCormack, Valerie; Adebamowo, Clement; dos-Santos-Silva, Isabel

2017-01-01

Summary Background The incidence of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively low, but as survival from the disease in the region is poor, mortality rates are as high as in high-income countries. Stage at diagnosis is a major contributing factor to poor survival from breast cancer. We aimed to do a systematic review and meta-analysis on stage at diagnosis of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa to examine trends over time, and investigate sources of variations across the region. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Africa-Wide Information to identify studies on breast cancer stage at diagnosis in sub-Saharan African women published before Jan 1, 2014, and in any language. Random-effects meta-analyses were done to investigate between-study heterogeneity in percentage of late-stage breast cancer (stage III/IV), and meta-regression analyses to identify potential sources of variation. Percentages of women with late-stage breast cancer at diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa were compared with similar estimates for black and white women in the USA from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Findings 83 studies were included, which consisted of 26788 women from 17 sub-Saharan African countries. There was wide between-study heterogeneity in the percentage of late-stage disease at diagnosis (median 74.7%, range 30.3–100%, I2=93.3%, p<0.0001). The percentage of patients with late-stage disease at diagnosis did not vary by region in black women, but was lower in non-black women from southern Africa than in black women in any region (absolute difference [AD] from black women in western Africa [reference group] −18.1%, 95% CI −28.2 to −8.0), and higher for populations from mixed (urban and rural) settings rather than urban settings (13.2%, 5.7 to 20.7, in analyses restricted to black women). The percentage of patients with late-stage disease at diagnosis in black Africans decreased over time (−10.5%, −19.3 to −1.6; for 2000 or later vs 1980 or before), but it was still higher around 2010 than it was in white and black women in the USA 40 years previously. Interpretation Strategies for early diagnosis of breast cancer should be regarded as a major priority by cancer control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding None. PMID:27855871

Changes Over Time in Absolute and Relative Socioeconomic Differences in Smoking: A Comparison of Cohort Studies From Britain, Finland, and Japan

PubMed Central

Pietiläinen, Olli; Ferrie, Jane; Kivimäki, Mika; Lahti, Jouni; Marmot, Michael; Rahkonen, Ossi; Sekine, Michikazu; Shipley, Martin; Tatsuse, Takashi; Lallukka, Tea

2016-01-01

Introduction: Socioeconomic differences in smoking over time and across national contexts are poorly understood. We assessed the magnitude of relative and absolute social class differences in smoking in cohorts from Britain, Finland, and Japan over 5–7 years. Methods: The British Whitehall II study (n = 4350), Finnish Helsinki Health Study (n = 6328), and Japanese Civil Servants Study (n = 1993) all included employed men and women aged 35–68 at baseline in 1997–2002. Follow-up was in 2003–2007 (mean follow-up 5.1, 6.5, and 3.6 years, respectively). Occupational social class (managers, professionals and clerical employees) was measured at baseline. Current smoking and covariates (age, marital status, body mass index, and self-rated health) were measured at baseline and follow-up. We assessed relative social class differences using the Relative Index of Inequality and absolute differences using the Slope Index of Inequality. Results: Social class differences in smoking were found in Britain and Finland, but not in Japan. Age-adjusted relative differences at baseline ranged from Relative Index of Inequality 3.08 (95% confidence interval 1.99–4.78) among Finnish men to 2.32 (1.24–4.32) among British women, with differences at follow-up greater by 8%–58%. Absolute differences remained stable and varied from Slope Index of Inequality 0.27 (0.15–0.40) among Finnish men to 0.10 (0.03–0.16) among British women. Further adjustment for covariates had modest effects on inequality indices. Conclusions: Large social class differences in smoking persisted among British and Finnish men and women, with widening tendencies in relative differences over time. No differences could be confirmed among Japanese men or women. Implications: Changes over time in social class differences in smoking are poorly understood across countries. Our study focused on employees from Britain, Finland and Japan, and found relative and absolute and class differences among British and Finnish men and women. Key covariates had modest effects on the differences. Relative differences tended to widen over the 4- to 7-year follow-up, whereas absolute differences remained stable. In contrast, class differences in smoking among Japanese men or women were not found. Britain and Finland are at the late stage of the smoking epidemic model, whereas Japan may not follow the same model. PMID:26764256

Study of aluminum content in a welding metal by thermoelectric measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carreón, H.; Ramirez, S.; Coronado, C.; Salazar, M.

2018-03-01

This work investigates the effect caused by the aluminum content in a welding metal and its variation in mechanical properties through the use of a non-destructive thermoelectric technique. It is known that aluminum has positive effects as deoxidizer in low percentages and alloying element together with Niobium and Vanadium. Aluminum has a positive and negative effect, initially improves the mechanical properties of the metal, as it acts as a grain refiner, increasing the yield strength, but in larger quantities, important mechanical properties such as hardness and toughness are seriously affected. For this purpose, HSLA ASTM 572 Gr. 50 steel was used as the base metal, where the weld metal was deposited, after which the specimens were fabricated and the mechanical tests and non-destructive tests were carried out. The sensitivity of the thermoelectric potential technique to microstructural and chemical composition changes was confirmed. The evolution of absolute thermoelectric potential (TEP) values with respect to the percentage of aluminum added to the weld was observed, being also quite sensitive to defects such as micro-cracks.

Is breast cancer awareness campaign effective in Pakistan?

PubMed

Soomro, Rufina

2017-07-01

To assess the effectiveness of existing breast cancer awareness strategies in terms of early breast cancer detection.. This descriptive, retrospective study was conducted at the Breast Surgery department of the Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of all biopsy-proven stage 1 breast cancer patients from 1994 to 2014.All relevant records were retrieved year-wise from computerised database and age and stage of each case at presentation were noted. Data of stage 1 breast cancer patients was calculated in all age groups in absolute numbers and in percentage. The total number of women aged below 40 years and stage 1 patients in each year were counted and percentages were calculated and year-wise plotted and compared with whole group. A total of 8,291 patients were registered during the study period. Their number increased from 53(0.64%) in 1994 to 847(10.21%) in 2014. Over the study period, there was a slow trend towards improvement in early diagnosis of breast cancer. With existing breast cancer awareness strategies, the rate of change for early diagnosis of this deadly disease was very slow.

Effects of in vivo hydrocortisone on lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Katz, P.; Zaytoun, A.M.; Lee, J.H. Jr.

To examine the effects of in vivo hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HC) on natural killer (NK) cell and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), 11 normal adults received a single intravenous bolus of 400 mg hydrocortisone. Lymphocytes were tested for NK activity and ADCC using 51chromium (51Cr)-release and single cell cytotoxicity assays against Molt-4 and sensitized RL O leads to target cells, respectively. Four hours after injection, both NK and ADCC activity were transiently increased in the 51Cr-release system. At 4 hours, there was a twofold increase in the relative frequency of potentially cytotoxic target binding cells but the absolute number of thesemore » cells did not change. However, the percentage lysis of bound targets at 4 hours was not altered. These data suggest that: 1) lymphocytes participating in NK and ADCC reactions are refractory to the kinetic and functional effects of HC; 2) the increased lytic activity observed at 4 hours is due to a selective depletion of noncytotoxic cells from the circulation; and 3) NK and ADCC activity did not differ in their responses to HC.« less

Skin cancers in elderly patients.

PubMed

Malaguarnera, Giulia; Giordano, Maria; Cappellani, Alessandro; Berretta, Massimiliano; Malaguarnera, Michele; Perrotta, Rosario Emanuele

2013-11-01

Cancer in older people is a common problem worldwide. Among various types of cancer, skin cancers represent an important percentage. The principal risk factors are sun exposure, family history of skin cancer, fair skin color, but also the age plays an important role in the genesis of skin cancers. In older people there are a more prolonged exposure to carcinogenesis and a decreased functionality of reparation mechanisms of the cells so they acquire a selective advantage of growing and proliferating. At the same time age causes alteration in immune system by increasing NK-cells absolute number and decreasing both the endogenous and the lymphokine-induced lytic activities. The anti-tumor immune response is also mediated by the cytotoxic T- lymphocytes and in the elderly a strong reduction of T-cell function has been demonstrated. In elderly patients the diagnosis and the treatment of skin cancers can be different from younger counterpart. For example in older patients with melanoma is important to evaluate Breslow depth while higher mitotic rate has major value in younger patients. Moreover, the treatment should consider the performance status of patients and their compliance.

Form and Objective of the Decision Rule in Absolute Identification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balakrishnan, J. D.

1997-01-01

In several conditions of a line length identification experiment, the subjects' decision making strategies were systematically biased against the responses on the edges of the stimulus range. When the range and number of the stimuli were small, the bias caused the percentage of correct responses to be highest in the center and lowest on the extremes of the range. Two general classes of decision rules that would explain these results are considered. The first class assumes that subjects intend to adopt an optimal decision rule, but systematically misrepresent one or more parameters of the decision making context. The second class assumes that subjects use a different measure of performance than the one assumed by the experimenter: instead of maximizing the chances of a correct response, the subject attempts to minimize the expected size of the response error (a "fidelity criterion"). In a second experiment, extended experience and feedback did not diminish the bias effect, but explicitly penalizing all response errors equally, regardless of their size, did reduce or eliminate it in some subjects. Both results favor the fidelity criterion over the optimal rule.

PLASMA CELL LEUKEMIA

PubMed Central

de Larrea, Carlos Fernandez; Kyle, Robert A.; Durie, Brian GM; Ludwig, Heinz; Usmani, Saad; Vesole, David H.; Hajek, Roman; Miguel, Jésus San; Sezer, Orhan; Sonneveld, Pieter; Kumar, Shaji K.; Mahindra, Anuj; Comenzo, Ray; Palumbo, Antonio; Mazumber, Amitabha; Anderson, Kenneth C.; Richardson, Paul G.; Badros, Ashraf Z.; Caers, Jo; Cavo, Michele; LeLeu, Xavier; Dimopoulos, Meletios A.; Chim, CS; Schots, Rik; Noeul, Amara; Fantl, Dorotea; Mellqvist, Ulf-Henrik; Landgren, Ola; Chanan-Khan, Asher; Moreau, Philippe; Fonseca, Rafael; Merlini, Giampaolo; Lahuerta, JJ; Bladé, Joan; Orlowski, Robert Z.; Shah, Jatin J.

2014-01-01

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of myeloma characterized by the presence of circulating plasma cells. It is classified as either primary PCL occurring at diagnosis or as secondary PCL in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. Primary PCL is a distinct clinic-pathologic entity with different cytogenetic and molecular findings. The clinical course is aggressive with short remissions and survival duration. The diagnosis is based upon the percentage (≥ 20%) and absolute number (≥ 2 × 10 9/L) of plasma cells in the peripheral blood. It is proposed that the thresholds for diagnosis be reexamined and consensus recommendations are made for diagnosis, as well as, response and progression criteria. Induction therapy needs to begin promptly and have high clinical activity leading to rapid disease control in an effort to minimize the risk of early death. Intensive chemotherapy regimens and bortezomib-based regimens are recommended followed by high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (HDT/ASCT) if feasible. Allogeneic transplantation can be considered in younger patients. Prospective multicenter studies are required to provide revised definitions and better understanding of the pathogenesis of PCL. PMID:23288300

Time series forecasting of future claims amount of SOCSO's employment injury scheme (EIS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zulkifli, Faiz; Ismail, Isma Liana; Chek, Mohd Zaki Awang; Jamal, Nur Faezah; Ridzwan, Ahmad Nur Azam Ahmad; Jelas, Imran Md; Noor, Syamsul Ikram Mohd; Ahmad, Abu Bakar

2012-09-01

The Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) provides protection to employees who are injured due to accidents whilst working, commuting from home to the work place or during employee takes a break during an authorized recess time or while travelling that is related with his work. The main purpose of this study is to forecast value on claims amount of EIS for the year 2011 until 2015 by using appropriate models. These models were tested on the actual EIS data from year 1972 until year 2010. Three different forecasting models are chosen for comparisons. These are the Naïve with Trend Model, Average Percent Change Model and Double Exponential Smoothing Model. The best model is selected based on the smallest value of error measures using the Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). From the result, the best model that best fit the forecast for the EIS is the Average Percent Change Model. Furthermore, the result also shows the claims amount of EIS for the year 2011 to year 2015 continue to trend upwards from year 2010.

CDC staging based on absolute CD4 count and CD4 percentage in an HIV-1-infected Indian population: treatment implications

PubMed Central

Vajpayee, M; Kaushik, S; Sreenivas, V; Wig, N; Seth, P

2005-01-01

CD4+ T-cell levels are an important criterion for categorizing HIV-related clinical conditions according to the CDC classification system and are therefore important in the management of HIV by initiating antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections due to HIV among HIV-infected individuals. However, it has been observed that the CD4 counts are affected by the geographical location, race, ethnic origin, age, gender and changes in total and differential leucocyte counts. In the light of this knowledge, we classified 600 HIV seropositive antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve Indian individuals belonging to different CDC groups A, B and C on the basis of CDC criteria of both CD4% and CD4 counts and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. Importantly, CDC staging on the basis of CD4% indicated significant clinical implications, requiring an early implementation of effective antiretroviral treatment regimen in HIV-infected individuals deprived of treatment when classified on the basis of CD4 counts. PMID:16045738

Synthesis of new N-substituted 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents.

PubMed

Nastasă, Cristina; Tiperciuc, Brînduşa; Pârvu, Alina; Duma, Mihaela; Ionuţ, Ioana; Oniga, Ovidiu

2013-06-01

A novel series of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones (TZDs) 2a-p was synthesized from the condensation of 3-((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione with different benzaldehyde derivatives. All the structures were confirmed by their spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass) and elemental analytical data. The new molecules were evaluated in vivo as anti-inflammatory agents in an acute experimental inflammation, evaluating the acute phase bone marrow response and phagocyte activity. All compounds, excepting one, reduced the absolute leukocytes count due to the lower neutrophil percentage. Phagocytary index was decreased by the same molecules, while only half of them reduced the phagocytary activity. The effect was superior to meloxicam, the reference anti-inflammatory drug, for the majority of the TZD derivatives. The new molecules were also investigated for their antimicrobial properties on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and one fungal strain. Two compounds (2e and 2n) manifested growth inhibition capacity on all the tested strains. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Forecasting incidence of dengue in Rajasthan, using time series analyses.

PubMed

Bhatnagar, Sunil; Lal, Vivek; Gupta, Shiv D; Gupta, Om P

2012-01-01

To develop a prediction model for dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever (DF/DHF) using time series data over the past decade in Rajasthan and to forecast monthly DF/DHF incidence for 2011. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used for statistical modeling. During January 2001 to December 2010, the reported DF/DHF cases showed a cyclical pattern with seasonal variation. SARIMA (0,0,1) (0,1,1) 12 model had the lowest normalized Bayesian information criteria (BIC) of 9.426 and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 263.361 and appeared to be the best model. The proportion of variance explained by the model was 54.3%. Adequacy of the model was established through Ljung-Box test (Q statistic 4.910 and P-value 0.996), which showed no significant correlation between residuals at different lag times. The forecast for the year 2011 showed a seasonal peak in the month of October with an estimated 546 cases. Application of SARIMA model may be useful for forecast of cases and impending outbreaks of DF/DHF and other infectious diseases, which exhibit seasonal pattern.

Shape of boulders ejected from small lunar impact craters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuan; Basilevsky, A. T.; Xie, Minggang; Ip, Wing-Huen

2017-10-01

The shape of ejecta boulders from 7 lunar impact craters <1 km in diameter of known absolute age was measured to explore whether it correlates with the crater age and the boulder size. The boulders were mapped and then measured by rectangular fitting and the shape was represented by the axial ratio or aspect ratio (A) of the rectangle. The main conclusions from the analysis of our measurement results are: 1) the percentages of the number of boulders of studied craters decrease with the increase of the axial ratio. Most (∼90%) of the boulders have the axial ratio in the range of 1-2; no boulder with axial ratio larger than 4 was found. 2) the axial ratios of mare ejecta boulders decrease with their exposure time, whereas that for highland ones show unchanged trend. This difference may be probably due to target properties. 3) The shape of ejecta boulders are influenced by mechanical strength of bedrocks and space erosion. 4) surface peak stresses caused by thermal fatigue maybe play a significant erosion role in the shape of boulders of various diameter.

Indoor air pollution and the lung in low- and medium-income countries.

PubMed

Kurmi, Om P; Lam, Kin Bong Hubert; Ayres, Jon G

2012-07-01

Over half the world's population, mostly from developing countries, use solid fuel for domestic purposes and are exposed to very high concentrations of harmful air pollutants with potential health effects such as respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, infant mortality and ocular problems. The evidence also suggests that, although the total percentage of people using solid fuel is decreasing, the absolute number is currently increasing. Exposure to smoke from solid fuel burning increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer in adults, and acute lower respiratory tract infection/pneumonia in children. Despite the heterogeneity among studies, the association between COPD and exposure to smoke produced by burning different types of solid fuel is consistent. However, there is strong evidence that while coal burning is a risk factor for lung cancer, exposure to other biomass fuel smoke is less so. There is some evidence that reduction of smoke exposure using improved cooking stoves reduces the risk of COPD and, possibly, acute lower respiratory infection in children, so approaches to reduce biomass smoke exposure are likely to result in reductions in the global burden of respiratory disease.

A Novel Model for Stock Price Prediction Using Hybrid Neural Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senapati, Manas Ranjan; Das, Sumanjit; Mishra, Sarojananda

2018-06-01

The foremost challenge for investors is to select stock price by analyzing financial data which is a menial task as of distort associated and massive pattern. Thereby, selecting stock poses one of the greatest difficulties for investors. Nowadays, prediction of financial market like stock market, exchange rate and share value are very challenging field of research. The prediction and scrutinization of stock price is also a potential area of research due to its vital significance in decision making by financial investors. This paper presents an intelligent and an optimal model for prophecy of stock market price using hybridization of Adaline Neural Network (ANN) and modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The connoted model hybrid of Adaline and PSO uses fluctuations of stock market as a factor and employs PSO to optimize and update weights of Adaline representation to depict open price of Bombay stock exchange. The prediction performance of the proposed model is compared with different representations like interval measurements, CMS-PSO and Bayesian-ANN. The result indicates that proposed scheme has an edge over all the juxtaposed schemes in terms of mean absolute percentage error.

Effects on infarct size and left ventricular function of early intravenous injection of anistreplase in acute myocardial infarction. The APSIM Study Investigators.

PubMed

Bassand, J P; Bernard, Y; Lusson, J R; Machecourt, J; Cassagnes, J; Borel, E

1990-03-01

A total of 231 patients suffering from a first acute myocardial infarction were randomly allocated within 4 hours following the onset of symptoms either to anistreplase or anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC), 30 U over 5 minutes, or to conventional heparin therapy, 5000 IU in bolus injection. Heparin was reintroduced in both groups 4 h after initial therapy at a dosage of 500 IU/kg per day. A total of 112 patients received anistreplase and 119 received heparin within a mean period of 188 +/- 62 min following the onset of symptoms. Infarct size was estimated from single photon emission computerized tomography and expressed in percentage of the total myocardial volume. The patency rate of the infarct-related artery was 77% in the anistreplase group and 36% in the heparin group (p less than 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction determined from contrast angiography was significantly higher in the anistreplase group than in the heparin group (6 absolute percentage point difference). A significant 31% reduction in infarct size was found in the anistreplase group (33% for the anterior wall infarction subgroup [p less than 0.05] and 16% for the inferior wall infarction subgroup, NS). A close inverse relation was found between the values of left ventricular ejection fraction and infarct size (r = -.73, p less than 0.01). In conclusion, early infusion of anistreplase in acute myocardial infarction produced a high early patency rate, a significant limitation of infarct size, and a significant preservation of left ventricular systolic function, mainly in the anterior wall infarctions.

Skeletal muscle mass in human athletes: What is the upper limit?

PubMed

Abe, Takashi; Buckner, Samuel L; Dankel, Scott J; Jessee, Matthew B; Mattocks, Kevin T; Mouser, J Grant; Loenneke, Jeremy P

2018-01-22

To examine the amount of absolute and relative skeletal muscle mass (SM) in large sized athletes to investigate the potential upper limit of whole body muscle mass accumulation in the human body. Ninety-five large-sized male athletes and 48 recreationally active males (control) had muscle thickness measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. SM was estimated from an ultrasound-derived prediction equation. Body density was estimated by hydrostatic weighing technique, and then body fat percentage and fat-free mass (FFM) were calculated. We used the SM index and FFM index to adjust for the influence of standing height (ie, divided by height squared). Ten of the athletes had more than 100 kg of FFM, including the largest who had 120.2 kg, while seven of the athletes had more than 50 kg of SM, including the largest who had 59.3 kg. FFM index and SM index were higher in athletes compared to controls and the percentage differences between the two groups were 44% and 56%, respectively. The FFM index increased linearly up to 90 kg of body mass, and then the values leveled off in those of increasing body mass. Similarly, the SM index increased in a parabolic fashion reaching a plateau (approximately 17 kg/m 2 ) beyond 120 kg body mass. SM index may be a valuable indicator for determining skeletal muscle mass in athletes. A SM index of approximately 17 kg/m 2 may serve as the potential upper limit in humans. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemodynamics of heavy metals in long-term contaminated soils: metal speciation in soil solution.

PubMed

Kim, Kwon-Rae; Owens, Gary

2009-01-01

The concentration and speciation of heavy metals in soil solution isolated from long-term contaminated soils were investigated. The soil solution was extracted at 70% maximum water holding capacity (MWHC) after equilibration for 24 h. The free metal concentrations (Cd2+, CU2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) in soil solution were determined using the Donnan membrane technique (DMT). Initially the DMT was validated using artificial solutions where the percentage of free metal ions were significantly correlated with the percentages predicted using MINTEQA2. However, there was a significant difference between the absolute free ion concentrations predicted by MINTEQA2 and the values determined by the DMT. This was due to the significant metal adsorption onto the cation exchange membrane used in the DMT with 20%, 28%, 44%, and 8% mass loss of the initial total concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in solution, respectively. This could result in a significant error in the determination of free metal ions when using DMT if no allowance for membrane cation adsorption was made. Relative to the total soluble metal concentrations the amounts of free Cd2+ (3%-52%) and Zn2+ (11%-72%) in soil solutions were generally higher than those of Cu2+ (0.2%-30%) and Pb2+ (0.6%-10%). Among the key soil solution properties, dissolved heavy metal concentrations were the most significant factor governing free metal ion concentrations. Soil solution pH showed only a weak relationship with free metal ion partitioning coefficients (K(p)) and dissolved organic carbon did not show any significant influence on K(p).

Minor planets and related objects. XXI - Photometry of eight asteroids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, R. C.; Gehrels, T.; Capen, R. C.

1976-01-01

Light curves, UBV colors, rotational periods, phase coefficients, and absolute magnitudes are presented. The asteroids studied are (1) Ceres, (4) Vesta, (16) Psyche, (78) Diana, (281) Lucretia, (451) Patientia, (1212) Francette, and (1362) Griqua. The rotation axis of Lucretia is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic. Ceres appears to be nearly spherical with an absolute magnitude of B(1,0)=4.42, which is 0.3 mag fainter than previously reported. The determination of the absolute magnitude for an asteroid depends on its aspect, and for each opposition there is, therefore, a different absolute magnitude.

Absolute pitch among American and Chinese conservatory students: prevalence differences, and evidence for a speech-related critical period.

PubMed

Deutsch, Diana; Henthorn, Trevor; Marvin, Elizabeth; Xu, HongShuai

2006-02-01

Absolute pitch is extremely rare in the U.S. and Europe; this rarity has so far been unexplained. This paper reports a substantial difference in the prevalence of absolute pitch in two normal populations, in a large-scale study employing an on-site test, without self-selection from within the target populations. Music conservatory students in the U.S. and China were tested. The Chinese subjects spoke the tone language Mandarin, in which pitch is involved in conveying the meaning of words. The American subjects were nontone language speakers. The earlier the age of onset of musical training, the greater the prevalence of absolute pitch; however, its prevalence was far greater among the Chinese than the U.S. students for each level of age of onset of musical training. The findings suggest that the potential for acquiring absolute pitch may be universal, and may be realized by enabling infants to associate pitches with verbal labels during the critical period for acquisition of features of their native language.

Efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR by pulmonary function subgroup: a pooled analysis.

PubMed

Elborn, J Stuart; Ramsey, Bonnie W; Boyle, Michael P; Konstan, Michael W; Huang, Xiaohong; Marigowda, Gautham; Waltz, David; Wainwright, Claire E

2016-08-01

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy has shown clinical benefits in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation; however, pretreatment lung function is a confounding factor that potentially affects the efficacy and safety of this therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in these patients, defined by specific categories of lung function. Both trials (TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT) included in this pooled analysis were multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 studies. Eligible patients from 187 participating centres in North America, Australia, and the European Union (both trials) were aged 12 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation, and with a percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) of 40-90 at the time of screening. Patients were randomly assigned with an interactive web response system (1:1:1) to receive placebo, lumacaftor (600 mg once daily) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h), or lumacaftor (400 mg every 12 h) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h) for 24 weeks. Prespecified subgroup analyses of pooled efficacy and safety data by lung function, as measured by ppFEV1, were done for patients with baseline ppFEV1 (<40 and ≥40) and screening ppFEV1 (<70 and ≥70). The primary endpoint was the absolute change from baseline in ppFEV1 at week 24 analysed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study drug. Both trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (TRAFFIC: NCT01807923; TRANSPORT: NCT01807949). Both trials were done between April, 2013, and April, 2014. Of the 1108 patients included in the efficacy analysis, 81 patients had a ppFEV1 that decreased to lower than 40 between screening and baseline and 1016 had a ppFEV1 of 40 or higher at baseline. At screening, 730 had a ppFEV1 of less than 70, and 342 had a ppFEV1 of 70 or higher. Improvements in the absolute change from baseline at week 24 in ppFEV1 were observed with both lumacaftor/ivacaftor doses in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40 (least-squares mean difference vs placebo was 3·7 percentage points [95% CI 0·5-6·9; p=0·024] in the lumacaftor [600 mg/day]-ivacaftor group and 3·3 percentage points [0·2-6·4; p=0·036] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were also reported in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels of 40 or higher (3·3 percentage points [2·3-4·4; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [600 mg per day]-ivacaftor group and 2·8 percentage points [1·7-3·8; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Similar absolute improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were observed in subgroups with screening ppFEV1 levels lower than 70 and ppFEV1 levels of 70 or higher. Increases in body-mass index and reduction in number of pulmonary exacerbation events were observed in both lumacaftor/ivacaftor dose groups compared with placebo across all lung function subgroups. Treatment was generally well tolerated, although the incidence of some respiratory adverse events was higher with lumacaftor/ivacaftor than with placebo in all subgroups. In patients with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40, these adverse events included cough, dyspnoea, and abnormal respiration. These analyses confirm that lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy benefits patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR who have varying degrees of lung function impairment. Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Potential impacts of radon, terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays on childhood leukemia in France: a quantitative risk assessment.

PubMed

Laurent, Olivier; Ancelet, Sophie; Richardson, David B; Hémon, Denis; Ielsch, Géraldine; Demoury, Claire; Clavel, Jacqueline; Laurier, Dominique

2013-05-01

Previous epidemiological studies and quantitative risk assessments (QRA) have suggested that natural background radiation may be a cause of childhood leukemia. The present work uses a QRA approach to predict the excess risk of childhood leukemia in France related to three components of natural radiation: radon, cosmic rays and terrestrial gamma rays, using excess relative and absolute risk models proposed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Both models were developed from the Life Span Study (LSS) of Japanese A-bomb survivors. Previous risk assessments were extended by considering uncertainties in radiation-related leukemia risk model parameters as part of this process, within a Bayesian framework. Estimated red bone marrow doses cumulated during childhood by the average French child due to radon, terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays are 4.4, 7.5 and 4.3 mSv, respectively. The excess fractions of cases (expressed as percentages) associated with these sources of natural radiation are 20 % [95 % credible interval (CI) 0-68 %] and 4 % (95 % CI 0-11 %) under the excess relative and excess absolute risk models, respectively. The large CIs, as well as the different point estimates obtained under these two models, highlight the uncertainties in predictions of radiation-related childhood leukemia risks. These results are only valid provided that models developed from the LSS can be transferred to the population of French children and to chronic natural radiation exposures, and must be considered in view of the currently limited knowledge concerning other potential risk factors for childhood leukemia. Last, they emphasize the need for further epidemiological investigations of the effects of natural radiation on childhood leukemia to reduce uncertainties and help refine radiation protection standards.

Time series model for forecasting the number of new admission inpatients.

PubMed

Zhou, Lingling; Zhao, Ping; Wu, Dongdong; Cheng, Cheng; Huang, Hao

2018-06-15

Hospital crowding is a rising problem, effective predicting and detecting managment can helpful to reduce crowding. Our team has successfully proposed a hybrid model combining both the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and the nonlinear autoregressive neural network (NARNN) models in the schistosomiasis and hand, foot, and mouth disease forecasting study. In this paper, our aim is to explore the application of the hybrid ARIMA-NARNN model to track the trends of the new admission inpatients, which provides a methodological basis for reducing crowding. We used the single seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA), NARNN and the hybrid SARIMA-NARNN model to fit and forecast the monthly and daily number of new admission inpatients. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to compare the forecasting performance among the three models. The modeling time range of monthly data included was from January 2010 to June 2016, July to October 2016 as the corresponding testing data set. The daily modeling data set was from January 4 to September 4, 2016, while the testing time range included was from September 5 to October 2, 2016. For the monthly data, the modeling RMSE and the testing RMSE, MAE and MAPE of SARIMA-NARNN model were less than those obtained from the single SARIMA or NARNN model, but the MAE and MAPE of modeling performance of SARIMA-NARNN model did not improve. For the daily data, all RMSE, MAE and MAPE of NARNN model were the lowest both in modeling stage and testing stage. Hybrid model does not necessarily outperform its constituents' performances. It is worth attempting to explore the reliable model to forecast the number of new admission inpatients from different data.

Endogenous sex hormones and breast density in young women.

PubMed

Jung, Seungyoun; Stanczyk, Frank Z; Egleston, Brian L; Snetselaar, Linda G; Stevens, Victor J; Shepherd, John A; Van Horn, Linda; LeBlanc, Erin S; Paris, Kenneth; Klifa, Catherine; Dorgan, Joanne F

2015-02-01

Breast density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer and reflects epithelial and stromal content. Breast tissue is particularly sensitive to hormonal stimuli before it fully differentiates following the first full-term pregnancy. Few studies have examined associations between sex hormones and breast density among young women. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 180 women ages 25 to 29 years old who participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children 2006 Follow-up Study. Eighty-five percent of participants attended a clinic visit during their luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Magnetic resonance imaging measured the percentage of dense breast volume (%DBV), absolute dense breast volume (ADBV), and absolute nondense breast volume (ANDBV). Multiple-linear mixed-effect regression models were used to evaluate the association of sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with %DBV, ADBV, and ANDBV. Testosterone was significantly positively associated with %DBV and ADBV. The multivariable geometric mean of %DBV and ADBV across testosterone quartiles increased from 16.5% to 20.3% and from 68.6 to 82.3 cm(3), respectively (Ptrend ≤ 0.03). There was no association of %DBV or ADBV with estrogens, progesterone, non-SHBG-bound testosterone, or SHBG (Ptrend ≥ 0.27). Neither sex hormones nor SHBG was associated with ANDBV except progesterone; however, the progesterone result was nonsignificant in analysis restricted to women in the luteal phase. These findings suggest a modest positive association between testosterone and breast density in young women. Hormonal influences at critical periods may contribute to morphologic differences in the breast associated with breast cancer risk later in life. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

Four-Week Unstructured Break Improved Athletic Performance in Collegiate Rugby Players.

PubMed

Jensen, Courtney D; Gleason, Derrick; VanNess, Mark

2018-06-01

Jensen, CD, Gleason, D, and VanNess, JM. Four-week unstructured break improved athletic performance in collegiate rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1671-1677, 2018-This study analyzed the changes in athletic performance and anthropometric characteristics in collegiate male club rugby athletes (n = 14) after a 4-week winter break. All measurements were collected before and after the break. Body composition was assessed by body mass index and hydrostatic weighing. Performance measurements were as follows: V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, vertical jump, 10-yard sprint, squat max, and bench press max. Before testing, each subject was acclimated to the protocols to reduce learning effects. During the 4-week break, no workouts were provided for the athletes; it was unsupervised and unstructured. Participants were required to maintain and submit self-reported nutritional and activity logs during this period. After the break, the athletes demonstrated a 5.0% improvement in V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (absolute increase of 2.25 ml·kg·min), 6.8% improvement in vertical jump (1.50 inches), and a 14.3% increase in squat max (38.64 lb). Although increases in body mass (1.0%) were not significant, the body fat percentage exhibited a relative increase of 19.3% (absolute change from 13.35 to 15.93%). A significant discriminate function analysis indicated statistical differences between groups based on these variables. Self-reported behavior logs confirmed participation in >3 days of moderate to intense physical activity per week but somewhat poor dietary habits. These results indicate that collegiate rugby athletes may not need prescribed exercise routines during seasonal breaks in the athletic schedule. However, it may be beneficial to provide structured nutritional advice during unsupervised periods.

Effectiveness of hands-on tutoring and guided self-directed learning versus self-directed learning alone to educate critical care fellows on mechanical ventilation - a pilot project.

PubMed

Ramar, Kannan; De Moraes, Alice Gallo; Selim, Bernardo; Holets, Steven; Oeckler, Richard

2016-01-01

Physicians require extensive training to achieve proficiency in mechanical ventilator (MV) management of the critically ill patients. Guided self-directed learning (GSDL) is usually the method used to learn. However, it is unclear if this is the most proficient approach to teaching mechanical ventilation to critical care fellows. We, therefore, investigated whether critical care fellows achieve higher scores on standardized testing and report higher satisfaction after participating in a hands-on tutorial combined with GSDL compared to self-directed learning alone. First-year Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) fellows ( n =6) and Critical Care Internal Medicine (CCIM) ( n =8) fellows participated. Satisfaction was assessed using the Likert scale. MV knowledge assessment was performed by administering a standardized 25-question multiple choice pre- and posttest. For 2 weeks the CCIM fellows were exposed to GSDL, while the PCCM fellows received hands-on tutoring combined with GSDL. Ninety-three percentage (6 PCCM and 7 CCIM fellows, total of 13 fellows) completed all evaluations and were included in the final analysis. CCIM and PCCM fellows scored similarly in the pretest (64% vs. 52%, p =0.13). Following interventions, the posttest scores increased in both groups. However, no significant difference was observed based on the interventions (74% vs. 77%, p =0.39). The absolute improvement with the hands-on-tutoring and GSDL group was higher than GSDL alone (25% vs. 10%, p =0.07). Improved satisfaction scores were noted with hands-on tutoring. Hands-on tutoring combined with GSDL and GSDL alone were both associated with an improvement in posttest scores. Absolute improvement in test and satisfaction scores both trended higher in the hands-on tutorial group combined with GSDL group.

Adaptations Associated With an After-School Strength and Conditioning Program in Middle-School-Aged Boys: A Quasi-Experimental Design.

PubMed

Thompson, Brennan J; Stock, Matt S; Mota, Jacob A; Drusch, Alexander S; DeFranco, Ryan N; Cook, Tyler R; Hamm, Matthew A

2017-10-01

High-intensity strength and conditioning programs aimed at improving youth performance are becoming increasingly prevalent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 16-week after-school strength and conditioning program on performance and body composition in middle-school-aged boys. Subjects in the training group (n = 16, mean age = 11.8 years) performed 90 minutes of supervised plyometric and resistance training twice weekly for 16 weeks. A group of control subjects (n = 9, age = 12.1 years) maintained their current activity levels. Sprint speed, 5-10-5 proagility, jump height, isometric peak torque of the leg extensors and flexors, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived body composition were examined during pretesting and posttesting. Data were analyzed by performing independent samples t-tests on the absolute change scores between groups. The primary findings were that the training intervention elicited significant improvements in 20-m sprint times (p = 0.03; mean change for training group = -0.17 seconds) and body-fat percentage (p = 0.03; 2.5% absolute improvement), the latter of which was a function of reduced fat mass (p = 0.06; -0.84 kg). Between-group differences were not noted for agility, jump height, lean mass, or strength measures; however, effect sizes generally showed greater improvements for the training group. In contrast to findings in longitudinal studies performed in collegiate athletes, sprint speed may be particularly adaptable during adolescence. In addition to potentially improving sport performance, high-intensity plyometric and resistance training programs offer the added benefit of improved body composition. These programs appear less effective for agility and jump performance and do not elicit substantial improvements in muscle mass above maturation.

Liver transplant center variability in accepting organ offers and its impact on patient survival

PubMed Central

Goldberg, David S.; French, Benjamin; Lewis, James D.; Scott, Frank I; Mamtani, Ronac; Gilroy, Richard; Halpern, Scott D.; Abt, Peter L

2015-01-01

Background & Aims Despite an allocation system designed to give deceased-donor livers to the sickest patients, many transplantable livers are declined by U.S. transplant centers. It is unknown whether centers vary in their propensities to decline organs for the highest-priority patients, and how these decisions directly impact patient outcomes. Methods We analyzed Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) data from 5/1/07-6/17/13, and included all adult liver-alone waitlist candidates offered an organ that was ultimately transplanted. We evaluated acceptance rates of liver offers for the highest-ranked patients and their subsequent waitlist mortality. Results Of the 23,740 unique organ offers, 8,882 (37.4%) were accepted for the first-ranked patient. Despite adjusting for organ quality and recipient severity of illness, transplant centers within and across geographic regions varied strikingly (p<0.001) in the percentage of organ offers they accepted for the highest-priority patients. Among all patients ranked first on waitlists, the adjusted center-specific organ acceptance rates ranged from 15.7% to 58.1%. In multivariable models, there was a 27% increased odds of waitlist mortality for every 5% absolute decrease in a center’s adjusted organ offer acceptance rate (adjusted OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.20–1.32). However, the absolute difference in median 5-year adjusted graft survival was 4% between livers accepted for the first-ranked patient, compared to those declined and transplanted at a lower position. Discussion There is marked variability in center practices regarding accepting livers allocated to the highest-priority patients. Center-level decisions to decline organs substantially increased patients’ odds of dying on the waitlist without a transplant. PMID:26626495

Comparative Evaluation of Preprocessing Freeware on Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Data for Signature Discovery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coble, Jamie B.; Fraga, Carlos G.

2014-07-07

Preprocessing software is crucial for the discovery of chemical signatures in metabolomics, chemical forensics, and other signature-focused disciplines that involve analyzing large data sets from chemical instruments. Here, four freely available and published preprocessing tools known as metAlign, MZmine, SpectConnect, and XCMS were evaluated for impurity profiling using nominal mass GC/MS data and accurate mass LC/MS data. Both data sets were previously collected from the analysis of replicate samples from multiple stocks of a nerve-agent precursor. Each of the four tools had their parameters set for the untargeted detection of chromatographic peaks from impurities present in the stocks. The peakmore » table generated by each preprocessing tool was analyzed to determine the number of impurity components detected in all replicate samples per stock. A cumulative set of impurity components was then generated using all available peak tables and used as a reference to calculate the percent of component detections for each tool, in which 100% indicated the detection of every component. For the nominal mass GC/MS data, metAlign performed the best followed by MZmine, SpectConnect, and XCMS with detection percentages of 83, 60, 47, and 42%, respectively. For the accurate mass LC/MS data, the order was metAlign, XCMS, and MZmine with detection percentages of 80, 45, and 35%, respectively. SpectConnect did not function for the accurate mass LC/MS data. Larger detection percentages were obtained by combining the top performer with at least one of the other tools such as 96% by combining metAlign with MZmine for the GC/MS data and 93% by combining metAlign with XCMS for the LC/MS data. In terms of quantitative performance, the reported peak intensities had average absolute biases of 41, 4.4, 1.3 and 1.3% for SpectConnect, metAlign, XCMS, and MZmine, respectively, for the GC/MS data. For the LC/MS data, the average absolute biases were 22, 4.5, and 3.1% for metAlign, MZmine, and XCMS, respectively. In summary, metAlign performed the best in terms of peak discovery; however, more than one preprocessing tool should be considered to avoid missing potential chemical signatures.« less

Absolute vs. Weight-Related Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Firefighters: Fitness Evaluation with and without Protective Clothing and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus among Age Group

PubMed Central

Perroni, Fabrizio; Guidetti, Laura; Cignitti, Lamberto; Baldari, Carlo

2015-01-01

During fire emergencies, firefighters wear personal protective devices (PC) and a self-contained breathing apparatus (S.C.B.A.) to be protected from injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of aerobic level in 197 firefighters (age: 34±7 yr; BMI: 24.4±2.3 kg.m-2), evaluated by a Queen’s College Step field Test (QCST), performed with and without fire protective garments, and to analyze the differences among age groups (<25 yr; 26-30 yr, 31-35 yr, 36-40 yr and >40 yr). Variance analysis was applied to assess differences (p < 0.05) between tests and age groups observed in absolute and weight-related values, while a correlation was examined between QCST with and without PC+S.C.B.A. The results have shown that a 13% of firefighters failed to complete the test with PC+S.C.B.A. and significant differences between QCST performed with and without PC+S.C.B.A. in absolute (F(1,169) = 42.6, p < 0.0001) and weight-related (F(1,169) = 339.9, p < 0.0001) terms. A better correlation has been found in L•min-1 (r=0.67) than in ml•kg-1•min-1 (r=0.54). Moreover, we found significant differences among age groups both in absolute and weight-related values. The assessment of maximum oxygen uptake of firefighters in absolute term can be a useful tool to evaluate the firefighters' cardiovascular strain. PMID:25764201

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Obesity Indicators and Energy Balance-Related Behaviors Among New York City Public Elementary Schools.

PubMed

Gray, Heewon Lee; Burgermaster, Marissa; Tipton, Elizabeth; Contento, Isobel R; Koch, Pamela A; Di Noia, Jennifer

2016-04-01

Sample size and statistical power calculation should consider clustering effects when schools are the unit of randomization in intervention studies. The objective of the current study was to investigate how student outcomes are clustered within schools in an obesity prevention trial. Baseline data from the Food, Health & Choices project were used. Participants were 9- to 13-year-old students enrolled in 20 New York City public schools (n= 1,387). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on measures of height and weight, and body fat percentage was measured with a Tanita® body composition analyzer (Model SC-331s). Energy balance-related behaviors were self-reported with a frequency questionnaire. To examine the cluster effects, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated as school variance over total variance for outcome variables. School-level covariates, percentage students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, percentage Black or Hispanic, and English language learners were added in the model to examine ICC changes. The ICCs for obesity indicators are: .026 for BMI-percentile, .031 for BMIz-score, .035 for percentage of overweight students, .037 for body fat percentage, and .041 for absolute BMI. The ICC range for the six energy balance-related behaviors are .008 to .044 for fruit and vegetables, .013 to .055 for physical activity, .031 to .052 for recreational screen time, .013 to .091 for sweetened beverages, .033 to .121 for processed packaged snacks, and .020 to .083 for fast food. When school-level covariates were included in the model, ICC changes varied from -95% to 85%. This is the first study reporting ICCs for obesity-related anthropometric and behavioral outcomes among New York City public schools. The results of the study may aid sample size estimation for future school-based cluster randomized controlled trials in similar urban setting and population. Additionally, identifying school-level covariates that can reduce cluster effects is important when analyzing data. © 2015 Society for Public Health Education.

40 CFR 53.56 - Test for effect of variations in ambient pressure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the tests and shall be checked at zero and at least one flow rate within ±3 percent of 16.7 L/min... this test, the absolute difference in values calculated in Equation 21 of this paragraph (g)(4) must... absolute difference between the mean ambient air pressure indicated by the test sampler and the ambient...

40 CFR 53.56 - Test for effect of variations in ambient pressure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the tests and shall be checked at zero and at least one flow rate within ±3 percent of 16.7 L/min... this test, the absolute difference in values calculated in Equation 21 of this paragraph (g)(4) must... absolute difference between the mean ambient air pressure indicated by the test sampler and the ambient...

40 CFR 53.56 - Test for effect of variations in ambient pressure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the tests and shall be checked at zero and at least one flow rate within ±3 percent of 16.7 L/min... this test, the absolute difference in values calculated in Equation 21 of this paragraph (g)(4) must... absolute difference between the mean ambient air pressure indicated by the test sampler and the ambient...

40 CFR 53.56 - Test for effect of variations in ambient pressure.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the tests and shall be checked at zero and at least one flow rate within ±3 percent of 16.7 L/min... this test, the absolute difference in values calculated in Equation 21 of this paragraph (g)(4) must... absolute difference between the mean ambient air pressure indicated by the test sampler and the ambient...

Gender differences in the physiological responses and kinematic behaviour of elite sprint cross-country skiers.

PubMed

Sandbakk, Oyvind; Ettema, Gertjan; Leirdal, Stig; Holmberg, Hans-Christer

2012-03-01

Gender differences in performance by elite endurance athletes, including runners, track cyclists and speed skaters, have been shown to be approximately 12%. The present study was designed to examine gender differences in physiological responses and kinematics associated with sprint cross-country skiing. Eight male and eight female elite sprint cross-country skiers, matched for performance, carried out a submaximal test, a test of maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2max)) and a shorter test of maximal treadmill speed (V (max)) during treadmill roller skiing utilizing the G3 skating technique. The men attained 17% higher speeds during both the VO(2max) and the V (max) tests (P < 0.05 in both cases), differences that were reduced to 9% upon normalization for fat-free body mass. Furthermore, the men exhibited 14 and 7% higher VO(2max) relative to total and fat-free body mass, respectively (P < 0.05 in both cases). The gross efficiency was similar for both gender groups. At the same absolute speed, men employed 11% longer cycles at lower rates, and at peak speed, 21% longer cycle lengths (P < 0.05 in all cases). The current study documents approximately 5% larger gender differences in performance and VO(2max) than those reported for comparable endurance sports. These differences reflect primarily the higher VO(2max) and lower percentage of body fat in men, since no gender differences in the ability to convert metabolic rate into work rate and speed were observed. With regards to kinematics, the gender difference in performance was explained by cycle length, not by cycle rate.

Collateral Ventilation Quantification Using Xenon-Enhanced Dynamic Dual-Energy CT: Differences between Canine and Swine Models of Bronchial Occlusion.

PubMed

Park, Eun-Ah; Goo, Jin Mo; Park, Sang Joon; Lee, Chang Hyun; Park, Chang Min

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the difference in the degree of collateral ventilation between canine and swine models of bronchial obstruction could be detected by using xenon-enhanced dynamic dual-energy CT. Eight mongrel dogs and six pigs underwent dynamic dual-energy scanning of 64-slice dual-source CT at 12-second interval for 2-minute wash-in period (60% xenon) and at 24-second interval for 3-minute wash-out period with segmental bronchus occluded. Ventilation parameters of magnitude (A value), maximal slope, velocity (K value), and time-to-peak (TTP) enhancement were calculated from dynamic xenon maps using exponential function of Kety model. A larger difference in A value between parenchyma was observed in pigs than in dogs (absolute difference, -33.0 ± 5.0 Hounsfield units [HU] vs. -2.8 ± 7.1 HU, p = 0.001; normalized percentage difference, -79.8 ± 1.8% vs. -5.4 ± 16.4%, p = 0.0007). Mean maximal slopes in both periods in the occluded parenchyma only decreased in pigs (all p < 0.05). K values of both periods were not different (p = 0.892) in dogs. However, a significant (p = 0.027) difference was found in pigs in the wash-in period. TTP was delayed in the occluded parenchyma in pigs (p = 0.013) but not in dogs (p = 0.892). Xenon-ventilation CT allows the quantification of collateral ventilation and detection of differences between canine and swine models of bronchial obstruction.

Collateral Ventilation Quantification Using Xenon-Enhanced Dynamic Dual-Energy CT: Differences between Canine and Swine Models of Bronchial Occlusion

PubMed Central

Park, Eun-Ah; Park, Sang Joon; Lee, Chang Hyun; Park, Chang Min

2015-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the difference in the degree of collateral ventilation between canine and swine models of bronchial obstruction could be detected by using xenon-enhanced dynamic dual-energy CT. Materials and Methods Eight mongrel dogs and six pigs underwent dynamic dual-energy scanning of 64-slice dual-source CT at 12-second interval for 2-minute wash-in period (60% xenon) and at 24-second interval for 3-minute wash-out period with segmental bronchus occluded. Ventilation parameters of magnitude (A value), maximal slope, velocity (K value), and time-to-peak (TTP) enhancement were calculated from dynamic xenon maps using exponential function of Kety model. Results A larger difference in A value between parenchyma was observed in pigs than in dogs (absolute difference, -33.0 ± 5.0 Hounsfield units [HU] vs. -2.8 ± 7.1 HU, p = 0.001; normalized percentage difference, -79.8 ± 1.8% vs. -5.4 ± 16.4%, p = 0.0007). Mean maximal slopes in both periods in the occluded parenchyma only decreased in pigs (all p < 0.05). K values of both periods were not different (p = 0.892) in dogs. However, a significant (p = 0.027) difference was found in pigs in the wash-in period. TTP was delayed in the occluded parenchyma in pigs (p = 0.013) but not in dogs (p = 0.892). Conclusion Xenon-ventilation CT allows the quantification of collateral ventilation and detection of differences between canine and swine models of bronchial obstruction. PMID:25995696

Carbohydrase inhibition and anti-cancerous and free radical scavenging properties along with DNA and protein protection ability of methanolic root extracts of Rumex crispus

PubMed Central

Shiwani, Supriya; Singh, Naresh Kumar

2012-01-01

The study elucidated carbohydrase inhibition, anti-cancerous, free radical scavenging properties and also investigated the DNA and protein protection abilities of methanolic root extract of Rumex crispus (RERC). For this purpose, pulverized roots of Rumex crispus was extracted in methanol (80% and absolute conc.) for 3 hrs for 60℃ and filtered and evaporated with vacuum rotary evaporator. RERC showed high phenolic content (211 µg/GAE equivalent) and strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (IC50 = 42.86 (absolute methanol) and 36.91 µg/mL (80% methanolic extract)) and reduced power ability. Furthermore, RERC exhibited significant protective ability in H2O2/Fe3+/ascorbic acid-induced protein or DNA damage and percentage inhibition of the HT-29 cell growth rate following 80% methanolic RERC exposure at 400 µg/mL was observed to be highest (10.2% ± 1.03). Moreover, methanolic RERC inhibited α-glucosidase and amylase effectively and significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusively, RERC could be considered as potent carbohydrase inhibitor, anti-cancerous and anti-oxidant. PMID:23198017

Reliability of the Swedish version of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (S-ESES): a test-retest study in adults with neurological disease.

PubMed

Ahlström, Isabell; Hellström, Karin; Emtner, Margareta; Anens, Elisabeth

2015-03-01

To examine the test-retest reliability of the Swedish translated version of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (S-ESES) in people with neurological disease and to examine internal consistency. Test-retest study. A total of 30 adults with neurological diseases including: Parkinson's disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Cervical Dystonia; and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The S-ESES was sent twice by surface mail. Completion interval mean was 16 days apart. Weighted kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient 2,1 [ICC (2,1)], standard error of measurement (SEM), also expressed as a percentage value (SEM%), and Cronbach's alpha were calculated. The relative reliability of the test-retest results showed substantial agreement measured using weighted kappa (MD = 0.62) and a very high-reliability ICC (2,1) (0.92). Absolute reliability measured using SEM was 5.3 and SEM% was 20.7. Excellent internal consistency was shown, with an alpha coefficient of 0.91 (test 1) and 0.93 (test 2). The S-ESES is recommended for use in research and in clinical work for people with neurological diseases. The low-absolute reliability, however, indicates a limited ability to measure changes on an individual level.

A nonlinear model of gold production in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramli, Norashikin; Muda, Nora; Umor, Mohd Rozi

2014-06-01

Malaysia is a country which is rich in natural resources and one of it is a gold. Gold has already become an important national commodity. This study is conducted to determine a model that can be well fitted with the gold production in Malaysia from the year 1995-2010. Five nonlinear models are presented in this study which are Logistic model, Gompertz, Richard, Weibull and Chapman-Richard model. These model are used to fit the cumulative gold production in Malaysia. The best model is then selected based on the model performance. The performance of the fitted model is measured by sum squares error, root mean squares error, coefficient of determination, mean relative error, mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error. This study has found that a Weibull model is shown to have significantly outperform compare to the other models. To confirm that Weibull is the best model, the latest data are fitted to the model. Once again, Weibull model gives the lowest readings at all types of measurement error. We can concluded that the future gold production in Malaysia can be predicted according to the Weibull model and this could be important findings for Malaysia to plan their economic activities.

Hybrid methodology for tuberculosis incidence time-series forecasting based on ARIMA and a NAR neural network.

PubMed

Wang, K W; Deng, C; Li, J P; Zhang, Y Y; Li, X Y; Wu, M C

2017-04-01

Tuberculosis (TB) affects people globally and is being reconsidered as a serious public health problem in China. Reliable forecasting is useful for the prevention and control of TB. This study proposes a hybrid model combining autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) with a nonlinear autoregressive (NAR) neural network for forecasting the incidence of TB from January 2007 to March 2016. Prediction performance was compared between the hybrid model and the ARIMA model. The best-fit hybrid model was combined with an ARIMA (3,1,0) × (0,1,1)12 and NAR neural network with four delays and 12 neurons in the hidden layer. The ARIMA-NAR hybrid model, which exhibited lower mean square error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute percentage error of 0·2209, 0·1373, and 0·0406, respectively, in the modelling performance, could produce more accurate forecasting of TB incidence compared to the ARIMA model. This study shows that developing and applying the ARIMA-NAR hybrid model is an effective method to fit the linear and nonlinear patterns of time-series data, and this model could be helpful in the prevention and control of TB.

Evaluating the performance of the Lee-Carter method and its variants in modelling and forecasting Malaysian mortality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakiyatussariroh, W. H. Wan; Said, Z. Mohammad; Norazan, M. R.

2014-12-01

This study investigated the performance of the Lee-Carter (LC) method and it variants in modeling and forecasting Malaysia mortality. These include the original LC, the Lee-Miller (LM) variant and the Booth-Maindonald-Smith (BMS) variant. These methods were evaluated using Malaysia's mortality data which was measured based on age specific death rates (ASDR) for 1971 to 2009 for overall population while those for 1980-2009 were used in separate models for male and female population. The performance of the variants has been examined in term of the goodness of fit of the models and forecasting accuracy. Comparison was made based on several criteria namely, mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute deviation (MAD) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The results indicate that BMS method was outperformed in in-sample fitting for overall population and when the models were fitted separately for male and female population. However, in the case of out-sample forecast accuracy, BMS method only best when the data were fitted to overall population. When the data were fitted separately for male and female, LCnone performed better for male population and LM method is good for female population.

Abnormalities of High Density Lipoproteins in Abetalipoproteinemia*

PubMed Central

Jones, John W.; Ways, Peter

1967-01-01

Detailed studies of the high density lipoproteins from three patients with abetalipoproteinemia have revealed the following principal abnormalities: 1) High density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3) is reduced in both absolute and relative concentration, although HDL2 is present in normal amounts. 2) The phospholipid distribution of both HDL fractions is abnormal, with low concentrations of lecithin and an increased percentage (though normal absolute quantity) of sphingomyelin. 3) In both HDL fractions, lecithin contains less linoleate and more oleate than normal. The cholesteryl esters are also low in linoleic acid, and the sphingomyelin is high in nervonic acid. Dietary intake influences the linoleic acid concentration within 2 weeks, and perhaps sooner, but the elevated sphingomyelin nervonic acid is little affected by up to 6 months of corn oil supplementation. Qualitatively similar changes in fatty acid composition, but not phospholipid distribution, are also found in other malabsorption states. The available evidence suggests that the abnormally low levels of HDL3 and the deranged phospholipid distribution are more specific for abetalipoproteinemia than the fatty acid abnormalities. However, the absence of these abnormalities in obligate heterozygous subjects makes their relationship to the primary defect of abetalipoproteinemia difficult to assess. Images PMID:6027078

Using a Hybrid Model to Forecast the Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in Humans.

PubMed

Zhou, Lingling; Xia, Jing; Yu, Lijing; Wang, Ying; Shi, Yun; Cai, Shunxiang; Nie, Shaofa

2016-03-23

We previously proposed a hybrid model combining both the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and the nonlinear autoregressive neural network (NARNN) models in forecasting schistosomiasis. Our purpose in the current study was to forecast the annual prevalence of human schistosomiasis in Yangxin County, using our ARIMA-NARNN model, thereby further certifying the reliability of our hybrid model. We used the ARIMA, NARNN and ARIMA-NARNN models to fit and forecast the annual prevalence of schistosomiasis. The modeling time range included was the annual prevalence from 1956 to 2008 while the testing time range included was from 2009 to 2012. The mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were used to measure the model performance. We reconstructed the hybrid model to forecast the annual prevalence from 2013 to 2016. The modeling and testing errors generated by the ARIMA-NARNN model were lower than those obtained from either the single ARIMA or NARNN models. The predicted annual prevalence from 2013 to 2016 demonstrated an initial decreasing trend, followed by an increase. The ARIMA-NARNN model can be well applied to analyze surveillance data for early warning systems for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.

Acute and chronic T cell dynamics in the livers of simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques.

PubMed

Ahsan, Muhammad H; Gill, Amy F; Lackner, Andrew A; Veazey, Ronald S

2012-05-01

The mucosal immune system, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, is critically involved in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Since the liver drains most of the substances coming from the intestinal tract, it may also play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Here we examined the percentages and absolute numbers of T cell subsets in the liver in normal and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques. Most of the T cells in the liver were CD8(+) memory cells, and most of these had an effector memory (CD95(+) CD28(-)) phenotype. CD4(+) T cells constituted approximately 20% of the liver T cell population, but the vast majority of these were also memory (CD95(+)) CCR5(+) cells, suggesting they were potential targets for viral infection. After SIV infection, CD4(+) T cells were markedly reduced, and increased proliferation and absolute numbers of CD8(+) T cells were detected in the liver. These data suggest that the liver is a major source of antigenic stimulation for promoting CD8(+) T cells and possibly a source for early CD4(+) T cell infection and destruction.

Acute and Chronic T Cell Dynamics in the Livers of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

PubMed Central

Ahsan, Muhammad H.; Gill, Amy F.; Lackner, Andrew A.

2012-01-01

The mucosal immune system, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, is critically involved in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Since the liver drains most of the substances coming from the intestinal tract, it may also play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Here we examined the percentages and absolute numbers of T cell subsets in the liver in normal and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques. Most of the T cells in the liver were CD8+ memory cells, and most of these had an effector memory (CD95+ CD28−) phenotype. CD4+ T cells constituted approximately 20% of the liver T cell population, but the vast majority of these were also memory (CD95+) CCR5+ cells, suggesting they were potential targets for viral infection. After SIV infection, CD4+ T cells were markedly reduced, and increased proliferation and absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells were detected in the liver. These data suggest that the liver is a major source of antigenic stimulation for promoting CD8+ T cells and possibly a source for early CD4+ T cell infection and destruction. PMID:22379078

Effect of ivacaftor in patients with advanced cystic fibrosis and a G551D-CFTR mutation: Safety and efficacy in an expanded access program in the United States.

PubMed

Taylor-Cousar, Jennifer; Niknian, Minoo; Gilmartin, Geoffrey; Pilewski, Joseph M

2016-01-01

Ivacaftor is the first therapeutic agent approved for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) that targets the underlying molecular defect. Patients with severe lung disease were excluded from the randomized Phase 3 trials. This open-label study was designed to provide ivacaftor to patients in critical medical need prior to commercial product availability. CF patients aged ≥6 years with a G551D-CFTR mutation and FEV1 ≤ 40% predicted or listed for lung transplant received ivacaftor 150 mg every 12 h. The primary endpoint was safety as determined by adverse events. Secondary endpoints included assessment of lung function and weight. The rate of serious adverse events was consistent with disease severity. At 24 weeks of treatment with ivacaftor, there was a mean absolute increase in percent predicted FEV1 of 5.5 percentage points and a 3.3 kg mean absolute increase in weight from baseline. In patients with severe lung disease, ivacaftor was well tolerated and was associated with improved lung function and weight gain. Copyright © 2015 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variation in National ACGME Case Log Data for Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowships: Are Fellow Coding Practices Responsible?

PubMed

McClure, Philip K; Woiczik, Marcella; Karol, Lori; Sankar, Wudbhav N

The introduction of the 80-hour work week for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited fellowship programs initiated many efforts to optimize surgical training. One particular area of interest is on recording and tracking surgical experiences. The current standard is logging cases based on Current Procedural Terminology codes, which are primarily designed for billing. Proposed guidelines from the ACGME regarding logging exist, but their implementation is unknown, as is the variation in case volume across fellowship programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate variability in the national case log data, and explore potential sources of variation using fellow surveys. National ACGME case log data for pediatric orthopaedic fellowships from 2012 to 2015 were reviewed, with particular attention to the domains of spine, pelvis/hip, arthroscopy, trauma, and other (which includes clubfoot casting). To explore potential sources of case log variability, a survey on case logging behavior was distributed to all pediatric orthopaedic fellows for the academic year 2015 to 2016. Reported experiences based on ACGME case logs varied widely between fellows with percentage difference of up to 100% in all areas. Similarly, wide variability is present in coding practices of pediatric orthopaedic fellows, who often lack formal education on the topic of appropriate coding/logging. In the survey, hypothetical case scenarios had an absolute difference in recorded codes of up to 13 and a percentage difference of up to 100%. ACGME case log data for pediatric orthopaedic fellowships demonstrates wide variability in reported surgical experiences. This variability may be due, in part, to differences in logging practices by individual fellows. This observation makes meaningful interpretation of national data on surgical volume challenging. Proposed surgical experience minimums should be interpreted in light of these data, and may not be advisable unless accompanied by standardized and specific guidelines for case log entry. Efforts to optimize training in the post 80-hour era will require accurate data to serve as a starting point for future educational efforts.

Comparison of film measurements and Monte Carlo simulations of dose delivered with very high-energy electron beams in a polystyrene phantom

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bazalova-Carter, Magdalena; Liu, Michael; Palma, Bianey

2015-04-15

Purpose: To measure radiation dose in a water-equivalent medium from very high-energy electron (VHEE) beams and make comparisons to Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results. Methods: Dose in a polystyrene phantom delivered by an experimental VHEE beam line was measured with Gafchromic films for three 50 MeV and two 70 MeV Gaussian beams of 4.0–6.9 mm FWHM and compared to corresponding MC-simulated dose distributions. MC dose in the polystyrene phantom was calculated with the EGSnrc/BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes based on the experimental setup. Additionally, the effect of 2% beam energy measurement uncertainty and possible non-zero beam angular spread on MC dosemore » distributions was evaluated. Results: MC simulated percentage depth dose (PDD) curves agreed with measurements within 4% for all beam sizes at both 50 and 70 MeV VHEE beams. Central axis PDD at 8 cm depth ranged from 14% to 19% for the 5.4–6.9 mm 50 MeV beams and it ranged from 14% to 18% for the 4.0–4.5 mm 70 MeV beams. MC simulated relative beam profiles of regularly shaped Gaussian beams evaluated at depths of 0.64 to 7.46 cm agreed with measurements to within 5%. A 2% beam energy uncertainty and 0.286° beam angular spread corresponded to a maximum 3.0% and 3.8% difference in depth dose curves of the 50 and 70 MeV electron beams, respectively. Absolute dose differences between MC simulations and film measurements of regularly shaped Gaussian beams were between 10% and 42%. Conclusions: The authors demonstrate that relative dose distributions for VHEE beams of 50–70 MeV can be measured with Gafchromic films and modeled with Monte Carlo simulations to an accuracy of 5%. The reported absolute dose differences likely caused by imperfect beam steering and subsequent charge loss revealed the importance of accurate VHEE beam control and diagnostics.« less

Reducing the number of options on multiple-choice questions: response time, psychometrics and standard setting.

PubMed

Schneid, Stephen D; Armour, Chris; Park, Yoon Soo; Yudkowsky, Rachel; Bordage, Georges

2014-10-01

Despite significant evidence supporting the use of three-option multiple-choice questions (MCQs), these are rarely used in written examinations for health professions students. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of reducing four- and five-option MCQs to three-option MCQs on response times, psychometric characteristics, and absolute standard setting judgements in a pharmacology examination administered to health professions students. We administered two versions of a computerised examination containing 98 MCQs to 38 Year 2 medical students and 39 Year 3 pharmacy students. Four- and five-option MCQs were converted into three-option MCQs to create two versions of the examination. Differences in response time, item difficulty and discrimination, and reliability were evaluated. Medical and pharmacy faculty judges provided three-level Angoff (TLA) ratings for all MCQs for both versions of the examination to allow the assessment of differences in cut scores. Students answered three-option MCQs an average of 5 seconds faster than they answered four- and five-option MCQs (36 seconds versus 41 seconds; p = 0.008). There were no significant differences in item difficulty and discrimination, or test reliability. Overall, the cut scores generated for three-option MCQs using the TLA ratings were 8 percentage points higher (p = 0.04). The use of three-option MCQs in a health professions examination resulted in a time saving equivalent to the completion of 16% more MCQs per 1-hour testing period, which may increase content validity and test score reliability, and minimise construct under-representation. The higher cut scores may result in higher failure rates if an absolute standard setting method, such as the TLA method, is used. The results from this study provide a cautious indication to health professions educators that using three-option MCQs does not threaten validity and may strengthen it by allowing additional MCQs to be tested in a fixed amount of testing time with no deleterious effect on the reliability of the test scores. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Geographic origin of publications in radiological journals as a function of GDP and percentage of GDP spent on research.

PubMed

Halpenny, Darragh; Burke, John; McNeill, Graeme; Snow, Aisling; Torreggiani, William C

2010-06-01

The aim of this study was to examine the geographic origin of publications in the highest impacting radiology journals and to examine the link between the percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) spent on research by a country and the output of radiology publications. The five highest impacting general radiology journals (according to the ISI Web of Knowledge database) were selected over a 6-year period from January 2002 to December 2007. Publications were totaled according to the country of the corresponding author. Publications (total and corrected for population size) were assessed according to the GDP of a given country and the percentage of GDP spent on research in that country. Correlation was determined using Spearman's rank. In total, 10,925 papers were identified. The top 10 nations produced 83.9% of the total number of papers. The United States was the most prolific country, with 41.7% of the total. The second-ranked and third-ranked countries were Germany (11.6%) and Japan (6.7%). Corrected for GDP, smaller European countries outperformed larger nations. Switzerland (0.925 publications per billion of GDP), Austria (0.694 publications per billion of GDP), and Belgium (0.648 publications per billion of GDP) produced the most papers per billion of GDP. When corrected for percentage of GDP spent on research, European countries again ranked highest, with Greece, Turkey, and Belgium having the best ratios. The percentage of GDP spent on research was positively correlated with the number of publications in high-ranking radiology journals (r = 0.603, P < .001). The United States is the most productive country in absolute number of publications. The flaws of using population size to compare publication output are clear, and a comparison using GDP and the percentage of GDP spent on research may give more meaningful results. When GDP is taken into consideration, smaller European countries are more productive. The importance of investment in radiologic research is emphasized by the association between increased funding of research and the number of publications in high-impacting radiology journals. Copyright (c) 2010 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Highly Efficient Training, Refinement, and Validation of a Knowledge-based Planning Quality-Control System for Radiation Therapy Clinical Trials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Nan; Carmona, Ruben; Sirak, Igor

Purpose: To demonstrate an efficient method for training and validation of a knowledge-based planning (KBP) system as a radiation therapy clinical trial plan quality-control system. Methods and Materials: We analyzed 86 patients with stage IB through IVA cervical cancer treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy at 2 institutions according to the standards of the INTERTECC (International Evaluation of Radiotherapy Technology Effectiveness in Cervical Cancer, National Clinical Trials Network identifier: 01554397) protocol. The protocol used a planning target volume and 2 primary organs at risk: pelvic bone marrow (PBM) and bowel. Secondary organs at risk were rectum and bladder. Initial unfiltered dose-volumemore » histogram (DVH) estimation models were trained using all 86 plans. Refined training sets were created by removing sub-optimal plans from the unfiltered sample, and DVH estimation models… and DVH estimation models were constructed by identifying 30 of 86 plans emphasizing PBM sparing (comparing protocol-specified dosimetric cutpoints V{sub 10} (percentage volume of PBM receiving at least 10 Gy dose) and V{sub 20} (percentage volume of PBM receiving at least 20 Gy dose) with unfiltered predictions) and another 30 of 86 plans emphasizing bowel sparing (comparing V{sub 40} (absolute volume of bowel receiving at least 40 Gy dose) and V{sub 45} (absolute volume of bowel receiving at least 45 Gy dose), 9 in common with the PBM set). To obtain deliverable KBP plans, refined models must inform patient-specific optimization objectives and/or priorities (an auto-planning “routine”). Four candidate routines emphasizing different tradeoffs were composed, and a script was developed to automatically re-plan multiple patients with each routine. After selection of the routine that best met protocol objectives in the 51-patient training sample (KBP{sub FINAL}), protocol-specific DVH metrics and normal tissue complication probability were compared for original versus KBP{sub FINAL} plans across the 35-patient validation set. Paired t tests were used to test differences between planning sets. Results: KBP{sub FINAL} plans outperformed manual planning across the validation set in all protocol-specific DVH cutpoints. The mean normal tissue complication probability for gastrointestinal toxicity was lower for KBP{sub FINAL} versus validation-set plans (48.7% vs 53.8%, P<.001). Similarly, the estimated mean white blood cell count nadir was higher (2.77 vs 2.49 k/mL, P<.001) with KBP{sub FINAL} plans, indicating lowered probability of hematologic toxicity. Conclusions: This work demonstrates that a KBP system can be efficiently trained and refined for use in radiation therapy clinical trials with minimal effort. This patient-specific plan quality control resulted in improvements on protocol-specific dosimetric endpoints.« less