scholarly journals Data Agreement Analysis And Correction of Comparative Geomagnetic Vector Observations

Author(s):  
Zhaobo He ◽  
Xingxing Hu ◽  
Yuntian Teng ◽  
Xiuxia Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Shen

Abstract Geomagnetism, similar to other areas of geophysics, is an observation-based science. Data agreement between comparative geomagnetic vector observations is one of the most important evaluation criteria for high-quality geomagnetic data. The main influencing factors affecting the agreement between comparative observational data are the attitude angle, scale factor, long-term time drift, and temperature. In this paper, we propose a method based on a genetic algorithm and linear regression to correct for these effects and use the distribution pattern of points in Bland–Altman plots with a 95% confidence interval length to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the agreement between the comparative observational data. In Bland–Altman plots with better agreement, that is, with the corrected data, more than 95% of the points are distributed within the 95% confidence interval and there is no obvious pattern in the distribution of the points. Meanwhile, the length of 95% confidence interval decreased significantly after the correction. The method presented here has positive effects on the vector instrumentation detection, enhancing the robustness of comparative observatory observations and reducing errors in judgments of the size and arrival time of large magnetic disturbances or rapid magnetic variations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Kh. I. Mamazhonov ◽  
S. O. Nikogosyan ◽  
V. V. Kuznetsov ◽  
A. S. Shevchuk ◽  
O. A. Egenov

Objective: to analyze short-term and long-term outcomes of expanded surgeries in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and to identify factors affecting their overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Materials and methods. This retrospective study included patients with recurrent ovarian cancer stage I–IV less than 80 years of age who was treated in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, between 2015 and 2017. Other inclusion criteria were as follows: time to relapse more than 12 months and no chemotherapy during the last 6 months or more. We analyzed the main perioperative parameters, OS, PFS, and prognostic factors affecting OS and PFS. Results. This study included 55 patients. Of them, 44 (80 %) women have undergone complete cytoreductive surgery, whereas 11 (20 %) women have undergone optimal cytoreductive surgery. The median duration of surgery was 210 minutes (range: 60–390 minutes), median blood loss was 400 mL (range: 30–4500 mL). Postoperative complications were observed in 23 (41.2 %) patients; 5 (9.1 %) patients developed grade IIIB complications. Median follow-up time was 30.3 months (range: 7.5–67.1 months). Three-year OS was 73.7 % and three-year PFS was 30.7 %. More than one line of chemotherapy before repeated cytoreductive surgery was found to be a negative factor affecting OS (hazard ratio 2.749; 95 % confidence interval 1.059–7.138; p = 0.038). The primary ECOG performance status had a significant impact on PFS (hazard ratio 0.543; 95 % confidence interval 0.347–0.851; p = 0.008). Conclusions. Poor ECOG status and more than one line of chemotherapy before repeated cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer relapse were demonstrated to have a negative impact on survival in this group of patients. However, in some patients, repeated cytoreductive surgeries ensured long-term remission. 


Author(s):  
Dullah Mulok ◽  
Mori Kogid ◽  
Rozilee Asid ◽  
Jaratin Lily

This study examines the relationship between criminal activities and the multi-macroeconomic factors of economic growth, unemployment, poverty, population and inflation in Malaysia from 1980 to 2013. The ARDL bounds testing of the level relationship was used to establish the long-run relation, and the Toda-Yamamoto Augmented VAR approach was used to test the short-run impact based on partial Granger non-causality analysis. Empirical results suggest that economic growth, inflation, poverty and population are significant factors affecting criminal activities in Malaysia with economic growth and poverty recording positive effects, whereas negative effects were recorded for inflation and population in the long-term. Further investigation using Granger non-causality analysis revealed that only population does Granger caused the criminal activities in the short-run. The findings provide useful information for policymakers to strengthen the existing crime-related policies in order to improve safety and security while maintaining economic sustainability in Malaysia.


Author(s):  
Petar Kazakov ◽  
Atanas Iliev ◽  
Emil Marinov

Over the decades, more attention has been paid to emissions from the means of transport and the use of different fuels and combustion fuels for the operation of internal combustion engines than on fuel consumption. This, in turn, enables research into products that are said to reduce fuel consumption. The report summarizes four studies of fuel-related innovation products. The studies covered by this report are conducted with diesel fuel and usually contain diesel fuel and three additives for it. Manufacturers of additives are based on already existing studies showing a 10-30% reduction in fuel consumption. Comparative experimental studies related to the use of commercially available diesel fuel with and without the use of additives have been performed in laboratory conditions. The studies were carried out on a stationary diesel engine СМД-17КН equipped with brake КИ1368В. Repeated results were recorded, but they did not confirm the significant positive effect of additives on specific fuel consumption. In some cases, the factors affecting errors in this type of research on the effectiveness of fuel additives for commercial purposes are considered. The reasons for the positive effects of such use of additives in certain engine operating modes are also clarified.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  

Strategies to improve cognitive aging are highly needed. Among those, promotion of exercise and physical activity appears as one of the most attractive and beneficial intervention. Indeed, results from basic and clinical studies suggest that exercise and physical activity have positive effects on cognition in older persons without cognitive impairment, as well as in those with dementia. Despite inconsistent results, aerobic exercise appears to have the strongest potential to enhance cognition. However, even limited periods of walking (45 minutes, three times a week, over a 6-month period) have also been shown to enhance cognition, particularly executive functions. Changing long-term lifestyle habits in these older persons remains a critical challenge and attractive programs susceptible to gain adherence are needed to succeed in achieving improved cognitive aging.


Author(s):  
Юлия Владимировна Татаркова ◽  
Татьяна Николаевна Петрова ◽  
Олег Валериевич Судаков ◽  
Александр Юрьевич Гончаров ◽  
Ольга Николаевна Крюкова

В настоящей статье представлен обзор основных решений, доступных сегодня для формирования как краткосрочных, так и долгосрочных проекций заболеваемости болезней глаза и его придаточного аппарата в студенческой среде. С другой стороны, существует ряд проблем, связанных с многообразием факторов, влияющих на заболеваемость, статистической необоснованностью и противоречивостью имеющихся результатов анализа данных. Представлены результаты математического моделирования зависимости показателя заболеваемости от наиболее влиятельных факторов образовательной и социальной среды. Перечислены важнейшие направления разработки математических моделей распространения заболеваемости. С помощью разработанного программного комплекса проведена серия вычислительных экспериментов по оценке и прогнозированию заболеваемости обучающихся в вузах разного профиля. Показана эффективность применения методики многовариантного моделирования и прогнозирования, указаны их ограничения и возможности практического применения. По расположению обобщенной области благоприятного прогноза в факторном пространстве можно определить время воздействия неблагоприятных для зрения факторов, которое должно составлять не более 10 ... 11 часов в сутки, количество профилактических мероприятий должно составлять не менее 3 ... 4. При этом риск развития миопии составит не более 0,4, вероятность усталости глаз за компьютером составит не более 0,4, вероятность дискомфорта глаз на занятиях составит не более 0,15. Исходя из характера прогноза, определяется длительность диспансерного наблюдения, а также потребность профилактических мероприятий по устранению или ослаблению действия неблагоприятно влияющих социально-гигиенических и медико-биологических факторов конкретного больного. Использование прогностической матрицы в практическом здравоохранении позволяет существенно улучшить работу по профилактике офтальмологической заболеваемости и является одним из эффективных мероприятий диспансеризации студенческой молодежи, так как дает возможность выделить из числа обучающихся группу с высоким риском неблагоприятного исхода заболевания This article provides an overview of the main solutions available today for the formation of both short-term and long-term projections of the incidence of eye diseases and its adnexa in the student environment. On the other hand, there are a number of problems associated with a variety of factors affecting the incidence, statistical unreasonability and inconsistency of the available data analysis results. The results of mathematical modeling of the dependence of the incidence rate on the most influential factors of the educational and social environment are presented. The most important areas of developing mathematical models for the spread of morbidity are listed. With the help of the developed software package, a series of computational experiments was carried out to assess and predict the incidence of students in universities of various profiles. The effectiveness of the application of multivariate modeling and forecasting methods is shown, their limitations and practical application possibilities are indicated. By the location of the generalized region of favorable prognosis in the factor space, it is possible to determine the exposure time of factors unfavorable for vision, which should be no more than 10 ... 11 hours a day, the number of preventive measures should be at least 3 ... 4. At the same time, the risk of development myopia will be no more than 0.4, the probability of eye fatigue at the computer will be no more than 0.4, the likelihood of eye discomfort in the classroom will be no more than 0.15. Based on the nature of the forecast, the duration of the follow-up observation is determined, as well as the need for preventive measures to eliminate or weaken the action of adverse social, hygienic and biomedical factors of a particular patient. The use of the prognostic matrix in practical health care can significantly improve the work on the prevention of ophthalmic morbidity and is one of the effective medical examinations for students, since it makes it possible to distinguish among the students a group with a high risk of an unfavorable outcome of the disease


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-127
Author(s):  
Lena S. Jia ◽  
Jessica A. Gold

Hallucinogens are a drug class that is growing in popularity with college students. Recent experimental trends, such as microdosing, have helped promote the use of hallucinogens on campus, and students may be tempted to use these substances due to their beliefs about the drugs’ positive effects on mood. Although hallucinogens are not currently an established form of medical therapy, studies have shown that they have significant benefits as adjunctive treatments for psychological disorders. However, the recreational use of these drugs in college students often occurs in uncontrolled doses or with drug mixing, which is often dangerous. Furthermore, students with mental health disorders may have their symptoms masked by hallucinogenic drug use, which could delay treatment and have serious consequences. Long-term use of these drugs may also result in tolerance or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. This article attempts to review current information regarding hallucinogen use and how it applies to the college population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Poldrugovac ◽  
J E Amuah ◽  
H Wei-Randall ◽  
P Sidhom ◽  
K Morris ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Evidence of the impact of public reporting of healthcare performance on quality improvement is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions with certainty, despite the important policy implications. This study explored the impact of implementing public reporting of performance indicators of long-term care facilities in Canada. The objective was to analyse whether improvements can be observed in performance measures after publication. Methods We considered 16 performance indicators in long-term care in Canada, 8 of which are publicly reported at a facility level, while the other 8 are privately reported. We analysed data from the Continuing Care Reporting System managed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information and based on information collection with RAI-MDS 2.0 © between the fiscal years 2011 and 2018. A multilevel model was developed to analyse time trends, before and after publication, which started in 2015. The analysis was also stratified by key sample characteristics, such as the facilities' jurisdiction, size, urban or rural location and performance prior to publication. Results Data from 1087 long-term care facilities were included. Among the 8 publicly reported indicators, the trend in the period after publication did not change significantly in 5 cases, improved in 2 cases and worsened in 1 case. Among the 8 privately reported indicators, no change was observed in 7, and worsening in 1 indicator. The stratification of the data suggests that for those indicators that were already improving prior to public reporting, there was either no change in trend or there was a decrease in the rate of improvement after publication. For those indicators that showed a worsening trend prior to public reporting, the contrary was observed. Conclusions Our findings suggest public reporting of performance data can support change. The trends of performance indicators prior to publication appear to have an impact on whether further change will occur after publication. Key messages Public reporting is likely one of the factors affecting change in performance in long-term care facilities. Public reporting of performance measures in long-term care facilities may support improvements in particular in cases where improvement was not observed before publication.


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