scholarly journals Evaluation of a Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering Method Applied to WIBS Laboratory Data for Improved Discrimination of Biological Particles by Comparing Data Preparation Techniques

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Savage ◽  
J. Alex Huffman
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Agglomerative Clustering ◽  
Clustering Quality ◽  
Particle Ratio ◽  
Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering ◽  
Ambient Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Preparation Techniques ◽  
Individual Particles

Abstract. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) analysis has been successfully applied to several sets of ambient data (e.g. Crawford et al., 2015; Robinson et al., 2013) and with respect to standardized particles in the laboratory environment (Ruske et al., 2017). Here we show for the first time a systematic application of HAC to a comprehensive set of laboratory data collected using the wideband integrated bioaerosol sensor (WIBS-4A) (Savage et al., 2017). The impact of particle ratio on HAC results was investigated, showing that clustering quality can vary dramatically as a function of ratio. Six strategies for particle pre-processing were also compared, concluding that using raw fluorescence intensity (without normalizing to particle size) and inputting all data in logarithmic bins consistently produced the highest quality results. A total of 23 one-on-one matchups of individual particles types were investigated. Results showed cluster misclassification of

scholarly journals Evaluation of a hierarchical agglomerative clustering method applied to WIBS laboratory data for improved discrimination of biological particles by comparing data preparation techniques

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 4929-4942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Savage ◽  
J. Alex Huffman
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Agglomerative Clustering ◽  
Clustering Quality ◽  
Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering ◽  
Ambient Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Preparation Techniques ◽  
Individual Particles ◽  
Significant Support

Abstract. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) analysis has been successfully applied to several sets of ambient data (e.g., Crawford et al., 2015; Robinson et al., 2013) and with respect to standardized particles in the laboratory environment (Ruske et al., 2017, 2018). Here we show for the first time a systematic application of HAC to a comprehensive set of laboratory data collected for many individual particle types using the wideband integrated bioaerosol sensor (WIBS-4A) (Savage et al., 2017). The impact of the ratio of particle concentrations on HAC results was investigated, showing that clustering quality can vary dramatically as a function of ratio. Six strategies for particle preprocessing were also compared, concluding that using raw fluorescence intensity (without normalizing to particle size) and logarithmically transforming data values (scenario B) consistently produced the highest-quality results for the particle types analyzed. A total of 23 one-to-one matchups of individual particles types was investigated. Results showed a cluster misclassification of < 15 % for 12 of 17 numerical experiments using one biological and one nonbiological particle type each. Inputting fluorescence data using a baseline +3σ threshold produced a lower degree of misclassification than when inputting either all particles (without a fluorescence threshold) or a baseline +9σ threshold. Lastly, six numerical simulations of mixtures of four to seven components were analyzed using HAC. These results show that a range of 12 %–24 % of fungal clusters was consistently misclassified by inclusion of a mixture of nonbiological materials, whereas bacteria and diesel soot were each able to be separated with nearly 100 % efficiency. The study gives significant support to clustering analysis commonly being applied to data from commercial ultraviolet laser/light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) instruments used for bioaerosol research across the globe and provides practical tools that will improve clustering results within scientific studies as a part of diverse research disciplines.

scholarly journals Preadmission kidney function and risk of acute kidney injury in patients hospitalized with acute pyelonephritis: A Danish population-based cohort study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247687
Author(s):  
Henriette Vendelbo Graversen ◽  
Mette Nørgaard ◽  
Dorothea Nitsch ◽  
Christian Fynbo Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Acute Pyelonephritis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Population Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Background and objectives Only few smaller studies have examined if impaired kidney function increases the risk of acute kidney injury in patients with acute pyelonephritis. Therefore, we estimated 30-day risk of acute kidney injury by preadmission kidney function in patients with acute pyelonephritis. Furthermore, we examined if impaired kidney function was a risk factor for development of acute kidney injury in pyelonephritis patients. Methods This cohort study included patients with a first-time hospitalization with pyelonephritis from 2000 to 2017. Preadmission kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30, 30–44, 45–59, 60–89, and ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2) and acute kidney injury within 30 days after admission were assessed using laboratory data on serum creatinine. The absolute 30-days risk of acute kidney injury was assessed treating death as a competing risk. The impact of eGFR on the odds of acute kidney injury was compared by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals estimated using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounding factors. Results Among 8,760 patients with available data on preadmission kidney function, 25.8% had a preadmission eGFR <60. The 30-day risk of acute kidney injury was 16% among patients with preadmission eGFR ≥90 and increased to 22%, 33%, 42%, and 47% for patients with preadmission eGFR of 60–89, 45–59, 30–44, and <30 respectively. Compared with eGFR≥90, the adjusted ORs for the subgroups with eGFR 60–89, 45–59, 30–45, and <30 were 0.95, 1.32, 1.78, and 2.19 respectively. Conclusion Acute kidney injury is a common complication in patients hospitalized with acute pyelonephritis. Preadmission impaired kidney function is a strong risk factor for development of acute kidney injury in pyelonephritis patients and more attention should be raised in prevention of pyelonephritis in patients with a low kidney function.

Relationship between big five personality model and abusive supervision

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibi Tahira ◽  
Naveed Saif ◽  
Muhammad Haroon ◽  
Sadaqat Ali
Keyword(s):  
Big Five ◽  
Abusive Supervision ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Big Five Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Supervisor Behavior ◽  
Moderating Role

The current study tries to understand the diverse nature of relationship between personality Big Five Model (PBFM) and student's perception of abusive supervision in higher education institutions of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Pakistan. Data was collected in dyads i.e. (supervisors were asked to rate their personality attributes while student were asked to rate the supervisor behavior) through adopted construct. For this purpose, data was collected from three government state universities and one Private Sector University. The focus was on MS/M.Phill and PhD student and their supervisors of the mentioned universities. After measuring normality and validity regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of supervisor personality characteristics that leads to abusive supervision. Findings indicate interestingly that except agreeableness other four attributes of (PBFM) are play their role for abusive supervision. The results are novel in the nature as for the first time Neuroticism, openness to experience, extraversion and conscientiousness are held responsible for the abusive supervision. The study did not explore the demographic characteristics, and moderating role of organizational culture, justice and interpersonal deviances to understand the strength of relationship in more detail way. Keywords: Personality big five model, abusive supervision, HEIs

The Influence of TRIPS Compliant Patent Laws on Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupesh Rastogi ◽  
Virendra Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Patent Protection ◽  
Uruguay Round ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Trips Agreement ◽  
Patent Law ◽  
Patent Laws ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

The first legislation in India relating to patents was the Act VI of 1856. The Indian Patents and Design Act, 1911 (Act II of 1911) replaced all the previous Acts. The Act brought patent administration under the management of Controller of Patents for the first time. After Independence, it was felt that the Indian Patents & Designs Act, 1911 was not fulfilling its objective. Various comities were constituted to recommend, framing a patent law which can fulfill the requirement of Indian Industry and people. The Indian Patent Act of 1970 was enacted to achieve the above objectives. The major provisions of the act, provided for process, not the product patents in food, medicines, chemicals with a term of 14 years and 5-7 for chemicals and drugs. The Act enabled Indian citizens to access cheapest medicines in the world and paved a way for exponential growth of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. TRIPS agreement, which is one of the important results of the Uruguay Round, mandated strong patent protection, especially for pharmaceutical products, thereby allowing the patenting of NCEs, compounds and processes. India is thereby required to meet the minimum standards under the TRIPS Agreement in relation to patents and the pharmaceutical industry. India’s patent legislation must now include provisions for availability of patents for both pharmaceutical products and processes inventions. The present paper examines the impact of change in Indian Patent law on Pharmaceutical Industry.

The impact of traditional plants and their secondary metabolites in the discovery of COVID-19 treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabana Bibi ◽  
Ayesha Sarfraz ◽  
Ghazala Mustafa ◽  
Zeeshan Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Aurang Zeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Test System ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
System Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Plant Sources

Background: Coronavirus Disease-2019 belongs to the family of viruses which cause a serious pneumonia along with fever, breathing issues and infection of lungs for the first time in China and later spread worldwide. Objective: Several studies and clinical trials have been conducted to identify potential drugs and vaccines for Coronavirus Disease-2019. The present study listed natural secondary metabolites identified from plant sources with antiviral properties and could be safer and tolerable treatment for Coronavirus Disease-2019. Methods: A comprehensive search on the reported studies was conducted using different search engine such as Google scholar, SciFinder, Sciencedirect, Medline PubMed, and Scopus for the collection of research articles based on plantderived secondary metabolites, herbal extracts, and traditional medicine for coronavirus infections. Results: Status of COVID-19 worldwide and information of important molecular targets involved in COVID-19 is described and through literature search, is highlighted that numerous plant species and their extracts possess antiviral properties and studied with respect to Coronavirus treatments. Chemical information, plant source, test system type with mechanism of action for each secondary metabolite is also mentioned in this review paper. Conclusion: The present review has listed plants that have presented antiviral potential in the previous coronavirus pandemics and their secondary metabolites which could be significant for the development of novel and a safer drug which could prevent and cure coronavirus infection worldwide.

Individual and Combined Assessment of Ser680Asn FSH Receptor and FSHβ -211 G>T Gene Polymorphisms in Ovarian Response in IVF/ICSI Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elli Anagnostou ◽  
Alexia Kafkoutsou ◽  
Despina Mavrogianni ◽  
Ekaterini Domali ◽  
Evangelia Dimitroulia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphism ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Greek Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Genotype Distribution ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Molecular Genetic Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Background: Molecular biology tools, such as the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been considered to assist to the management of the ovarian stimulation protocols. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two polymorphisms, the Asn680Ser polymorphism of the FSHR gene, and the FSH β subunit (FSHβ) gene polymorphism -211 G>T, in a Greek population of women undergoing IVF/ICSI program in our center. In addition, a control group of fertile women was studied, to verify whether there are differences in the genotype distribution between fertile and infertile population for both polymorphisms, as the FSHβ gene polymorphism -211 G>T is studied for the first time in the Greek population. Results : The FSH β-211 G>T polymorphism, studied for the first time in the Greek infertile population, appears to be quite rare. When studying the two polymorphisms separately, statistically significant differences were obtained that concerned the LH levels. Discussion: According to the combination analysis of the two polymorphisms by the number of alleles, women with 2-3 polymorphic alleles needed more days of stimulation, but there were no differences in pregnancy rates. Conclusion: This molecular genetic study helps to elucidate whether the polygenic combination of the Asn680Ser and FSH β subunit -211 G>T gene polymorphisms is of additive value in the prediction of ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins.

Glucose Levels and Outcome After Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Rui Guo ◽  
Ruiqi Chen ◽  
Chao You ◽  
Lu Ma ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Blood Glucose Level ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Glucose Level ◽  
Intraventricular Hemorrhage ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Background and Purpose: Hyperglycemia is reported to be associated with poor outcome in patients with spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH), but the association between blood glucose level and outcomes in Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage (PIVH) remains unclear. We sought to identify the parameters associated with admission hyperglycemia and analyze the impact of hyperglycemia on clinical outcome in patients with PIVH. Methods: Patients admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital with PIVH between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively included in our study. Clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of poor outcomes. Results: One hundred and seventy patients were included in the analysis. Mean admission blood glucose level was 7.78±2.73 mmol/L and 10 patients (5.9%) had a history of diabetes mellitus. History of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01; Odds Ratio [OR], 9.10; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.64 to 50.54) was independent predictor of admission critical hyperglycemia defined at 8.17 mmol/L. Patients with admission critical hyperglycemia poorer outcome at discharge (P < 0.001) and 90 days (P < 0.001). After adjustment, admission blood glucose was significantly associated with discharge (P = 0.01; OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.59) and 90-day poor outcomes (P = 0.03; OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.58), as well as mortality at 90 days (P = 0.005; OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.78). In addition, admission critical hyperglycemia showed significantly increased the incidence rate of pneumonia in PIVH (P = 0.02; OR, 6.04; 95% CI 1.27 to 28.80) even after adjusting for the confounders. Conclusion: Admission blood glucose after PIVH is associated with discharge and 90-day poor outcomes, as well as mortality at 90 days. Admission hyperglycemia significantly increases the incidence rate of pneumonia in PIVH.

Reconstituting the International, 1918–1923

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talbot C. Imlay
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Events ◽  
Great War ◽  
Bolshevik Revolution ◽  
Meaning And Purpose ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Great War ◽  
Do So ◽  
Lengthy Process

This chapter examines the post-war efforts of European socialists to reconstitute the Socialist International. Initial efforts to cooperate culminated in an international socialist conference in Berne in February 1919 at which socialists from the two wartime camps met for the first time. In the end, however, it would take four years to reconstitute the International with the creation of the Labour and Socialist International (LSI) in 1923. That it took so long to do so is a testimony to the impact of the Great War and to the Bolshevik revolution. Together, these two seismic events compelled socialists to reconsider the meaning and purpose of socialism. The search for answers sparked prolonged debates between and within the major parties, profoundly reconfiguring the pre-war world of European socialism. One prominent stake in this lengthy process, moreover, was the nature of socialist internationalism—both its content and its functioning.

scholarly journals Autism Tsunami: the Impact of Rising Prevalence on the Societal Cost of Autism in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Blaxill ◽  
Toby Rogers ◽  
Cynthia Nevison
Keyword(s):  
Forecast Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Population Projections ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Total Base ◽  
Cost Categories ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe cost of ASD in the U.S. is estimated using a forecast model that for the first time accounts for the true historical increase in ASD. Model inputs include ASD prevalence, census population projections, six cost categories, ten age brackets, inflation projections, and three future prevalence scenarios. Future ASD costs increase dramatically: total base-case costs of $223 (175–271) billion/year are estimated in 2020; $589 billion/year in 2030, $1.36 trillion/year in 2040, and $5.54 (4.29–6.78) trillion/year by 2060, with substantial potential savings through ASD prevention. Rising prevalence, the shift from child to adult-dominated costs, the transfer of costs from parents onto government, and the soaring total costs raise pressing policy questions and demand an urgent focus on prevention strategies.

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