Efficient Pre-Processing Techniques for Improving Classifiers Performance

Data pre-processing plays a vital role in the life cycle of data mining for accomplishing quality outcomes. In this paper, it is experimentally shown the importance of data pre-processing to achieve highly accurate classifier outcomes by imputing missing values using a novel imputation method, CLUSTPRO, by selecting highly correlated features using Correlation-based Variable Selection (CVS) and by handling imbalanced data using Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE). The proposed CLUSTPRO method makes use of Random Forest (RF) and Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithms to impute missing. The imputed results are evaluated using standard evaluation metrics. The CLUSTPRO imputation method outperforms existing, state-of-the-art imputation methods. The combined approach of imputation, feature selection, and imbalanced data handling techniques has significantly contributed to attaining an improved classification accuracy (AUC curve) of 40%–50% in comparison with results obtained without any pre-processing.

Characterizing Heat Mitigation Strategies Utilized by Beef Processors in the United States

During lairage at slaughter plants, cattle can be exposed to extreme heat conditions from pen densities and holding pen microclimates. While research outlining heat mitigation strategies used in other sectors of the beef supply chain is available, there is no published data on the use of heat mitigation strategies at slaughter plants. The objective of this study was to characterize short-term heat mitigation strategies used by commercial beef slaughter plants in the United States. Twenty-one beef slaughter plants, representing an estimated 60% of beef slaughter in the United States, were included in the study. All plants indicated use of at least one heat mitigation strategy, and five of them used more than one type. Sprinklers/misters were the most commonly used heat mitigation type (n=17, 81%), and fans were the least common type (n=4, 19%). Shade usage was present in several plants (n=7, 33%), ranging from barn style roofs to shade cloths. Respondents indicated that they believed heat mitigation strategies provide benefits both to cattle well-being and meat quality outcomes. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of these techniques in improving animal well-being and quality outcomes in the slaughter plant environment and protocols for optimum implementation.

Listening to older voices: results of a cross-sectional survey of older patient-reported experiences of facility-based healthcare in Nouna, Burkina Faso

Background: Ensuring responsive healthcare which meets patient expectations and generates trust is important to increase rates of access and retention. This need is important for aging populations where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional household survey including socio-demographic, morbidities, and health system utilization, responsiveness, and quality outcomes in individuals over age 40 in northwestern Burkina Faso. We describe results and use exploratory factor analysis to derive a contextually appropriate grouping of health system responsiveness (HSR) variables. We used linear or logistic regression to explore associations between socio-demographics, morbidities, and the grouped-variable, then between these variables and health system quality outcomes. Results: Of 2,639 eligible respondents, 26.8% had least one NCD, 56.3% were frail or pre-frail and 23.9% had a recent visit, including only 1/3 of those with an NCD. Highest ratings of care experience (excellent/very good) included ease of following instructions (86.1%) and trust in provider skills (81.1%). The HSR grouping with the greatest factor loading included involvement in decision-making, clarity in communication, trust in the provider, and confidence in provider skills, termed as Shared Understanding and Decision Making (SUDM). In multivariable analysis, higher quality of life (OR 1.02,95%CI 1.01-1.04), frailty (OR 1.47,95%CI 1.00-2.16), and SUDM (OR 1.06,95%CI 1.05-1.09) were associated with greater health system trust and confidence. SUDM was associated with overall positive assessment of the healthcare system (OR 1.02,95%CI 1.01-1.03) and met healthcare needs (OR 1.09,95%CI 1.08-1.11). Younger age and highest wealth quintile were also associated with higher met needs. Conclusions: Recent healthcare access was low for people with existing NCDs, and SUDM was the most consistent factor associated with higher health system quality outcomes. Results highlight the need to increase continuity of care for aging populations with NCDs and explore strengthening SUDM to achieve this goal.

Predicting COD and BOD Parameters of Greywater Using Multivariate Linear Regression

Greywater reuse furthermore, reusing can be an incredible method to get non-consumable water. Since it contains broke down pollutions, greywater can’t be utilized straightforwardly. As an outcome, it is critical to decide the nature of water prior to utilizing it. Body estimations require five days to finish, while COD estimations require only a couple of hours. Not exclusively improve models for evaluating water quality are required; however, a more coordinated methodology is additionally getting more normal. Most of these models require a wide scope of information that isn’t in every case promptly available, making it a costly and tedious activity. Because of different issues in the enlistment with estimation included in water quality boundaries like BOD as well as COD, the principal objective of this investigation is to track down the best multivariate direct relapse models for foreseeing complex water quality outcomes. The code was written in Python for multi-variable information sources, and a Linear Regression Model was created. The projected COD versus estimated COD chart shows that the noticed and expected qualities are practically the same. The R-squared worth was 0.9973. A plot of extended BOD as an element of COD is likewise remembered for the outcome.

Funding Influencing Practice and Outcomes in Reablement

Internationally, Home Care is invariably funded through fee-per-service, e.g., if an hour of care is delivered, the provider receives an associated amount of funding. However, the funding model discourages reductions in packages-of-care when a client’s functional capacity improves, and further disincentivises providers to discharge clients. Similarly, staff income is often directly associated to the delivered hours-of-care and if a client’s hours are reduced, so is their income; again, discouraging the right behaviour, such as reporting improvements in independence levels. In 2008 in New Zealand, we developed a case-mix funding methodology and have been progressively implementing the new model since that time. This presentation highlights the findings in relation to how Home Care service hour allocations titrate against needs following implementation of the model as well as a number of other key quality outcomes that have been observed as a result of the case-mix model.

Who’s in the House: Staffing in Long-Term Care Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

There is an absence of high-quality workforce data that could be used globally for comparative research on workforce planning in the residential long-term care (LTC) sector. We know that older adults residing in the LTC settings have multimorbidities resulting in complex care needs, yet the workforce is insufficiently able to meet their needs. A further reduction in LTC workforce was noted during the COVID-19 pandemic which increased the risk of adverse outcomes for residents. Survey results focused on the workforce in LTC homes collected from several countries during the current pandemic, highlighted that several members of the workforce were either absent or worked virtually (e.g., physicians, social workers). A better understanding of who is/or should be in the house to meet the needs of residents during or after future pandemics requires a workforce data system that routinely collects this information to ensure best quality outcomes for residents and their carers.

Job Quality in the Late Career in Sweden, Japan, and the United States

This paper examines job satisfaction and psychosocial and physical job quality over the late career in three contrasting national settings: Sweden, Japan and the United States. The data come from an ex-post harmonized dataset of individuals aged 50 to 75 years constructed from the biennial Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH, 2006–2018, n=13936 to 15520), Japanese Study of Ageing and Retirement (JSTAR, 2006–2013, n=3704) and the United States Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2006–2016, n=6239 and 8002). The job quality outcomes were physical labour, psychosocial working conditions (time pressure, discretion, pay satisfaction, job security) and job satisfaction. Random effects modelling was performed with age modelled with spline functions in which two knots were placed at ages indicating eligibility for pensions claiming or mandatory retirement. Interestingly, in each country, post-pensionable-age jobs were generally less stressful, freer, and more satisfying than jobs held by younger workers.

Facial Feminization Surgery: Guidelines for Patient Evaluation and Operative Techniques

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is one of many gender affirming surgeries that can reduce gender dysphoria and rate of mis-gendering. A multidisciplinary team with experience caring for transgender patients is valuable for generating high quality outcomes and patient satisfaction. In particular, specific technical pearls can assist in improving outcomes of this procedure. This article provides a review of patient and procedure selection for a range of FFS procedures including chondrolaryngoplasty, hairline advancement, forehead reduction and recontouring, orbital opening and brow lift, rhinoplasty, lip lift or augmentation, malar augmentation, and mandibular recontouring and genioplasty. The authors share technical insights and pre- and postoperative management recommendations gained from experiences at 2 institutions performing high volume FFS.