A New Approach for Spherical Fuzzy TOPSIS and Spherical Fuzzy VIKOR Applied to the Evaluation of Hydrogen Storage Systems

This study proposes a new perspective of the TOPSIS and VIKOR methods using the recently introduced spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) to handle the vagueness in subjective data and the uncertainties in objective data simultaneously. When implementing these techniques using SFSs, two main problems might arise that can lead to incorrect results. Firstly, the reference points might change with the utilized score function. Secondly, the distance between reference points might not be the largest, as known, among the available ratings. To overcome these deficiencies and increase the robustness of these two methods, they are implemented without utilizing any reference points to minimize the effect of defuzzification and without measuring the distance to eliminate the effect of distance formulas. In the proposed methods, when using an SFS to express the performance of an alternative for a criterion, this SFS per se can be viewed as a measure of proximity to the aspired level. On the other hand, the conjugate of the SFS can be viewed as a measure of proximity to the ineffectual level. Two practical applications are presented to demonstrate the proposed techniques. The first example handles a warehouse location selection problem. The second example evaluates hydrogen storage systems for automobiles with different types of data (crisp, linguistic variables, type 1 fuzzy sets). These data are transformed to SFSs to provide a more comprehensive analysis. A comparative study is conducted with earlier versions of TOPSIS and VIKOR to explicate the adequacy of the proposed methods and the consistency of the results.

Health Literacy and Patient -Reported Outcomes

Modern healthcare needs to identify parameters for high-quality care. Quality improvement is the key for advancing in healthcare, and the new assessment tool shifts from a disease-centered outcome to a patient-centered outcome. Clinical outcome such as morbidity and mortality are directly connected and interdependent from patient-reported outcomes: well-informed patients who decide with their healthcare provider what treatment is best for them have better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction rates. These subjective data collected by rigorous, meaningful, and scientific methods and presented in a utilizable format can be used to create care objectives towards which both the surgeon and their patient can travel. Time has come to carry patient-centered outcomes from research into decision making and daily care plans. This chapter outlines a focus beyond life-prolonging therapy, aiming to minimize the negative effects of treatment, optimize quality of life, and align medical decisions with patient expectations.

Digital Phenotype of Mood Disorders: a conceptual and critical review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Mood disorder is commonly diagnosed and staged using clinical features that rely merely on subjective data. The concept of digital phenotyping is based on the idea that collecting real-time markers of human behavior allow one to determine the "digital signature of a pathology". This strategy assumes that behaviors are "quantifiable" from data extracted and analyzed through digital sensors, wearable devices or smartphones. That concept could bring a shift for the diagnosis of mood disorder, introducing for the first time paraclinical testing on psychiatric routine care. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this review was to propose a conceptual and critical review of the literature regarding the theoretical and technical principles of digital phenotypes applied to mood disorders. METHODS We conducted a selective review of the literature by updating a previous article and querying the PubMed database between February 2017 and November 2021 on titles with the relevant keywords regarding digital phenotyping, mood disorders and artificial intelligence. RESULTS 858 articles were included for evaluation, 43 articles were taken into account and classified by data source (multimodal, actigraphy, ECG, smartphone use, voice analysis, body temperature). For depressive episodes, the main finding is the decrease in terms of functional and biological parameters (decrease in activities and walking, decrease in the number of calls and SMS, decrease in temperature and HRV) while the manic phase produces the reverse phenomenon (increase in activities, number of calls and HRV). CONCLUSIONS The various studies presented support the potential interest in digital phenotyping to computerize the clinical characteristics of mood disorders

Deep Learning Approach of Product Evaluation Using Comment Analysis

Digital reviews now play a critical role in strengthening global consumer communications and influencing consumer purchasing patterns. Consumers can use e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipchart, Snap deal, Jio and others to share their experiences and provide real insights about the performance of a product to future buyers. The classification of reviews into positive and negative sentiment is required in order to derive relevant insights from a big set of reviews. Comment Analysis is a computer programme that extracts subjective data from text. Out of Various Classification models Deep Learning Approach of Product Evaluation Using Comment Analysis is to develop a model that uses AI technologies like Deep Learning to process thousands and millions of online reviews on a product in a split second of time and rate the products on a scale of 1-5 based on the user comments We have worked on two deep learning models based on Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) and Graph Convolution Network (GCN). Keywords: LSTN, GCN, NLTK

A Novel Nomogram for Early Identification and Intervention in Colorectal Cancer Patients at Risk for Malnutrition

Background Malnutrition is under-recognized in cancer patients and can lead to poor treatment outcomes. We aim to develop an outpatient-focused score based on the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) to help identify colorectal cancer (CRC) profiles at high risk for malnutrition. Methods 506 CRC patients during initial outpatient oncology consultation at our tertiary referral outpatient oncology clinic completed the MST. Objective and subjective data were collected through chart review. Data gathered are as follows: demographics, anthropometrics, laboratory values, patient-reported symptoms, MST score, cancer history, performance status, socioeconomic status, and Charlson Comorbidity. Predictors of malnutrition were identified by logistic regression. Receiver operating curve (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), and our model’s predictability were determined. Results Significant predictors of malnutrition are as follows: younger age (20-39 vs >40 years) (P = .007), normal-to-low body mass index at presentation (P = .019), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group classification 2-3 (P = .012), metastatic disease (P = .046), albumin <3.0 g/dL (P = .033), fatigue (P < .001), and change in stool/bowel habits (P = .002). In our derived malnutrition score, risk of malnutrition increased from 11% for score 0, to 100% for scores 9-10. Receiver operating curve showed AUC .745 (95% CI, .697-.793). Discussion An outpatient clinic-derived malnutrition score obtained from objective and patient-reported variables may facilitate identification of CRC patients at highest risk for malnutrition. Rapid identification and intervention in high-risk patients may improve treatment recovery, therapy tolerance, and quality of life. Our tool requires external validation before application in clinical practice.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES FOR DETERMINING INDEX ASSESSMENT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF DENTAL HARD TISSUES

The aim of the study was to compare the obtained data of hard dental tissues destruction indices with the corresponding indications for the choice of the method of treatment by means of mathematical analysis. Materials & methods. 120 patients aged 20 to 55 were examined and 358 teeth hard tissue defects were identified in them. The data of indices was obtained and compared with the indications for orthopedic treatment according two indices in the same clinical situation. Results. The study showed that the indices had different meanings and different indications for treatment in the same situations. Such discrepancies in indications for treatment indicate the subjective data of one of the indices, which does not take into account the depth of destruction and the volume of the remaining natural tissue of the teeth. Comparison of these indices showed different figures in the same clinical situation, identifying corresponding incorrect indications for the choice of the design of the first investigated index, as well as more accurate data of the proposed index. Conclusion. The index assessment of hard dental tissues destruction serves as the main guideline for the dentist when choosing a method for tooth restoration, and can be calculated using photographs, scans and computer software.

A Multi-Center Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) Randomized Controlled Occlusal Adjustment Study Using Occlusal Force and Timing Sensors Synchronized with Muscle Physiology Sensors

Objective—To perform a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) study at five Dental Colleges, using intraoral sensors and muscular electrodes. Methods and Materials—One hundred students were randomly assigned to a treatment group to receive the ICAGD coronoplasty, or a control group that received tooth polishing. All subjects answered symptom questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory-II, Functional Restrictions, and Chronic Pain Symptom and Frequency. Subjects self-reported after ICAGD or placebo at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The Student’s t-Test analyzed the measured data. The Mann–Whitney U Test analyzed the subjective data (Alpha = 0.05). Results—The Disclusion Times, BDI-II scores, and Symptom Scales were similar between groups prior to treatment (p > 0.05). At 1 week, all three measures reduced in the treatment group, continuing to decline over 6 months (p < 0.05), but not for the controls (p > 0.05). Symptom Frequency, Functional Restrictions, and Pain Frequencies were higher in the treated group (p < 0.05), but declined after ICAGD compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions—ICAGD reduced Pain, Functional Restrictions, Symptom Frequency, and Emotional Depression within 1 week, which continued for 6 months. The tooth polishing did not initiate a placebo response.

Income Taxes: Objective Values or Subjective Values as They Result from Financial Statements that Contain Subjective Data or Values Determined Subjectively by Financial Reporting Preparers?

Research on more than 1500 Italian companies from 2016 to 2019 shows that the inclusion of tax values in financial reporting without any economic content is a widespread accounting practice. Tax interferences in financial reporting have various motivations and prove consequences both inside and outside the company. In the following pages, we will illustrate the results of the analysis carried out, the motivations leading to the incorrect accounting behaviour of the implementation of tax interferences and the consequences resulting from this widespread practice. It should be noted that tax interference causes problems both inside and outside the company. Such tax contamination of financial reporting affects the rights of third parties outside the company, and creates the conditions for challenges to financial reporting due to invalidity of the document. It also creates a basis for incorrect accounting data that can lead to wrong decisions by management.

Association of professional pre-qualifications, study success in medical school and the eligibility for becoming a physician: A scoping review

Background Literature, individual experiences and common considerations suggest that prior professional qualification can be an advantage for later career development. For instance, in Germany, professional pre-qualification has been honored by medical faculties in selection procedures for several years. However, a systematic evaluation of this relationship lacks. This scoping review summarizes existing literature and addresses the role of prior professional pre-qualifications on objective or subjective study success and the choice of a specialization. Methods The scoping review was performed oriented on the PRISMA guidelines. PsycINFO and PubMed databases were searched for relevant studies that included data of medical students with and without professional pre-qualifications. To answer the underlying research questions, this scoping review also includes studies that examine professional pre-qualifications in association with non-cognitive "soft" criteria. Results and further directions 1055 items were identified and reviewed by two independent reviewers with final 11 studies were included for this scoping review. The results of identified studies that report possible effects of prior pre-professional qualifications are inconclusive but suggest that prior professional qualifications tend not to have rather an advantage on study success. Medical school success for students with prior professional qualifications tended to be below average in the preclinical setting, and there were no differences in the clinical setting compared with students without prior professional qualifications. The influence of professional pre-qualifications has not yet been adequately studied without the moderator variable “waiting time” and “A-levels grade”. The scoping review indicates insufficient number of articles stating a co-relation of prior pre-qualifications and subjective data. Again, the results found are not sufficient to state a clear relationship between professional pre-qualifications and the choice of a specific speciality preference. However, professional pre-qualifications, both in medicine and as "practical experience in rural areas", tend to be beneficial for the choice of becoming a rural physician. Large-scale cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the influence of professional pre-qualifications on different study trajectory parameters.

Syndromic Craniosynostosis: Objective and Parent-Reported Outcome Measurements after Cranio-Facial Remodelling Surgeries

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Syndromic craniosynostosis (SC) is a rare entity compared to the non-syndromic variant. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach towards a multitude of problems. Early intervention is known to be better for optimum results. We reviewed outcomes of children with SC who underwent reconstructive cranio-facial surgery. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> A retrospective study was conducted using data from hospital case files and the picture archival communication system. Objective data like the cephalic index (CI), both preoperatively and post-operatively, were compared. Subjective data for the cosmesis outcome – “Sloan and Whitaker outcome class” – following surgery were assessed. Also, parent-reported outcome measurement (PROM) was performed with various parameters to assess quality of life (QOL). <b><i>Results:</i></b> We had 21 operated cases of SC, with 19 needing cranio-facial remodelling. The male to female ratio was 11:10. Crouzon’s syndrome was the most common syndromic association followed by Apert’s syndrome. Nineteen patients underwent cranio-facial remodelling surgeries and 2 underwent the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt only – for raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Nine patients underwent cranial remodelling with fronto-orbital advancements, and 3 of these patients also received le-fort’s type 3 osteotomy and advancement later. Ten patients underwent fronto-orbital advancement with parieto-occipital barrel-stave osteotomies. <b><i>Outcomes:</i></b> Improvement in the CI was maximum at the 6-month follow-up. Six (37.5%) cases had Sloan class 1 outcome, 9 (56.25%) had class 2 outcomes, and 1 patient had a class 6 outcome. Whitaker cosmesis outcomes – 14 out of 16 cases (87.5%) had Category 1 outcomes. PROM was assessed. All parents reported at least a moderate improvement in cosmesis following surgery. Out of 15 cases, 10 (66%) reported significant improvement, while 4 (26.6%) cases reported moderate improvement with respect to eye and visual problems. Four parents reported snoring as a significant problem even after surgery. Most parents felt that the children were doing well, attending regular school, and social well-being was normal and had an overall good QOL. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> SC cases may have a multitude of other problems like raised ICP, ophthalmological problems, poor intelligence, and cognition apart from cosmetic concerns. PROMs revealed good outcomes in terms of cosmesis, cognition, and ophthalmological and oral cavity-related problems. Significant improvement in overall QOL was seen in most patients following cranio-facial remodelling surgery.