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Health Care Science Apr 2024Data clustering is an important field of machine learning that has applicability in wide areas, like, business analysis, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, traveling,...
INTRODUCTION
Data clustering is an important field of machine learning that has applicability in wide areas, like, business analysis, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, traveling, and logistics. A variety of clustering applications have already been developed. Data clustering approaches based on self-organizing map (SOM) generally use the map dimensions (of the grid) ranging from 2 × 2 to 8 × 8 (4-64 neurons [microclusters]) without any explicit reason for using the particular dimension, and therefore optimized results are not obtained. These algorithms use some secondary approaches to map these microclusters into the lower dimension (actual number of clusters), like, 2, 3, or 4, as the case may be, based on the optimum number of clusters in the specific data set. The secondary approach, observed in most of the works, is not SOM and is an algorithm, like, cut tree or the other.
METHODS
In this work, the proposed approach will give an idea of how to select the most optimal higher dimension of SOM for the given data set, and this dimension is again clustered into the lower actual dimension. Primary and secondary, both utilize the SOM to cluster the data and discover that the weight matrix of the SOM is very meaningful. The optimized two-dimensional configuration of SOM is not the same for every data set, and this work also tries to discover this configuration.
RESULTS
The adjusted randomized index obtained on the Iris, Wine, Wisconsin diagnostic breast cancer, New Thyroid, Seeds, A1, Imbalance, Dermatology, Ecoli, and Ionosphere is, respectively, 0.7173, 0.9134, 0.7543, 0.8041, 0.7781, 0.8907, 0.8755, 0.7543, 0.5013, and 0.1728, which outperforms all other results available on the web and when no reduction of attributes is done in this work.
CONCLUSIONS
It is found that SOM is superior to or on par with other clustering approaches, like, k-means or the other, and could be used successfully to cluster all types of data sets. Ten benchmark data sets from diverse domains like medical, biological, and chemical are tested in this work, including the synthetic data sets.
PubMed: 38939618
DOI: 10.1002/hcs2.90 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Ozone pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease mortality, and there is a high correlation between different pollutants. This study aimed to assess the...
BACKGROUND
Ozone pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease mortality, and there is a high correlation between different pollutants. This study aimed to assess the association between ozone and cardiovascular disease deaths and the resulting disease burden in Nanjing, China.
METHODS
A total of 151,609 deaths from cardiovascular disease were included in Nanjing, China from 2013 to 2021. Daily data on meteorological and air pollution were collected to apply a generalized additional model with multiple pollutants to perform exposure-response analyses, stratification analysis, and evaluation of excess deaths using various standards.
RESULTS
In the multi-pollutant model, an increase of 10 μg/m in O was significantly associated with a 0.81% (95%CI: 0.49, 1.12%) increase in cardiovascular disease deaths in lag05. The correlation weakened in both the single-pollutant model and two-pollutant models, but remained more pronounced in females, the older group, and during warm seasons. From 2013 to 2021, the number of excess deaths attributed to ozone exposure in cardiovascular disease continued to rise with an increase in ozone concentration in Nanjing. If the ozone concentration were to be reduced to the WHO standard and the minimum level, the number of deaths would decrease by 1,736 and 10,882, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The risk of death and excess deaths from cardiovascular disease due to ozone exposure increases with higher ozone concentration. Reducing ozone concentration to meet WHO standards or lower can provide greater cardiovascular disease health benefits.
Topics: Ozone; Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; China; Female; Male; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Middle Aged; Aged; Seasons; Adult; Rivers
PubMed: 38939565
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1353384 -
Food and Bioprocess Technology 2024Adding value to food industry by-products, like sunflower meal (SFM), through their utilization as ingredients in new food products can improve sustainability of food...
Adding value to food industry by-products, like sunflower meal (SFM), through their utilization as ingredients in new food products can improve sustainability of food systems. This research investigated extrusion cooking to produce high-moisture meat analogues (HMMAs) made from blends of soy protein isolate and expeller-pressed SFM. The effects of feed moisture content [FMC] (60, 65, and 70%, wet basis) and SFM concentration (37.5, 50, and 62.5%, total blend weight basis) on physical and protein nutritional quality attributes of HMMAs were investigated. The processing temperatures (including cooling die), screw speed and feed rate were kept constant at 60-80-115-125-50-25 °C (from feeder to the die end), 200 rpm and 0.5 kg/h (dry basis), respectively. An increase in SFM concentration and FMC significantly ( < 0.05) reduced the mechanical energy requirements for extrusion. Cutting strength and texture profile analysis of HMMAs indicated softer texture with increases in SFM and FMC. X-ray microcomputed tomography analysis revealed that the microstructure of the HMMAs at the centre and towards the surface was different and affected by SFM concentration and FMC. The in vitroprotein digestibility corrected amino acid score of the HMMAs ranged between 85 and 91% and did not show significant ( < 0.05) changes as a function of FMC or SFM concentration. HMMAs produced from 37.5% SFM at 70% FMC showed no deficiency in essential amino acids for all age categories except for infants, suggesting the high potential of SFM and soy protein blends for creating nutritious meat alternative products. Overall, this work provided valuable insights regarding the effects of soy protein replacement by SFM on the textural, microstructural and nutritional quality of HMMA applications, paving the way for value-addition to this underutilized food industry by-product.
PubMed: 38939448
DOI: 10.1007/s11947-023-03225-8 -
JACC. Advances Aug 2023COVID-19 is known to be associated with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 is known to be associated with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of 30-day readmissions for MI among survivors of COVID-19 hospitalization.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We used the U.S. Nationwide Readmission Database to identify COVID-19 admissions from April 1, 2020, to November 30, 2020, using International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) claims. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission incidence for MI. A total of 521,251 cases of COVID-19 were included, of which 11.6% were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The 30-day readmission incidence for MI was 0.6%. The 30-day all-cause readmission mortality incidence was 1.3%. Patients readmitted for MI were more frequently males (61.6% vs 38.4%) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity burden score (7 vs 4). The most common diagnosis among 30-day MI readmission was type 2 MI (51.1%), followed by a diagnosis of a type 1 non-ST-segment elevation MI (41.7%). ST-segment elevation MI cases constituted 7.6% of all MI-readmission whereas 0.6% of patients had unstable angina. 30-day MI readmissions with a recurrent diagnosis of COVID-19 had higher readmission mortality and incidence of complications. Conversely, the odds of performing revascularization procedures were lower for MI with recurrent COVID-19. Furthermore, MI readmissions with recurrent COVID-19 had a higher length of stay (7 vs 5 days) and cost of hospitalization ($18,398 vs $16,191) when compared with non-COVID-19 MI readmissions.
CONCLUSIONS
Among survivors of COVID-19 hospitalization, 5.2% of all-cause 30-day readmissions and 12% of all-cause readmission mortality were attributed to MI. MI-related readmissions were a significant source of mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization.
PubMed: 38939438
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100453 -
JACC. Advances Feb 2024Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the past 50 years, there has been a substantial decline in the incidence of... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the past 50 years, there has been a substantial decline in the incidence of CVD and related mortality in high-income countries, largely due to the mitigation of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes. However, a significant burden of CVD remains in low- to middle-income countries, despite their lower prevalence of traditional risk factors; other environmental factors, particularly pollution, play a significant role in this attributable risk. Mounting evidence underscores a strong association between pollution and adverse health effects, including CVD. This article is part 1 of a 2-part state-of-the-art review and discusses air pollution and its adverse effects on CVD, highlighting pathophysiological mechanisms and methods to reduce air pollution and exposure to these pollutants.
PubMed: 38939391
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100805 -
JACC. Advances Feb 2024Increased particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM) air pollution is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its impact on patients with prior coronary artery...
BACKGROUND
Increased particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM) air pollution is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its impact on patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unknown.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) and air pollution after CABG.
METHODS
We linked 26,403 U.S. veterans who underwent CABG (2010-2019) nationally with average annual ambient PM estimates using residential address. Over a 5-year median follow-up period, we identified MACE and fit a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model to determine the risk of MACE as per PM exposure. We also estimated the absolute potential reduction in PM attributable MACE simulating a hypothetical PM lowered to the revised World Health Organization standard of 5 μg/m.
RESULTS
The observed median PM exposure was 7.9 μg/m (IQR: 7.0-8.9 μg/m; 95% of patients were exposed to PM above 5 μg/m). Increased PM exposure was associated with a higher 10-year MACE rate (first tertile 38% vs third tertile 45%; < 0.001). Adjusting for demographic, racial, and clinical characteristics, a 10 μg/m increase in PM resulted in 27% relative risk for MACE (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10-1.46; < 0.001). Currently, 10% of total MACE is attributable to PM exposure. Reducing maximum PM to 5 μg/m could result in a 7% absolute reduction in 10-year MACE rates.
CONCLUSIONS
In this large nationwide CABG cohort, ambient PM air pollution was strongly associated with adverse 10-year cardiovascular outcomes. Reducing levels to World Health Organization-recommended standards would result in a substantial risk reduction at the population level.
PubMed: 38939372
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100781 -
Cureus May 2024Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a significant cause of nephrotic syndrome in non-diabetic adults. It can be primary, attributed to autoantibodies targeting podocyte...
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a significant cause of nephrotic syndrome in non-diabetic adults. It can be primary, attributed to autoantibodies targeting podocyte antigens, or secondary to various disorders. Although rare, nerve epidermal growth factor-like 1 (NELL-1)-associated MN presents diagnostic and management challenges. Thrombotic complications such as renal vein thrombosis (RVT) are recognized but less reported, especially in NELL-1-positive MN. We report a 43-year-old male with NELL-1-positive MN complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI) due to bilateral RVT, treated successfully with thrombolysis. Histopathological analysis confirmed MN with specific immunohistochemical staining for NELL-1. Treatment included immunosuppressive therapy and tailored anticoagulation. This case emphasizes recognizing thrombotic complications in MN, particularly in NELL-1-positive cases. Further research is needed to explore serum anti-NELL-1 antibodies as biomarkers and optimal anticoagulation strategies in MN patients at risk of thrombotic events to improve outcomes and guide personalized management.
PubMed: 38939287
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61230 -
Rapid solar-driven atmospheric water-harvesting with MAF-4-derived nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon.Chemical Science Jun 2024Sorption-based atmospheric water-harvesting (AWH) could help to solve global freshwater scarcity. The search for adsorbents with high water-uptake capacity at low...
Sorption-based atmospheric water-harvesting (AWH) could help to solve global freshwater scarcity. The search for adsorbents with high water-uptake capacity at low relative humidity, rapid adsorption-desorption kinetics and high thermal conductivity is a critical challenge in AWH. Herein, we report a MAF-4 (aka ZIF-8)-derived nanoporous carbon (NPC-800) with multiple N-doped sites, considerable micropore characteristics and inherent photothermal properties, for efficient water production in a relatively arid climate. NPC-800 exhibited optimal water-sorption performance of 306 mg g at 40% relative humidity (RH). An excellent sunlight-absorption rate was realized (97%) attributed to its high degree of graphitization. A proof-of-concept device was designed and investigated for the practical harvesting of water from the atmosphere using natural sunlight. NPC-800 achieved an unprecedentedly high water production rate of 380 mg g h at 40% RH, and could produce 1.77 L kg freshwater during daylight hours in an outdoor low-humidity climate of ∼25 °C and 40% RH. These findings may shed light on the potential of MOF-derived porous carbons in the AWH field, and inspire the future development of solar-driven water-generation systems.
PubMed: 38939138
DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01802h -
Chemical Science Jun 2024Efficient, economically viable n-type organic semiconductor materials suitable for solution-processed OFET devices with high electron mobility and ambient stability are...
Efficient, economically viable n-type organic semiconductor materials suitable for solution-processed OFET devices with high electron mobility and ambient stability are scarce. Merging these attributes into a single molecule remains a significant challenge and a careful molecular design is needed. To address this, synthetic viability (achievable in fewer than three steps) and using cost-effective starting materials are crucial. Our research presents a strategy that meets these criteria using naphthalene diimide (NDI) core structures. The approach involves a simple synthesis process with a cost of $ 5-10 per gram for the final products. This paper highlights our success in scaling up the production using affordable known reagents, creating ambient condition solution-processed OFET devices with impressive electron mobility, on-off current ratio (1 cm V s and / ∼ 10) and good ambient stability (more than 100 h). We conducted a comprehensive study on EHNDIBr, a material that demonstrates superior performance due to its unique supramolecular arrangement in its brickwork stack. This was compared with two similar structures to validate our findings. The superior performance of EHNDIBr is attributed to the effective interlocking of charge-hopping units within the NDI core in its brickwork stack. Our findings include detailed electronic, spectroscopic, and microscopic analyses of these layers.
PubMed: 38939134
DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02339k -
Cureus Jun 2024This article discusses issues and perspectives related to the study of disruptive clinician behavior (DCB) to improve patient safety and healthcare professionals' work... (Review)
Review
This article discusses issues and perspectives related to the study of disruptive clinician behavior (DCB) to improve patient safety and healthcare professionals' work environments. Multiple terminologies and ambiguous definitions have resulted in conceptual confusion in studies on DCB. In addition, subjective classifications have led the attributes of DCB to overlap and fluctuate. Therefore, we share Rosenberg's definition of DCB as "any inappropriate behavior, confrontation, or conflict, ranging from verbal abuse to physical and sexual harassment." It is recommended that DCB be understood as a hierarchical structure identified through statistical analysis of field survey data. Furthermore, a recurring list of items is duplicated across existing studies on DCB triggers, contributing factors, and influences. These items can be organized into separate path models based on their mutual relationships. Given these assumed models, we believe that further studies on DCB can shift toward elucidating the mechanisms of occurrence and impact. Finally, based on the path models, we recommend improving healthcare professionals' psychological and social states through a policy shift from "zero-tolerance" to "to err is human" as a priority issue for DCB prevention and countermeasures.
PubMed: 38938907
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63314