We develop a novel Bayesian method to select important predictors in regression models with multiple responses of diverse types. A sparse Gaussian copula regression model is used to account for the ...multivariate dependencies between any combination of discrete and/or continuous responses and their association with a set of predictors. We use the parameter expansion for data augmentation strategy to construct a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for the estimation of the parameters and the latent variables of the model. Based on a centered parameterization of the Gaussian latent variables, we design a fixed-dimensional proposal distribution to update jointly the latent binary vectors of important predictors and the corresponding nonzero regression coefficients. For Gaussian responses and for outcomes that can be modeled as a dependent version of a Gaussian response, this proposal leads to a Metropolis-Hastings step that allows an efficient exploration of the predictors' model space. The proposed strategy is tested on simulated data and applied to real datasets in which the responses consist of low-intensity counts, binary, ordinal and continuous variables.
The quality of harvested rainwater which is used for domestic and drinking purposes in the northern area of Kefalonia Island in SW Greece and the factors affecting it were assessed through 3-year ...surveillance. In 12 seasonal samplings, 156 rainwater and 144 ground- or mixed water samples were collected from ferroconcrete storage tanks (300–1000
m
3 capacity), which are adjacent to cement-paved catchment areas (600–3000
m
2).
Common anions and major cations as well as the metals Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn were tested. The presence of three major groups of organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochloride pesticides (OCPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), was screened by common analytical techniques.
All of the rainwater samples were within the guidelines for chemical parameters established by the 98/93/EU directive. As far as microbiological quality is concerned, total coliforms,
Escherichia coli and enterococci were detected in 80.3%, 40.9% and 28.8% of the rainwater samples, respectively, although they were found in low concentrations. Chemical and microbiological parameters showed seasonal fluctuations. Principal component analysis revealed that microbiological parameters were affected mainly by the cleanness level of catchment areas, while chemical parameters were influenced by the sea proximity and human activities.
Disinfection should be applied into the tanker trucks which distribute the water to the consumers and not into the big storage tanks in order to avoid by-products formation. Due to the lack of fluoride in rainwater samples, the consumers must become aware of the fact that the supplementation of this element is needed.
To evaluate the relationship of sleep/wake and day/night pattern to various seizure subtypes and epilepsy localizations.
Charts of 380 consecutive pediatric patients with epilepsy undergoing ...video-EEG (V-EEG) over 2 years were reviewed for seizure semiology, EEG localization, occurrence during the day (6 am-6 pm) or night, during wakefulness and sleep, 3-hour time blocks throughout 24 hours, and various epilepsy localizations, and etiology.
A total of 1,008 seizures were analyzed in 225 children (mean age 8.5 ± 5.7 years). Sleep and wakefulness predicted seizure semiology and localization more reliably than daytime and nighttime. Auras, gelastic, dyscognitive, atonic, hypomotor, and myoclonic seizures, and epileptic spasms occurred more often in wakefulness, while tonic, tonic-clonic, automotor, and hypermotor seizures occurred more frequently in sleep (p < 0.05). Clonic, atonic, myoclonic, and hypomotor seizures occurred more frequently during daytime. Hypermotor and automotor seizures occurred more frequently at night (p < 0.05). Generalized seizures (6 am-12 pm), temporal lobe seizures (9 pm-9 am), frontal lobe seizures (12 am-6 am), parietal lobe seizures (6 am-9 am), and occipital lobe seizures (9 am-noon and 3-6 pm) revealed specific circadian patterns (p < 0.05). In addition, generalized and temporal lobe seizures occurred more frequently in wakefulness, while frontal and parietal seizures occurred more frequently in sleep, independent of day or night pattern (p < 0.05).
Sleep and wakefulness, as well as time of day and night, are important considerations in proper characterization of seizure types and epilepsy localization. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of nonrandom distribution of seizures, and may provide information for individualized treatment options.
In this work the dynamic flow as well as the particle motion and deposition in a commercial dry powder inhaler, DPI (i.e., Turbuhaler) is described using computational fluid dynamics, CFD. The ...dynamic flow model presented here is an extension of a steady flow model previously described in Milenkovic et al. (2013). The model integrates CFD simulations for dynamic flow, an Eulerian-fluid/Lagrangian-particle description of particle motion as well as a particle/wall interaction model providing the sticking efficiency of particles colliding with the DPI walls. The dynamic flow is imposed by a time varying outlet pressure and the particle injections into the DPI are assumed to occur instantaneously and follow a prescribed particle size distribution, PSD. The total particle deposition and the production of fine particles in the DPI are determined for different peak inspiratory flow rates, PIFR, flow increase rates, FIR, and particle injection times. The simulation results for particle deposition are found to agree well with available experimental data for different values of PIFR and FIR. The predicted values of fine particle fraction are in agreement with available experimental results when the mean size of the injected PSD is taken to depend on the PIFR.
CFD-approach involves the developments of the CAD-model, the airflow domain geometry, and the computational grid. CFD simulations reveal the detailed flow in the DPI for a range of imposed pressure ...drops (i.e., 800–8800Pa). Eulerian-fluid/Lagrangian-particle simulations determine particle outflow and deposition for a range of particle sizes (i.e., 0.5–20μm).
In this work the steady-state flow in a commercial dry powder inhaler device, DPI (i.e., Turbuhaler) is described using computational fluid dynamics. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved using commercial CFD software considering different flow models, i.e., laminar, k–ε, k–ε RNG, and k–ω SST as well as large Eddy simulation. Particle motion and deposition are described using a Eulerian-fluid/Lagrangian-particle approach. Particle collisions with the DPI walls are taken to result in deposition when the normal collision velocity is less than a critical capture velocity. Flow and particle deposition, for a range of mouthpiece pressure drops (i.e., 800–8800Pa), as well as particle sizes corresponding to single particles and aggregates (i.e., 0.5–20μm), are examined. The total volumetric outflow rate, the overall particle deposition as well as the spatial distribution of deposition sites in the DPI are determined. The transitional k–ω SST model for turbulent flow was found to produce results most similar to a reference solution obtained with LES, as well as experimental results for the pressure drop in the DPI. Overall, the simulation results are found to be in agreement with the available experimental data for local and total particle deposition.
Ictal asystole (IA) is a rare event mostly seen in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and a potential contributor to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Clinical and ...video-electroencephalographic findings associated with IA have not been described, and may be helpful in screening for high risk patients.
A database search was performed of 6,825 patients undergoing long-term video-EEG monitoring for episodes of IA.
IA was recorded in 0.27% of all patients with epilepsy, eight with temporal (TLE), two with extratemporal (XTLE), and none with generalized epilepsy. In 8 out of 16 recorded events, all occurring in patients with TLE, seizures were associated with a sudden atonia on average 42 seconds into the typical semiology of a complex partial seizure. The loss of tone followed after a period of asystole usually lasting longer than 8 seconds and was associated with typical EEG changes seen otherwise with cerebral hypoperfusion. Clinical predisposing factors for IA including cardiovascular risk factors or baseline ECG abnormalities were not identified.
Ictal asystole is a rare feature of patients with focal epilepsy. Delayed loss of tone is distinctly uncommon in patients with temporal lobe seizures, but may inevitably occur in patients with ictal asystole after a critical duration of cardiac arrest and cerebral hypoperfusion. Further cardiac monitoring in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and a history of unexpected collapse and falls late in the course of a typical seizure may be warranted and can potentially help to prevent sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.
The Maxwell-Garnett theory for a right-handed homogeneous system is extended in order to investigate the effective response of a medium consisting of low density distributed 3-dimensional inclusions. ...The polarisability factor is modified to account for inclusions with binary layered volumes and it is shown that such a configuration can yield doubly negative effective permittivity and permeability. Terms representing second-order scattering interactions between binary inclusions in the medium are derived and are used to reformulate conventional effective medium theory. In the appropriate limit, the one-body theory of Maxwell-Garnett is recovered. The scattering cross section of the spherical inclusions is determined and comparison is made to homogeneous dielectric scatterers in the Rayleigh limit. It is found that the scattering resonances can be manipulated using the inclusion parameters. Furthermore, the effect that two-interacting spherical inclusions in a medium have on the scattering cross section is investigated via higher order dipole moments while the issue of reducing the scattering cross section to zero is also examined.
Raw vegetables are usually contaminated by a variety of microorganisms. Post-harvest microflora differs considerably, reflecting environmental and handling conditions and might compromise the safety ...of the product and the consumer's health.
Dipping or rinsing of vegetables in bleach solution is a common practice employed by the retailers and catering companies in order to minimize the initial bacterial load on the surface of vegetables. Rinsing or dipping vegetables in water saturated with ozone could be an alternative environmental friendly and safer process since no harmful by-products or residues are formed.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) dipped in chlorinated water (20 ppm) resulted in 1 log decrease of the total microbial count in the first 15 min. Immersing of vegetables in water pre-saturated with ozone (0.5 mg/L) did not make any difference because the total microbial count decreased approximately 0.5 log for the same time. Sanitation treatments were most effective when vegetables were dipped in continuously ozonated (0.5 mg/L) water, leading at about 2 log of microbial load decrease in the first 15 min and 3.5 log after 30 min of exposure. The best results were achieved in the case of bell pepper, as its smooth uniform surface allows higher ozone effectiveness. Bacteria reduction kinetics in continuous ozonation trials were fitted satisfactorily by a Weibull-based model allowing a better optimization of the process.
► The efficiency of ozone as sanitizing agent in fresh-cut lettuce and bell peppers was evaluated. ► Best sanitation results achieved when vegetables immersed in continuously ozonated water (0.5 mg/L). ► Dipping of vegetables in chlorinated (20 ppm) or pre -ozonated water was not so effective. ► Bacteria as coliforms and total aerobic mesophiles were more sensitive to ozone. ► Bacteria reduction kinetics rather than yeasts/molds was best fitted by a Weibull-based model.
It has been acknowledged that most international regulations were triggered by a series of tanker disasters that had devastating effects on the marine environment. One way to better protect the ...aquatic environment is the proactive response of the member states of the various international organisations to expedite the ratification procedures for international conventions, mainly the International Maritime Organization (IMO) legal instruments. Every time this is achieved, ship owners become more responsible for protecting the marine environment, regardless of the economic costs involved. Following this path, ship owners will be obliged to cooperate with competent authorities when a vessel calls at a port for the loading, discharging, bunkering, repairing and other secondary operations, to counter the possible threat of emerging pollution. This paper focuses on issues that are mostly related to the amendments of Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, which deal explicitly with air pollution. The paper also examines the relationship between technological innovations, the existing regulations and the environmental threats posed by carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds, and methods to deal with sulphur reduction.
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