Achieving maximum scientific results from the overwhelming volume of astronomical data to be acquired over the next few decades demands novel, fully automatic methods of data analysis. Here we ...concentrate on eclipsing binary (EB) stars, a prime source of astrophysical information, of which only some hundreds have been rigorously analyzed, but whose numbers will reach millions in a decade. We describe the artificial neural network (ANN) approach which is able to surmount the human bottleneck and permit EB-based scientific yield to keep pace with future data rates. The ANN, following training on a sample of 33,235 model light curves, outputs a set of approximate model parameters image, and image for each input light curve data set. The obtained parameters can then be readily passed to sophisticated modeling engines. We also describe a novel method polyfit for preprocessing observational light curves before inputting their data to the ANN and present the results and analysis of testing the approach on synthetic data and on real data including 50 binaries from the Catalog and Atlas of Eclipsing Binaries (CALEB) database and 2580 light curves from OGLE survey data. The success rate, defined by less than a 10% error in the network output parameter values, is approximately 90% for the OGLE sample and close to 100% for the CALEB sample-sufficient for a reliable statistical analysis. The code is made available to the public. Our approach is applicable to EB light curves of all classes; this first paper in the eclipsing binaries via artificial intelligence (EBAI) series focuses on detached EBs, which is the class most challenging for this approach.
Abstract Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that viral administration of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (AdGDNF), one week prior to a controlled cortical impact (CCI) over the ...forelimb sensorimotor cortex of the rat (FL-SMC) is neuroprotective, but does not significantly enhance recovery of sensorimotor function. One possible explanation for this discrepancy is that although protected, neurons may not have been functional due to enduring metabolic deficiencies. Additionally, metabolic events following TBI may interfere with expression of therapeutic proteins administered to the injured brain via gene therapy. The current study focused on enhancing the metabolic function of the brain by increasing cerebral blood flow (CBF) with l -arginine in conjunction with administration of AdGDNF immediately following CCI. An adenoviral vector harboring human GDNF was injected unilaterally into FL-SMC of the rat immediately following a unilateral CCI over the FL-SMC. Within 30 min of the CCI and AdGDNF injections, some animals were injected with l -arginine (i.v.). Tests of forelimb function and asymmetry were administered for 4 weeks post-injury. Animals were sacrificed and contusion size and GDNF protein expression measured. This study demonstrated that rats treated with AdGDNF and l -arginine post-CCI had a significantly smaller contusion than injured rats who did not receive any treatment, or injured rats treated with either AdGDNF or l -arginine alone. Nevertheless, no amelioration of behavioral deficits was seen. These findings suggest that AdGDNF alone following a CCI was not therapeutic and although combining it with l -arginine decreased contusion size, it did not enhance behavioral recovery.
Opioid abuse is a growing and significant public health concern in the United States. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse the respiratory depression associated with opioid ...toxicity. Georgetown University's collegiate-based emergency medical services (EMS) agency recently adopted a protocol, allowing providers to administer intranasal naloxone for patients with suspected opioid overdose. While normally not within the scope of practice of basic life support prehospital agencies, the recognition of an increasing epidemic of opioid abuse has led many states, including the District of Columbia, to expand access to naloxone for prehospital providers of all levels of training. In particular, intranasal naloxone is a method of administering this medication that potentially avoids needlestick injuries among EMS providers. Universities with collegiate-based EMS agencies are well positioned to provide life-saving treatments for patients acutely ill from opioid overdose.
Introduction
Medication histories, including knowledge of allergies and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), are a nationally recognized quality measure. Medication histories in the emergency department ...(ED) are often inaccurate or incomplete. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and nature of medication allergy and ADR discrepancies in an urban ED.
Methods
This was a prospective observational descriptive study, enrolling a convenience sample of adults over 7 months at a single academic urban ED. Trained personnel recorded patient demographics and number of daily medications. Patients listed any prior drug allergies or non-allergic ADRs. Following the ED encounter, the patients’ self-reported allergies and ADRs were compared to the electronic medical record (EMR) to identify and describe discrepancies.
Results
A sample of 1014 patients, predominantly black (81%), female (60%), and in the 18- to 59-year-old range (69%), was recruited. Most patients were taking at least one daily medication (74%). Three hundred fifteen patients reported at least one allergy (31%), and 252 (25%) at least one ADR. Four hundred sixteen patients (41%) had a discrepancy between their self-report of allergy or ADR and the EMR. Omissions were the most frequent discrepancy. Full descriptions of allergies or ADR were present in 18.4% of charts. Fifty-seven patients (5.6%) were administered a medication which could have interacted with a documented allergy or ADR; none of the allergy EMR records were updated to reflected this.
Conclusions
In this cross-sectional ED study, drug allergies and ADRs were both highly prevalent. There were significant discrepancies in documentation of allergies and ADRs between patient self-report and the EMR.
Advanced Tools for Exploring Large EB Datasets Devinney, E. J.; Pršsa, A.; Guinan, E. F. ...
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union,
07/2011, Letnik:
7, Številka:
S282
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Thanks to OGLE, Kepler, CoRoT and planned new ambitious survey projects, the eclipsing binary (EB) community is beginning to experience a long-predicted data deluge. Beyond the analysis of the many ...fascinating individual objects yielded by these programs, these complete datasets themselves should yield further insights. Because objects in such datasets are characterized by many parameters, tools that assist in understanding high-dimensional data are acquiring increasing relevance. Chiefly among these are new Advanced Visualization (AV) tools and various methods of clustering data, both approaches complementing each other naturally. We illustrate the use of these tools as applied to OGLE II LMC EB data and respective EBAI light curve solutions.
Opioid therapy for managing chronic pain remains a challenge, as providers must weigh the medical benefit to the patient with the risk of adverse events. Manipulation of many extended-release (ER) ...opioid formulations may lead to increased serious medical outcomes or death. The economic burden of opioid use disorders due to opioid misuse and abuse may vary depending on which abuse deterrent opioid formulation is prescribed. The study aimed to compare demographic and clinical characteristics and healthcare costs of chronic pain patients treated with two different abuse-deterrent opioid formulations, Xtampza ER and reformulated OxyContin.
The source of data was IBM
MarketScan
Commercial Claims and Encounters Medicare Supplemental database, from January 2016 through February 2020. Patients with chronic pain were assigned to either the Xtampza ER or the OxyContin cohort based on the initial ER opioid prescription set as the index date. Continuous healthcare coverage was required during a minimum 3-month pre-index and 9-month post-index periods. Pre-index patients' characteristics were analyzed. Healthcare costs of Xtampza ER vs OxyContin were assessed in the post-index period.
After applying selection criteria, 464 patients were observed in the Xtampza ER cohort versus 1927 patients in the OxyContin cohort. In unmatched patients, ER opioid costs were lower for Xtampza ER than OxyContin ($2645 vs $3141;
<0.001), which ultimately led to lower total prescription costs for the Xtampza ER cohort compared to the OxyContin cohort ($7492 vs $8754;
=0.016). In matched patients, the total healthcare costs were significantly lower in the Xtampza ER cohort than in the OxyContin cohort, $22,630 vs $28,386 (
=0.005), respectively.
This study suggests that Xtampza ER may result in lower healthcare costs than OxyContin for a population of chronic pain patients switching from immediate release oxycodone based on real-world data.
Treatment of the Common Cold DeGeorge, Katharine C; Ring, Daniel J; Dalrymple, Sarah N
American family physician,
09/2019, Letnik:
100, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Acute upper respiratory tract infections are extremely common in adults and children, but only a few safe and effective treatments are available. Patients typically present with nasal congestion, ...rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough, general malaise, and/or low-grade fever. Informing patients about the self-limited nature of the common cold can help manage expectations, limit antibiotic use, and avoid over-the-counter purchases that may not help. Treatments with proven effectiveness for cold symptoms in adults include over-the-counter analgesics, zinc, nasal decongestants with or without antihistamines, and ipratropium for cough. Lower-quality evidence suggests that Lactobacillus casei may be beneficial in older adults. The only established safe and effective treatments for children are acetylcysteine, honey (for children one year and older), nasal saline irrigation, intranasal ipratropium, and topical application of ointment containing camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oils. Over-the-counter cold medications should not be used in children younger than four years. Counseling patients about the importance of good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent transmission of cold viruses.
Social media provides unique insight into the facilities, personnel, and culture of plastic surgery residency programs. Applicants can gain a more holistic view of programs based on their social ...media accounts. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the popularity of a program's Instagram account and the program's Doximity ranking and to investigate the factors which contribute to greater viewership, with a special focus on diversity.
Using Doximity's 2021-2022 Residency Navigator, a list of all integrated plastic surgery residency programs was obtained, and their social media accounts were documented. Instagram accounts were analyzed for metrics, post content, and website links. A 15-month period of posts was analyzed, then grouped into eight categories. Diversity was assessed using average Fitzpatrick skin type for each post containing photographs of people.
Of the 88 programs, 85 (96.6%) had an Instagram account at the time of analysis. Analysis of Instagram post content found that personnel and social function posts had significantly more likes than other categories. Posts with average Fitzpatrick type greater than or equal to III also had significantly more likes. Linear regression demonstrated a positive relationship between higher Doximity rank and number of followers; however, there was no clear relationship between rank and posts per week or engagement score.
Plastic surgery social media accounts may make a positive impact on followers. It is important to understand the factors that can increase engagement and broaden viewership. Tailoring posts based on content popularity and highlighting diversity may help to accomplish these goals.
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