Over the last few decades, there has been significant interest in the automatic analysis of respiratory sounds. However, currently there are no publicly available large databases with which new ...algorithms can be evaluated and compared. Further developments in the field are dependent on the creation of such databases.
This paper describes a public respiratory sound database, which was compiled for an international competition, the first scientific challenge of the IFMBE's International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics. The database includes 920 recordings acquired from 126 participants and two sets of annotations. One set contains 6898 annotated respiratory cycles, some including crackles, wheezes, or a combination of both, and some with no adventitious respiratory sounds. In the other set, precise locations of 10 775 events of crackles and wheezes were annotated.
The best system that participated in the challenge achieved an average score of 52.5% with the respiratory cycle annotations and an average score of 91.2% with the event annotations.
The creation and public release of this database will be useful to the research community and could bring attention to the respiratory sound classification problem.
(1) Background: Patients with respiratory conditions typically exhibit adventitious respiratory sounds (ARS), such as wheezes and crackles. ARS events have variable duration. In this work we studied ...the influence of event duration on automatic ARS classification, namely, how the creation of the
class (negative class) affected the classifiers' performance. (2) Methods: We conducted a set of experiments where we varied the durations of the other events on three tasks: crackle vs. wheeze vs. other (
); crackle vs. other (
); and wheeze vs. other (
). Four classifiers (linear discriminant analysis, support vector machines, boosted trees, and convolutional neural networks) were evaluated on those tasks using an open access respiratory sound database. (3) Results: While on the
task with fixed durations, the best classifier achieved an accuracy of 96.9%, the same classifier reached an accuracy of 81.8% on the more realistic
task with variable durations. (4) Conclusion: These results demonstrate the importance of experimental design on the assessment of the performance of automatic ARS classification algorithms. Furthermore, they also indicate, unlike what is stated in the literature, that the automatic classification of ARS is not a solved problem, as the algorithms' performance decreases substantially under complex evaluation scenarios.
A design for tokenization in governmental investment Silva, Romildo; Marques, Rui Pedro; Inácio, Helena
International journal of accounting and information management,
01/2024, Volume:
32, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the possible efficiency gains in using tokenization for the execution of public expenditure on governmental investments.
Design/methodology/approach
...Through design science research methodology, the exploratory research produced a tokenized prototype in the blockchain, through the Ernst and Young OpsChain traceability solution, allowing automated processes in the stages of public expense. A focus group composed of auditors from the public sector evaluated the possibility of improving the quality of information available in the audited entities, where the tokens created represent and register the actions of public agents in the blockchain Polygon.
Findings
The consensus of the experts in the focus group indicated that the use of tokenization could improve the quality of the information, since the possibility of recording the activities of public agents in the metadata of the tokens at each stage of the execution of the expenditure allows the audited entities the advantages of the information recorded on the blockchain, according to the following ranking: first the immutability of audited data, followed by reliability, transparency, accessibility and efficiency of data structures.
Originality/value
This research makes an empirical contribution to the real use of tokenization in blockchain technology to the public sector through a value chain in which tokens were created and moved between the wallets of public agents to represent, register and track the operations regarding public expense execution.
Background
Nursing Activities Score (NAS) is a promising tool for calculating the nursing workload in intensive care units (ICU). However, data on intensive care nursing activities in Portugal are ...practically non‐existent.
Aim
To assess the nursing workload in a Portuguese ICU using the NAS.
Study Design
Retrospective cohort study developed throughout the analysis of the electronic health record database from 56 adult patients admitted to a six‐bed Portuguese ICU between 1 June–31 August 2020. The nursing workload was assessed by the Portuguese version of the NAS. The study was approved by the Hospital Council Board and Ethics Committee. The study report followed the STROBE guidelines.
Results
The average occupancy rate was 73.55% (±16.60%). The average nursing workload per participant was 67.52 (±10.91) points. There was a correlation between the occupancy rate and the nursing workload. In 35.78% of the days, the nursing workload was higher than the available human resources, overloading nurse staffing/team.
Conclusions
The nursing workload reported follows the trend of the international studies and the results reinforce the importance of adjusting the nursing staffing to the complexity of nursing care in this ICU. This study highlighted periods of nursing workload that could compromise patient safety.
Relevance to Clinical Practice
This was one of the first studies carried out with the NAS after its cross‐cultural adaptation and validation for the Portuguese population. The nursing workload at the patient level was higher in the first 24 h of ICU stays. Because of the ‘administrative and management activities’ related to the ‘patient discharge procedures’, the last 24 h of ICU stays also presented high levels of nursing workload. The implementation of a nurse‐to‐patient ratio of 1:1 may contribute to safer nurse staffing and to improve patient safety in this Tertiary (level 3) ICU.
Purpose: Few studies in the literature address the success of enterprise Information Systems (IS) projects, namely focusing on how success is influenced by project management practices. This research ...studied the impact of ISO 21500/PMBOK processes on the success of IS projects, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of management practices importance in the context of this type of projects. Design/methodology/approach: An international survey was used to collect data, which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The results show higher levels of success than usually reported in the literature. Furthermore, this research shows that overall success is strongly influenced by ISO/PMBOK project management processes, thus reinforcing the relevance of competent project management to improve the results of IS projects. Originality: Focusing on the specific case of IS projects, this study shows that higher levels of success are achieved by organizations with higher project management maturity.
Recently, the communication paradigm has been changing in society in the higher education context because of the ease of access to the Internet and the high number of mobile devices. Thus, ...universities have increased their interest in accepting different and sophisticated communication technologies to improve student participation in the educational process. This study aimed to assess how students and teachers use communication technologies to communicate with each other and what their expectations, satisfaction, and attitudes regarding the results of this use are. An analysis model was used in a case study at the University of Aveiro to support the study. Data were obtained through an online questionnaire, which collected 570 responses from students and 172 responses from teachers. These data were processed through descriptive statistics techniques and inference tests (t-tests). The primary outcomes are that publishing and sharing technologies and electronic mail are the most commonly used communication technologies by students and teachers, suggesting that their use will not decline soon. However, other communication technologies were also revealed to be widely used and accepted, with excellent levels of confirmation of expectation.
Purpose
Uncertainty exists regarding Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with cetuximab or ...bevacizumab. We conducted a prospective cohort study comparing PROs and HRQoL from both therapies.
Methods
We assessed PROs and HRQoL from patients treated with cetuximab or bevacizumab using QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires at three sequential time points, including baseline. Global Health Status (GHS), functional and symptom scales, and Overall Treatment Utility (derived from clinical and patient-reported outcomes) were compared for the two treatment strategies.
Results
Between January 2017 and April 2018, 44 patients were allocated to cetuximab (
n
= 19) or bevacizumab (
n
= 25). Except for RAS mutation status, patient baseline characteristics were generally well balanced across treatment groups. A higher proportion of patients experienced a deterioration in GHS (≥ 10%) in cetuximab arm − 53.8% (95% CI 25.1–80.8%) at 6 weeks and 66.7% (95% CI 29.9–92.5%) at 12 weeks—comparing to bevacizumab cohort: 18.2% (95% CI 5.2–40.3%) at 6 weeks and 12.5% (95% CI:1.6–38.3%) at 12 weeks. Treatment utility rates at 6 and 12 weeks were, respectively, 88.6% and 69.8% for bevacizumab, compared to 49% and 19.1% for cetuximab (
p
= 0.004), a difference confirmed in subset analyses.
Conclusions
In patients with mCRC, cetuximab-containing regimens led to a progressive negative impact on PROs and global HRQoL, when compared to baseline and bevacizumab. Future research is needed to confirm these results. Our findings demonstrate the value of PROs when assessing comparative effectiveness of different treatment regimens.
A crushed concrete aggregate, processed from construction and demolition waste and a siderurgical aggregate, processed from electric arc furnace steel slag, were selected based on their very high ...availability worldwide and known technical feasibility to be used in construction works. Given the association of their presence to the possibility of reducing the drainage capacity of unbound granular layers of road pavements and drainage structures which they may be associated with, there are studies and regulations that do not recommend their use. The causes that are at the origin of restrictions are mainly the possibility of formation of tufa and recementation phenomena. This behaviour has also hampered their recycling in drainage structures of geotechnical works. Therefore, it was considered that it would be relevant to investigate the drainage capacity of those recycled aggregates, using a leachate produced in a municipal solid waste landfill and tap water. To reference their behaviour, two natural aggregates, a basalt and a limestone, were also studied under identical test conditions. The results obtained showed no reduction in the drainage capacity of the recycled aggregates, similarly to what was observed with the natural aggregates. The possibility of building drainage structures with the tested aggregates is verified.
The concept of sustainable development (SD) was introduced in the “Our Common Future” report, launched in 1987, which influenced the emergence of many studies related to the role played by ...organizations as actors supporting SD. SD is a consolidated concept; however, since 1987, many political, social, and natural events have occurred on our planet, which have impacted companies’ behaviors. However, the diversity of research from different fields has provoked, among the academic community, a lack of clarity surrounding “sustainability” (S), “corporate sustainability” (CS) and “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) concepts. This lack of clarity can also be identified in companies, which have referred to “sustainability” only in the environmental field. Recently, increased discussions related to corporate sustainability metrics have shed light on the ESG criteria (environmental, social, and governance), increasing misperceptions associated with the concept. Ambiguous definitions and constructs may prevent managers from identifying sustainability goals for their companies. Therefore, literature reviews as a research method are more relevant than ever. Thus, in this work, we aim to answer the following question: How should we integrate different perspectives on corporate sustainability, in order to broaden the understanding of the concept? In this study, we conducted a focused bibliographic review and revisited the papers that most influenced the construction of the concepts. The information in this paper is helpful to improve the understanding of CS; to provide specific insights into the studies that have investigated this field; to help managers and entrepreneurs who are improving CS actions in their companies; and to support academia by putting together a large amount of information about this theme in one paper.
Introduction. Health Observatories have gained global popularity and have been established worldwide since the 1970s. With the advent of the Semantic Web, machines can process, reuse, integrate and ...understand the meaning (semantics) of the information and knowledge on the World Wide Web to perform complex tasks. Objective. To propose a health observatory conceptual model based on Semantic Web in order to assist in the design, development and implementation processes of a Health Observatory. Methods. The proposed model was based on a conceptual analysis that include Semantic Web technologies narrative review, multi-layer software architecture and an integrative review of Health Observatories. Results. The proposed Health Observatory conceptual model consists of a chain of several related components based on information technology multi-layer architecture, Semantic Web technologies, Health Observatories stakeholders and key concepts. Conclusion. The proposed model can provide opportunities for the development and implementation of new observatories or for the adequacy of existing Health Observatories.
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