Applying a complex systems perspective to public health evaluation may increase the relevance and strength of evidence to improve health and reduce health inequalities. In this review of methods, we ...aimed to: (i) classify and describe different complex systems methods in evaluation applied to public health; and (ii) examine the kinds of evaluative evidence generated by these different methods.
We adapted critical review methods to identify evaluations of public health interventions that used systems methods. We conducted expert consultation, searched electronic databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science), and followed citations of relevant systematic reviews. Evaluations were included if they self-identified as using systems- or complexity-informed methods and if they evaluated existing or hypothetical public health interventions. Case studies were selected to illustrate different types of complex systems evaluation.
Seventy-four unique studies met our inclusion criteria. A framework was developed to map the included studies onto different stages of the evaluation process, which parallels the planning, delivery, assessment, and further delivery phases of the interventions they seek to inform; these stages include: 1) theorising; 2) prediction (simulation); 3) process evaluation; 4) impact evaluation; and 5) further prediction (simulation). Within this framework, we broadly categorised methodological approaches as mapping, modelling, network analysis and ‘system framing’ (the application of a complex systems perspective to a range of study designs). Studies frequently applied more than one type of systems method.
A range of complex systems methods can be utilised, adapted, or combined to produce different types of evaluative evidence. Further methodological innovation in systems evaluation may generate stronger evidence to improve health and reduce health inequalities in our complex world.
•Public health evaluators are interested in applying a complex systems perspective.•There is uncertainty about which methods to use and the findings they produce.•We reviewed the methods of complex systems evaluations in public health.•We developed a framework for complex systems methods and evaluation stages.•Further methodological development in this field is required.
•Neurodegenerative diseases are sometimes difficult to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms.•Computational methods and particularly, machine learning techniques, can help in their diagnosis, ...monitoring and treatment.•Machine learning techniques are used in literature for several diseases in an equivalent manner.•Identify gaps and potential future directions for the research of neurodegenerative diseases using machine learning techniques.
Neurodegenerative diseases have shown an increasing incidence in the older population in recent years. A significant amount of research has been conducted to characterize these diseases. Computational methods, and particularly machine learning techniques, are now very useful tools in helping and improving the diagnosis as well as the disease monitoring process. In this paper, we provide an in-depth review on existing computational approaches used in the whole neurodegenerative spectrum, namely for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Multiple System Atrophy. We propose a taxonomy of the specific clinical features, and of the existing computational methods. We provide a detailed analysis of the various modalities and decision systems employed for each disease. We identify and present the sleep disorders which are present in various diseases and which represent an important asset for onset detection. We overview the existing data set resources and evaluation metrics. Finally, we identify current remaining open challenges and discuss future perspectives.
Deep Code Comment Generation Hu, Xing; Li, Ge; Xia, Xin ...
2018 IEEE/ACM 26th International Conference on Program Comprehension (ICPC)
Conference Proceeding
Odprti dostop
During software maintenance, code comments help developers comprehend programs and reduce additional time spent on reading and navigating source code. Unfortunately, these comments are often ...mismatched, missing or outdated in the software projects. Developers have to infer the functionality from the source code. This paper proposes a new approach named DeepCom to automatically generate code comments for Java methods. The generated comments aim to help developers understand the functionality of Java methods. DeepCom applies Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to learn from a large code corpus and generates comments from learned features. We use a deep neural network that analyzes structural information of Java methods for better comments generation. We conduct experiments on a large-scale Java corpus built from 9,714 open source projects from GitHub. We evaluate the experimental results on a machine translation metric. Experimental results demonstrate that our method DeepCom outperforms the state-of-the-art by a substantial margin.
Research demonstrates lower school participation in children with sensory disorders. However, the scientific body of evidence supporting existing sensory intervention modalities is difficult to ...tackle. More specifically, the literature appears poorly organized, with a highly variable terminology, often with nonoverlapping definitions and lack of good keywords classification that would help organize the diversity of approaches. This systematic review organizes the body of evidence for 3 specific approaches (sensory based, sensorimotor, and sensory integration) and questions their efficacy in improving school participation for children with sensory disorders. Two methods were compared: first, a standard systematic review of the literature in 3 databases using appropriate keywords and descriptors, then an original method based on forward and backward citation connections. A total of 28 studies were retrieved, of which only 7 used the standard method for systematic reviews. For sensory-based approaches, the efficacy of weighted-vest varies according to different factors such as the protocol of use. For sensorimotor approaches, the efficacy of therapy balls, air cushions, platform swing, and physical exercise varies according to the child’s sensory characteristics. The efficacy of the sensory integration approach remains mixed across studies.
The detection limit (LD) and the quantification limit (LQ) are important parameters in the validation process. Estimation of these parameters is especially important when trace and ultra-trace ...quantities of analyte are to be detected. When the apparatus response from the analyte is below the detection limit, it does not necessarily mean that the analyte is not present in the sample. It may be a message that the analyte concentration could be below the detection capabilities of the instrument or analytical method. By using a more sensitive detector or a different analytical method it is possible to quantitatively determine the analyte in a given sample. The terms associated with detection capabilities have been present in the scientific literature for at least the past 100years. Numerous terms, definitions and approaches to calculations have been presented during that time period. This paper is an attempt to collect and summarize the principal approaches to the definition and calculation of detection and quantification abilities published from the beginning of 20th century up until the present. Some of the most important methods are described in detail. Furthermore, the authors would like to popularize the knowledge of metrology in chemistry, particularly that part of it which concerns validation of the analytical procedure.
Display omitted
•Review of over a century of detection capabilities history in analytical chemistry.•We show principal LD and LQ definitions published from at least the past 100years.•Paying attention to new trends in the subject of matter.
Porosity is important because it reflects the presence of oil reserves. Hence, the number of underground reserves and a direct influence on the essential petrophysical parameters, such as ...permeability and saturation, are related to connected pores. Also, the selection of perforation interval and recommended drilling additional infill wells. For the estimation two distinct methods are used to obtain the results: the first method is based on conventional equations that utilize porosity logs. In contrast, the second approach relies on statistical methods based on making matrices dependent on rock and fluid composition and solving the equations (matrices) instantaneously. In which records have entered as equations, and the matrix is solved in one step, the porosity, saturation, and volume of minerals embedded inside the rock formations were obtained. The results indicated that the porosity was determined using statistical and conventional approaches matched to the core porosity. In the end, statistical techniques afford a different path for calculation and provide outcomes that can be used in all situations, particularly when the rock has many types of components. Furthermore, it is not based on conventional equations and overcomes the problems coming from the unreliability of porosity logs in formations containing mixed minerals.
Indole, widely recognized as a versatile category of heterocyclic frameworks that contain nitrogen is extensively employed in the synthesis of various organic compounds due to their diverse utility. ...The agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors demand novel and effective synthetic methodologies for indole derivatives owing to their diverse array of applications. Moreover, this scaffold has significant advantages in the field of drug discovery due to its diverse range of applications, including antiviral, antifungal, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, and anti-oxidant properties. In this context, several efforts have been made to synthesize indole derivatives. Nevertheless, the application of Lewis acids or bases, along with transition-metal catalysts, in these methodologies does not adhere to the principles and goals of green chemistry. In the current era, there has been a significant focus on the research and development of innovative environmentally-friendly methodologies for synthesizing indole derivatives. This review examines the progress achieved in the domain of environmentally sustainable synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane and 3,3-bis(1H-indol-3-yl) derivatives over the past three years.
Display omitted
The skin offers an accessible and convenient site for the administration of medications. To this end, the field of transdermal drug delivery, aimed at developing safe and efficacious means of ...delivering medications across the skin, has in the past and continues to garner much time and investment with the continuous advancement of new and innovative approaches. This review details the progress and current status of the transdermal drug delivery field and describes numerous pharmaceutical developments which have been employed to overcome limitations associated with skin delivery systems. Advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches are detailed, commercially marketed products are highlighted and particular attention is paid to the emerging field of microneedle technologies.
Karl Polanyi has been an influential but also somewhat elusive figure in economic geography. Best known for his evocative notion of social embeddedness, it is perhaps fitting that Polanyi's presence ...has been more metaphorical than substantive. The paper asks what a more engaged Polanyian economic geography might look like. Focusing on methodological affinities, a response is developed in terms of a commitment to the substantivist (as opposed to formal) analysis of actually existing economic formations, together with a more purposive embrace of institutionalism, holism, and comparativism.
The past two decades have seen a rise in university laboratory accidents in China. Although there is a growing awareness due to higher reporting and media coverage, the evaluation and understanding ...of common hazards and deficiencies in university laboratories remains to be addressed. Aiming to enhance safety in laboratory-related activities, this study analyzed the current status and challenges of university laboratory safety in China and presented future directions to reduce accidents using engineering and administrative controls. A descriptive statistical analysis of 110 publicly reported university laboratory accidents in mainland China since 2000 was performed to investigate the proximate causes of the accidents, and further, to identify potential deficiencies existing in the current safety management of laboratories. It was found that human factors were the most contributing cause and the training element was a vulnerable competency in laboratory safety management. Based on the results, a comparative analysis between the underlying reasons for the poor safety situation and the efforts that have been made has brought the challenges and possible solutions for safety improvements in university laboratories. By suggesting top-down and bottom-up approaches, the present study provides valuable insights and serves as a reference for universities and relevant authorities to enhance safety in university laboratories.
•110 publicly reported university laboratory accidents were collected and analyzed.•Administrative efforts for enhancing laboratory safety management were reviewed.•Challenges raised from the analysis emphasized the need for bottom-up approaches.•Comparison between current status and efforts drove future directions.
PDF
