Nevin Manimala

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 14;16(12):e0260995. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260995. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

In this work, we proposed a hybrid pointer network (HPN), an end-to-end deep reinforcement learning architecture is provided to tackle the travelling salesman problem (TSP). HPN builds upon graph pointer networks, an extension of pointer networks with an additional graph embedding layer. HPN combines the graph embedding layer with the transformer’s encoder to produce multiple embeddings for the feature context. We conducted extensive experimental work to compare HPN and Graph pointer network (GPN). For the sack of fairness, we used the same setting as proposed in GPN paper. The experimental results show that our network significantly outperforms the original graph pointer network for small and large-scale problems. For example, it reduced the cost for travelling salesman problems with 50 cities/nodes (TSP50) from 5.959 to 5.706 without utilizing 2opt. Moreover, we solved benchmark instances of variable sizes using HPN and GPN. The cost of the solutions and the testing times are compared using Linear mixed effect models. We found that our model yields statistically significant better solutions in terms of the total trip cost. We make our data, models, and code publicly available https://github.com/AhmedStohy/Hybrid-Pointer-Networks.

PMID:34905571 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260995

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 14;16(12):e0260854. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260854. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

The present study is related to the analytical investigation of the magnetohydrodynamic flow of Ag – MgO/ water hybrid nanoliquid with slip conditions via an extending surface. The thermal radiation and Joule heating effects are incorporated within the existing hybrid nanofluid model. The system of higher-order partial differential equations is converted to the nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations by interpreting the similarity transformations. With the implementation of a strong analytical method called HAM, the solution of resulting higher-order ordinary differential equations is obtained. The results of the skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, velocity profile, and temperature profile of the hybrid nanofluid for varying different flow parameters are attained in the form of graphs and tables. Some important outcomes showed that the Nusselt number and skin friction are increased with the enhancement in Eckert number, stretching parameter, heat generation parameter and radiation parameter for both slip and no-slip conditions. The thermal profile of the hybrid nanofluid is higher for suction effect but lower for Eckert number, stretching parameter, magnetic field, heat generation and radiation parameter. For both slip and no-slip conditions, the hybrid nanofluid velocity shows an upward trend for both the stretching and mixed convection parameters.

PMID:34905556 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260854

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 14;16(12):e0261245. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261245. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

The scandals in publicly listed companies have highlighted the large losses that can result from financial statement fraud and weak corporate governance. Machine learning techniques have been applied to automatically detect financial statement fraud with great success. This work presents the first application of a Bayesian inference approach to the problem of predicting the audit outcomes of financial statements of local government entities using financial ratios. Bayesian logistic regression (BLR) with automatic relevance determination (BLR-ARD) is applied to predict audit outcomes. The benefit of using BLR-ARD, instead of BLR without ARD, is that it allows one to automatically determine which input features are the most relevant for the task at hand, which is a critical aspect to consider when designing decision support systems. This work presents the first implementation of BLR-ARD trained with Separable Shadow Hamiltonian Hybrid Monte Carlo, No-U-Turn sampler, Metropolis Adjusted Langevin Algorithm and Metropolis-Hasting algorithms. Unlike the Gibbs sampling procedure that is typically employed in sampling from ARD models, in this work we jointly sample the parameters and the hyperparameters by putting a log normal prior on the hyperparameters. The analysis also shows that the repairs and maintenance as a percentage of total assets ratio, current ratio, debt to total operating revenue, net operating surplus margin and capital cost to total operating expenditure ratio are the important features when predicting local government audit outcomes using financial ratios. These results could be of use for auditors as focusing on these ratios could potentially speed up the detection of fraudulent behaviour in municipal entities, and improve the speed and quality of the overall audit.

PMID:34905553 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0261245

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Dec 14;15(12):e0009993. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009993. eCollection 2021 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is considered an endemic disease among agricultural workers in Okinawa Prefecture, which is the southernmost part of Japan and has a subtropical climate, but data on the current status and trend of this disease are scarce.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a retrospective study of clinically suspected leptospirosis patients whose sample and information were sent to the Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment from November 2003 to December 2020. Laboratory diagnosis was established using culture, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and/or urine samples. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the epidemiological information, clinical features, and sensitivities of diagnostic methods among laboratory-confirmed cases. Serogroups and the species of Leptospira isolates were determined by MAT using 13 antisera and flaB sequencing. A total of 531 clinically suspected patients were recruited, among whom 246 (46.3%) were laboratory confirmed to have leptospirosis. Among the confirmed cases, patients aged 20-29 years (22.4%) and male patients (85.7%) were the most common. The most common estimated sources of infection were recreation (44.5%) and labor (27.8%) in rivers. Approximately half of the isolates were of the L. interrogans serogroup Hebdomadis. The main clinical symptoms were fever (97.1%), myalgia (56.3%), and conjunctival hyperemia (52.2%). Headache occurred significantly more often in patients with Hebdomadis serogroup infections than those with other serogroup infections. The sensitivities of culture and PCR exceeded 65% during the first 6 days, while the sensitivity of MAT surpassed that of culture and PCR in the second week after onset. PCR using blood samples was a preferable method for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study will support clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated febrile patients in Okinawa Prefecture as well as patients returning from Okinawa Prefecture.

PMID:34905535 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009993

Optom Vis Sci. 2021 Dec 1;98(12):1394-1399. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001811.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: We report 13 patients who received ocriplasmin for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion. Farnsworth-Munsell 100 (FM 100) hue test total error score (TES) increased from baseline to month 1, before recovering at year 1. Ocriplasmin may alter hue discrimination.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether intravitreal ocriplasmin affects hue discrimination.

METHODS: Thirteen patients with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion received intravitreal ocriplasmin 125 μg. Patients underwent full ocular examination, optical coherence tomography, and FM 100 hue test at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year.

RESULTS: Mean age was 74.8 years. The median baseline FM 100 TES was similar in the injected and fellow eyes (272 vs. 252, respectively). Median TES in the injected eye increased from 272 to 348 at 1 week (median difference compared with baseline, +52.0; 98.8% confidence interval of difference, -64.0 to 184.0; P = .29), decreased to 324 at 1 month (median difference compared with baseline, -4.0; 98.8% confidence interval of difference, -44.0 to 256.0; P = .40), and decreased to 268 at 1 year (median difference compared with baseline, -108.0; 93.8% confidence interval of difference, -200.0 to 52.0; P = .19). Two patients (15.4%) had anatomic release of vitreomacular adhesion, occurring within 1 month of injection.

CONCLUSIONS: Ocriplasmin may alter hue discrimination, but larger studies are required to provide sufficient power to detect or exclude a statistically significant effect. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the duration of any effect.

PMID:34905526 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001811

Optom Vis Sci. 2021 Dec 1;98(12):1340-1347. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001817.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: Both consumers and eye care practitioners need to know how well online optical vendors conform with the accepted standards for quality and safety. We found that almost 1 in 10 prescriptions failed to meet national standards, which is a significant improvement over previous studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and repeatability of spectacle lens prescriptions ordered from a sample of online vendors.

METHODS: Spectacle lens prescriptions were ordered by paid participants with no optical training who were masked to the study objectives. The prescription powers ordered (sphere, cylinder, and axis) were statistically sampled from 1000 previously filled prescriptions. A total of 100 orders were placed with each of three online vendors that included a range of high- and low-powered single vision lenses and progressive addition lenses, and duplicate orders to assess repeatability. An independent certified testing laboratory was contracted to assess conformance with voluntary consensus standards (ANSI Z80.1-2015) and Food and Drug Administration drop-ball safety testing. Lenses not meeting these standards were counted as failures.

RESULTS: The overall failure rates for the three vendors were 11.2 ± 3.2% (vendor A), 8.0 ± 2.7% (vendor B), and 8.2 ± 2.8% (vendor C). The repeatability for 20 prescriptions ordered five times from each vendor was high, with correlation coefficients greater than 90%. There were no observed lens impact failures.

CONCLUSIONS: Almost 1 in 10 spectacle lens prescriptions ordered from three online vendors failed to meet national standards for optical quality. Additional studies are needed to assess eyewear ordered online for other important patient-specific variables that can influence visual performance and ultimate acceptability of prescription eyewear, such as lens placement relative to the visual axis, frame fit, and cosmetic acceptability.

PMID:34905522 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001817

Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2021 Nov-Dec 01;10(6):579-589. doi: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000464.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for the development of any and referable diabetic eye disease in a multi-ethnic New Zealand population with diabetes mellitus attending a regional retinal screening service.

METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of people living with diabetes who attended the Auckland Regional Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme 2006-2018 inclusive (n = 41,786).

RESULTS: Any retinopathy/maculopathy was present at first screening for 48.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 45.8%-50.6%] / 37.8% (95% CI: 35.5%- 40.1%) of people with Type 1 and 25% (95% CI: 24.6%-25.4%) / 21.9% (95% CI: 21.5%-22.3%) with Type 2 diabetes. Referable retinopathy at baseline screening was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.6%-5.3%) and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.5%-1.7%) among people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, respectively. After 4 years, cumulative incidence for referable retinopathy /referable maculopathy was 12/36 per 1000 people with Type 1 and 2.4/16 per 1000 people with Type 2 diabetes. Independent hazards for disease progression varied for the diabetes cohort types but baseline grade, duration of diabetes, and HbA1c were common to all.

CONCLUSIONS: Referable diabetic eye disease at the first screening and after 4 years of follow-up is uncommon. Lengthening of the screening intervals for people with no or mild diabetic eye disease at first screening assessment could be considered.

PMID:34905518 | DOI:10.1097/APO.0000000000000464

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2021 Dec 10. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of SLE flares with patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) using real-world data.

METHODS: Rheumatologists from the USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy provided demographic, clinical, and HCRU data for patients with SLE, who provided PRO data. “Flaring” was defined as ≥1 rheumatologist-reported flare in the past 12 months. Demographic/clinical data were analysed descriptively, and findings compared statistically by flaring status. Logistic regression estimated a propensity score for flaring based on ethnicity, disease duration, and severity at diagnosis. Propensity score-matched flaring and non-flaring patients were compared for their HCRU, PROs, income loss and treatment satisfaction.

RESULTS: Physicians (n=263) provided data for 1,278 patients (408 flaring/870 non-flaring); 729 patients (241 flaring/488 non-flaring) provided matched patient data. Patients had a mean 2.1 flares in the previous 12 months. Propensity score matched analyses indicated worse outcomes and greater HCRU in the past 12 months in flaring than non-flaring patients: EuroQoL 5D-3L Utility Index: 0.72 vs. 0.83; Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale: 30.06 vs. 36.48; Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Index: absenteeism 5.87% vs. 2.53% / presenteeism 33.44% vs. 19.16% / overall work impairment 35.98% vs. 20.66% / total activity impairment 42.47% vs. 30.23%; healthcare consultations (8.10 vs. 6.41), hospitalisations (24.26 vs. 7.63), emergency department visits (20.83 vs. 4.19), tests (46.59 vs. 38.90); current medications (2.76 vs. 2.19) (all p<0.001 except absenteeism, p=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS: Similar flaring SLE patients had worse PROs and higher HCRU than non-flaring patients, underscoring the need for more effective strategies and treatments to alleviate or prevent flaring.

PMID:34905485

J Can Dent Assoc. 2021 Oct;87:l12.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This investigation aimed to determine whether fluoride concentration in water at the user endpoint remains the same as at the adjusted source, i.e., water treatment facilities.

METHODS: Daycares in Alberta, Canada, were used as the endpoint to measure fluoride concentration. They were randomly selected from a list of 400 licensed daycares provided by the Ministry of Children’s Services. All water samples collected from the daycares were sent to the accredited Alberta Centre for Toxicology (ACFT) for analysis within 7 days of collection. ACFT used ion chromatography to determine fluoride concentration levels. Statistics analyses were conducted using the software SPSS 25.

RESULTS: Water samples were collected from 141 daycares in 35 municipalities. In municipalities that adjust fluoride content, public water is supplied by 8 Alberta Environment & Parks regulated water systems. Fluoride concentration in water samples examined at the endpoint ranged from 0.58 mg/L to 0.79 mg/L. The differences between fluoride concentration at the water treatment facilities and the daycares ranged from -0.03 to 0.22 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the concentration of fluoride adjusted at water treatment facilities in Alberta is maintained at endpoints at the approximate optimal level of 0.7 mg/L.

PMID:34905477

J Can Dent Assoc. 2021 Sep;87:l11.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In most North American jurisdictions, guidelines for use of biologic indicators (BIs) in general dental practice have recommended testing at least weekly. However, in 2011, Alberta mandated a change to daily testing, and other provinces have adopted similar protocols. This study of general dental practices in Alberta assessed factors related to implementation of the changed requirement.

METHODS: A survey of 705 randomly selected dental offices queried factors related to implementation of the daily BI testing protocol, including the number of positive test results. We compared findings to analogous data from external laboratory BI tests obtained on a weekly or monthly basis over the preceding 10 years.

RESULTS: The response rate was a 32.6%. The survey results indicated almost complete compliance with the daily testing requirement and a universal shift to in-office testing. A commensurate 76-fold increase in testing was accompanied by a 15-fold decrease in positive results compared with previous laboratory data. However, although not statistically significant, more offices identified defective sterilizer function through internal testing compared with less-frequent external laboratory testing (5.7% vs 3.2%). The offices reporting positive test results had a significantly higher mean number of repeat positive tests (internal 3.1, SD 1.9 vs. external 1.1, SD 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS: The daily testing requirement was accompanied by a concomitant universal shift from external laboratory to internal office testing. A large decline in the rate of positive testing results was observed, although possibly more offices identified defective sterilizer function.

PMID:34905475