A random effects sensitivity analysis for patient pathways model

In this paper, we present a random effects approach to modelling of patient pathways with an application to the neonatal unit of a large metropolitan hospital. This approach could be used to identify pathways such as those resulting in high probabilities of death/survival, and to estimate cost of care or length of stay. Patient-specific discharge probabilities could also be predicted as a function of the random effect. We also investigate the sensitivity of our modelling results to random effects distribution assumptions

Exponentiated Generalized Exponential Lomax Distribution with Its Associated Properties and Application

In this research, a five parameter Exponentiated Generalized Exponential lomax (EGEL) distribution was derived from Exponentiated Generalized Family (EGF) of distribution. we consider certain results characterizing the generalization of the derived Distribution through their distribution functions and asymptotic properties. The resulting Exponentiated Generalized Exponential  lomax was defined and some of the conventional properties like moment generating function, survival rate function, hazard rate function, , median, quantile, mean deviation, median deviation, skewness, kurtosis, Renyi and  entropy were investigated. The estimation of the model parameters was performed using maximum likelihood estimation method. The usefulness and flexibility of the new model is illustrated using real data. The distribution was found to generalize some known distributions thereby providing a great flexibility in modeling symmetric, heavy tailed, skewed and bimodal distributions, the use of the new lifetime distribution was illustrated using failure time life data. Keywords: Reversed Hazard function, Moment, Kurtosis, Odd function, skewness, and quantile function. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/14-1-01 Publication date: April 30th 202

4kUHD H264 Wireless Live Video Streaming Using CUDA

Ultrahigh definition video streaming has been explored in recent years. Most recently the possibility of 4kUHD video streaming over wireless 802.11n was presented, using preencoded video. Live encoding for streaming using x264 has proven to be very slow. The use of parallel encoding has been explored to speed up the process using CUDA. However there hasnot been a parallel implementation for video streaming. We therefore present for the first time a novel implementation of 4kUHD live encoding for streaming over a wireless network at low bitrate indoors, using CUDA for parallel H264 encoding. Our experimental results are used to verify our claim.</jats:p

EFFECTS OF SAMPLE SIZE RATIO ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE QUADRATIC DISCRIMINANT FUNCTION

This study investigated the performance of the heteroscedastic discriminant function under the non-optimal condition of unbalanced group representation in the populations. The asymptotic performance of the classification function with respect to increased Mahalanobis’ distance (under this condition) was considered. Results obtained have shown that the misclassification of observations from the smaller group escalates when the sample size ratio 1:2 is exceeded (for small sample sizes). Results also show more sensitivity to sample size than the distance function when the data set is balanced, while the performance of the function in the classification of the underrepresented group improved by increasing the distance function. More robustness with unbalanced data was also observed with the Quadratic Function than the Linear Discriminant Function. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp

Melatonin enhanced the restoration of biochemical profile in chlorambucil treated-rats: examination of after-withdrawal effects of the drug

Background: In the wake of global prevalence of different types of cancer, the widespread use of chemotherapy poses threat to the integrity of the reproductive system. Although chlorambucil (Chrm) has anti-calcinogenic action, its administration has been associated with reproductive damage. Similar to chlorambucil, melatonin has anti-cancerous effect. Moreover, the hormone is claimed to protect the reproductive tissues from the insult of different disruptors of their functionality and histoarchitecture. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of post-administration of melatonin in Chrm treated rats, with an interest in examining the after-withdrawal effects of the drug.Methods: Forty rats of ten animals per group were used for the study which lasted for six weeks. The control group received normal saline (vehicle; 0.1 ml/day, p.o.) for six weeks, while group 2 was administered saline for three weeks and then Chrm during the subsequent three weeks. However, in groups 3 and 4, Chrm was administered during the first three weeks; thereafter, they were administered saline and melatonin respectively during the subsequent three weeks. Chrm and melatonin were administered at 0.2 and 10 mg/kg b.w./day (p.o.) respectively.Results: The administration of Chrm significantly decreased gonadotrophin releasing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone and antioxidant enzymes, but significantly elevated pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory markers compared to the control group. Moreover, it was accompanied with selected significant alterations of semen parameters and lipid indices. However, restoration of baseline status of testosterone, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid, sperm count, and free fatty acid was simply enhanced by the withdrawal of the drug, while that of gonadotrophin releasing hormone, testosterone, semen parameters, superoxide dismutase, catalase, c-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was facilitated by the administration of melatonin.Conclusion: The restoration of biochemical profile after chlorambucil treatment could be enhanced by the administration of melatonin.Keywords: chlorambucil; melatonin; reproduction; toxicit

Patients flow: a mixed-effects modelling approach to predicting discharge probabilities

A mixed effects approach hereby introduced to patients flow and length of stay modelling. In, particular, a class of generalized linear mixed models has been used to demonstrate the usefulness of this approach. This modelling technique is used to capture individual patients experience during the process of care as represented by their pathways through the system. The approach could predict the probability of discharge from the system, as well as detect where the system may be going wrong

Nitrogen and weed management in transplanted tomato in the Nigerian forest-savanna transition zone

Weed infestation and inherent low soil fertility are among primary reasons for low yields of tomato in Nigeria. Field trials were carried out during the wet season of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate yield response of tomato to nitrogen (N) application and weed control methods in the forest-savanna transition zone of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Positive relationship exists between growth of weed species and increase in N application. Across the years of study, increase in N up to 90 kg/ha increased weed density by 11–25%, however, the increased N gave the transplanted tomato competitive advantage and thus enhanced weed smothering. Pre-transplant application of butachlor (50% w/v) or probaben® (metolachlor 20% w/v+prometryn 20% w/v) each at 2.0 kg a.i/ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT) significantly reduced weed density by at least 15% and increased fruit yield of tomato by at least 32%, compared to use of the pre-transplant herbicides alone, across both years of study. The greatest tomato fruit yield of 12.2 t/ha was obtained with pre-transplant application of butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i/ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 WAT, averaged for both years. In general, this study suggests that increased application of N up to 90 kg/ha, and complementary weed control by pre-transplant herbicide and hoe weeding at 6 WAT would improve yield of tomato in the forestsavanna transition zone of Nigeria

Effects of Sample Size Ratio on the Performance of the Quadratic Discriminant Function

This study investigated the performance of the heteroscedastic discriminant function under the non-optimal condition of unbalanced group representation in the populations. The asymptotic performance of the classification function with respect to increased Mahalanobis&rsquo; distance (under this condition) was considered. Results obtained have shown that the misclassification of observations from the smaller group escalates when the sample size ratio 1:2 is exceeded (for small sample sizes). Results also show more sensitivity to sample size than the distance function when the data set is balanced, while the performance of the function in the classification of the underrepresented group improved by increasing the distance function. More robustness with unbalanced data was also observed with the Quadratic Function than the Linear Discriminant Function