Disparities in Hospital Services Utilization Among Patients with Mental Health Issues: A Statewide Example Examining Insurance Status and Race Factors from 1999-2010

There exist many disconnects between the mental and general health care sectors. However, a goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 is to change this by improving insurance access and the intersection of mental and general health care. As insurance status intersects with race, the present study examines how race, insurance status, and hospital mental health services utilization differ across groups within the state of New Jersey. The present study aims to determine trends in hospital mental health care utilization by insurance status and race from 1999 to 2010. The rate of self-pay for mental health disorders in the Black population was significantly higher than the rate for Whites and Asians during this period. However, though Asian mental health utilization increased the most over the 11-year period, the Asian population had the slowest growth in self-pay rates. ANOVA tests demonstrated significant differences in the rate of self-pay mental health cases between race groups (

Socio-Technical Perspective on Managing Type II Diabetes

Social attributes such as education level, family history or place of residence all place a strong role in the probability of a person developing type II diabetes later in life. The aim of this paper is to develop a knowledge system based to use social attributes to estimate the prevalence of type II diabetes in a given area in Australia to support public health policymaking. The focus of this paper is towards answering the research question How can social determinants associated with type II diabetes, be used to incrementally develop a supporting knowledge-based system (KBS)? The contribution of this paper is two folds: 1. The problem domain is analysed and a suitable KBS development framework is chosen 2. A prototype is developed and presented. Initial results with preliminary data confirm the validity of the approach

Cervicothoracic spinal cord and pontomedullary injury secondary to high-voltage electrocution: a case report

INTRODUCTION: High-voltage electrical injuries are uncommonly reported and may predispose to both immediate and delayed neurologic complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 43-year-old Caucasian man who experienced a high-voltage electrocution injury resulting in ischemic myelopathy and secondary paraparesis. CONCLUSION: High-voltage electrocution injuries are a serious problem with potential for both immediate and delayed neurologic sequelae. The existing literature regarding effective treatment of neurologic complications is limited. Long-term follow-up and multidisciplinary management of these patients is required

Enhanced group-based wireless ad-hoc sensor network protocol

[EN] Communication is the major energy consumption source in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks. Thus, an efficient tradeoff between the energy cost of the communication and network's performance is a key challenge in conceiving a wireless ad-hoc sensor network. In this article, we propose an improved group-based architecture for wireless ad-hoc sensor networks. An optimized group forming procedure and an efficient communication operation are introduced. In order to validate the proposed approach, we suggest a group-based strategy to monitor pharmaceutical drugs during transportation. Real measurements of temperature and vibration were performed to validate the effectiveness of our approach.Khedher, M.; Lloret, J.; Douik, A. (2016). Enhanced group-based wireless ad-hoc sensor network protocol. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks. 12(7):1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550147716659427S118127Dargie, W., & Poellabauer, C. (2010). Fundamentals of Wireless Sensor Networks. doi:10.1002/9780470666388Singh, S. P., & Sharma, S. C. (2015). A Survey on Cluster Based Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks. Procedia Computer Science, 45, 687-695. doi:10.1016/j.procs.2015.03.133Liao, Y., Qi, H., & Li, W. (2013). Load-Balanced Clustering Algorithm With Distributed Self-Organization for Wireless Sensor Networks. IEEE Sensors Journal, 13(5), 1498-1506. doi:10.1109/jsen.2012.2227704Peng, I.-H., & Chen, Y.-W. (2013). Energy consumption bounds analysis and its applications for grid based wireless sensor networks. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 36(1), 444-451. doi:10.1016/j.jnca.2012.04.014Lloret, J., Garcia, M., Tomás, J., & Boronat, F. (2008). GBP-WAHSN: A Group-Based Protocol for Large Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks. Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 23(3), 461-480. doi:10.1007/s11390-008-9147-6Lloret, J., García, M., Boronat, F., & Tomás, J. (s. f.). MANET Protocols Performance in Group-based Networks. IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, 161-172. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-84839-6_13Lloret, J., Garcia, M., & Tomas, J. (s. f.). Improving Mobile and Ad-hoc Networks performance using Group-Based Topologies. Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks II, 209-220. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-09441-0_18Lloret, J., Palau, C., Boronat, F., & Tomas, J. (2008). Improving networks using group-based topologies. Computer Communications, 31(14), 3438-3450. doi:10.1016/j.comcom.2008.05.030Garcia, M., Sendra, S., Lloret, J., & Canovas, A. (2011). Saving energy and improving communications using cooperative group-based Wireless Sensor Networks. Telecommunication Systems, 52(4), 2489-2502. doi:10.1007/s11235-011-9568-3Garcia, M., & Lloret, J. (2009). A Cooperative Group-Based Sensor Network for Environmental Monitoring. Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering, 276-279. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-04265-2_41Shaikh, R. A., Jameel, H., d’ Auriol, B. J., Heejo Lee, Sungyoung Lee, & Young-Jae Song. (2009). Group-Based Trust Management Scheme for Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks. IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, 20(11), 1698-1712. doi:10.1109/tpds.2008.258Chen, Y.-S., Hsu, C.-S., & Lee, H.-K. (2014). An Enhanced Group Mobility Protocol for 6LoWPAN-Based Wireless Body Area Networks. IEEE Sensors Journal, 14(3), 797-807. doi:10.1109/jsen.2013.2287895Yao-Chung Chang, Zhi-Sheng Lin, & Jiann-Liang Chen. (2006). Cluster based self-organization management protocols for wireless sensor networks. IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, 52(1), 75-80. doi:10.1109/tce.2006.1605028Fazio, P., De Rango, F., Sottile, C., & Santamaria, A. F. (2013). Routing Optimization in Vehicular Networks: A New Approach Based on Multiobjective Metrics and Minimum Spanning Tree. International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks, 9(11), 598675. doi:10.1155/2013/598675Saravanan, M., & Madheswaran, M. (2014). A Hybrid Optimized Weighted Minimum Spanning Tree for the Shortest Intrapath Selection in Wireless Sensor Network. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2014, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2014/71342

Seismic characterization of reservoirs with variable fracture spacing by double focusing Gaussian beams

Fractured reservoirs account for a majority of the oil production worldwide and often have low recovery rate. Fracture characterization is important in building reservoir flow models for enhanced oil recovery. Information about fracture orientation, fracture spacing, and fracture compliances is essential. When a fracture network consisting of multiple sets of fractures with variable fracture spacing/orientation is present, we have to determine the spatial information about them as this may represent important connectivity information for fluid flow. We present a seismic method that can achieve the above goals in the context of seismic scattering, when the fracture spacing is on the order of half of the wavelength. The method is based measuring the beam interference pattern for two Gaussian beams focused on a fractured reservoir location, one beam from the sources and the other from the receivers. Numerical examples show that our method can provide spatially dependent information on fracture parameters.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Earth Resources Laboratory (Founding Members Program

The Effect of Individual’s Technological Belief and Usage on Their Absorptive Capacity towards Their Learning Behaviour in Learning Environment

Absorptive capacity is a common barrier to knowledge transfer at the individual level. However, technology absorptive capacity can enhance an individual’s learning behaviour. This study investigates that technology readiness, the tools for knowledge sources, social influences, and social networks influence an individual’s absorptive capacity on an adaptation of the individual learning behaviour. A quantitative approach is used to assess the presence of a causal relationship from the constructs mentioned above. Data were collected from university students in Australia to examine the hypotheses. With 199 responses, a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used for the analysis. The results generated mixed findings. Individual’s technological belief in optimism and innovation and social influences had a significantly weaker effect on individual absorptive capacity, which in turn had a significantly weaker impact on their learning behaviour

Novel mental retardation–epilepsy syndrome linked to Xp21.1–p11.4

We evaluated a kindred with X-linked mental retardation and epilepsy. Seven affected males with mild to moderate mental retardation developed seizures (primarily generalized, tonic–clonic, and atonic) that began on average at 6.8 months of age (range, 4 to 14 months). These patients did not have a history of infantile spasms. There were no dysmorphic features. Other than mental retardation, the neurological examination was unremarkable, with exception of 2 affected subjects who had mild generalized rigidity and ataxia. We identified tight linkage to a group of markers on Xp21.1–p11.4. A maximum two-point LOD score of +3.83 at θ = 0 was obtained for markers DXS8090, DXS1069, DXS8102, and DXS8085. This locus spans 7.7cM between DXS1049 and DXS8054 and does not overlap the locus for X-linked West syndrome. The tetraspanin gene, implicated in nonspecific mental retardation, is mapped to this region. We sequenced the tetraspanin coding sequence in subjects with X-linked mental retardation and epilepsy and did not identify disease-specific mutations. The syndrome we describe, designated X-linked mental retardation and epilepsy, is clinically and genetically distinct from X-linked West syndrome and other X-linked mental retardation–epilepsy syndromes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34887/1/10051_ftp.pd

Systemic Inflammation Is Associated With Longitudinal Changes in Cognitive Performance Among Urban Adults

Objectives/Background: Systemic inflammation can affect cognitive performance over time. The current study examined associations between systemic inflammation and cognitive performance among African Americans and Whites urban adults, stratifying by sex, and age group and by race.Patients/Methods: Among 1,555–1,719 White and African-American urban adults [Agebase: 30–64y, 2004-2013, mean±SD follow-up time(y): 4.64 ± 0.93y], conducted linear mixed-effects regression models were conducted to test associations of inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), albumin, iron, and an inflammation composite score (ICS)] with longitudinal cognitive performance.Results: Among key findings, CRP was linked to poorer baseline mental status among younger women (≤50y, γ01 = –0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.002) and poorer attention in older women (>50y, γ01 = −0.024 ± 0.007, p < 0.004) and African-Americans (γ01 = −0.029 ± 0.008, p < 0.001). ESR was related to faster decline on verbal memory among older men (>50y, γ11 = −0.008 ± 0.003, P = 0.009); with poorer performance on attention tests overall (γ01 = −0.010 ± 0.003, P = 0.003) and among African-Americans (γ01 = −0.013 ± 0.004, P = 0.002); on verbal fluency among older women (>50y,γ01 = −0.037 ± 0.013, P = 0.004) and on executive function: overall (γ01 = +0.62 ± 0.21, P = 0.004), older men (>50y, γ01 = +1.69 ± 0.53, P = 0.001) and African-Americans (γ01 = +0.84 ± 0.28, P = 0.002). Albumin was linked to slower attention decline among older men (>50y, γ11 = +0.329 ± 0.103, P = 0.009), over-time improvement in executive function overall (γ11 = −6.00 ± 2.26, P = 0.008), and better baseline psychomotor speed among African-Americans (γ01 = +0.56 ± 0.19, P = 0.003). Finally, ICS predicted faster decline on visual memory/visuo-constructive abilities among older men (>50y, γ11 = +0.17 ± 0.06, p = 0.003).Conclusion: In sum, strong associations between systemic inflammation and longitudinal cognitive performance were detected, largely among older individuals (>50y) and African-Americans. Randomized trials targeting inflammation are warranted

The Effect of Technology Readiness on Individual Absorptive Capacity Toward Learning Behavior in Australian Universities

Recipient's absorptive capacity (ACAP) is a barrier to knowledge transfer in organizations. The technology readiness (TR) dimensions measure an individual's technological beliefs and aligns with the individual's ACAP. The purpose of this research is to study if technological beliefs have a causal effect onto individual learning capability and behaviour. University's knowledge transfer makes them an ideal context for this research. Through surveying individuals and conducting statistical analysis, the authors provide empirical evidence that there is a causal effect from the TR dimensions to individuals ACAP and their technological learning behaviour at the individual level. The findings could potentially help leverage technology to address said recipient's ACAP. It would also benefit the development of new technologies, in particular in e-learning and tailoring pedagogy.</p