An Efficient Randomized Algorithm for Higher-Order Abstract Voronoi Diagrams

Given a set of n sites in the plane, the order-k Voronoi diagram is a planar subdivision such that all points in a region share the same k nearest sites. The order-k Voronoi diagram arises for the k-nearest-neighbor problem, and there has been a lot of work for point sites in the Euclidean metric. In this paper, we study order-k Voronoi diagrams defined by an abstract bisecting curve system that satisfies several practical axioms, and thus our study covers many concrete order-k Voronoi diagrams. We propose a randomized incremental construction algorithm that runs in O(k(n-k) log^2 n +n log^3 n) steps, where O(k(n-k)) is the number of faces in the worst case. Due to those axioms, this result applies to disjoint line segments in the L_p norm, convex polygons of constant size, points in the Karlsruhe metric, and so on. In fact, this kind of run time with a polylog factor to the number of faces was only achieved for point sites in the L_1 or Euclidean metric before

An empirical study of the impact of internet financial reporting on stock prices

This study examines the economic consequences of internet financial reporting (IFR) in Taiwan. The results show that the stock prices of IFR firms change more quickly than those of the non-FR firms using Akaike’s (1969) Final Prediction Error (FPE) methodology. Second, the results from the event study methodology show that the cumulative abnormal returns of the firms with IFR are significantly higher than those of the firms without IFR. Lastly, the results indicate that firms with a higher degree of information transparency yield a higher abnormal return on theirstock prices

Better Elder Care: Towards Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Service Provision for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older (65+) Adults in Greater Western Sydney

The population of Greater Western Sydney (GWS) is growing, ageing, and becoming more diverse, but little is known about the aged care needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) older people is GWS. In this report researchers worked with older CALD adults in a series of creative expression workshops to gather data on their ageing experiences in GWS, and on the issues that affect them in aged care service provision. It argues that the application of a cultural well-being framework to CALD aged care would be beneficial and would enhance a sense of belonging and community that would reduce feelings of isolation for CALD seniors, the vast majority of whom live independently. Findings indicate that older CALD adults are deeply linked to their social networks and families. They also want to continue to be active and take part in the wider community, and require public transport services to enable autonomy. Navigating the fragmented aged care system in Australia emerges as a particularly complex issue for older CALD adults, some of whom require at-home care. Recommendations include the adoption of a cultural well-being framework to inform aged care service provision; block funding for approved CALD care providers to enable social interaction; more green spaces for social gatherings; and bilingual language training opportunities for the CALD aged care sector

Evaluation of tip capacity analysis model for drilled shafts in gravelly soils

This paper examines an analysis model for predicting the tip capacity of drilled shaft foundations under gravelly soils. Forty one static compression load test data are utilized for this purpose. Comparison of predicted and measured results demonstrates that the prediction model greatly overestimates the tip capacity of drilled shafts. Further assessment on the model reveals a greater variation in three coefficients, including the effective overburden pressure ( q ), the overburden bearing capacity factor ( q N ), and the bearing capacity modifier for soil rigidity ( qr ζ ). These factors are modified from the back-analysis of the drilled shaft load test results. Varying effective shaft depths are considered for the back-calculation to evaluate their effects on capacity behavior. Based on the analyses, the recommended effective shaft depth for the evaluation of effective overburden pressure is limited to 15B (B = shaft diameter). The q N and qr ζ are enhanced while maintaining their basic relationship with the soil effective friction angle ( ), φ in which the q N increases and qr ζ decreases as φ increases. Specific design recommendations for the tip bearing capacity analysis of drilled shafts in gravelly soils are given for engineering practice

Serotypes, virulence genes, and PFGE profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from pigs with postweaning diarrhoea in Slovakia

BACKGROUND: Postweaning diarrhoea (PWD) in pigs is usually the main infectious problem of large-scale farms and is responsible for significant losses worldwide. The disease is caused mainly by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). In this study a total of 101 E. coli isolated from pigs with PWD in Slovakia were characterized using phenotypic and genotypic methods. RESULTS: These 101 isolates belonged to 40 O:H serotypes. However, 57% of the isolates belonged to only six serotypes (O9:H51, O147:H-, O149:H10, O163:H-, ONT:H-, and ONT:H4), including two new serotypes (O163:H- and ONT:H4) not previously found among porcine ETEC and STEC isolated in other countries. Genes for EAST1, STb, STa, LT and Stx2e toxins were identified in 64%, 46%, 26%, 20%, and 5% of isolates, respectively. PCR showed that 35% of isolates carried genes for F18 colonization factor, and further analyzed by restriction endonuclease revealed that all of them were F18ac. Genes for F4 (K88), F6 (P987), F17, F5 (K99), F41, and intimin (eae gene) adhesins were detected in 19 %, 5%, 3%, 0.9%, 0.9%, and 0.9% of the isolates, respectively. The study of genetic diversity, carried out by PFGE of 46 representative ETEC and STEC isolates, revealed 36 distinct restriction profiles clustered in eight groups. Isolates of the same serotype were placed together in the dendrogram, but high degree of polymorphism among certain serotypes was detected. CONCLUSION: Seropathotype O149:H10 LT/STb/EAST1/F4 (14 isolates) was the most commonly detected followed by O163:H- EAST1/F18 (six isolates), and ONT:H4 STa/STb/Stx2e/F18 (five isolates). Interestingly, this study shows that two new serotypes (O163:H- and ONT:H4) have emerged as pig pathogens in Slovakia. Furthermore, our results show that there is a high genetic variation mainly among ETEC of O149:H10 serotype

Evaluation of tip capacity analysis model for drilled shafts in gravelly soils

This paper examines an analysis model for predicting the tip capacity of drilled shaft foundations under gravelly soils. Forty one static compression load test data are utilized for this purpose. Comparison of predicted and measured results demonstrates that the prediction model greatly overestimates the tip capacity of drilled shafts. Further assessment on the model reveals a greater variation in three coefficients, including the effective overburden pressure ( q ), the overburden bearing capacity factor ( q N ), and the bearing capacity modifier for soil rigidity ( qr ζ ). These factors are modified from the back-analysis of the drilled shaft load test results. Varying effective shaft depths are considered for the back-calculation to evaluate their effects on capacity behavior. Based on the analyses, the recommended effective shaft depth for the evaluation of effective overburden pressure is limited to 15B (B = shaft diameter). The q N and qr ζ are enhanced while maintaining their basic relationship with the soil effective friction angle ( ), φ in which the q N increases and qr ζ decreases as φ increases. Specific design recommendations for the tip bearing capacity analysis of drilled shafts in gravelly soils are given for engineering practice

Incidence of suboptimal response to tumor necrosis factor antagonist therapy in inflammatory bowel disease in newly industrialised countries: The EXPLORE study

Abstract Background Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in newly industrialised countries (NICs); however, data on suboptimal response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents are limited. Objectives To assess incidence and indicators of suboptimal response to first anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients in NICs. Methods A chart review was conducted in ten countries from Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LatAm), and Russia and the Middle East (RME) regions among patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD), initiating anti-TNF therapy in 2010–2015. The cumulative incidence of suboptimal response to anti-TNF therapy was assessed using the following indicators: dose escalation or discontinuation, augmentation with non-biologic therapy, IBD-related hospitalization, or surgery. Results The study included 1,674 patients (570 UC; 1,104 CD). At 24 months, 32.9% of UC (APAC: 45.1%; LatAm: 38.2%; RME: 23.8%) and 41.2% of CD patients (APAC: 54.1%; LatAm: 42.5%; RME: 29.5%) had experienced suboptimal response. The most frequent first indicator was non-biologic therapy augmentation in LatAm (41.7%), IBD-related hospitalization in RME (UC: 50.7%; CD:37.3%) and in APAC for CD (39.1%), and anti-TNF discontinuation in APAC for UC (38.3%). Conclusion Suboptimal response to anti-TNF agents is common in IBD patients in NICs. Observed regional differences in the incidence and indicators may reflect local practice and anti-TNF restrictions in IBD management. NCT Registration Number NCT03090139

The psychophysiological effects of Tai-chi and exercise in residential Schizophrenic patients: a 3-arm randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia are characterized by high prevalence rates and chronicity that often leads to long-term institutionalization. Under the traditional medical model, treatment usually emphasizes the management of psychotic symptoms through medication, even though anti-psychotic drugs are associated with severe side effects, which can diminish patients’ physical and psychological well-being. Tai-chi, a mind-body exercise rooted in Eastern health philosophy, emphasizes the motor coordination and relaxation. With these potential benefits, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is planned to investigate the effects of Tai-chi intervention on the cognitive and motor deficits characteristic of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS/DESIGN: A 3-arm RCT with waitlist control design will be used in this study. One hundred and fifty three participants will be randomized into (i) Tai-chi, (ii) exercise or (iii) waitlist control groups. Participants in both the Tai-chi and exercise groups will receive 12-weeks of specific intervention, in addition to the standard medication and care received by the waitlist control group. The exercise group will serve as a comparison, to delineate any unique benefits of Tai-chi that are independent of moderate aerobic exercise. All three groups will undergo three assessment phases: (i) at baseline, (ii) at 12 weeks (post-intervention), and (iii) at 24 weeks (maintenance). All participants will be assessed in terms of symptom management, motor coordination, memory, daily living function, and stress levels based on self-perceived responses and a physiological marker. DISCUSSION: Based on a promising pilot study conducted prior to this RCT, subjects in the Tai-chi intervention group are expected to be protected against deterioration of motor coordination and interpersonal functioning. They are also expected to have better symptoms management and lower stress level than the other treatment groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trail has been registered in the Clinical Trials Center of the University of Hong Kong (HKCTR-1453)

Pharmacogenetic variants and risk of remdesivir-associated liver enzyme elevations in Million Veteran Program participants hospitalized with COVID-19

Remdesivir is the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a retrospective pharmacogenetic study to examine remdesivir-associated liver enzyme elevation among Million Veteran Program participants hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 15, 2020, and June 30, 2021. Pharmacogene phenotypes were assigned using Stargazer. Linear regression was performed on peak log-transformed enzyme values, stratified by population, adjusted for age, sex, baseline liver enzymes, comorbidities, and 10 population-specific principal components. Patients on remdesivir had higher peak alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values following treatment initiation compared with patients not receiving remdesivir. Remdesivir administration was associated with a 33% and 24% higher peak ALT in non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) participants (p < 0.001), respectively. In a multivariable model, NHW CYP2C19 intermediate/poor metabolizers had a 9% increased peak ALT compared with NHW normal/rapid/ultrarapid metabolizers (p = 0.015); this association was not observed in NHB participants. In summary, remdesivir-associated ALT elevations appear to be multifactorial, and further studies are needed