748 research outputs found
Predictors of psychiatric readmissions in the short- and long-term: a population-based study in taiwan
OBJECTIVES: To explore the risks and rates of readmission and their predictors 14 days, one year, and five years after discharge for the psychiatric population in Taiwan. METHODS: This was a prospective study based on claims from 44,237 first-time hospitalized psychiatric patients discharged in 2000, who were followed for up to five years after discharge. The cumulative incidence and incidence density of readmission were calculated for various follow-up periods after discharge, and Cox proportional hazard models were generated to identify the significant predictors for psychiatric readmission. RESULTS: The less than 14-day, one-year, and five-year cumulative incidences were estimated at 6.1%, 22.3%, and 37.8%, respectively. The corresponding figures for incidence density were 4.58, 1.04, and 0.69 per 1,000 person-days, respectively. Certain factors were significantly associated with increased risk of readmission irrespective of the length of follow-up, including male gender, length of hospital stay >15 days, economic poverty, a leading discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia/affective disorders, and residence in less-urbanized regions. Compared to children/adolescents, young adults (20-39 years) were significantly associated with increased risks of <one-year and <five-year readmissions, but not <14-day readmission. Additionally, hospital characteristics were significantly associated with increased risk of <14-day and <one-year readmission, but not with risk of <five-year readmission. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the significant predictors for psychiatric readmission 14 days to five years after discharge were essentially the same except for patient's age and hospital accreditation level. This study also highlighted the importance of socioeconomic factors in the prediction of readmission
Parker-Jeans Instability of Gaseous Disks Including the Effect of Cosmic Rays
We use linear analysis to examine the effect of cosmic rays (CRs) on the
Parker-Jeans instability of magnetized self-gravitating gaseous disks. We adopt
a slab equilibrium model in which the gravity (including self-gravity) is
perpendicular to the mid-plane, the magnetic field lies along the slab. CR is
described as a fluid and only along magnetic field lines diffusion is
considered. The linearised equations are solved numerically. The system is
susceptible to Parker-Jeans instability. In general the system is less unstable
when the CR diffusion coefficient is smaller (i.e., the coupling between the
CRs and plasma is stronger). The system is also less unstable if CR pressure is
larger. This is a reminiscence of the fact that Jeans instability and Parker
instability are less unstable when the gas pressure is larger (or temperature
is higher). Moreover, for large CR diffusion coefficient (or small CR
pressure), perturbations parallel to the magnetic field are more unstable than
those perpendicular to it. The other governing factor on the growth rate of the
perturbations in different directions is the thickness of the disk or the
strength of the external pressure on the disk. In fact, this is the determining
factor in some parameter regimes.Comment: 19pages, 14figures submitted to Ap
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