Effect of the dynamic topology on the performance of PSO-2S algorithm for continuous optimization

International audiencePSO-2S is a multi-swarm PSO algorithm using charged particles in a partitioned search space for continuous optimization problems. In order to improve the performance of PSO-2S, this paper proposes a novel variant of this algorithm, called DPSO-2S, which uses the Dcluster neighborhood topologies to organize the communication networks between the particles. Experiments were conducted on a set of classical benchmark functions. The obtained results prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm

End-stage Renal Disease and Economic Incentives: The International Study of Health Care Organization and Financing

End-stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, is a debilitating, costly, and increasingly common medical condition. Little is known about how different financing approaches affect ESRD outcomes and delivery of care. This paper presents results from a comparative review of 12 countries with alternative models of incentives and benefits, collected under the International Study of Health Care Organization and Financing, a substudy within the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. Variation in spending per ESRD patient is relatively small and is correlated with overall per capita health care spending. Between-country variations in spending are reduced using an input price parity index constructed for this study. Remaining differences in costs and outcomes do not seem strongly linked to differences in incentives embedded in national programs.

Stability of Relativistic Matter with Magnetic Fields for Nuclear Charges up to the Critical Value

We give a proof of stability of relativistic matter with magnetic fields all the way up to the critical value of the nuclear charge $Z\alpha=2/\pi$.Comment: LaTeX2e, 12 page

The Konkoly Blazhko Survey: Is light-curve modulation a common property of RRab stars?

A systematic survey to establish the true incidence rate of the Blazhko modulation among short-period, fundamental-mode, Galactic field RR Lyrae stars has been accomplished. The Konkoly Blazhko Survey (KBS) was initiated in 2004. Since then more than 750 nights of observation have been devoted to this project. A sample of 30 RRab stars was extensively observed, and light-curve modulation was detected in 14 cases. The 47% occurrence rate of the modulation is much larger than any previous estimate. The significant increase of the detected incidence rate is mostly due to the discovery of small-amplitude modulation. Half of the Blazhko variables in our sample show modulation with so small amplitude that definitely have been missed in the previous surveys. We have found that the modulation can be very unstable in some cases, e.g. RY Com showed regular modulation only during one part of the observations while during two seasons it had stable light curve with abrupt, small changes in the pulsation amplitude. This type of light-curve variability is also hard to detect in other Survey's data. The larger frequency of the light-curve modulation of RRab stars makes it even more important to find the still lacking explanation of the Blazhko phenomenon. The validity of the [Fe/H](P,phi_{31}) relation using the mean light curves of Blazhko variables is checked in our sample. We have found that the formula gives accurate result for small-modulation-amplitude Blazhko stars, and this is also the case for large-modulation-amplitude stars if the light curve has complete phase coverage. However, if the data of large-modulation-amplitude Blazhko stars are not extended enough (e.g. < 500 data points from < 15 nights), the formula may give false result due to the distorted shape of the mean light curve used.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 14 pages, 7 Figure

Medicare Competitive Acquisition: Implications for Persons with Diabetes

Nearly one in five Medicare beneficiaries has diabetes and these patients face major challenges in managing their health. The high diabetes rate among beneficiaries also means that the Medicare program itself is highly vulnerable to the high costs of uncontrolled diabetes. As a result, great care must be taken when implementing any new cost containment strategy that has the potential to disrupt access to preventive health care. This is particularly in the case of the Medicare Competitive Acquisition Program for Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies (DMEPOS), because of its potential impact on access to products needed for a basic preventive service, diabetes testing supplies. Yet despite these concerns over both beneficiary health and program costs, the DMEPOS program, as it is now being implemented, lacks the types of basic patient safeguards considered standard in competitive bidding arrangements such as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D

Uninsured and Medicaid Patients\u27 Access to Preventive Care: Comparison of Health Centers and Other Primary Care Providers

This issue of Research Briefs examines health centers\u27 role in reducing disparities in preventive health care access by medically vulnerable and high risk populations. The analysis uses information from several national data sources to examine differences in the provision of preventive health care to Medicaid and uninsured patients between health centers and other primary care providers. Key Findings: Compared to those treated by other primary care providers, Medicaid and uninsured patients treated by health centers are significantly poorer, in significantly worse health, and in the case of uninsured patients, more likely to be members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Despite the higher risk nature of their patients, health centers achieve significantly higher levels of preventive health care for these patient populations in such key areas as screening for diabetes and hypertension, and preventive health screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Differences of as much as 22% between the receipt of preventive care in CHC and non-CHC settings are observed. These findings illustrate the valuable role played by health centers in caring for Medicaid and uninsured patients, as well as the fact that even when patients are insured, income, race/ethnicity, and health status remain significant determinants of health care access, thereby necessitating a direct focus on access improvements as part of any health reform plan