Transposition and time-warp invariant algorithm for detecting repeated patterns in polyphonic music

Peer reviewe

Survival Analysis of Dialysis Patients Under Parametric and Non-Parametric Approaches

Dialysis is a recommended way of treatment for end stage kidney diseases and it provides a life saving procedure. Transplantation can also be useful source but it is restricted by financial limitations especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Censoring is an important part of the survival data which causes insensitivity to the usual procedures of analysis. A little work has been done in literature regarding the estimated survival time of dialysis patients in Pakistan. So, this study has estimated the median survival time of male/females patients separately by parametric and non-parametric approaches. Moreover, comparison of survival time to patients (50 years) was also compared. Frequently, in modeling the survival data, most of the time we have no prior information about the theoretical distribution of survival time is available, that’s why, and non-parametric methods are commonly used. The significance of this study is the fitting of probability distribution of real life time data of dialysis patients which is not done before. It is very laborious job to fit an appropriate distribution of the data. We find that the probability distribution of our real life time data is weibull distribution. Finding suggested that the Kaplan-Meier method and weibull model based on Anderson-Darling test provided a very close estimate of the survival function in both genders and age groups. On the average survival time in males is relatively high but not statistically different from females

Contextual Analysis of Stakeholder Opinion on Management and Leadership Competencies for Undergraduate Medical Education: Informing Course Design

Background: The study aimed to conduct a contextual analysis of interviews intended to assist with the future design of a feasible and relevant leadership and management course for undergraduate medical students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia, during 2019. An exploratory qualitative approach, utilizing systematic content analysis, was used. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 10 leaders who were stakeholders at KAU, health service providers at KAU hospital, and stakeholders in the Ministry of Health. Results: This study revealed critical findings that highlighted the areas in which KAU could instill better and adequate leadership and management skills in their undergraduate medical students. Multiple core categories for a leadership and management curriculum emerged with many interrelated themes. Most participants mentioned that leadership can be taught and that early exposure is beneficial for developing skills. Additionally, they stated that leaders should have a vision and the ability to articulate that vision. Conclusions: Different implementation challenges were described in relation to the availability of human resources, the current short supply of suitable teachers, and program design. Teaching methods recommended included simulations, lectures, and a project-based approach. Assessment methods that were recommended included objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), formative and summative assessments, self-assessments, and portfolios

2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

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2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: executive summary.

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withdrawn 2017 hrs ehra ecas aphrs solaece expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

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Rapidly progressive dyspnea in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with imatinib cardiac toxicity

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare and current estimates range from 4,000 to 6,000 number of GIST cases in the USA annually. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown a survival benefit in GISTs, and the presence of KIT mutation status is predictive of response. The current case discusses rapidly progressive dyspnea and heart failure in an elderly male with metastatic GIST who was started on imatinib. Although reported as a rare and sporadic side effect of imatinib, the current case illustrates rapidity and the clinical significance of cardiotoxicity, with onset at 2 weeks. Cases of imatinib-induced cardiotoxicity can range from being mild ventricular dysfunction to overt heart failure. Prior to starting imatinib, our patient had a history of hypertension. He subsequently ended up developing heart failure as acknowledged by the echocardiogram (ECHO). In general, elderly with preexisting cardiovascular comorbidity are at greater risk. The goal in such situations is immediate discontinuation or reduction of the imatinib dosage. The case prompts for awareness of imatinib cardiotoxicity. Moreover, a pretreatment cardiac assessment along with monitoring throughout therapy is therefore advisable. Also, imatinib-induced cardiotoxicity should be differentiated from imatinib-associated fluid retention, in which ECHO findings can be normal. This case report raises the concern for accelerated cardiotoxicity profile of imatinib. Further prospective studies with multidisciplinary input are needed to establish this association further