Maryland Health Care Reform Simulation Model: Detailed Analysis and Methodology

The lead author of Maryland Health Care Reform Simulation Model: Detailed Analysis and Methodology is Dr. Hamid Fakhraei, the Hilltop Institute's director of economic analysis, econometrics modeling, and forecasting. For this study, the Hilltop Institute developed a dynamic model covering population change, economic impact, employment, and health care expenditures. As a dynamic model, the Maryland Health Care Reform Simulation Model can be updated over time

Drought Management Concepts: Lessons of the 1976-1977 U.S. Drought

Three approaches to drought management are developed as generalized mathematical models. Each model is then applied to particular locations in Utah using the hydrologic/economic data from the 1976-77 drought. The modeling approaches include: (1) A multiple regression approach is used to quantify the changes in water use achieved by three common municipal sector rationing policies: (a) restrictions on time of outdoor use, (b) price increases, and (c) mandatory quantity restrictions (2) A model was presented for determing the optimal long term price schedule for rationing a stochastically variable water supply during summer peak demand season among groups of municipal water users which have different demands. (3) The third model analyzed various management policies in terms of their impact on net benefits to the agricultural and municipal sectors. The model is capable of modifying policies monthly, based upon the chaning hydrologic situation. It can vary constraints in a manner that simulates an institutional environment ranging from total freedom of price changes and water exchanges between sectors to those constraints existing during the 76-77 drought. Conclusions include: 1) Mandatory water use regulations are much more effective than price increases in reducing water use (at least in a short term drought). 2) A theoretical analysis of demand and supply functions showed that Salt Lake City\u27s pricing polity (about $0.25/1000 gallons) is very close to optimal. 3) The third model showed that very substantial losses in consumer surplus in Slat Lake County during the drought were caused by variuos institutional restrictions

Statistical relational learning with soft quantifiers

Quantification in statistical relational learning (SRL) is either existential or universal, however humans might be more inclined to express knowledge using soft quantifiers, such as ``most'' and ``a few''. In this paper, we define the syntax and semantics of PSL^Q, a new SRL framework that supports reasoning with soft quantifiers, and present its most probable explanation (MPE) inference algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, PSL^Q is the first SRL framework that combines soft quantifiers with first-order logic rules for modelling uncertain relational data. Our experimental results for link prediction in social trust networks demonstrate that the use of soft quantifiers not only allows for a natural and intuitive formulation of domain knowledge, but also improves the accuracy of inferred results

Soft quantification in statistical relational learning

We present a new statistical relational learning (SRL) framework that supports reasoning with soft quantifiers, such as "most" and "a few." We define the syntax and the semantics of this language, which we call , and present a most probable explanation inference algorithm for it. To the best of our knowledge, is the first SRL framework that combines soft quantifiers with first-order logic rules for modelling uncertain relational data. Our experimental results for two real-world applications, link prediction in social trust networks and user profiling in social networks, demonstrate that the use of soft quantifiers not only allows for a natural and intuitive formulation of domain knowledge, but also improves inference accuracy

Numbers of Follicles, Pregnancy, Expression of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Ovarian Genes in Sheep Treated with Vitamin E, L-Carnitine, and Fish Oil

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E, L-carnitine, and fish oil on the numbers of follicles, pregnancy, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) expression, and expression of several ovarian genes in sheep. For this purpose, 256 sheep were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. They were given a diet supplemented with vitamin E, L-carnitine, and fish oil alone and in combination. FBS, estradiol levels, size of the follicles, and pregnancy rate were observed. Expressions of Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), Superoxide Dismutase 2 (SOD2), Transforming Growth Factor –β (TGF-β), and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Gamma Receptor (PPAR-γ) genes were measured using Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and ROS was measured using fluorescence microscope. At the time of mating and pregnancy, the highest number of follicles and pregnant ewes were observed in the groups supplemented with fish oil and antioxidants (p<0.01). The lowest numbers of follicles and pregnancy was observed in the group supplemented with fish oil alone (p<0.01). The highest expressions of SOD1 and TGF-β genes (p<0.01) as well as SOD2 and PPAR-γ (p<0.05) were observed in the group of concomitant use of fish oil with antioxidants. The highest amount of ROS was found in fish oil group (p<0.01), and the lowest was found in the groups supplemented with fish oil and antioxidant (p<0.01). The use of fish oil along with vitamin E and L-carnitine improved follicle function and increased pregnancy rate by reducing ROS in ewes’ ovaries as well as increasing the expression of SOD1, SOD2, TGF-βRI, and PPAR-γ genes. The use of fish oil along with antioxidants increases follicles and improves fertility in sheep

Performance, Immune Responses, and Blood Biochemistry of Broiler Chickens Fed with Plant Growth Compound

Today, medicinal plants and prebiotics are known as growth stimulants and can have beneficial effects on health and performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant growth promoters and a prebiotic (lactose) on growth performance, immune responses, and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chicks. Seven hundred and fifty Arian broiler chicks (mixed-sex) were allocated to six treatments and five replicates at one day of age. Three plant-based growth promoters (ASRI1, ASRI2, and commercial supplement (Optifeed)) and two dietary prebiotic levels (0 and 1 kg/ton) were evaluated in a completely randomized design with 3×2 factorial arrangements. The results showed that growth performance and humoral and cellular immunities did not differ among experimental treatments; therefore, the herbal compounds ASRI1 and ASRI2 can be used as growth promoters equivalent to the commercial products currently used in the broiler chicken industry. An interaction effect of growth promoter × prebiotic was detected for concentrations of calcium in the serum. Serum calcium concentrations of birds fed ASRI2 and 1 kg/ton prebiotic were greater than those of chickens receiving the commercial growth promoter. Serum triglycerides and VLDL-C concentrations were significantly lower in birds treated with ASRI1 growth promoter compared to those fed with a commercial growth promoter. In conclusion, there was no difference between ASRI1, ASRI2, and Optifeed growth promoters in their effectiveness as promoters of growth and immunity of broiler chicks

Reproductive Responses, Metabolic Disorder, Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics, and Milk Production of Postpartum Holstein Cows Fed Steam Flaked of Corn and Barley Grains

This study evaluated the effects of steam flaked of corn and barley grains on the reproductive response, ruminal fermentation characteristics, metabolic disorder, and milk production of postpartum Holstein cows. A total of 40 postpartum Holstein dairy cows were divided into 4 groups (n=10) and fed 1) ground grains (control), 2) steam flacked corn+milled barley, 3) steam flacked barely+milled corn, and 4) steam flaked corn and barley. The animals were treated for 0-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 days post-calving. Milk yield and compositions, total conception rate, endometritis, pyometra, ruminal fermentation characteristics, ketosis, and acidosis were assessed. This study was conducted in a completely randomized design. The results showed that dietary inclusion of steam flaked grains improved milk yield and compositions during the experimental period compared to the control group (p<0.05), except for cows treated for 0-30d days post-calving. Cows fed steam flaked grains showed a lower occurrence of reproduction and metabolic disorders compared to the control group (p<0.01). Cows fed a combination of steam flaked grains showed better pregnancy rates in the first 100 days and open days of postpartum cows compared to cows in control and a single form of steam flaked barley or corn (p<0.05). Total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate were higher in cows fed steam flaked compared to the control group (p<0.05). Feeding steam flaked grains is advised for improving reproductive performance, milk variables, and rumen fermentation profiles in dairy cows

Involvement of PPARγ in the protective action of tropisetron in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Tropisetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, is highly used to counteract chemotherapy-induced emesis. Previous studies revealed the anti-in�ammatory properties of this drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) receptor in the protective effect of tropisetron in an animal model of ulcerative colitis. Experimental colitis was induced by a single intra-colonic instillation of 4 (V/V) acetic acid in male rats. Tropisetron (3 mg/kg) and GW9662 (PPARγ antagonist) (5 mg/kg) were given twice daily for 2 days after colitis induction. Forty-eight hours after induction of colitis, colon was removed and macroscopic and microscopic features were given. Moreover, colonic concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and PPARγ activity were assessed. Both macroscopic and histopathological features of colonic injury were markedly ameliorated by tropisetron. Likewise, levels of NO, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β diminished significantly (p <.05). GW9662 reversed the effect of tropisetron on these markers partially or completely. In addition, tropisetron increased the PPARγ and decreased the MPO activity (p <.05). Tropisetron exerts notable anti-in�ammatory effects in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which is probably mediated through PPARγ receptors. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group