Generalised Decision Level Ensemble Method for Classifying Multi-media Data

In recent decades, multimedia data have been commonly generated and used in various domains, such as in healthcare and social media due to their ability of capturing rich information. But as they are unstructured and separated, how to fuse and integrate multimedia datasets and then learn from them eectively have been a main challenge to machine learning. We present a novel generalised decision level ensemble method (GDLEM) that combines the multimedia datasets at decision level. After extracting features from each of multimedia datasets separately, the method trains models independently on each media dataset and then employs a generalised selection function to choose the appropriate models to construct a heterogeneous ensemble. The selection function is dened as a weighted combination of two criteria: the accuracy of individual models and the diversity among the models. The framework is tested on multimedia data and compared with other heterogeneous ensembles. The results show that the GDLEM is more exible and eective

Decision level ensemble method for classifying multi-media data

In the digital era, the data, for a given analytical task, can be collected in different formats, such as text, images and audio etc. The data with multiple formats are called multimedia data. Integrating and fusing multimedia datasets has become a challenging task in machine learning and data mining. In this paper, we present heterogeneous ensemble method that combines multi-media datasets at the decision level. Our method consists of several components, including extracting the features from multimedia datasets that are not represented by features, modelling independently on each of multimedia datasets, selecting models based on their accuracy and diversity and building the ensemble at the decision level. Hence our method is called decision level ensemble method (DLEM). The method is tested on multimedia data and compared with other heterogeneous ensemble based methods. The results show that the DLEM outperformed these methods significantly

Burning out physical and emotional fatigue : evaluating the effects of a progamme aimed at reducing burnout amongst mental health nurses

Burnout is a common problem among mental health nurses. High levels of burnout result in job dissatisfaction, rapid turnover of staff, physical and psychological discomfort, and a reduction in the quality of patient care. While there is an abundance of research relating to burnout per se, research regarding the impact of burnout prevention programmes is lacking. This study aimed to measure the effects of a burnout prevention programme on mental health nurses working in Saudi Arabia (SA). A quasi-experimental design was used to test the effectiveness of a two-day burnout prevention workshop. The sample consisted of an intervention group (n=154) and a control group (n=142). Data collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) measured the effects of the workshop at one, three and six month intervals after completion of the programme. Data were analysed using the latest version of SPSS. Means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages were used to describe the sample and levels of burnout. A t-test, ANOVA, Multiple linear regression and chi squared were used to measure the effect of the workshop before and at the three time points after exposure. Findings indicate the program was effective with a significant reduction being reported one month after the intervention. However, although not returning to baseline scores, burnout scores had increased at six months. In conclusion, while the overall efficacy of the burnout reduction program is evident, mental health nurses would benefit from having opportunity to use some of the strategies on a regular basis

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Ya hürriyet, ya ölüm!

Taha Toros Arşivi, Dosya No: 143/A-Satvet Lütfi Tozan. Not: K. Onan tarafından "Ya hürriyet, ya ölüm!" başlıklı dizi yazısının 26, 30 ve 31. nüshalarıdır.İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı (TR10/14/YEN/0033) İstanbul Development Agency (TR10/14/YEN/0033)İstanbul da da bu fikir ve prensip etrafında toplanan bir çok genç vardıBu ihtilâlci gençler ölüm bahasına da olsa hürriyete kavuşmak için çalışıyorlardıBu sistem gizli ve ihtilâlci cemiyetlerin sistemidir!..

Determining the influence of process parameters on the induction hardening of AISI 1040 steel by an experimental design method

513-520Induction hardening is often used in the automotive sector to give steel superior mechanical properties. Compared to steel, induction-hardened AISI 1040 steel has higher hardness and better toughness. In the hardening process, various operating variables (e.g., power supply, scan rate, distance between work-piece and coil) are considered and optimized using the Taguchi approach. An L27 orthogonal array is chosen for the experimental design based on the operating variables and their levels. These optimized operating variables improved surface hardness and core toughness under industrial conditions. The formation of martensite is expected for suitable operating parameters. Due to the transformed/developed structure of the AISI 1040 steel, the response variables (i.e., surface hardness, case depth) are measured following the induction hardening process. Signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to determine the optimal process conditions and significant operating variables, respectively. As a result of the analyses, the optimization of the operating variables for induction-hardened AISI 1040 steel is investigated. The results from using the optimal operating variables changed from 55 HRc to 18 HRc on the surface of the steel compared to the core. As a consequence of the optimization, light and scanning electron microscopy are performed to determine the effects of the hardness from the outer surface to the center. Transformations associated with structural changes are investigated, and the results are discussed. </span

The impact of vessel clamps on endothelial integrity and function of saphenous vein grafts

PubMed ID: 24530572Background Saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure can be associated with endothelial damage during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Endothelial damage may develop after application of occlusive vessel clamps on SVGs. This study was designed to investigate the effect of plastic and metal clamps on the endothelial integrity and function of SVGs. Methods Saphenous vein samples were obtained from 10 consecutive patients, who underwent an elective CABG using SVG. Plastic (group 1) and metal (group 2) clamps were sequentially applied on the vein. Each set of clamps (1 plastic and 1 metal) was removed and sampled at 5, 15, and 30 min, respectively. A short SVG segment was removed as control. The samples were fixed for histopathologic study using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. In each group, endothelial, elastic tissue, muscular layer, and adventitial changes were investigated under light microscope and compared using a histologic scoring system. The intensity of eNOS expression was assessed using histochemical scoring system. Results In both groups, histopathologic examinations showed progressive endothelial damage in the zones of clamp application, compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Histopathologic changes were more favorable with the metal clamps, compared with the plastic clamps, at 5 and 15 min. No significant increase in endothelial damage occurred after 15 min. The eNOS immunoreactivity of SVGs significantly decreased in the damaged areas of the endothelium (P < 0.05). In metal clamps, the intensity of eNOS immunostaining was significantly high at 5 min, compared with plastic clamps (P < 0.05). However, the intensity of eNOS expression in metal clamps was significantly lower than plastic clamps at 15 min (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups at 30 min. Conclusions The endothelial cells can be better preserved with short-term application of SVGs with metal clamps rather than plastic clamps. These findings suggest that temporary use of metal clamps can be preferred without major effects on vascular integrity and function. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved