19 research outputs found
An application of the NSGA-II algorithm in Pareto joint inversion of 2D magnetic and gravity data
Joint inversion is a widely used geophysical method that allows model parameters to be obtained from the observed data. Pareto inversion results are a set of solutions that include the Pareto front, which consists of non-dominated solutions. All solutions from the Pareto front are considered the most feasible models from which a particular one can be chosen as the final solution. In this paper, it is shown that models represented by points on the Pareto front do not reflect the shape of the real model. In this contribution, a collective approach is proposed to interpret the geometry of models retrieved in inversion. Instead of choosing single solutions from the Pareto front, all obtained solutions were combined in one “heat map”, which is a plot representing the frequency of points belonging to all returned objects from the solution set. The conducted experiment showed that this approach limits the problem of equivalence and is a promising way of representing the geometry of the model that was retrieved in the inversion process
TREATMENT PATTERNS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA BASED ON THE DATA FROM SEVEN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Objective: The aim is to analyze how schizophrenia is pharmacologically treated in seven CEE countries: Croatia, Estonia,
Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Methods: Psychiatrists from selected centers in each of participating countries were asked to complete a pre-defined
questionnaire on their current clinical practice. Information on protocols and resource utilization in schizophrenia treatment was
included and derived from randomly selected patient medical records. Expert opinions on country-wide treatment patterns were
additionally sought. This sub-analysis focuses on pharmacological treatment patterns in the last six months and over the course of
the disease.
Results: 961 patients’ data show that during last six months the most commonly prescribed medications were oral atypical antipsychotics:
olanzapine (n=268), clozapine (n=234) and risperidone (n=160). The most frequently prescribed atypical antipsychotics
over course of disease were: risperidone (54.5%), olanzapine (52.4%) and clozapine (35.1%), along with haloperidol (39.3%).
Experts reported risperidone (four countries) and olanzapine (three countries) as first-line treatment, with the same two medications
prescribed as second-line treatment. Clozapine was the most reported medication for refractory patients. Approximately 22% of
patients received polypharmacy with antipsychotics in at least one period over the disease course. Mean time since diagnosis was
13.1 years and on average 4.8 treatment courses received during that period. Anxiolytics (70%), antidepressants (42%), moodstabilizers
(27%) were also prescribed, with diazepam (35.4%), sertraline (10.5%), valproic acid (17.5%) the most commonly
reported, respectively, in each group. The most frequently reported treatment change was switch from one oral atypical
antipsychotic to another (51%).
Conclusion: Oral atypical antipsychotics, mostly older drugs (risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine), were most commonly
prescribed for schizophrenia treatment in participating countries. Given that results are from the first large-scale analysis of RWD,
we believe these findings can be a benchmark for future real-world studies, which could contribute to the optimization of treatment
for this debilitating disease
SCHIZOPHRENIA CAUSES SIGNIFICANT BURDEN TO PATIENTS’ AND CAREGIVERS’ LIVES
Background: Schizophrenia is a serious public health problem and is ranked among the most disabling diseases in the world.
The sub-study presented here was part of a larger project to characterize the burden of schizophrenia on healthcare systems and on
individuals living with the disease in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Aims: This sub-study aimed to assess and analyze the impact of schizophrenia on many aspects of the lives of patients and
caregivers.
Methods: Psychiatrists from selected centers in seven Central and Eastern European countries were asked to complete a
questionnaire in order to collect information about the disease history, characteristics, treatment protocols and resources used for
each randomly selected patient. All data were statistically analyzed and compared between countries.
Results: Data from 961 patients with schizophrenia (mean age 40.7 years, 45.1% female) were included in the analysis. The
mean number of days spent in hospital per patient per year across all seven countries was 25.3 days. Hospitalization occurred on
average once per year, with psychiatrist visits 9.4 times per year. Of the patients in the study, 61% were single, 12% divorced and
22% married or cohabiting. Almost 84% were living with relatives or a partner; only 17% lived alone and, on average, 25% of
patients received support from social workers. Relatives provided care for approximately 60% of patients and 4% of them had to
stop working in order to do so. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were unemployed, and 56% received a disability pension or were
retired, with only 19% in full-time employment or education.
Conclusion: Schizophrenia has a significant effect on the lives of patients and caregivers and impacts their social integration
Epidemiology and Treatment Guidelines of Negative Symptoms in Schizo-phrenia in Central and Eastern Europe: A Literature Review
AIM: To gather and review data describing the epidemiology of schizophrenia and clinical guidelines for schizophrenia therapy in seven Central and Eastern European countries, with a focus on negative symptoms. Methods : A literature search was conducted which included publications from 1995 to 2012 that were indexed in key databases. Results : Reports of mean annual incidence of schizophrenia varied greatly, from 0.04 to 0.58 per 1,000 population. Lifetime prevalence varied from 0.4% to 1.4%. One study reported that at least one negative symptom was present in 57.6% of patients with schizophrenia and in 50-90% of individuals experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia. Primary negative symptoms were observed in 10-30% of patients. Mortality in patients with schizophrenia was greater than in the general population, with a standardized mortality ratio of 2.58-4.30. Reasons for higher risk of mortality in the schizophrenia population included increased suicide risk, effect of schizophrenia on lifestyle and environment, and presence of comorbidities. Clinical guidelines overall supported the use of second-generation antipsychotics in managing negative symptoms of schizophrenia, although improved therapeutic approaches are needed. Conclusion : Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses and poses a considerable burden on patients and healthcare resources alike. Negative symptoms are present in many patients and there is an unmet need to improve treatment offerings for negative symptoms beyond the use of second-generation antipsychotics and overall patient outcomes
Formation of a quasicrystalline phase in Al–Mn base alloys cast at intermediate cooling rates
Territorial Defense Forces in countering COVID-19. Analysis of experiences in Wielkopolska
Sytuacja międzynarodowa związana z wybuchem kryzysu epidemicznego na całym
Świecie spowodowała, że dotychczasowy porządek funkcjonowania poszczególnych państw został
poddany ciężkiej próbie. Wirus SARS-CoV-2 ukazał jak bardzo społeczeństwo nie jest gotowe na
zmaganie się z zagrożeniami o zasięgu globalnym i biologicznym. Żyjąc w przekonaniu, że epidemie to przeszłość, zlekceważono wszystkie możliwe znaki ostrzegawcze dawane przez naukowców
i ekspertów w niniejszej dziedzinie.
Kryzys epidemiczny spowodował paraliż działalności zdecydowanej większości instytucji publicznych, w tym polskich, zarówno w wymiarze gospodarczym w skali makro oraz tej części gospodarki, gdzie kapitał prywatny pełni dominującą rolę.
Celem niniejszego artykułu było ukazanie działań przeciwkryzysowych podjętych przez Polskę,
gdzie wobec skali wyzwania zostały wykorzystane wybrane elementy podsystemu militarnego w postaci m.in. użycia Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, jako platformy łączącej
środowisko militarne z cywilnym w sferze bezpieczeństwa.
Autorzy artykułu zaprezentowali podjęte działania komponentu terytorialnego z punktu widzenia
żołnierza tej formacji. Ma to pozwolić czytelnikowi poznać odpowiedź na pytania dotyczące: roli
wojsk OT w strukturze bezpieczeństwa Polski czasu pokoju, kryzysu oraz wojny, poznania specyfiki
formacji oraz jej elastycznej formy, mogącej się dostosować do zaistniałych potrzeb i realizacji zadań
na rzecz składowych podsystemów: ochrony zdrowia, obrony cywilnej i ochrony ludności, bezpieczeństwa wewnętrznego oraz zewnętrznego. W realnym środowisku bezpieczeństwa poddano analizie rozwiązania podjęte w trakcie realizacji zadań przeciwkryzysowych, w kontekście współpracy
struktur wojskowych z administracją publiczną w aspekcie procesu planowania cywilnego, wsparcia
pozostałych sił i służb w ramach zarządzania kryzysowego.The global situation linked to the outbreak of a pandemic crisis around the world, has put the current
order of operation of individual countries to a severe test. The SARS-CoV-2 virus showed how much
the society is not ready to deal with global and biological threats. Living in the belief that epidemics
are a thing of the past, all possible warning signs from scientists and experts in the field have been
ignored.The epidemic crisis has paralysed the activities of the vast majority of public institutions,
including Polish ones, both in economic terms on a macro scale and in the part where private capital
plays a dominant role. The aim of this article was to show the anti-crisis actions taken by Poland,
where in the face of the scale of the challenge, selected elements of the military subsystem were used
in the form of, among others, the use of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces as a platform connecting the military and civil environment in the sphere of security. The authors of the article showed the
activities of the territorial component from the point of view of the soldier of this formation. This is
to allow the reader to know the answer to questions about: the role of territorial troops in the security
structure of Poland’s time of peace, crisis and war, getting to know the specificity of the formation and
its flexible form, which can adapt to the existing needs and tasks for the benefit of the components of
the subsystems: health protection, civil defence and civil protection, internal and external security. In
the real security environment, the solutions undertaken during the implementation of anti-crisis tasks
were analysed in the context of cooperation of military structures. with the public administration in
terms of civil planning process, support to other forces and services in crisis management.Wydawnictwo zostało sfinansowane ze środków JM Rektora UAM przyznanych w ramach grantu pn. "Mobilne punkty pomocy medycznej, modułowe szpitale polowe. Doświadczenia organizacyjne i logistyczne COVID-19.Projekt rozwiązań systemowych w Wielkopolsce"
Territorial Defense Forces in countering COVID-19. Analysis of experiences in Wielkopolska
Sytuacja międzynarodowa związana z wybuchem kryzysu epidemicznego na całym
Świecie spowodowała, że dotychczasowy porządek funkcjonowania poszczególnych państw został
poddany ciężkiej próbie. Wirus SARS-CoV-2 ukazał jak bardzo społeczeństwo nie jest gotowe na
zmaganie się z zagrożeniami o zasięgu globalnym i biologicznym. Żyjąc w przekonaniu, że epidemie to przeszłość, zlekceważono wszystkie możliwe znaki ostrzegawcze dawane przez naukowców
i ekspertów w niniejszej dziedzinie.
Kryzys epidemiczny spowodował paraliż działalności zdecydowanej większości instytucji publicznych, w tym polskich, zarówno w wymiarze gospodarczym w skali makro oraz tej części gospodarki, gdzie kapitał prywatny pełni dominującą rolę.
Celem niniejszego artykułu było ukazanie działań przeciwkryzysowych podjętych przez Polskę,
gdzie wobec skali wyzwania zostały wykorzystane wybrane elementy podsystemu militarnego w postaci m.in. użycia Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, jako platformy łączącej
środowisko militarne z cywilnym w sferze bezpieczeństwa.
Autorzy artykułu zaprezentowali podjęte działania komponentu terytorialnego z punktu widzenia
żołnierza tej formacji. Ma to pozwolić czytelnikowi poznać odpowiedź na pytania dotyczące: roli
wojsk OT w strukturze bezpieczeństwa Polski czasu pokoju, kryzysu oraz wojny, poznania specyfiki
formacji oraz jej elastycznej formy, mogącej się dostosować do zaistniałych potrzeb i realizacji zadań
na rzecz składowych podsystemów: ochrony zdrowia, obrony cywilnej i ochrony ludności, bezpieczeństwa wewnętrznego oraz zewnętrznego. W realnym środowisku bezpieczeństwa poddano analizie rozwiązania podjęte w trakcie realizacji zadań przeciwkryzysowych, w kontekście współpracy
struktur wojskowych z administracją publiczną w aspekcie procesu planowania cywilnego, wsparcia
pozostałych sił i służb w ramach zarządzania kryzysowego.The global situation linked to the outbreak of a pandemic crisis around the world, has put the current
order of operation of individual countries to a severe test. The SARS-CoV-2 virus showed how much
the society is not ready to deal with global and biological threats. Living in the belief that epidemics
are a thing of the past, all possible warning signs from scientists and experts in the field have been
ignored.The epidemic crisis has paralysed the activities of the vast majority of public institutions,
including Polish ones, both in economic terms on a macro scale and in the part where private capital
plays a dominant role. The aim of this article was to show the anti-crisis actions taken by Poland,
where in the face of the scale of the challenge, selected elements of the military subsystem were used
in the form of, among others, the use of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces as a platform connecting the military and civil environment in the sphere of security. The authors of the article showed the
activities of the territorial component from the point of view of the soldier of this formation. This is
to allow the reader to know the answer to questions about: the role of territorial troops in the security
structure of Poland’s time of peace, crisis and war, getting to know the specificity of the formation and
its flexible form, which can adapt to the existing needs and tasks for the benefit of the components of
the subsystems: health protection, civil defence and civil protection, internal and external security. In
the real security environment, the solutions undertaken during the implementation of anti-crisis tasks
were analysed in the context of cooperation of military structures. with the public administration in
terms of civil planning process, support to other forces and services in crisis management.Wydawnictwo zostało sfinansowane ze środków JM Rektora UAM przyznanych w ramach grantu pn. "Mobilne punkty pomocy medycznej, modułowe szpitale polowe. Doświadczenia organizacyjne i logistyczne COVID-19.Projekt rozwiązań systemowych w Wielkopolsce"
Pareto Joint Inversion of 2D magnetometric and gravity data- synthetic study
Pareto joint inversion for two or more data sets is an attractive and promising tool which eliminates target functions weighing and scaling, providing a set of acceptable solutions composing a Pareto front. In former author’s study MARIA (Modular Approach Robust Inversion Algorithm) was created as a flexible software based on global optimization engine (PSO) to obtain model parameters in process of Pareto joint inversion of two geophysical data sets. 2D magnetotelluric and gravity data were used for preliminary tests, but the software is ready to handle data from more than two geophysical methods. In this contribution, the authors’ magnetometric forward solver was implemented and integrated with MARIA. The gravity and magnetometry forward solver was verified on synthetic models. The tests were performed for different models of a dyke and showed, that even when the starting model is a homogeneous area without anomaly, it is possible to recover the shape of a small detail of the real model. Results showed that the group analysis of models on the Pareto front gives more information than the single best model. The final stage of interpretation is the raster map of Pareto front solutions analysis