The Evolution of Data Science: A New Mode of Knowledge Production

Is data science a new field of study or simply an extension or specialization of a discipline that already exists, such as statistics, computer science, or mathematics? This article explores the evolution of data science as a potentially new academic discipline, which has evolved as a function of new problem sets that established disciplines have been ill-prepared to address. The authors find that this newly-evolved discipline can be viewed through the lens of a new mode of knowledge production and is characterized by transdisciplinarity collaboration with the private sector and increased accountability. Lessons from this evolution can inform knowledge production in other traditional academic disciplines as well as inform established knowledge management practices grappling with the emerging challenges of Big Data

A Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms for Prediction of Past Due Service in Commercial Credit

Credit risk modeling has carried a variety of research interest in previous literature, and recent studies have shown that machine learning methods achieved better performance than conventional statistical ones. This study applies decision tree which is a robust advanced credit risk model to predict the commercial non-financial past-due problem with better critical power and accuracy. In addition, we examine the performance with logistic regression analysis, decision trees, and neural networks. The experimenting results confirm that decision trees improve upon other methods. Also, we find some interesting factors that impact the commercials’ non-financial past-due payment

Can Urethral Retroresistance Pressures Predict Midurethral Sling Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preoperative urethral resistance pressure (URP) measurements could predict success or failure of a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) sling. METHODS: Subjects came from a previously published study comparing URP measurements to a validated urinary incontinence symptom survey (UISS). We contacted patients from that study to determine whether they had subsequently undergone TVT surgery. Within that cohort, we determined the “current” (i.e., postoperative) UISS and Sandvik urinary incontinence severity score. Success of a TVT sling in this group was defined in 4 ways: (1) postoperative UISS score \u3c 3, (2) postoperative UISS score \u3c 75% of the preoperative score, (3) postoperative Sandvik score \u3c 6, and (4) postoperative Sandvik score \u3c 2. These definitions of “success” were compared across demographic and treatment variables using the Student’s t test, ANOVA, χ 2 and ROC curves. RESULTS: We contacted 69 women who had in fact received a TVT sling after their participation in the previously published study mentioned above. Among these 69 women, mean preoperative urethral retroresistance pressure values were not predictive of surgical success. CONCLUSION: Preoperative urethral retroresistance pressure measurements did not reliably predict surgical success or failure; therefore, this urodynamic test is of little value to the clinician

Prospective study of an ultra-lightweight polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis To prospectively evaluate the use of a particular polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods This was a prospective study of 120 patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. We compared preoperative and 12-month postoperative objective and subjective assessments via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Short Form 20 (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7); and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12). Objective "anatomical success" was defined as POP-Q stage 0 or 1 at all postoperative intervals. We further defined "clinical cure" by simultaneously considering POP-Q points and subjective measures. To be considered a "clinical cure," a given patient had to have all POP-Q points ≤0, apical POP-Q point C ≤5, no reported pelvic organ prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperation for prolapse at all postoperative intervals. Results Of the 120 patients, 118 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The objective "anatomical success" rate was 89 % and the "clinical cure" rate was 94 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 100.4 at baseline to 21.0 at 12 months (p<0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 61.6 to 8.0 (p<0.0001); and PISQ-12 scores improved from 35.7 to 38.6 (p <0.0009). No mesh erosions or mesh-related complications occurred. Conclusion The use of this ultra-lightweight Y mesh for sacrocolpopexy, eliminated the mesh-related complications in the first postoperative year, and provided significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes

ASSESSMENT OF EVALUATION METHODS FOR BINARY CLASSIFICATION MODELING

A well-established literature exists examining the relative performances of statistical and non-statistical modeling techniques. However, little organized research attention has been given to the evaluation methods used to determine model and technique superiority. We compare and contrast models developed using these techniques, specifically examining their respective classification accuracy through three methods of evaluation – Classification Rates, The Kolmorgorov-Smirnov Test and ROC curves. As our results revealed, the selection of a ‘best ’ model is contingent on the chosen evaluation method. Consequently, analysts would be well served to develop an understanding of the circumstances under which each evaluation method should be utilized

Subjective and Objective Results 1 Year after Robotic Sacrocolpopexy using a Lightweight Y-Mesh

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective of this study was to assess outcomes following robotic sacrocolpopexy using a lightweight polypropylene Y-mesh. Methods: During our study period, all patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy were enrolled in this single-arm prospective trial. Endpoints included Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) values; Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, short form 20 (PFDI-20); Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, short form 7 (PFIQ-7); Surgical Satisfaction scores; and the Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index. All surgeries were performed with a pre-configured monofilament type 1 polypropylene Y-mesh (Alyte©, C.R. Bard, Covington, GA, USA). Cure rates at 12 months were calculated using two separate definitions: (1) \u27clinical cure\u27: no POP-Q points \u3e 0, point C ≤ −5, no prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperations for prolapse and (2) \u27objective anatomic cure\u27: POP-Q stage 0 or 1, point C of ≤ −5, and no reoperations for prolapse. Results: A total of 150 patients underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy and 143 (95 %) were available for 12-month follow-up. Mean age was 58.6 ± 9.8 and mean body mass index was 26.3 ± 4.5. Mean operative time and blood loss were 148 ± 27.6 min (range 75-250 min) and 51.2 ± 32, respectively. There were no mesh erosions or exposures, and mesh edges were not palpable in any patient. At 12 months the clinical cure rate was 95 %, and the objective anatomic cure rate was 84 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 98 at baseline to 17 at 12 months ( p \u3c 0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 59 to 6.5 ( p \u3c 0.0001). Conclusions: Robotic sacrocolpopexy using this lightweight polypropylene Y-mesh offers excellent subjective and objective results at 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Prospective Cohort Study of Bowel Function After Robotic Sacrocolpopexy

Objective: This study aimed to determine bowel function changes 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study evaluating bowel function 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy between 2007 and 2011. Bowel function symptoms were measured by the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, Short Form 8 (CRADI-8). Specific impacts on quality of life with regard to bowel function were evaluated using the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (CRAIQ-7). Splinting to defecate was defined as any positive response to question 4 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 which reads, do you ever have to push on the vagina or around the rectum to have or complete a bowel movement?. Lastly, patients were grouped according to perineorrhaphy versus no perineorrhaphy and bowel function scores were examined. Results: Of 423 consecutive patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy at our institution, 393 (93%) completed a 12-month follow-up. Mean CRADI-8 scores at baseline and 12 months were 21.1 (20) and 7.3 (11), respectively (P \u3c 0.0001). Mean CRAIQ-7 scores at baseline and 12 months were 11.1 (20) and 2.4 (9), respectively (P \u3c 0.0001). Preoperatively, 152 patients reported a need to splint the vagina or perineum to complete a bowel movement. At 12 months, 70% reported complete resolution of splinting. Con comitant perineorrhaphy was performed on 87 patients and there were no differences in 12-month CRADI-8 or CRAIQ-7 scores between groups. Conclusions: Robotic sacrocolpopexy was associated with significant improvements in bowel function as measured by CRADI-8 as well as improvements in impact on quality of life as measured by CRAIQ-7

Prospective Study of an Ultra-lightweight Polypropylene Y Mesh for Robotic Sacrocolpopexy

Introduction and hypothesis: To prospectively evaluate the use of a particular polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods: This was a prospective study of 120 patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. We compared preoperative and 12-month postoperative objective and subjective assessments via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Short Form 20 (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7); and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12). Objective \u27anatomical success\u27 was defined as POP-Q stage 0 or 1 at all postoperative intervals. We further defined \u27clinical cure\u27 by simultaneously considering POP-Q points and subjective measures. To be considered a \u27clinical cure,\u27 a given patient had to have all POP-Q points ≤0, apical POP-Q point C ≤5, no reported pelvic organ prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperation for prolapse at all postoperative intervals. Results: Of the 120 patients, 118 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The objective \u27anatomical success\u27 rate was 89 % and the \u27clinical cure\u27 rate was 94 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 100.4 at baseline to 21.0 at 12 months ( p \u3c 0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 61.6 to 8.0 ( p \u3c 0.0001); and PISQ-12 scores improved from 35.7 to 38.6 ( p \u3c 0.0009). No mesh erosions or mesh-related complications occurred. Conclusion: The use of this ultra-lightweight Y mesh for sacrocolpopexy, eliminated the mesh-related complications in the first postoperative year, and provided significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes