306 research outputs found
Fast Bayesian experimental design: Laplace-based importance sampling for the expected information gain
In calculating expected information gain in optimal Bayesian experimental
design, the computation of the inner loop in the classical double-loop Monte
Carlo requires a large number of samples and suffers from underflow if the
number of samples is small. These drawbacks can be avoided by using an
importance sampling approach. We present a computationally efficient method for
optimal Bayesian experimental design that introduces importance sampling based
on the Laplace method to the inner loop. We derive the optimal values for the
method parameters in which the average computational cost is minimized
according to the desired error tolerance. We use three numerical examples to
demonstrate the computational efficiency of our method compared with the
classical double-loop Monte Carlo, and a more recent single-loop Monte Carlo
method that uses the Laplace method as an approximation of the return value of
the inner loop. The first example is a scalar problem that is linear in the
uncertain parameter. The second example is a nonlinear scalar problem. The
third example deals with the optimal sensor placement for an electrical
impedance tomography experiment to recover the fiber orientation in laminate
composites.Comment: 42 pages, 35 figure
Nesterov-aided Stochastic Gradient Methods using Laplace Approximation for Bayesian Design Optimization
Finding the best setup for experiments is the primary concern for Optimal
Experimental Design (OED). Here, we focus on the Bayesian experimental design
problem of finding the setup that maximizes the Shannon expected information
gain. We use the stochastic gradient descent and its accelerated counterpart,
which employs Nesterov's method, to solve the optimization problem in OED. We
adapt a restart technique, originally proposed for the acceleration in
deterministic optimization, to improve stochastic optimization methods. We
combine these optimization methods with three estimators of the objective
function: the double-loop Monte Carlo estimator (DLMC), the Monte Carlo
estimator using the Laplace approximation for the posterior distribution (MCLA)
and the double-loop Monte Carlo estimator with Laplace-based importance
sampling (DLMCIS). Using stochastic gradient methods and Laplace-based
estimators together allows us to use expensive and complex models, such as
those that require solving partial differential equations (PDEs). From a
theoretical viewpoint, we derive an explicit formula to compute the gradient
estimator of the Monte Carlo methods, including MCLA and DLMCIS. From a
computational standpoint, we study four examples: three based on analytical
functions and one using the finite element method. The last example is an
electrical impedance tomography experiment based on the complete electrode
model. In these examples, the accelerated stochastic gradient descent method
using MCLA converges to local maxima with up to five orders of magnitude fewer
model evaluations than gradient descent with DLMC.Comment: 36 pages, 14 figure
Deep Venous Thrombosis Prophylaxis In Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery: A Brazilian Survey.
Deep venous thrombosis (DVP) is a frequent disease. Prophylaxis is the best means to reduce its incidence, for lowering morbidity and mortality rates and treatment costs caused by its complications. To evaluate the knowledge and use of any kind of DVT prophylaxis by Brazilian Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. A questionnaire was sent to all Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons associated to the Brazilian College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons that have a valid e-mail address. The data retrieved was evaluated and tabulated. Of the 1100 questionnaires sent, only 4% were retrieved. The 42 retrieved were included in the study. Twenty six of the surgeons do not use any kind of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, 11 use mechanical means as elastic compressive stockings or pneumatic compressive devices for prophylaxis, and 5 uses low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) as the choice for prophylaxis. The data collected, despite the low rate of participation (4%) by the surgeons, shows that this subject still does not receive proper attention. Whereas other medical specialties make routine use of prophylactic means maybe the maxillofacial surgeons lack concern on that matter.23519-2
Acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a comparative biomechanical study of the palmaris-longus tendon graft reconstruction with other augmentative methods in cadaveric models
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acromioclavicular injuries are common in sports medicine. Surgical intervention is generally advocated for chronic instability of Rockwood grade III and more severe injuries. Various methods of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and augmentation have been described. The objective of this study is to compare the biomechanical properties of a novel palmaris-longus tendon reconstruction with those of the native AC+CC ligaments, the modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction, the ACJ capsuloligamentous complex repair, screw and clavicle hook plate augmentation.</p> <p>Hypothesis</p> <p>There is no difference, biomechanically, amongst the various reconstruction and augmentative methods.</p> <p>Study Design</p> <p>Controlled laboratory cadaveric study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>54 cadaveric native (acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular) ligaments were tested using the Instron machine. Superior loading was performed in the 6 groups: 1) in the intact states, 2) after modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction (WD), 3) after modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction with acromioclavicular joint capsuloligamentous repair (WD.ACJ), 4) after modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction with clavicular hook plate augmentation (WD.CP) or 5) after modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction with coracoclavicular screw augmentation (WD.BS) and 6) after modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction with mersilene tape-palmaris-longus tendon graft reconstruction (WD. PLmt). Posterior-anterior (horizontal) loading was similarly performed in all groups, except groups 4 and 5. The respective failure loads, stiffnesses, displacements at failure and modes of failure were recorded. Data analysis was carried out using a one-way ANOVA, with Student's unpaired t-test for unpaired data (S-PLUS statistical package 2005).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Native ligaments were the strongest and stiffest when compared to other modes of reconstruction and augmentation except coracoclavicular screw, in both posterior-anterior and superior directions (p < 0.005).</p> <p>WD.ACJ provided additional posterior-anterior (P = 0. 039) but not superior (p = 0.250) stability when compared to WD alone.</p> <p>WD+PLmt, in loads and stiffness at failure superiorly, was similar to WD+CP (p = 0.066). WD+PLmt, in loads and stiffness at failure postero-anteriorly, was similar to WD+ACJ (p = 0.084).</p> <p>Superiorly, WD+CP had similar strength as WD+BS (p = 0.057), but it was less stiff (p < 0.005).</p> <p>Conclusions and Clinical Relevance</p> <p>Modified Weaver-Dunn procedure must always be supplemented with acromioclavicular capsuloligamentous repair to increase posterior-anterior stability. Palmaris-Longus tendon graft provides both additional superior and posterior-anterior stability when used for acromioclavicular capsuloligamentous reconstruction. It is a good alternative to clavicle hook plate in acromioclavicular dislocation.</p
Pneumonic Tularemia in Rabbits Resembles the Human Disease as Illustrated by Radiographic and Hematological Changes after Infection
Background: Pneumonic tularemia is caused by inhalation of the gram negative bacterium, Francisella tularensis. Because of concerns that tularemia could be used as a bioterrorism agent, vaccines and therapeutics are urgently needed. Animal models of pneumonic tularemia with a pathophysiology similar to the human disease are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these potential medical countermeasures. Principal Findings: Rabbits exposed to aerosols containing Francisella tularensis strain SCHU S4 developed a rapidly progressive fatal pneumonic disease. Clinical signs became evident on the third day after exposure with development of a fever (>40.5°C) and a sharp decline in both food and water intake. Blood samples collected on day 4 found lymphopenia and a decrease in platelet counts coupled with elevations in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, granulocytes and monocytes. Radiographs demonstrated the development of pneumonia and abnormalities of intestinal gas consistent with ileus. On average, rabbits were moribund 5.1 days after exposure; no rabbits survived exposure at any dose (190-54,000 cfu). Gross evaluation of tissues taken at necropsy showed evidence of pathology in the lungs, spleen, liver, kidney and intestines. Bacterial counts confirmed bacterial dissemination from the lungs to the liver and spleen. Conclusions/Significance: The pathophysiology of pneumonic tularemia in rabbits resembles what has been reported for humans. Rabbits therefore are a relevant model of the human disease caused by type A strains of F. tularensis. © 2011 Reed et al
Time to positivity in blood cultures of adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia
BACKGROUND: previous studies have established that bacterial blood concentration is related with clinical outcome. Time to positivity of blood cultures (TTP) has relationship with bacterial blood concentration and could be related with prognosis. As there is scarce information about the usefulness of TTP, we study the relationship of TTP with clinical parameters in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. METHODS: TTP of all cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, detected between January 1995 and December 2004 using the BacT/Alert automated blood culture system in a teaching community hospital was analyzed. When multiple cultures were positive only the shortest TTP was selected for the analysis. RESULTS: in the study period 105 patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia were detected. Median TTP was 14.1 hours (range 1.2 h to 127 h). Immunosuppressed patients (n = 5), patients with confusion (n = 19), severe sepsis or shock at the time of blood culture extraction (n = 12), those with a diagnosis of meningitis (n = 7) and those admitted to the ICU (n = 14) had lower TTP. Patients with TTP in the first quartile were more frequently hospitalized, admitted to the ICU, had meningitis, a non-pneumonic origin of the bacteremia, and a higher number of positive blood cultures than patients with TTP in the fourth quartile. None of the patients with TTP in the 90(th )decile had any of these factors associated with shorter TTP, and eight out of ten patients with TTP in the 10(th )decile had at least one of these factors. The number of positive blood cultures had an inverse correlation with TTP, suggesting a relationship of TTP with bacterial blood concentration. CONCLUSION: Our data support the relationship of TTP with several clinical parameters in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, and its potential usefulness as a surrogate marker of outcome
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