A New-Fangled FES-k-Means Clustering Algorithm for Disease Discovery and Visual Analytics

<p/> <p>The central purpose of this study is to further evaluate the quality of the performance of a new algorithm. The study provides additional evidence on this algorithm that was designed to increase the overall efficiency of the original <it>k</it>-means clustering technique&#8212;the Fast, Efficient, and Scalable <it>k</it>-means algorithm (<it>FES-k</it>-means). The <it>FES-k</it>-means algorithm uses a hybrid approach that comprises the <it>k-d</it> tree data structure that enhances the nearest neighbor query, the original <it>k</it>-means algorithm, and an adaptation rate proposed by Mashor. This algorithm was tested using two real datasets and one synthetic dataset. It was employed twice on all three datasets: once on data trained by the innovative MIL-SOM method and then on the actual untrained data in order to evaluate its competence. This two-step approach of data training prior to clustering provides a solid foundation for knowledge discovery and data mining, otherwise unclaimed by clustering methods alone. The benefits of this method are that it produces clusters similar to the original <it>k</it>-means method at a much faster rate as shown by runtime comparison data; and it provides efficient analysis of large geospatial data with implications for disease mechanism discovery. From a disease mechanism discovery perspective, it is hypothesized that the linear-like pattern of elevated blood lead levels discovered in the city of Chicago may be spatially linked to the city's water service lines.</p

The role of ICTs' in field supervision of undergraduate students at Makerere University: an activity theory system perspective

This research investigates how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools mediate in field supervision of undergraduate students. The research used Activity Theory systems to show that good supervisory practices lead to expansive learning. The study conducted over a two year period of eight weeks each, focussed on nine supervisors, students and administrators in the international programme (summer for the Western Countries) is organised by the College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Security of Makerere University. The students undertake field attachment and are supervised using various ICT tools. The research used qualitative methods and was grounded in Activity Theory. Data was collected through interviews, their participation and discussion in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) and the social media network (Facebook & Diigo) and through various feedback reports either from the supervisors or from the students to collect as much information as possible so as to understand the role ICT plays in this process. The research found that while ICT tools mediate in field supervision of undergraduate students through aggregation of multiple experiences and by providing a virtual proximity in the supervisory process. It also found that there are barriers in its usage which need to be addressed when doing so. These included; internet access and availability as key, power outages, and technical knowhow were also mentioned. The research further found that lack of adequate ICT tools to be used in the field, skills and at times failure to credit the source of content hindered its effectiveness. This inevitably creates lack of consistence in the way they are used. The research, therefore, concludes that there is need for a holistic approach to address the problem of barriers and usage so as to have a comprehensive implementation plan for the use of ICT in the supervisory process. This will assist supervisors in integrating them in their practice

Geographic variations of childhood asthma hospitalization and outpatient visits and proximity to ambient pollution sources at a U.S.-Canada border crossing

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma is a significant public health problem in the United States and evidence is accumulating regarding the contribution from traffic and ambient air pollution. This study is a companion piece of a related Buffalo asthma study in adults recently published in the July 2004 issue of American Journal of Public Health. This study focuses on children under 18 years of age diagnosed with asthma during a three-year period (2000–2002). In order to determine the effects of particulate air pollution on public health, we conducted an ecologic study of childhood asthma and point-source respirable particulate air pollution in patients diagnosed with asthma (n = 6,425). Patients diagnosed with gastroenteritis (n = 5,132) were used as controls. RESULTS: Although the results of this study show spatial patterns similar to the ones observed in the adult study, a multiple-comparison test shows that EPA-designated focus sites located in Buffalo's east side are statistically (p < 0.008) more linked to childhood asthma than sites located elsewhere. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study can be useful in geographic targeting and in the design of optimal and preventive measures

A Critical Assessment of Geographic Clusters of Breast and Lung Cancer Incidences among Residents Living near the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers, Michigan, USA

Objectives. To assess previously determined geographic clusters of breast and lung cancer incidences among residents living near the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers, Michigan, using a new set of environmental factors. Materials and Methods. Breast and lung cancer data were acquired from the Michigan Department of Community Health, along with point source pollution data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The datasets were used to determine whether there is a spatial association between disease risk and environmental contamination. GIS and spatial techniques were combined with statistical analysis to investigate local risk of breast and lung cancer. Results and Conclusion. The study suggests that neighborhoods in close proximity to the river were associated with a high risk of breast cancer, while increased risk of lung cancer was detected among neighborhoods in close proximity to point source pollution and major highways. Statistically significant (P ≤ .001) clusters of cancer incidences were observed among residents living near the rivers. These findings are useful to researchers and governmental agencies for risk assessment, regulation, and control of environmental contamination in the floodplains

ENGARUH MEKANISME TATA KELOLA PERUSAHAAN TERHADAP LUAS PENGUNGKAPAN INFORMASI STRATEGIS PADA WEBSITE PERUSAHAAN DALAM PERSPEKTIF AKUNTANSI ISLAM (Studi Pada Perusahaan yang Terdaftar Di Jakarta Islamic Index 2016-2019)

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini mengidentifikasi tata kelola perusahaan yang baik dapat memperkuat kontrol, mengurangi perilaku oportunis serta tingkat asimetri informasi, sehingga hal tersebut mempunyai dampak yang positif pada tingginya kualitas pengungkapan informasi strategis pada website perusahaan. Adapun rumusan masalah Penelitian ini Bagaimana pengaruh Ukuran Dewan Komisaris, Komposisi Komisaris Independen dan Kepemilikan Manajerial secara Parsial dan Simultan terhadap Luas Pengungkapan Informasi Strategis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk untuk menguji dan mengetahui pengaruh Ukuran Dewan Komisaris, Komposisi Komisaris Independen dan Kepemilikan Manajerial berpengaruh secara parsial dan simultan terhadap Luas Pengungkapan Informasi Strategis. Metode penelitian pada skripsi ini menggunakan metode pendekatan kuantitatif. Objek penelitian adalah Perusahaan yang terdaftar di Jakarta Islamic Index periode 2016-2019. Menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Dalam penelitian ini digunakan data sekunder berupa laporan keuangan tahunan publikasi perusahaan yang terdaftar di JII periode 2016-2019. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Ukuran Dewan Komisaris dan komposisi komisaris independen berpengaruh terhadap luas pengungkapan informasi strategis dilihat dari integritas dan profesionalitas dewan komisaris di perusahaan, sehingga perusahaan yang memiliki banyak anggota dewan komisaris dan komisaris independent yang professional pengungkapan informasi dapat dilakukan. Kepemilikan manajerial berpengaruh terhadap luas pengungkapan informasi strategis, perusahaan yang sahamnya banyak dimiliki oleh pihak Internal untuk mengurangi kepemilikan saham oleh manajemen agar pengungkapan informasi dapat dilakukan. Karna dengan banyak nya kepemilikan saham oleh manajemen pada suatu perusahaan dapat memicu konfik antara pemegang saham. Hal ini berbanding terbalik dengan perusahaan milik BUMN. Kata kunci : Pengungkapan Informasi Strategis, Tata kelola perusahaa

A Scalable Field Study Protocol and Rationale for Passive Ambient Air Sampling: A Spatial Phytosampling for Leaf Data Collection

© 2017 American Chemical Society. Stable, bioreactive, radicals known as environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) have been found to exist on the surface of airborne PM2.5. These EPFRs have been found to form during many combustion processes, are present in vehicular exhaust, and persist in the environment for weeks and biological systems for up to 12 h. To measure EPFRs in PM samples, high volume samplers are required and measurements are less representative of community exposure; therefore, we developed a novel spatial phytosampling methodology to study the spatial patterns of EPFR concentrations using plants. Leaf samples for laboratory PM analysis were collected from 188 randomly drawn sampling sites within a 500-m buffer zone of pollution sources across a sampling grid measuring 32.9 × 28.4 km in Memphis, Tennessee. PM was isolated from the intact leaves and size fractionated, and EPFRs on PM quantified by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The radical concentration was found to positively correlate with the EPFR g-value, thus indicating cumulative content of oxygen centered radicals in PM with higher EPFR load. Our spatial phytosampling approach reveals spatial variations and potential hotspots risk due to EPFR exposure across Memphis and provides valuable insights for identifying exposure and demographic differences for health studies

Spatiotemporal patterns of childhood asthma hospitalization and utilization in Memphis Metropolitan Area from 2005 to 2015

© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Objective: To identify the key risk factors and explain the spatiotemporal patterns of childhood asthma in the Memphis metropolitan area (MMA) over an 11-year period (2005–2015). We hypothesize that in the MMA region this burden is more prevalent among urban children living south, downtown, and north of Memphis than in other areas. Methods: We used a large-scale longitudinal electronic health record database from an integrated healthcare system, Geographic information systems (GIS), and statistical and space-time models to study the spatiotemporal distributions of childhood asthma at census tract level. Results: We found statistically significant spatiotemporal clusters of childhood asthma in the south, west, and north of Memphis city after adjusting for key covariates. The results further show a significant increase in temporal gradient in frequency of emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient hospitalizations from 2009 to 2013, and an upward trajectory from 4 per 1,000 children in 2005 to 16 per 1,000 children in 2015. The multivariate logistic regression identified age, race, insurance, admit source, encounter type, and frequency of visits as significant risk factors for childhood asthma (p \u3c 0.05). We observed a greater asthma burden and healthcare utilization for African American (AA) patients living in a high-risk area than those living in a low-risk area in comparison to the white patients: AA vs. white [odds ratio (OR) = 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75–3.34]; and Hispanic vs. white (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21–2.17). Conclusions: These findings provide a strong basis for developing geographically tailored population health strategies at the neighborhood level for young children with chronic respiratory conditions