Comparison of expectation-maximization clustering and logistic regression on categorization of planets with known properties

Analysis of the exoplanet data is the top priority of astrophysicists today. With the increasing incoming information there is a need for an efficient and reliable algorithm. The data is taken from exoplanet data explorer which was cross checked and filtered with NASA’s known categorization. These were then sorted into 5 categories: Dwarfs, Terrestrial, Icy, Jovian and Giant planets. This paper compares expectation-maximization clustering algorithm as an unsupervised and logistic regression as a supervised machine learning methodologies. Comparatively, logistic regression outperformed EM, indicating it cannot be used to sort through the incoming data. Further analysis is necessary

Comparative evaluation of biochemical parameters during urinary infection in Maltese and Belgian shepherd dogs

Urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable, painful and even dangerous for most dog breeds. Clinical signs are often nonspecific and insufficient for diagnosis. Urinalysis in combination with biochemical parameters and urine culture is the best combination of clinical findings for diagnosis of urinary tract infections. The incidence of urinary tract infections in dogs population is growing and 27% of dogs develop an urinary tract infection through their life. Urinary infections occur more often in the elderly than in younger dogs. More than 70% of all urinary tract infections are infections with one bacterial species. Biochemical profile is important aspect for diagnosis establishment, but due to the nature of action infection by different agents may be considered as individual case. The main aim of this research was to analyse biochemical parameters of Maltese and Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) dog breed, who were affected by urinary tract infections. Urea concentration was elevated in Malinois, while urea, phosphates, albumins and alkaline phosphatase activity were elevated in Maltese dogs. Statistical analysis showed differences in concentrations of urea, creatinine, phosphates, so as alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and amylase activity between compared breeds during acute urinary infections. Maltese dogs are less resistant to bacterias, that causes urinary tract infections, and have lower chance to maintain homeostasis of biochemical parameters in blood during urinary bacterial infections, in comparison to Maltese dogs

Effects of trivalent and hexavalent dietary chromium on blood biochemical profile in Japanese quails

Trivalent chromium is an essential trace element for humans and animals and it is the final product of hexavalent chromium reduction in the cell. It is an integral part of the glucose-tolerance factor, which increases the systemic impact of insulin. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of trivalent and hexavalent chromium on selected biochemical parameters in Japanese quails. Birds were divided into three groups: group I (control group, n=12), group II (treated with trivalent chromium, n=12) and group III (treated with hexavalent chromium, n=12). During 20 days of follow-up, control and ex-perimental groups of quails had identical diet; chromium was added daily into the food (5 mg/kg) and water (5 mg/L) of the experimental groups. Glucose concentrations were the highest in Group III, while lowest glucose concentrations were obtained in Group I. There were higher differencies regar¬ding blood biochemical parameters between control group and quails treated with Cr(VI). Our results showed that hexavalent chromium had negative effects on biochemical parameters in quails, while treatment with Cr(III) showed minor fluctuations in concentrations or activities of blood biochemical parameters

Analysis of improving business processes by implementing the lean concept at the level of tertiary healthcare

Introduction. The success of healthcare organizations depends on the quality and speed of providing services to patients. Synonym for the term success of health care organization is the implementation of modern concepts Synonymous with the success of healthcare organizations is the implementation of modern concepts. In this paper, the emphasis is on the lean concept, affects the quality and speed of providing health services. Subject of research. The subject being researched in this paper is a lean concept which essence is determined by the implementation of methods that affect the speed and quality of providing health services. The aim of the work is to point out the actuality of the lean concept and its application at the tertiary level of health care. Examine the opinion of healthcare workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the new management system (lean concept). Aim of this paper is to indicate the actuality of the lean concept and its application at the tertiary level of health care system. Examine the opinion of healthcare workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the new management system (lean concept). More precise possibilities of imple- menting the lean methodology, which can be used to improve clinical processes. Materials and methods. The research was conducted by designing and using research questionnaires. Questionnaire structured by the author for the purposes of research in this paper. The questionnaire was sent to 472 employees’ mail addresses and was filled out by 91 employees. One of the reasons for the lower questionnaire return rate is the lack of familiarity of employees with the lean concept and its effects on the provision of health services. The return rate of referrals indicates the need for prior presentation and familiarization with the concept itself and its impact on business processes. A Likert scale was used to assess the opinions of healthcare services workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the lean concept at the tertiary level. Medical wastes are shown in the oncology department (case analysis). We statistically processed the data obtained from the questionnaire using the SPSS 20.0 software package. The results are presented tabularly and graphically. The following methods are used in the paper: analysis method, inductive - deductive method, synthesis method, description method and proof method. Results. The results of the research showed that (analysis of health organizations that apply the lean concept) and the opinion of health workers about the possibility of applying the lean concept at the tertiary level of health care has a positive impact on improving the efficiency of the provision of health services. The interpretation of the correlation coefficient from the previous table indicates the exist- ence of a positive relationship between the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes (r=0.846; p<0,05). Based on the literature review and the obtained results, it was determined that there is no formalized concept with instructions on the implementation of clinical process improvement methods. There was a positive impact on improving the efficiency of the provision of health services, through the imple- mentation of modern methods. The review of the literature and the obtained results revealed that there is no formalized concept with instructions on the implementation of clinical process improvement methods. Conclusion The expected positive effects of the implementation of the lean concept at the tertiary lev- el of the health care of are manifested through: faster service delivery to patients, reduction of service waiting time and general improvement of business processes. The implementation of the lean concept would reduce medical waste, which would positively affect the quality of health care services

Analysis of improving business processes by implementing the lean concept at the level of tertiary healthcare

Introduction. The success of healthcare organizations depends on the quality and speed of providing services to patients. Synonym for the term success of health care organization is the implementation of modern concepts Synonymous with the success of healthcare organizations is the implementation of modern concepts. In this paper, the emphasis is on the lean concept, affects the quality and speed of providing health services. Subject of research. The subject being researched in this paper is a lean concept which essence is determined by the implementation of methods that affect the speed and quality of providing health services. The aim of the work is to point out the actuality of the lean concept and its application at the tertiary level of health care. Examine the opinion of healthcare workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the new management system (lean concept). Aim of this paper is to indicate the actuality of the lean concept and its application at the tertiary level of health care system. Examine the opinion of healthcare workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the new management system (lean concept). More precise possibilities of imple- menting the lean methodology, which can be used to improve clinical processes. Materials and methods. The research was conducted by designing and using research questionnaires. Questionnaire structured by the author for the purposes of research in this paper. The questionnaire was sent to 472 employees’ mail addresses and was filled out by 91 employees. One of the reasons for the lower questionnaire return rate is the lack of familiarity of employees with the lean concept and its effects on the provision of health services. The return rate of referrals indicates the need for prior presentation and familiarization with the concept itself and its impact on business processes. A Likert scale was used to assess the opinions of healthcare services workers about the effects that would be achieved by applying the lean concept at the tertiary level. Medical wastes are shown in the oncology department (case analysis). We statistically processed the data obtained from the questionnaire using the SPSS 20.0 software package. The results are presented tabularly and graphically. The following methods are used in the paper: analysis method, inductive - deductive method, synthesis method, description method and proof method. Results. The results of the research showed that (analysis of health organizations that apply the lean concept) and the opinion of health workers about the possibility of applying the lean concept at the tertiary level of health care has a positive impact on improving the efficiency of the provision of health services. The interpretation of the correlation coefficient from the previous table indicates the exist- ence of a positive relationship between the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes (r=0.846; p<0,05). Based on the literature review and the obtained results, it was determined that there is no formalized concept with instructions on the implementation of clinical process improvement methods. There was a positive impact on improving the efficiency of the provision of health services, through the imple- mentation of modern methods. The review of the literature and the obtained results revealed that there is no formalized concept with instructions on the implementation of clinical process improvement methods. Conclusion The expected positive effects of the implementation of the lean concept at the tertiary lev- el of the health care of are manifested through: faster service delivery to patients, reduction of service waiting time and general improvement of business processes. The implementation of the lean concept would reduce medical waste, which would positively affect the quality of health care services

Evaluation of Diagnostic Efficiency of Alpha-Fetoprotein in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: AFP serum levels are considered as diagnostic and specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). AIM: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic value of AFP in the distinguishing of patients with HCC from patients with LC, and to analyse the potential correlation between AFP levels and liver disease stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with LC and fifty patients with HCC were included in this study. The majority of the patients were males, while the HBV aetiology was dominant. RESULTS: Significant differences between LC and HCC patients were detected for AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin, AFP and AP. Patients with HCC had higher AFP values compared to LC. There was no significant correlation between the size of the tumour lesion and serum AFP levels. A positive correlation between AFP concentration and GGT activity was determined, as was the negative correlation between AFP and age of the subjects. The AFP value of 23.34 ng/m showed high sensitivity (84%) and specificity (82%). CONCLUSION: The size of the surface below the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.877 (0.80-0.95), which makes AFP a good biomarker and this diagnostic test is sufficient to separate patients with HCC and LC

LEAN concept – possibilities of implementation and improvement of business processes in public healthcare organizations

Uvod: Osnovni je postulat lean koncepta da se veća efikasnost procesa rada može postići kroz proces kontinuiranog poboljšanja. To znači eliminiranje otpada i maksimiziranje aktivnosti koje dodaju vrijednost. Zdravstveni sustavi u Nizozemskoj, Velikoj Britaniji, Italiji i Sjedinjenim Američkim Državama implementirali su lean koncept. Cilj rada: Ispitati mišljenje zdravstvenih radnika javne bolnice na području Sarajeva o mogućnostima unaprjeđenja poslovnih procesa implementacijom lean koncepta. Metoda: Istraživanje je provedeno kao presječna studija u javnoj bolnici na području Sarajeva. Upitnik je poslane-poštom zdravstvenim radnicima. Obuhvaćen je 91 ispitanik oba spola (doktori medicine, specijalizanti, diplomirane medicinske sestre, medicinske sestre i administrativno osoblje). Rezultati: Utvrđena je pozitivna korelacija stavova o efektivnosti i efikasnosti poslovnih procesa. Prema mišljenju ispitanika, veća efektivnost poslovnih procesa pridonosi većoj efikasnosti (r = 0,846; p < 0,05). Spearmanov koeficijent rs = 0,81 pokazuje jaku povezanost efektivnosti i efikasnosti poslovnih procesa. Zaključak: Istraživanje je pokazalo da postoji pozitivan stav o utjecaju lean koncepta na poboljšanje učinkovitosti poslovnih procesa. Očekivani pozitivni učinciimplementacije lean koncepta manifestiraju se kroz: brže pružanje usluge pacijentima, smanjivanje vremena čekanja usluge i generalno poboljšanje poslovnih procesa.Introduction: The basic postulate of the lean concept is that greater efficiency of the work process can be achieved through a process of continuous improvement, which aims to eliminate waste and maximize activities that add value.The Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy and the United States were examples of healthcare systems that implemented the lean concept. Aim: To examine the opinion of health workers of a public hospitals in the Sarajevo area about the possibilities of improving business processes by implementing the lean concept. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to the e-mail addresses of health workers of public health organizations. 91 respondents of both sexes (doctors of medicine, residents, registered nurses, nurses and administrative staff) were included. Results: A positive correlation was establishedin the attitude toward the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes. According to the participant’s opinion, the greater effectiveness of business processes contributes to greater efficiency (r=0.846; p<0,05). Spearman’s coefficient rs=0.81 shows a strong connection between the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a positive attitude towards the impact of the lean concept on improving the efficiency of business processes. The reducexpected positive effects of the implementation of the lean concept are manifested through faster provision of services to patients, reduction of service waiting times and general improvement of business processes

Hamartomas, teratomas and teratocarcinosarcomas of the head and neck: Report of 3 new cases with clinico-pathologic correlation, cytogenetic analysis, and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Germ-cell tumors (GCT) are a histologically and biologically diverse group of neoplasms which primarily occur in the gonads but also develop at different extragonadal sites in the midline of the body. The head and neck region including the upper respiratory tract is a very rare location for such tumors in both children and adults, which can cause diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We describe here two new cases of multilineage tumors including sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma [SNTCS], and congenital oronasopharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) and compare their features with those of a new case of a rare salivary gland anlage tumor [SGAT], an entity for which the pathogenesis is unclear (i.e. hamartoma versus neoplasm). We correlate their presenting clinico-pathological features and compare histologic and cytogenetic features in an attempt to elucidate their pathogenesis and biologic potentials.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>Cytogenetic analysis revealed chromosomal abnormalities only in the case of SNTCS that showed trisomy 12 and 1p deletion. Both cytogenetic abnormalities are characteristically present in malignant germ cell tumors providing for the first time evidence that this rare tumor type indeed might represent a variant of a germ cell neoplasm. The SGAT and epignathus carried no such cytogenetic abnormalities, in keeping with their limited and benign biologic potential.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The comparison of these three cases should serve to emphasize the diversity of multilineage tumors (hamartomas and GCT) of the upper respiratory tract in regards to their biology, age of presentation and clinical outcomes. Malignant tumors of germ cell origins are more likely to affect adults with insidious symptom development, while benign tumors can nevertheless cause dramatic clinical symptoms which, under certain circumstances, can be fatal.</p

Mapping HW resource usage towards SW performance

With the software applications increasing in complexity, description of hardware is becoming increasingly relevant. To ensure the quality of service for specific applications, it is imperative to have an insight into hardware resources. Cache memory is used for storing data closer to the processor needed for quick access and improves the quality of service of applications. The description of cache memory usually consists of the size of different cache levels, set associativity, or line size. Software applications would benefit more from a more detailed model of cache memory.In this thesis, we offer a way of describing the behavior of cache memory which benefits software performance. Several performance events are tested, including L1 cache misses, L2 cache misses, and L3 cache misses. With the collected information, we develop performance models of cache memory behavior. Goodness of fit is tested for these models and they are used to predict the behavior of the cache memory during future runs of the same application.Our experiments show that L1 cache misses can be modeled to predict the future runs. L2 cache misses model is less accurate but still usable for predictions, and L3 cache misses model is the least accurate and is not feasible to predict the behavior of the future runs

İskelet Kasında Tüm Vücut Titreşimi ve Immobilizasyonun Protein Sentez ve Yıkımında Rol Oynayan Sinyal Yolakları Üzerine Etkisi

In addition to disuse such as immobilization, denervation and hindlimb suspension, some physiologic and pathologic conditions result in skeletal muscle atrophy. Although atrophy is an important clinical problem, there are no known therapeutic interventions. Recently, there is a growing interest on Whole Body Vibration (WBV) which has shown to increase muscle mass, strength and balance. The molecular mechanisms of the effect of WBV on skeletal muscle are unknown. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of immobilization, remobilization and WBT on signaling pathways involved in muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Four months old female Wistar Albino rats randomly divided to five groups (n=6 each group): Control (C), two weeks of immobilization (I), immobilization followed by one week of remobilization (IR), immobilization followed by one week of remobilization and WBV (IRV) one week of WBV (WBV).İskelet kası atrofisi; immobilizasyon, denervasyon, yüksüzleştirme gibi kullanmamaya bağlı olarak veya çeşitli fizyolojik ve patolojik koşullarda ortaya çıkan kas kitle ve kuvvet kaybı ile karakterize bir durumdur. Günümüzde kas atrofisinin önlenmesi için uygun bir girişim veya tedavi yöntemi bulunmamaktadır. Bu çerçevede, son yıllarda artan sayıda çalışmanın kas kitle ve kuvvetini arttırdığı ifade ettiği tüm vücut titreşimi (TVT) dikkatleri çekmektedir. Diğer yandan TVT’nin bu etkiyi hangi mekanizmalar ile gerçekleştirdiği bilinmemektedir. Bu çalışma, iki haftalık immobilizasyon ve TVT’nin iskelet kası atrofi ve hipertrofi yolaklarında görev alan bazı sinyal molekülleri üzerine etkisini değerlendirmek amacı ile yapılmıştır. Dört aylık dişi Wistar sıçanlar kontol (K), iki haftalık immobilizasyon (İ), bir haftalık remobilizasyon (İR), bir haftalık remobilizasyon sırasında TVT (İT) ve yalnızca bir hafta TVT (T) uygulaması olmak üzere beş farklı gruba (n=6, her grup) ayrılmıştır