Stroke Severity and Comorbidity Index for Prediction of Mortality after Ischemic Stroke from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive-Acute Collaboration

M. Kaste on työryhmän VISTA-Acute Collaboration jäsen.Background: There is increasing interest in the use of administrative data (incorporating comorbidity index) and stroke severity score to predict ischemic stroke mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal timing for the collection of stroke severity data and the minimum clinical dataset to be included in models of stroke mortality. To address these issues, we chose the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA), which contains National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and at 24 hours, as well as outcome at 90 days. Methods: VISTA was searched for patients who had baseline and 24-hour NIHSS. Improvement in regression models was performed by the net reclassification improvement (NRI) method. Results: The clinical data among 5206 patients were mean age, 69 +/- 13; comorbidity index, 3.3 +/- .9; median NIHSS at baseline, 12 (interquartile range [IQR] 8-17); NIHSS at 24 hours, 9 (IQR 8-15); and death at 90 days in 15%. The baseline model consists of age, gender, and comorbidity index. Adding the baseline NIHSS to model 1 improved the NRI by 0.671 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.595-0.747) [or 67.1% correct reclassification between model 1 and model 2]. Adding the 24 hour NIHSS term to model 1 (model 3) improved the NRI by 0.929 (95% CI 0.857-1.000) for model 3 versus model 1. Adding the variable thrombolysis to model 3 (model 4) improve NRI by 0.1 (95% CI 0.023-0.178) [model 4 versus model 3]. Conclusion: The optimal model for the prediction of mortality was achieved by adding the 24-hour NIHSS and thrombolysis to the baseline model.Peer reviewe

Potential Economic Impacts of the Malaysia-Us Free Trade Agreement

Abstract: This study provides a quantitative economy-wide and sectoral assessment of the likely economic effects of a potential Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (MUFTA) on Malaysia and the US economies. The study employed a comparative static, multiple country general equilibrium model, namely the GTAP model. The model simulates the economic impact of the full elimination of bilateral import taxes and export subsidies for Malaysia and the US in the light of proposed MUFTA. Simulation results indicate that the bilateral Malaysia-US FTA is likely to induce an increase in GDP and net welfare for both parties of trade. Additionally, overall trade between Malaysia and the US is poised to expand, while trade with the Rest of the World (ROW) aggregate may decline. Our findings suggest that a bilateral Malaysia-US FTA in merchandise trade can be desirable. However, we emphasis the importance of taking strong caution and wisdom in treating and negotiating the plethora of non tariff, policy impediments instituted by Malaysia so as not to jeopardize her national socio-economic restricting agenda

Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)

This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams

Localization and Broadband Follow-up of the Gravitational-wave Transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams. </p

ANALISIS PERILAKU WANITA PEROKOK DI KELURAHAN PANAU KECAMATAN TAWAELI (STUDI KASUS)

ABSTRAK VISTA YOLANDA. Analisis Perilaku Wanita Perokok di Kelurahan Panau Kecamatan Palu Utara (di bawah bimbingan Ketut Suarayasa dan Muh. Jusman Rau). Peminatan Promosi Kesehatan Program Studi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat Fakultas Kedokteran dan Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Tadulako Skripsi, Juli 2013 Perilaku merokok yaitu aktifitas menghisap rokok, sedangkan rokok adalah gulungan tembakau yang berbalut dengan nipah atau kertas. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) pada tahun 2011 menunjukkan Indonesia menduduki posisi pertama dengan prevalensi perokok aktif tertinggi, yaitu 67,0 % pada laki-laki dan 2,7 % pada wanita. Kelurahan Panau frekuensi wanita perokok lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan kelurahan - kelurahan lainnya di Kecamatan Tawaeli. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui “Perilaku Wanita Perokok di Kelurahan Panau Kecamatan Tawaeliâ€. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah studi kasus, yakni penelitian yang mendalam tentang individu, kelompok, organisasi, program kegiatan, dan sebagainya dalam waktu tertentu. Jumlah informan yang digunakan adalah 10 orang, terdiri dari 4 informan kunci dan 6 informan biasa. Analisis data menggunakan pendekatan analisa isi (content analisis) dengan teknik matriks dimana informasi yang diperoleh diolah dalam tabel antara lain : Nama informan, hasil wawancara, pemaknaan data, dan kategorisasi serta dalam bentuk narasi/ cerita. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor intrinsik (pengetahuan, sikap, tindakan) dan faktor ekstrinsik (teman, sosial budaya dan media) dapat menyebabkan perilaku merokok pada wanita di Kelurahan Panau Kecamatan Tawaeli. Diharapkan bagi pemerintah dan instansi kesehatan agar memberikan lebih banyak informasi tentang rokok, agar masyarakat dapat lebih mengerti tentang dampak yang dapat diakibatkan oleh rokok. Kata Kunci : Perilaku, Wanita Perokok

Calibration of a Sheet of Thermosensitive Liquid Crystals Viewed Non-Orthogonally

A thin adhesive sheet of encapsulated thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) is attached to a submerged plate, impinged by an ionic jet in an electrohydrodynamics experiment. In order to measure the local temperature and obtain the heat transfer coefficients on the plate, a proper calibration of the liquid crystals is needed. A colour can be expressed as a weighted combination of three attributes: hue, saturation and intensity. In TLCs, hue is a function of temperature in a narrow range. However, TLCs colour also depends on the angle under which a point on the sheet is viewed, as well as on the lighting conditions. Due to the particular specifications and inherent constraints of our experimental apparatus, the calibration procedure becomes fairly complicated. In fact, the digital camera for the acquisition of the colour pattern has to be positioned on the side of the sheet. Besides, the TLCs are non-uniformly lighted, including the presence of shadows. The relationship between the hue field and the temperature field on the plate is then obtained by means of a filtering and interpolation technique, as described in the paper. The overall accuracy of the developed technique is ±0.1 K