Classification Codes Research Articles

Needle in a haystack: Harnessing AI in drug patent searches and prediction.

The classification codes granted by patent offices are useful instruments for simplifying the bewildering variety of patents in existence. They are singularly unhelpful, however, in locating a specific subgroup of patents such as that of drug-related pharmaceutical patents for which no classification codes exist. Taking advantage of advances in artificial intelligence and in natural language processing in particular, we offer a new method of identifying chemical drug-related patents in this article. The aim is primarily that of demonstrating how the proverbial needle in a haystack was identified, namely through leveraging the superb pattern-recognition abilities of the BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) algorithm. We build three different databases to train our algorithm and fine-tune its abilities to identify the patent group in question by exposing it to additional texts containing structures that are much more likely to be present in them, until we obtain the highest possible F1-score, combined with an accuracy of 94.40%. We also demonstrate some possible uses of the algorithm. Its application to the US patent office database enables the identification of potential chemical drug patents up to ten years before drug approval, whereas its application to the German patent office reveals the regional nature of drug R&D and patenting strategies. The hope is that both the method proposed and its applications will be further refined and expanded forthwith.

The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper estimates intergenerational mobility in education, using data from 91 censuses in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean spanning over half a century. It measures upward mobility as the likelihood that individuals will complete one educational stage more than their parents (primary education for those whose parents did not finish primary school, or secondary education for those whose parents did not complete secondary school). It measures downward mobility as the likelihood that an individual will fail to complete a level of education (primary or secondary) that their parents did attain. In addition, the paper explores the geography of educational intergenerational mobility using nearly 400 “provinces” and more than 6,000 “districts,” finding substantial cross-country and within-country heterogeneity. It documents a decline in the mobility gap between urban and rural populations with small differences by gender. It also finds that upward mobility is increasing, and downward mobility is decreasing over time. Within countries, the level of mobility correlates closely to the share of the preceding generation that completed primary school. In addition, upward mobility is negatively correlated with distance to the capital and the share of the workforce employed in agriculture but is positively correlated with the share of the workforce employed in industry. The opposite is true of downward mobility. JEL Classification Codes: D63; I24; J62

Validity of Pharmaceutical Claims Data for Determining Medication Exposure in Long-Term Care Facilities.

To compare the accuracy of pharmaceutical claims with medication administration chart data for individuals in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Secondary analyses of a prospective cohort study (n = 279 residents, 5 LTCFs) were conducted. Details of medications charted for regular administration at study enrollment were extracted from administration charts and coded using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification codes. Pharmaceutical claims for government-subsidized medications dispensed in the 0-30, 0-60, 0-90, 0-120, and 0-180 days before study enrollment were compared to medication chart data (reference standard). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) and 95% CIs were determined at the 3- and 7-digit ATC levels. 149 (53.4% of total) residents with both medication chart and claims data available were included. The proportion of PPVs ≥ 75% for 3-digit ATC level medications was 89.4% and 86.1% using exposure windows of 30 and 180-days for claims, respectively. Using a 120-day exposure window for claims, sensitivity was highest for diabetes agents, beta-blocking agents, calcium channel blockers, agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system, anti-Parkinson drugs, psychoanaleptics, and airways disease agents (all ≥ 90%) and was lowest for vitamins (1.4%, 95% CI 0-7.7) and mineral supplements (10.3%, 95% CI 2.9-24.2). Specificity was ≥ 85% for all 3-digit level medications within each exposure window other than antibacterials and analgesics. Pharmaceutical claims data has good accuracy for determining prescription medication exposure in LTCFs. Exposure windows of 90-120-days are generally sufficient for determining exposure although longer periods may be required for large pack sizes.

Clinical and non-clinical aspects of reimbursement policy for orphan drugs in selected European countries.

The aim of the study was to assess the reimbursement policy for orphan drugs (ODs) in selected European countries in relation to the availability and impact of clinical evidence, health technology assessment (HTA) procedures and reimbursement decision-making. A list of authorized ODs was extracted from a web-based registry of the European Medicines Agency, including information on active substance, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification code, and therapeutic area. A country-based questionnaire survey was conducted between September 2022 and September 2023 among selected experts from 12 European countries. A descriptive and statistical analysis was performed to identify correlations between country characteristic, HTA procedures, drug indication and positive recommendations or reimbursement decisions for ODs. Safety assessment for ODs was mandatory in 10 countries, while it was optional in one country (Italy) and not required in one country (Iceland). Efficacy assessment for ODs was mandatory in 11 countries and not required in one country (Iceland). The impact of safety and efficacy assessment on reimbursement decisions was rated as high in 10 countries and as low in one country (Germany). Dedicated OD legislation and policies were reported in seven countries. In two countries (Belgium, Iceland), the HTA was not mandatory, and in one country (Germany), it only had an informative function. A positive recommendation (from an HTA agency or advisory body) guaranteed reimbursement in four countries, while a negative recommendation excluded reimbursement only in one country (Iceland). The proportion of reimbursed ODs ranged from 23.5% in Iceland to 86% in Germany (p < 0.001). ODs with ATC code L represented the largest group of medicines (n = 49). They were also very frequently reimbursed ODs in the countries studied, with a mean of 61.8% (p < 0.001). European countries differ in terms of the impact of clinical issues and additional clinical aspects on the reimbursement policy for ODs. Reimbursement decisions were affected by OD-specific legislation, policies, and EMA authorization status. HTA dossiers and procedures significantly influenced reimbursement decisions, although some ODs were reimbursed regardless of the positive or negative recommendations. ATC codes were significantly correlated with reimbursement status and positive recommendation.

Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice: Examining the Food Environments Surrounding South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Purpose To understand the distribution of healthy and unhealthy food stores and restaurants around historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina. Design DatabaseUSA and ArcGIS Pro were used to identify, classify, and map food stores and restaurants near each HBCU. Setting The study area included a 3-mile buffer radius around the eight South Carolina HBCUs. Subjects A total of 654 food stores and restaurants were identified within a 3-mile radius of the HBCUs. Measures Demographic data for each HBCU was collected from the National Center for Education Statistics. The food stores and restaurants were identified using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and descriptions, and they were classified using previous research methodologies. Results Based on the analysis, 19 (2.9%), 237 (36.2%), and 398 locations (60.9%) were classified as healthy, intermediate, and unhealthy, respectively. Within a 0.5-mile radius of the HBCUs, there were no retail food stores classified as healthy, followed by 14 (2.1%) and 23 (3.5%) retail food stores and restaurants that were classified as intermediate and unhealthy, respectively. Conclusions This study shows that most food options around South Carolina HBCUs are unhealthy and that few places are available to purchase healthy food. Eating well will be difficult in the current food environment. Increasing healthy options should be part of a comprehensive approach to promoting good nutrition.

Workers, Workplaces, Sorting, and Wage Dispersion in Mexico

Between 2004 and 2018, the spread of wages in Mexico’s private labor sector remained stable. Nonetheless, the underlying factors behind salary dispersion underwent significant shifts nationally and regionally. We analyze a matched employer-employee dataset comprising the near-universe of Mexico’s formal workforce. We estimate log wage models with worker and workplace fixed effects capturing over 94% of wage variation. We then decompose national and regional earnings dispersions into worker, workplace and assortative matching components. At the national level, we find that sorting increased its importance over time, from explaining 16% of total wage variance to 19% by the end of the period. Worker- and workplace-specific factors contributed between 37% to 44% and 33% to 37% to the total spread of remunerations, respectively. Workplace factors became increasingly important during the 2014–2018 time segment, to the point that their contribution to total wage variance is equivalent to that of worker factors. The influence of workplace factors on wage dispersion correlates negatively with regional economic development: It is lowest in the North, Mexico’s most-developed region, and largest in the South, the country’s least-prosperous region. JEL Classification Codes: J21; J31; R23; O15; O54

The Value-added Catalog of OB Stars in LAMOST DR7

In this work, we update the catalog of OB stars based on the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope data release 7 and modify the OB stars’ selection criteria in spectral line indices’ space. The new catalog includes 37,778 spectra of 27,643 OB stars, of which 3827 OB stars are newly identified. The spectral subclasses of 27,643 OB stars are obtained using the automatic classification code MKCLASS. We find that the modified OB star selection criteria can better improve the completeness of late B-type stars by analyzing their spectral classification results given by MKCLASS. We also identify 3006 Be-type stars or candidates by examining the Balmer lines in their spectra and find that the frequency of our Be-type stars (10.9%) is consistent with previous results. The spatial distribution of OB stars indicates that they are mainly located in the Galactic disk. This new catalog of OB stars will provide valuable data for studying the structure and evolution of the Milky Way.

Determinants of private investment in selected ECOWAS countries in Africa

The main focus of this study is the evaluation and / or examination of the determinants of private investment among the selected ECOWAS countries. The selected countries include Cote d' Ivoire, Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria. In the context of ECOWAS, these countries are emerging economies. Panel data for these selected countries covered the period 1986 to 2022.The study adopted the fixed effects and random effects panel estimation techniques in the analysis of our econometric models. The selection between the fixed effects and random effects was done using the Hausman test. The results indicated preference for the fixed effects over random effects. Over all, the results of the fixed effects indicated that all the determinants except inflation, money supply and credit to the private sector in the ECOWAS region were significant in explaining the performance of domestic private investment. But in the context of the random effects, all the determinants except credit to the private sector were significant in explaining the nature of the behaviour of domestic private investment in the ECOWAS region. Keywords: Determinants, Domestic Private Investment, Panel Data, ECOWAS, Africa. JEL Classification Code: E22

Soft, precision engineered porous, hydrogel scaffolds mechanically tailored toward applications in the central nervous system

Diseases and traumatic injuries to the central nervous system (CNS) demand the development of new biomaterials to improve healing and treatment options. Matching material mechanical properties to specific tissues and optimizing material porous structures are central goals for improving biomaterials. However, biomaterials with both precision-controlled porous structures and brain-matched mechanical properties (low modulus) are still lacking. In this study, we developed soft hydrogel scaffolds with mechanical properties similar to that of CNS tissues, and a uniform 40 µm porous structure—40 µm pores have been shown to be optimal for healing in many tissues. The two characteristics were achieved by a new fabrication process combining phase separation and sphere templating. The resulting scaffolds are non-cytotoxic according to the ISO 10993-5 standard. In addition, the three-dimensional culture of microglial cells within the scaffolds demonstrates cell attachment and maintenance of a rounded, quiescent morphology, potentially due to spatial confinement. These results justify further in vivo studies and suggest broad potential in CNS applications, such as brain-computer interfaces, neural regeneration, and basic neurobiology. Subject classification codes: Neural Interfaces, soft hydrogel, synthetic biomaterials

Multidimensional strategies for sustainable management of cocoa by-products

IntroductionThe limited understanding of the potential applications of cocoa by-products, due to the scarcity of studies that integrate scientific research and patent analysis, hinders the proper use of these by-products and compromises their role in promoting sustainability in the food industry.MethodologyIn this study, a multidimensional review encompassing scientific and patentometric analyses of cocoa by-products was conducted. Databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline/PubMed) were utilized with search terms (Cocoa* OR Theobroma cacao AND by-product*) to identify scientific articles (144). Additionally, we explored earch databases [Espacenet and National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI)], employing a combination of earch terms and international classification codes (Cocoa* OR Theobroma cacao AND by-product* AND A23G), to identify the generated technologies (73).Results and discussionThe results revealed a significant concentration of scientific research in the agricultural and biological sciences (68%), focusing on the bioactive and biofunctional composition of the cocoa by-products. Additionally, interest in technological innovation related to these by-products was identified, as evidenced by the increased number of patent registrations after 2020. These findings suggest a significant potential for growth in this sector and provide valuable insights for future research and product development within the food industry.

Long-term outcomes in women diagnosed with heart failure in connection to delivery

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) among young patients may be from various causes, often triggered by heightened physical demands like pregnancy. Data regarding outcomes of women diagnosed with HF in conjunction to pregnancy and delivery are varied. There remains a notable gap in understanding the outcomes observed in women diagnosed with heart failure in conjunction with delivery. Also, long-term follow-up studies are crucial to elucidate the impact of pregnancy-associated HF on future cardiovascular. Purpose To study the interplay between pregnancy, HF, and subsequent cardiovascular risk. Method Using the personal identification numbers (PINs) that all individuals in Sweden have enables linkage of data between different registers. Data from the National Patient Register (NPR), Swedish Medical Birth Register (MBR) and the Cause of Death Register were also used. All women 18 to 50 years of age registered in the in MBR in the period 1st January 1997 to 31st December 2019 were included. Women with first-time HF in relation to delivery were identified using the international classification code for diseases (ICD-10) I50, I42, I43 and 090.3 together with co-morbidities. Every patient was compared with 5 controls without HF from the Total Population Register matched on age at delivery and calendar year of delivery. Outcomes: all-cause mortality, and any cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosed during the observation time. Results A total of 286 cases and 1,430 controls were included. The prevalence of comorbidities at baseline for both patients and controls was low; congenital heart disease (1.4%, vs. 0%), pulmonary hypertension (1.0% vs. 0%), valvular heart disease (5.9% vs. 0%), myocardial infarction 0.7% vs. 0%), arrhythmia (5.9% vs. 0%), hypertension (6.3 % vs. 0.1%), (all p&amp;lt;0.05). Preeclampsia prior to HF diagnosis had 31% of patients vs. 0.2% of controls (p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients exhibited higher mortality rates at 4.9% during median follow up 9.0 (IQR 5.6-13.0) years vs. 0.3%, median follow up 9.4 (6.2-13.5) years and hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality HR (95% CI) of 18.20 (5.99 - 55.31) (p&amp;lt;0.001) compared to controls. During median follow up of 3.2 (0.0-9.2) years 60.1% of patients were diagnosed with CVD both at in-/out-patient settings compared with 4.1% in controls during 9.4 (5.8-13.5) years of follow up. Comparing patients with controls the HR (95% CI) was 22.24 (16.50 - 29.96) p&amp;lt;0.0001 for CVD diagnosis during follow-up, see Figure 1. Conclusion In conjunction with delivery, and in the years thereafter, women with heart failure diagnosis had more than eighteen times higher risk of mortality than women without heart failure. The risk of CVD event in the heart failure group is highest in conjunction with delivery. Figure 1. Cumulative incidence functions for all-cause mortality, CVD in- or out-patient visit adjusted for death as competing risk, comparing cases with controls.

Predicting Microbial Protein Synthesis in Cattle: Evaluation of Extant Equations and Steps Needed to Improve Accuracy and Precision of Future Equations.

Predictions of microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis for beef cattle generally rely on empirical regression equations, with intakes of energy and protein as key variables. Using a database from published literature, we developed new equations based on the intake of organic matter (OM) and intakes or concentrations of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). We compared these new equations to several extant equations based on intakes of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and CP. Regression fit statistics were evaluated using both resampling and sampling from a simulated multivariate normal population. Newly developed equations yielded similar fit statistics to extant equations, but the root mean square error of prediction averaged 155 g (28.7% of the mean MCP of 540.7 g/d) across all equations, indicating considerable variation in predictions. A simple approach of calculating MCP as 10% of the TDN intake yielded MCP estimates and fit statistics that were similar to more complicated equations. Adding a classification code to account for unique dietary characteristics did not have significant effects. Because MCP synthesis is measured indirectly, most often using surgically altered animals, literature estimates are relatively few and highly variable. A random sample of individual studies from our literature database indicated a standard deviation for MCP synthesis that averaged 19.1% of the observed mean, likely contributing to imprecision in the MCP predictions. Research to develop additional MCP estimates across various diets and production situations is needed, with a focus on developing consistent and reliable methodologies for MCP measurements. The use of new meta-omics tools might improve the accuracy and precision of MCP predictions, but further research will be needed to assess the utility of such tools.

Real-World Assessment of Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Drug Use During Pregnancy in Belgium: Trends, Predictors, and Comparative Risk of Congenital Anomalies (2010-2016).

To analyze the prescription patterns and sociodemographic factors associated with the use of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy in Belgium, and to investigate their potential association with congenital anomalies. Using a nationwide linked database, we identified antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics via the Anatomical Therapeutic and Chemical Classification (ATC) codes. For each medication group, we calculated the overall prevalence and prevalence for the three most used medications at the fifth ATC level. Sociodemographic factors influencing medication use during pregnancy were analyzed, and potential associations with congenital anomalies were investigated through logistic regression models based on generalized estimating equations. Overall, 828 016 live births pregnancies associated with 611 094 mothers were identified. We found that the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics was decreasing with the arrival of pregnancy. Mothers with a less favorable sociodemographic status were more likely to be exposed to these medications. Antiepileptics used in the first trimester were associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.11-2.45) compared with unexposed women. The three most used antiepileptics were lamotrigine, valproate, and levetiracetam, among them, we found an association with congenital anomalies only for valproate (aOR = 3.92, 95% CI 2.30-6.67). Psychotropic and antiepileptic drug use decreased during pregnancy. Pregnant women with a less favorable sociodemographic status were more likely to be exposed to psychotropics and antiepileptics during pregnancy. The elevated risk of congenital anomalies associated with antiepileptics use, particularly valproate, underscores the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Prevalence of problem drinking in the Swedish workforce: differences between labour market industries based on gender composition and main job activity

BackgroundIdentifying problem drinking patterns across industries is essential for addressing drinking problems in the workforce. Still, it is not well understood how problem drinking differs across industries and whether it is associated with industry gender composition. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of problem drinking (PPD) across Swedish industries and investigate possible associations between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.Methods9,155 current workers were selected from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) data collected in 2020. Participants’ work industries were identified through the Swedish Standard Industrial Classification (SNI) codes. Seven gender-typed industry categories were created based on gender composition and main job activity in each industry. Self-reported problem drinking was measured using a slightly modified Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and a cut-off score 2 was used to determine problem drinking. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to investigate the association between gender-typed industries and problem drinking.ResultsPPD in the workforce was 6.6%. Men (8.5%) had a higher prevalence than women (5.3%). Across industries, PPD varied from 2.3% in Water supply and waste management to 15.4% in Mining and quarrying. The highest prevalence for men was in Mining and quarrying (18.2%), whereas for women it was in Construction (11.1%). Within gender-typed industries, the highest PPD was in male-dominated Goods and Energy Production (7.7%), and the lowest was in female-dominated Health and Social Care (4.7%). In the regression analysis, both Education (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.03) and Labour-intensive Services (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.02) had higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) compared with Health and Social Care. However, there was no significant difference in aPR among gender-typed industries when considering the gender composition of industries only.ConclusionsPPD in the Swedish workforce varied significantly across industries, with differences observed between men and women. Problem drinking differed between industries when categorized by gender composition and main job activity, but not when categorized by gender composition only. Future research should investigate how industry-specific psychosocial factors influence individual alcohol consumption.

Capturing the Asymmetrical Effect of Macroeconomic Factors on Public-Sector Innovation in Chinese Local Government: A Dynamic Technology Forecasting Approach

Despite the considerable investments in Chinese public sector innovation in China and its social impact, there is insufficient information on how asymmetries in macroeconomic factors and business cycles affect public sector innovation. Based on provincial data from thirty regions (2000–2016), the study proposes a dynamic model to capture the asymmetrical impact of macroeconomic factors on local government innovation. The innovation-based predictive model indicated that a positive shock to macro-economic factors (i.e., gross domestic product, government administration expenditures, provincial degree of openness in economies, provincial degree of openness in society, higher education research and development expenditures, local revenue, and local expenditure) upsurge government innovation. In contrast, a negative shock to these factors disrupts local government innovation. Third, the model indicated a pro-cyclical relationship between positive and negative shocks to government administration expenditures and provincial government innovation during the boom and recession periods. The study offers an essential policy tool and some important implications for local government officials, future researchers, and policymakers to understand how cyclic and asymmetric behavior in local government innovation shapes the innovation efficiency of the public sector in China. Subject Classification Codes: O30, O31, O32, 01, O38, O36, O35, O38, P25, Q01, H72.

Inquiring Children’s Security within the Framework of Human Security: A Theoretical Assessment

ABSTRACT While there is consensus on the individual as the primary referent object within the human security debate the question of which individuals? remains inadequately addressed. In this paper children are the primary referents and beneficiaries of security, arguing children’s human security possesses distinct characteristics that differentiate the nonviolent, preventable threats they face from those encountered by adults. Addressing these threats requires an integrated approach that combines theoretical exploration with practical policy implementation. The current academic discourse on human security, while extensive, must prioritize children’s specific needs by acknowledging them as key referents of security and essential subjects in both theory and practice. This involves recognizing children as active social and political agents, and addressing the unique dimensions of their vulnerability through comprehensive, targeted strategies. Achieving meaningful progress in safeguarding children’s security demands concerted efforts from all sectors, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and political leaders. Effective policy and practice require a collaborative approach that emphasizes the prevention and early identification of risks. Enhanced academic attention and robust discussions on children’s security are vital in shaping policies that reflect the urgency of these issues and drive effective interventions on a global scale. Keywords: children’s security, children’s rights, child well-being, human security, critical security. JEL Classification Codes: J13, H56, I31, K33, K38

Evaluating the impact of occupational noise exposure on workplace fatal and nonfatal injuries in the U.S. (2006–2020)

ObjectivesThis study assessed the relationship between occupational noise exposure and the incidence of workplace fatal injury (FI) and nonfatal injury (NFI) in the United States from 2006 to 2020. It also examined whether distinct occupational and industrial clusters based on noise exposure characteristics demonstrated varying risks for FI and NFI. MethodsAn ecological study design was utilized, employing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for FI and NFI and demographic data, the U.S. Census Bureau for occupation/industry classification code lists, and the U.S./Canada Occupational Noise Job Exposure Matrix for noise measurements. We examined four noise metrics as predictors of FI and NFI rates: mean Time-Weighted Average (TWA), maximum TWA, standard deviation of TWA, and percentage of work shifts exceeding 85 or 90 dBA for 619 occupation-years and 591 industry-years. K-means clustering was used to identify clusters of noise exposure characteristics. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression examined the relationship between the noise characteristics and FI/NFI rates separately for occupation and industry. ResultsAmong occupations, we found significant associations between increased FI rates and higher mean TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.12) and maximum TWA (IRR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07–1.14), as well as TWA exceedance (IRR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07). Increased rates of NFI were found to be significantly associated with maximum TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.09) and TWA exceedance (IRR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05). In addition, occupations with both higher exposure variability (IRR with FI rate: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23–1.80; IRR with NFI rate: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14–1.73) and higher level of sustained exposure (IRR with FI rate: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12–1.44; IRR with NFI rate: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.39) were associated with higher rates of FI and NFI compared to occupations with low noise exposure. Among industries, significant associations between increased NFI rates and higher mean TWA (IRR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08) and maximum TWA (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.08) were observed. Unlike the occupation-specific analysis, industries with higher exposure variability and higher sustained exposures did not display significantly higher FI/NFI rates compared to industries with low exposure. ConclusionsThe results suggest that occupational noise exposure may be an independent risk factor for workplace FIs/NFIs, particularly for workplaces with highly variable noise exposures. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive occupational noise assessments.

Intuitionistic Fuzzy Binary Soft Sets and Its Properties

Objective : The objective of Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets is to extend the existing frameworks of binary soft sets and Intuitionistic fuzzy sets to accommodate both uncertainty and ambiguity in decision-making processes. This extension aims to provide a more flexible, representation of real-world data and phenomena, allowing for analysis and reasoning. Specifically, the objective involves defining the fundamental structures of Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets over two initial universal sets, U1 and U2. Method: Reviewing the existing literature on binary soft sets, Intuitionistic fuzzy sets, and their extensions. Defining the fundamental structures of Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets over two initial universal sets, U1 and U2. The next step is to propose the operations on Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets and analyze their characteristics. Findings: The extension of binary soft sets and Intuitionistic fuzzy sets to Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets is feasible. Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets possess distinct properties worthy of exploration. Operations such as union, intersection, difference, AND, Or of Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets exhibit specific behaviors elucidated through our findings. Novelty: The development of operations on Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets provides a comprehensive framework and analysis. Exploration of properties unique to Intuitionistic fuzzy binary soft sets is contributing to the advancement of soft computing and set theory. Mathematics Classification code: 03D45, 03F55, 03E72 Keywords: Fuzzy, Soft, Intuitionistic, Binary soft, Fuzzy binary soft

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Home Mechanical Ventilation in Germany: A Descriptive Observational Study

Introduction: Over the last decade, the number of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) has increased significantly, which has led to a limited availability of specialist centres, not least due to the scarcity of healthcare professionals. This situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore assumed that the repurposing of resources has led to an aggravated change in the healthcare structure in HMV. Methods: This descriptive observational study analysed the Operation and Procedure Classification Codes for patients receiving HMV from 2008 to 2022. The data were provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. Data were additionally analysed with respect to geographical distribution and ventilation status. Results: A total of 737,770 datasets were analysed (mean age in 2020: 66.5 years). There was a steady increase in HMV initiations (+6%) and controls (+9%) per year before the pandemic (2008–2019). Patient admissions during the pandemic revealed a 28% decrease, with the largest decrease in invasive ventilation (IV) follow-up visits (2019: 3,053; 2020: 2,199; −39%), while the number of IV initiations remained stable. There was a 19% decrease in the number of non-IV initiations in 2020 (16,919 vs. 14,227) and a 32% decrease in the number of follow-ups (45,812 vs. 34,813) in comparison with 2019. Conclusion: The pandemic has led to a significant decline of inpatient admissions for patients receiving HMV. This decline was most pronounced in the first year of the pandemic. Control visits in particular did not reach the pre-pandemic level. This is an indication of the ongoing change in the healthcare landscape as a result of the pandemic.

Movie trailer genre classification using multimodal pretrained features

We introduce a novel method for movie genre classification, capitalizing on a diverse set of readily accessible pretrained models. These models extract high-level features related to visual scenery, objects, characters, text, speech, music, and audio effects. To intelligently fuse these pretrained features, we train small classifier models with low time and memory requirements. Employing the transformer model, our approach utilizes all video and audio frames of movie trailers without performing any temporal pooling, efficiently exploiting the correspondence between all elements, as opposed to the fixed and low number of frames typically used by traditional methods. Our approach fuses features originating from different tasks and modalities, with different dimensionalities, different temporal lengths, and complex dependencies as opposed to current approaches. Our method outperforms state-of-the-art movie genre classification models in terms of precision, recall, and mean average precision (mAP). To foster future research, we make the pretrained features for the entire MovieNet dataset, along with our genre classification code and the trained models, publicly available.