Influence Of Individual Variables Research Articles

Aerodynamic Modification of High-Rise Buildings by the Adjoint Method

This study presents a novel numerical methodology that is designed for the dynamic adjustment of three-dimensional high-rise building configurations in response to aerodynamic forces. The approach combines two core components: a numerical simulation of fluid flow and the adjoint method. Through a comprehensive sensitivity analysis, the influence of individual variables on aerodynamic loads, including lift and drag coefficients, is assessed. The findings underscore that the architectural design, specifically the building’s construction pattern, exerts the most substantial impact on these forces, accounting for a substantial proportion (76%). Consequently, the study extends its evaluation to the sensitivity of fluid flow across various sections of the tower by solving the adjoint equation throughout the entire fluid domain. As a result, the derived sensitivity vector indicates a remarkable reduction of approximately 31% in the applied loads on the tower. This notable improvement has significant implications for the construction of tall buildings, as it effectively mitigates aerodynamic forces, ultimately enhancing the overall comfort and structural stability of these architectural marvels.

Executive functions and memory in Parkinson's disease patients with Deep Brain Stimulation

BackgroundSeveral studies have investigated the cognitive effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, studies on the influence of individual variables on cognitive performance in DBS are scarce. This study aimed to identify the association between demographic characteristics (age, schooling, and activities of daily living), executive functions, and memory performance in a group of PD patients with and without DBS. Methods76 participants were subdivided into three groups: 30 healthy people (control group), 30 diagnosed with PD treated only with drugs (drug group), and 16 with PD treated with DBS (DBS group). Executive functions and memory were assessed using the following instruments: Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test A and B, Digits Span, and Stroop Test. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and exploratory linear regression were used for data analysis. ResultsANOVA showed significant differences between the control, drug, and DBS groups. However, the exploratory regression analysis identified a significant association of the variables including age, schooling, and activity of daily living with the performance of executive functions and memory only in the DBS group. ConclusionThe results showed that the performance of memory and executive functions was associated with demographic characteristics only in patients treated with DBS.

CONTRIBUTION OF NATIONAL IMAGE, BUSINESS CLIMATE, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO FDI AMONG SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA NATIONS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the contribution of National Image, Business Climate, and Technology Transfer to FDI among Sub-Saharan Africa nations.
 Methodology: This study was based on positivism approach and study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. The population of the study was all of SSA 46 countries and a census survey of all the countries in SSA was done hence no sampling was done. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. A structured research questionnaire was used in collecting primary data. The questionnaire was administered to the Heads of Foreign Missions of each of the 46 SSA countries in Kenya. Secondary data was used for data on FDI obtained from the UNCTAD publications. Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Testing of hypothesis was done through Adjusted R2 F-ratio test (Analysis of Variance) and regression of the coefficient.
 Results: The study established the synergistic contributions of national image, business climate and technology transfer to FDI among Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Adjusted R square shows that the overall model explained 88.5% of changes in FDI. The overall model was also statistically significant (F= 95.709, p-value< .05). The influence of individual variables was statistically significant for business climate (B= 1.240, p-value< .05) and technology transfer (B= .540, p-value< .05) and not statistically significant for national image (B= .282, p-value> .05).
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings of this study support the need for Sub-Saharan Africa countries to create a national image individually as countries and as a block as this will go a long way in attracting FDI which will eventually translate to economic development. It is therefore prudent for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to understand the national image dimensions in the regional context in order to carry out frequent analysis and develop strategic approaches relevant to their FDI competitiveness.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of p53 immunohistochemical testing in stage I and II high-risk endometrial cancer.

e18838 Background: PORTEC-3, a phase III clinical trial comparing adjuvant radiation alone (RT) to combined chemoradiation therapy (CTRT) in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer (EC), demonstrated no benefit with CTRT compared to RT for patients with stage I and II EC. However, a subsequent tumor molecular analysis revealed that individuals with stage I and II high-risk EC with p53 mutations had statistically significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and clinically significantly improved overall survival (OS) with combined CTRT. As p53 immunohistochemical (IHC) testing and CTRT adds to cost and toxicity, we sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of p53 IHC tumor testing in patients with stage I and II high-risk EC. Methods: A Markov decision model was developed to compare two testing strategies in patients with stage I and II high-risk EC: p53 IHC testing vs. no IHC testing. IHC staining for p53 is an accurate and validated surrogate for TP53 mutational status. As a result, p53 IHC testing alone was used in the decision analysis. Data from PORTEC-3 and the subsequent molecular analysis were used for the base case model parameters, including treatment regimen, PFS, OS, and incidence of p53-mutated tumors. Cost and utility data were derived from the Federal Supply Schedule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Fee Schedules, the Tufts CEA registry, peer-reviewed literature, and expert input. Data analysis was performed using TreeAge Pro Software, 2021. Effectiveness outcomes included quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Sensitivity analyses were performed in order to identify the influence of individual variables on the overall model. Results: When compared to no testing, p53 IHC testing resulted in a cost savings of $471 per patient while providing an additional 0.310 QALYs. Therefore, p53 IHC testing was less expensive and more effective than no IHC testing and was a dominant strategy in this model. In one-way sensitivity analyses, CTRT and RT costs, discount rate, and percentage of p53 mutations detected had the most impact on the model; however, p53 IHC testing remained a cost-saving strategy over all parameter ranges examined. Conclusions: For patients with high-risk stage I and II EC, this analysis suggests that p53 IHC testing is cost-effective compared to no testing in determining the costs and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy. Although additional studies are warranted, this data provides further support for the role of molecular-based treatment decisions for high-risk stage I and II endometrial cancer.

The Role of Employee Behaviour and Organizational Structure in the Relationship Between Strategic Planning and Competitive Advantage of Large Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Several studies have been carried out in the past to find out how strategic planning and competitive advantage are connected and the causes of differences in competitive advantage among firms. Scholars have argued that competitive advantage can emanate from either internal or external sources and is usually in several forms which include; valuable resources, the position held within the industry, position within the marketplace, operating at lower costs than rival firms, differentiation, capabilities and dynamic capabilities. This study sought to advance knowledge and was based on the premise that strategic planning influences competitive advantage both directly and also indirectly by way of the mediating influence of employee behaviour and the moderating effect of organizational structure. The study was underpinned by the competitive advantage typology/theory, the resource-based theory, dynamic capabilities theory, goal-setting theory and contingency theory. The study used a positivist research paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design. Data collected from 122 large manufacturing firms was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses were tested using both simple and multivariate regression analysis as well as hierarchical analysis for mediating and moderating effects. The findings indicate that overall strategic planning has a statistically significant influence on competitive advantage and that employee behaviour completely mediates the relationship between strategic planning and competitive advantage while organizational structure has a partial moderating effect between strategic planning and competitive advantage. In addition, the joint influence of employee behaviour and organizational structure is different from the influence of individual variables on the relationship between strategic planning and competitive advantage. The outcomes from this research lend support to previous enquiries and support all the theories used to underpin the study.

Relationships between patient-level factors and criteria for fitness to stand trial

In Western criminal justice systems, proceedings may be halted if an individual is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. As a prerequisite to adjudication fitness to stand trial can be evaluated through structured or unstructured assessments. Previousstudies suggest limited use of structured assessments in clinical practice. Few studies have looked at the success of unstructured measures of psycholegal abilities, and fewer still have investigated the influence of individual variables on criteria for fitness to stand trial. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between variables relevant to opining fitness as determined by previous research and the criteria for fitness to stand trial. The study yielded significant correlations between the three criteria for fitness to stand trial and the following variables: impaired mental status during assessment, presence of intellectual disability, nature of index offence, socioeconomic status, and all unstructured measures of psycholegal abilities. These results suggest that unstructured clinician assessment of fitness to stand trial can be successful at determining fitness and fulfillment of the three underlying criteria, and further clarify the role of specific symptoms on opinions of unfitness. Future directions for research in the areas of structured professional judgment and fitness restoration are discussed.

Understanding the influence of individual variables contributing to multivariate outliers in assessments of data quality.

Mahalanobis distance is often recommended to identify patients or clinical sites that are considered unusual in clinical trials. Patients extreme in one or more covariates may be considered outliers in that they reside some distance from the multivariate mean, which can be thought of as the center of the data cloud. Less often discussed, patients whose data are believed to be "too good to be true" are located near the centroid as inliers. In order to efficiently investigate these anomalies for potential lapses in data quality, it is important to understand how the individual variables contribute to each multivariate outlier. There is a lack of literature describing a reasonable workflow for identification of outliers and their subsequent investigation to understand how each variable contributes to an observation being considered extreme. We describe how to identify multivariate inliers and outliers, classify outliers according to varying levels of severity, and summarize the contributions of variables using principal components in a manner that is accessible to a wide audience with straightforward interpretation. We illustrate how numerous data visualizations, including Pareto plots, can facilitate further review even in studies containing numerous observations and variables. We illustrate these methodologies using data from a multicenter clinical trial.

Influence of particle size on dry high-intensity magnetic separation of paramagnetic mineral

Dry high-intensity magnetic separators are one of the most common magnetic separation methods extensively used for the concentration of paramagnetic minerals based on their magnetic susceptibility, particle size, particle density, and shape. In this paper, the influence of particle size on the separation of the garnet particle in Induced Roll Magnetic Separator (IRMS) was investigated by varying the magnetic field intensity, rotor speed, feed rate, and splitter position. The influence of particle size on a magnetic fraction of Induced Roll Magnetic Separator was analysed as the D50 (μm) and D80 (μm) size. The results show that segregation of the coarser particle is segregated in non-magnetic fraction while finer sized particles are at the magnetic fraction. To understand further, particle size distribution is analysed by Rosin-Rammler equation and the variation of the constants are explained by statistics. Also, the influence of individual variables and their interactions on the segregation pattern is described by analysis of variance method along with response surface plots.

Neurotoxicity of European viperids in Italy: Pavia Poison Control Centre case series 2001–2011

Context. Some clinical aspects about neurotoxicity after snakebites by European viper species remain to be elucidated. Objective. This observational case series aims to analyze neurological manifestations due to viper envenomation in Italy in order to describe the characteristic of neurotoxicity and to evaluate the clinical response to the antidotic treatment, the outcome, and the influence of individual variability in determining the appearance of neurotoxic effects. Materials and methods. All cases of snakebite referred to Pavia Poison Centre (PPC) presenting peripheral neurotoxic effects from 2001 to 2011 were included. Cases were assessed for time from bite to PPC evaluation, Grade Severity Score (GSS), onset/duration of clinical manifestations, severity/time course of local, non-neurological and neurological effects, and antidotic treatment. Results. Twenty-four were included (age, 3–75 years) and represented on average of 2.2 cases/year (about 5% of total envenomed patients). The mean interval time of PPC evaluation from snakebite was 10.80 ± 19.93 hours. GSS at ED-admission was 0 (1 case), 1 (10 cases), and 2 (13 cases). All patients showed local signs: 41.6%, minor; 58.4%, extensive swelling and necrosis. The main systemic non-neurological effects were as follows: vomiting (86.7%), diarrhea (66.7%), abdominal discomfort (53.3%), and hypotension (20%). Neurotoxic effects were accommodation troubles and diplopia (100%), ptosis (91.7%), ophtalmoplegia (58.3%), dysphagia (20.8%), drowsiness (16.6%), cranial muscle weakness (12.5%), and dyspnea (4.2%). Neurotoxicity was the unique systemic manifestation in 9 cases; in 4 cases, they were associated with only mild local swelling. In 10 patients the onset of neurotoxic effects followed the resolution of systemic non-neurological effects. Antidote was intravenously administered in 19 (79.2%) patients. The mean duration of manifestations in untreated versus treated groups was 53.5 ± 62.91 versus 41.75 ± 21.18 hours (p = 0.68, local effects) and 9.77 ± 3.29 versus 8.25 ± 12.23 hours (p = 0.1, systemic non-neurological effects) and 43.4 ± 14.69 versus 26.58 ± 20.62 hours (p = 0.03, neurotoxic effects). Conclusions. Neurotoxicity may appear late (11 hours after the bite in 58.3% of cases), in contrast with the data reported in medical literature. Neurotoxic effects have been reversible in all cases and may be the unique systemic manifestation of envenomation. Neurotoxic effects are shorter in treated group. The antidotic treatment of patients considered as GSS 2 only for neurotoxic effects (with mild local effects) may not be necessary. Variable factors such as different amount of venom injected, concentration of PLA2 component, and individual susceptibility may explain the less percentage of patients presenting neurotoxic effects.

Comparing an empirical crop model with a functional structural plant model to account for individual variability

Individual variability generally exists in crop fields. It increases with an increase in plant population density, water or nutrient deficiency, or spatio-temporal irregularity, and often results in a reduction in yield. As individual variability exists in a community but is expressed through individuals, we studied it by applying two models, one at the stand level and the other at the individual level.The crop model PILOTE and the functional structural plant model (FSPM) GreenLab were applied to a field of maize (Zea mays L.) to provide a numerical description of the crop at different levels. The delay and slower increase in LAI and in total dry matter at stand level compared to individual level, led us to hypothesize that uneven emergence could have an effect on variability. We derived a theoretical distribution of germination dates, which supported this hypothesis. In parallel, we used GreenLab to analyze possible sources of variability in accumulated biomass within a dynamic system, and to estimate possible parameters from experimental data.Using PILOTE and GreenLab, we successfully identified two typical types of individual variability in the maize field: variability in development over time and variability in competition for space during growth. Our method could be used in future research on the cause and influence of individual variability on performance, and to identify the link between an FSPM based on individual plants and a crop model at stand level.

Individual variations in the micronucleus assay for biological dosimetry after high dose exposure

The micronucleus assay is widely used as a biological dosimeter. Due to an inhibitory effect of radiation on cell proliferation the assay yields satisfactory results only when the absorbed dose is below about 5Gy. In 2002 Müller and Rode suggested that a modified version of the test, based on the analysis of the ratio of trinucleated to tetranucleated cells and the frequency of micronuclei (Mn) in binucleated cells containing at least one Mn, can be applied to detect a dose reaching 15Gy (Mutat. Res. 502 (2002) 47–51). Their conclusion was based on the results of experiments with lymphocytes from one donor and nothing is known about the possible influence of individual variability on the applicability of the Mn test to detect high doses of radiation. The aim of the present study was to validate the modified micronucleus assay with lymphocytes of 5 donors. Their blood was exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20Gy of 60Co gamma rays. The levels of Mn and of cell proliferation were assessed using various approaches. A strong inter-individual variability was observed for all endpoints. The results clearly show that the assessment of cell proliferation is essential for the interpretation of results. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify one single proliferation marker that gives all necessary information.

The proboscis extension reflex to evaluate learning and memory in honeybees (Apis mellifera): some caveats

The proboscis extension reflex (PER) is widely used in a classical conditioning (Pavlovian) context to evaluate learning and memory of a variety of insect species. The literature is particularly prodigious for honeybees (Apis mellifera) with more than a thousand publications. Imagination appears to be the only limit to the types of challenges to which researchers subject honeybees, including all the sensory modalities and a broad diversity of environmental treatments. Accordingly, some remarkable insights have been achieved using PER. However, there are several challenges to evaluating the PER literature that warrant a careful and thorough review. We assess here variation in methods that makes interpretation of studies, even those researching the same question, tenuous. We suggest that the numerous variables that might influence experimental outcomes from PER be thoroughly detailed by researchers. Moreover, the influence of individual variables on results needs to carefully evaluated, as well as among two or more variables. Our intent is to encourage investigation of the influence of numerous variables on PER results.

Microbial Community Succession during Lactate Amendment and Electron Acceptor Limitation Reveals a Predominance of Metal-Reducing Pelosinus spp

The determination of the success of in situ bioremediation strategies is complex. By using controlled laboratory conditions, the influence of individual variables, such as U(VI), Cr(VI), and electron donors and acceptors on community structure, dynamics, and the metal-reducing potential can be studied. Triplicate anaerobic, continuous-flow reactors were inoculated with Cr(VI)-contaminated groundwater from the Hanford, WA, 100-H area, amended with lactate, and incubated for 95 days to obtain stable, enriched communities. The reactors were kept anaerobic with N(2) gas (9 ml/min) flushing the headspace and were fed a defined medium amended with 30 mM lactate and 0.05 mM sulfate with a 48-h generation time. The resultant diversity decreased from 63 genera within 12 phyla to 11 bacterial genera (from 3 phyla) and 2 archaeal genera (from 1 phylum). Final communities were dominated by Pelosinus spp. and to a lesser degree, Acetobacterium spp., with low levels of other organisms, including methanogens. Four new strains of Pelosinus were isolated, with 3 strains being capable of Cr(VI) reduction while one also reduced U(VI). Under limited sulfate, it appeared that the sulfate reducers, including Desulfovibrio spp., were outcompeted. These results suggest that during times of electron acceptor limitation in situ, organisms such as Pelosinus spp. may outcompete the more-well-studied organisms while maintaining overall metal reduction rates and extents. Finally, lab-scale simulations can test new strategies on a smaller scale while facilitating community member isolation, so that a deeper understanding of community metabolism can be revealed.

The Metabolic SYNDROME and the RISK of Venous Thrombosis: RESULTS of AN Individual LEVEL Patient Meta-ANALYSIS

AbstractAbstract 3177 Background:The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of interrelated risk factors that identify patients at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Recent studies also suggested an association between MS and venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the role of the individual features of MS and whether MS and its features are more important than obesity alone to predict VTE remain to be established. Methods:We performed an individual patient level meta-analysis of case-control studies comparing the prevalence of MS in patients with unprovoked VTE and in controls. MEDLINE, EMBASE databases, and abstract books were searched up to January 2010. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of pooled results were calculated. The influence of individual variables (age, sex, BMI and MS) on the likelihood of VTE was compared using logistic regression analysis. Multivariate analysis was subsequently performed including the individual components of MS in the place of MS. The impact of increasing number of individual components of MS on the risk of VTE was investigated. Results:Four studies were identified and analyzed, for a total of 1332 patients (479 cases and 833 controls). Mean age was 53.3 and 52.7, respectively (p=n.s.), 49.5% cases and 42.4% controls were males (p=0.0003), 38.8% and 30.0% were obese (p=0.0001). MS was significantly associated with VTE (OR 1.97, 1.57–2.47), and the association linearly increased with the number of MS features (p for trend <0.001). At multivariate analysis, MS but not obesity remained associated with VTE (OR 1.92, 1.50–2.46 and 1.14, 0.88–1.47, respectively). All individual features of MS, but HDL cholesterol, were independently associated with VTE. Conclusions:The results of this meta-analysis confirm the association between MS and VTE and suggest that MS (and visceral obesity defined by increased waist circumference) could be a more important predictor of VTE than obesity defined by BMI. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Physical and biological factors contributing to changes in the relative importance of recruitment to population dynamics in open populations

Changes in population dynamics of open populations are driven by variability in recruitment and post-recruitment processes. The relative importance of these 2 processes varies within and among populations depending on numerous physical and biological variables. We examined variables that determine the correlation between recruitment and population density in 2 populations of intertidal barnacles (Chthamalus spp.). Data were collected over 5 yr at 59 rocky shore sites with various physical and biological characteristics. We tested the influence of recruitment density, recruitment variability, barnacle species, available free space, surface temperature, rugosity, wave intensity, and density of predators on the correlation (Fisher transformed correlation coefficient rz) between recruitment and changes in population coverage. We compared linear models including rz and all possible combinations of physical and biological characteristics measured at each site using Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). The effect of each variable deemed important by AIC was determined using partial regression plots. Results showed that the most important variables (and their direction of influence) in determining correlation among recruitment and population density were recruitment density (positive), recruitment variability (positive), rugosity (negative), available free space (positive), and wave intensity (positive). The influence of individual variables and combinations of variables changed spatially and temporally. This study showed that recruitment is an important variable determining the population dynamics in open populations but that post-recruitment factors can also influence the correlation between recruitment and population density. It is also clear that the combination and strength of variables influencing population density change over spatial and temporal scales.

Validation of the micronucleus assay for biological dosimetry after high dose exposure

The micronucleus assay is widely used as a biological dosimeter. Due to an inhibitory effect of radiation on cell proliferation the assay yields satisfactory results only when the absorbed dose is below about 5 Gy. In 2002 Muller and Rode suggested that a modified version of the test, based on the analysis of the ratio of trinucleated to tetranucleated cells and the frequency of micronuclei (Mn) in binucleated cells containing at least one Mn, can be applied to detect a dose reaching 15 Gy (Mutat. Res. 502:47-51). Their conclusion was based on the results of experiments with lymphocytes from one donor and nothing is known about the possible influence of individual variability on the applicability of the Mn test to detect high doses of radiation. The aim of the present study was to validate the modified micronucleus assay with lymphocytes of 5 donors. Their blood was exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Gy of 60Co gamma rays. The levels of Mn and of cell proliferation were assessed using various approaches. A strong interindividual variability was observed for all endpoints. The results clearly show that the assessment of cell proliferation is essential for the interpretation of results. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify one single proliferation marker that gives all necessary information.

Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared to horses undergoing surgery

Patient positioning and long anaesthetic duration required for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may result in a higher frequency of post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy syndrome (PAMNS) as compared to horses undergoing anaesthesia for surgery. Equine anaesthesia for MRI is associated with a higher frequency of PAMNS than anaesthesia for nonemergency, nonabdominal surgery. Anaesthetic and medical records of horses (n = 633) undergoing MRI or surgery between January 2001 and January 2005 (inclusive), were reviewed. Information obtained included patient details (breed, sex, age, bodyweight), area of body scanned or involved in surgery, body position, anaesthetic and inotropic agents administered, anaesthetic duration, adverse events during anaesthesia and outcome at 7 days. Data were examined by cross tabulation and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test of association. The influence of individual variables was examined by univariant and multivariant analysis models. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in parameters examined, except that horses in the MRI group were heavier (P<0.0001) and anaesthetic duration longer in the surgery group (P<0.004). Eight horses (2.3%, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) in the MRI group had clinical signs of PAMNS in the post anaesthetic period, whereas only 2 horses (0.98%, 95% CI: 0.2-2.8) in the surgery group were affected. This was not statistically significantly different (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.8-13, P = 0.3). Two horses undergoing MRI were subjected to euthanasia due to the severity of PAMNS. There was no difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the 2 groups. The risk of performing general anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures such as MRI may not be greater than that for a surgical procedure. However, the benefits should be carefully weighed against the risks involved.

Breastfeeding patterns of primiparous mothers in Hong Kong.

An understanding of patterns of breastfeeding is necessary for the effective implementation of breastfeeding promotion and intervention programs. In Hong Kong, little current data have been gathered on women's breastfeeding rates. The objective of this study was to determine how patterns of breastfeeding, maternal demographics, and maternal employment affect continuation of breastfeeding in primiparous women in Hong Kong. A longitudinal self-report survey was used to collect data when first-time mothers (n=218) were in the hospital, at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum, or until they weaned their infant. All data (self-report survey, demographic data, and follow-up telephone surveys) were collected in Cantonese and then translated into English. Data were analyzed by determining, first, the influence of individual variables on the length of breastfeeding using a simple Cox regression analysis, and second, by grouping variables according to time sequence and entering them into a Cox regression model in 4 sequential phases. Factors that were significantly associated with continuation of breastfeeding were maternal age (HR=0.97; p=0.048); attendance at a prenatal breastfeeding class (HR=0.69; p=0.020); intended weeks of breastfeeding (HR=0.97; p<0.001); breastfeeding score in hospital (HR=0.99; p=0.009); and length of exclusive breastfeeding (HR=0.93; p<0.001). Similar results were obtained in the multiphase Cox regression analysis; only the breastfeeding score in hospital became marginally insignificant (p=0.053) after adjusting for demographics, prenatal, and other immediate postpartum factors. Short periods of exclusive breastfeeding and early supplementation were common in this sample. Unlike previous research, maternal employment was not a statistically significant factor in length of continued breastfeeding. Study findings show that multiple factors influence continued breastfeeding in Hong Kong, suggesting further areas for investigation. Changes in practice may improve continued and exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Fuzzy Clustering with Weighting of Data Variables

We introduce an objective function-based fuzzy clustering technique that assigns one influence parameter to each single data variable for each cluster. Our method is not only suited to detect structures or groups of data that are not uniformly distributed over the structure's single domains, but gives also information about the influence of individual variables on the detected groups. In addition, our approach can be seen as a generalization of the well-known fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm.

FUZZY CLUSTERING WITH WEIGHTING OF DATA VARIABLES

We introduce an objective function-based fuzzy clustering technique that assigns one influence parameter to each single data variable for each cluster. Our method is not only suited to detect structures or groups of data that are not uniformly distributed over the structure's single domains, but gives also information about the influence of individual variables on the detected groups. In addition, our approach can be seen as a generalization of the well-known fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm.