Marginal Analysis Research Articles

KRC-APM: Key region cutting and artificial prior model for breast cancer recognition in ultrasound images

Computer-aided analysis of ultrasound images is important for the early detection of breast cancer, obtaining more treatment time and improving the likelihood of survival. Current methods are either limited by predefined Regions of Interest (ROIs), suffer from a low proportion and variable locations of tumors, or lack appropriate modeling of tumor characteristics in ultrasound images. This paper proposes a framework called Key Region Cutting and Artificial Prior Model (KRC-APM) for breast cancer recognition in ultrasound images. Firstly, to avoid the reliance on predefined ROIs, as well as to increase the proportion of tumor areas and eliminate abundant background, we propose a Key Region Cutting (KRC) method, which analyzes the confidence levels for tumor areas and tolerantly cuts high-confidence areas into key regions. Next, to model the characteristics of tumors in ultrasound images, we design three types of diagnosis-related Artificial Priors (APs) under the guidance of experienced oncologists: Shape Modeling, Margin Analysis, and Echogenicity Pattern Indication. Finally, to fuse the key region with the extracted APs, we propose an Artificial Prior Model (APM), which synthetically learns the pattern of breast cancer. The proposed KRC-APM is validated on two public datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the key regions identified by the KRC method and the designed APs significantly enhance the performance of breast cancer recognition. Furthermore, the proposed KRC-APM framework outperforms current state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods.

Building retrofit optimization considering future climate and decision-making under various mindsets

Building retrofit is effective in reducing building energy use and improving comfort levels for existing buildings. However, conducting multi-objective optimization for individual buildings can be challenging due to the laborious computational cost of using white box models and the difficulty in visualizing and understanding the decision-making process. Additionally, the impact of climate change has not been fully considered for the post-retrofit lifecycle. This research proposes a pragmatic automated scheme that integrates a feature selection method based on marginal abatement cost analysis and variance-based sensitivity analysis, multi-objective optimization supported by non-dominated sorting differential evolution (NSDE) algorithm, tailor-made decision-making support under different mindsets, and tree-based retrospection scheme of decision-making pathways. The simulation engine used in this study is a low-order white box modeling tool developed by the research team. The proposed scheme was applied to two educational buildings with different thermal characteristics, and the results showed that a certain number of sampling sizes were needed to achieve reliable feature selection results. The hierarchical clustering based decision-making support scheme has demonstrated robustness in visualizing and supporting decision-making for Pareto front. Two retrofit mindsets - aggressive and balanced - were assumed in the decision-making process, and the proposed method produced distinct final solutions accoridng to the two mindsets. This framework can support informed decision-making, helping stakeholders implement sustainable practices and transition to a low-carbon built environment.

Contribution assessment and accumulation prediction of heavy metals in wheat grain in a smelting-affected area using machine learning methods

Due to the diverse controlling factors and their uneven spatial distribution, especially atmospheric deposition from smelters, assessing and predicting the accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in crops across smelting-affected areas becomes challenging. In this study, integrating HM influx from atmospheric deposition, a boosted regression tree model with an average R2 > 0.8 was obtained to predict accumulation of Pb, As, and Cd in wheat grain across a smelting region. The atmospheric deposition serves as the dominant factor influencing the accumulation of Pb (28.2 %) and As (31.2 %) in wheat grain, but shows a weak influence on Cd accumulation (12.1 %). The contents of available HM in soil affect HM accumulation in wheat grain more significantly than their total contents in soil with relative importance rates of Pb (14.4 % > 8.2 %), As (30.9 % > 4.0 %), and Cd (55.0 % > 16.9 %), respectively. Marginal effect analysis illustrates that HM accumulation in wheat grain begins to intensify when Pb content in atmospheric dust reaches 5140 mg/kg and available Cd content in soil exceeds 1.15 mg/kg. The path analysis rationalizes the cascading effects of distances from study sites to smelting factories on HM accumulation in wheat grain via negatively influencing atmospheric HM deposition. The study provides data support and a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of non-ferrous metal smelting industry, as well as for the restoration and risk management of HM-contaminated soils.

Socio-demographic factors and mental health trajectories in Australian children and primary carers: Implications for policy and intervention using latent class analysis.

Children's mental health status (MHS) is frequently influenced by their primary carers (PCs), underscoring the significance of monitoring disparities longitudinally. This research investigated the association between socio-demographic clusters and mental health trajectories among children and their PCs over time. Data from waves 6-9c2 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) were analyzed using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify four socio-demographic classes among children aged 10-11 years at wave 6. Multinomial logistic regression and predictive marginal analysis explored associations between classes and mental health outcomes. PCs in Class 4 (disadvantaged and separated families with indigenous children) exhibited higher odds of borderline and abnormal MHS compared to Class 1 (prosperous and stable working families) across all waves. However, while MHS of PCs' impacted children consistently, the association with socio-demographic classes was significant only in wave 6. Class 4 children had elevated risks of mental illness compared to Class 1, while Class 3, characterized by educated working mothers, had lower risks. Reducing mental health risks entails addressing socio-economic disparities, supporting stable family structures, and offering tailored interventions like counseling and co-parenting support. Longitudinal monitoring and culturally sensitive approaches are crucial for promoting mental well-being across diverse groups.

Precarious employment and mental health in the United States: Results from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), 2008–2021

ObjectivesTo measure associations between employment precarity and mental health among United States (US) workers. MethodsThis study used data from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2008–2021. Multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to measure associations between employment precarity (operationalized as a multi-dimensional exposure) and self-rated mental health after adjusting for relevant confounders. Marginal effects analysis was used to assess potential dose-response relationships between precarity and mental health. ResultsOur sample (n = 57,529) was representative of >106 million US workers employed throughout 2008–2021. Compared to those with low levels of employment precarity, those with medium and high levels of precarity had an increased odds of reporting poor/fair mental health (aOR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.32 and 1.51; 95% CI = 1.36, 1.68, respectively). Marginal effects analysis indicated that increasing levels of precarity were associated with an increased probability of reporting poor/fair mental health. ConclusionsIncreasing levels of employment precarity were associated with poor/fair self-rated mental health, findings potentially indicative of a dose-response relationship between the two. These nationally representative findings suggest employment precarity is an important social determinant of mental health. Future research could investigate how best to mitigate the negative effects of precarity on workers' lives and well-being, particularly regarding mental health.

Mohs micrographic technique in high-risk basal cell carcinoma: a 3D prediction of safety margins.

Compared with standard excision with a two-dimensional histological examination, Mohs micrographic surgery offers a lower recurrence rate and a greater extent of healthy tissue sparing for the treatment of high-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aims of this study were to first quantify the healthy tissue spared through the micrographic technique compared to traditional surgery for high-risk tumours. Then, to speculate, through the analysis of the distal micrographic resection margin, the adequate width of safety margins for standard excision. A cohort of patients with high-risk BCC was treated with Mohs surgery. Safety margins, tumours residual final breach and hypothetical standard excision safety margins areas were recorded. A total of 96 patients were included. A reduction of 27.96% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 17.90-38.02) of healthy skin removed was observed using a micrographic method compared to the standard approach. Standard excision with a 6mm safety margin was associated with 86.46% (95% CI: 79.62-93.30) of complete excision. Greater margins were not associated with a statistically significant improvement of complete excision. Mohs surgery should be considered the gold standard operative treatment for high-risk BCC. However, if micrographic techniques are not feasible, the standard excision with a predetermined margin of 6 mm, should be considered as the best option.

A Dust-trapping Ring in the Planet-hosting Disk of Elias 2-24

Rings and gaps are among the most widely observed forms of substructure in protoplanetary disks. A gap–ring pair may be formed when a planet carves a gap in the disk, which produces a local pressure maximum following the gap that traps inwardly drifting dust grains and appears as a bright ring owing to the enhanced dust density. A dust-trapping ring would provide a promising environment for solid growth and possibly planetesimal production via the streaming instability. We present evidence of dust trapping in the bright ring of the planet-hosting disk Elias 2-24, from the analysis of 1.3 and 3 mm Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations at high spatial resolution (0.″029, 4.0 au). We leverage the high spatial resolution to demonstrate that larger grains are more efficiently trapped and place constraints on the local turbulence (8 × 10−4 < α turb < 0.03) and the gas-to-dust ratio (Σ g /Σ d < 30) in the ring. Using a scattering-included marginal probability analysis, we measure a total dust disk mass of Mdust=13.8−0.5+0.7×10−4M⊙ . We also show that at the orbital radius of the proposed perturber the gap is cleared of material down to a flux contrast of 10−3 of the peak flux in the disk.

Analisis Pemasaran dan Transmisi Harga Lada Putih di Kabupaten Sambas

Marketing channels, marketing margins, efficiency and elasticity of marketing price transmission for white pepper in Sambas Regency will be the objectives of this research. Quantitative descriptive methods were used in this research. Non-probability sampling is a technique used with the purposive sampling method. Primary and secondary sources are the data used. Marketing margin analysis, marketing channel efficiency, and price transmission elasticity are some of the methods used. The results of this research show that there are two different marketing channels for white pepper in Sambas Regency: channel I directly from farmers to wholesalers then to final consumers, and channel II from farmers to collectors then to wholesalers then to final consumers. Channel I marketing efficiency is 0.46% and farmer's share is 97.56%, resulting in a marketing margin of IDR 2,000/kg. At the same time, marketing channel II achieved a marketing margin of Rp. 5,000/Kg, with a farmer's share of 93.90% and a marketing efficiency level of 0.83%. Marketing channel I is more efficient than marketing channel II. The elasticity value of price transmission in channel II is 0.663, which means that every 1% change in consumer prices will cause a change of less than 1% or 0.663% change in producer prices so it is inelastic. On the other hand, the collector level and producer level have an elasticity value of 0.632, meaning that a 1% change at the collector level results in a price change of 0.632% or less than 1% at the producer level (Inelastic). Thus, the influence of consumer prices is greater than collector prices.

What’s behind Margin Status in Oral Cancer?

In the 2nd century AD, Galen argued that the failure to remove any single ‘root’ of a malignant tumor could result in a local relapse. After nearly 2 millennia, this problem appears to be even more challenging due to our increased understanding of the complexity of tumor formation and spread. Pathological analysis of tumor margins under a microscope remains the primary and only accepted method for confirming the complete tumor removal. However, this method is not an all-or-nothing test, and it can be compromised by various intrinsic and extrinsic limitations. Among the intrinsic limitations of pathological analysis we recall the pathologist handling, tissue shrinkage, the detection of minimal residual disease and the persistence of a precancerous field. Extrinsic limitations relate to surgical tools and their thermal damage, the different kinds of surgical resections and frozen sections collection. Surgeons, as well as oncologists and radiotherapists, should be well aware of and deeply understand these limitations to avoid misinterpretation of margin status, which can have serious consequences. Meanwhile, new technologies such as Narrow band imaging have shown promising results in assisting with the achievement of clear superficial resection margins. More recently, emerging techniques like Raman spectroscopy and near-infrared fluorescence have shown potential as real-time guides for surgical resection.The aim of this narrative review is to provide valuable insights into the complex process of margin analysis and underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, and radiotherapists to optimize patient outcomes in oral cancer surgery.

Why leave items in the shopping cart? The impact of consumer filtering behavior

Online product information provides crucial cues for consumer shopping behavior; however, the impact of consumer-side information manipulation on non-purchase behavior (e.g., shopping cart abandonment) remains unclear. Filtering, a common manipulation strategy, was initially considered synonymous with searching, both of which contribute to consumer purchase behavior. However, recent research suggests significant differences, particularly in terms of cost and product matching. This study explores how such differences affect information manipulation and subsequently shape shopping cart abandonment, drawing on information foraging theory. Based on the premise that a forager's interaction with the environment is mediated by cognition, we find that consumer filtering behavior influences perceptions of serendipity (i.e., discovering unexpected items) and similarity (i.e., encountering similar items), thereby influencing shopping cart abandonment. Mediation analyses reveal that perceived serendipity and similarity are equally potent mediators. Marginal effects analyses demonstrate that a one standard deviation increase in consumer perceptions of serendipity (similarity) in filtering results increases the likelihood of shopping cart abandonment by 32.2% (22.1%). Theoretical contributions and practical insights for information behavior researchers and digital marketers are also provided.

Financial inclusion and the global net-zero emissions agenda: Does governance quality matter?

We inspect the impact of financial inclusion on carbon (CO2) emissions and the role that quality of governance plays using a global dataset from 119 countries between 2004 and 2020. We address endogeneity using the dynamic two-step generalized method of moment estimator and further test the robustness of results using the Driscol-Kraay estimator, which is crucial for addressing cross-sectional and temporal dependence. The findings showed that financial inclusion and quality of governance exhibited a positive and significant impact on CO2 emissions. Further analysis shows that the impact of financial inclusion and governance on CO2 emissions varies across countries at different stages of economic development. We also documented significant variations in the results across six geographical regions. Also, the evidence from moderation and marginal effect analysis revealed that the marginal effect of financial inclusion on CO2 emissions is contingent on governance quality and that improving governance quality (scores) conditions financial inclusion to minimize CO2 emissions across the globe. We, therefore, demonstrate that in countries with relatively higher (better) governance scores, such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Singapore, and New Zealand, financial inclusion significantly mitigates CO2 emissions compared to countries with relatively lower (weak) governance scores, such as Iraq, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Chad. Finally, mediation analysis also highlights that the effect of financial inclusion on CO2 emissions is mediated by renewable energy consumption, industrialization, and household consumption. The policy implications are discussed.

A decentralized optimal PID controller with disk margin-based robust stability analysis for higher-order industrial systems

ABSTRACT Decentralized control systems are frequently employed to tackle control challenges in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. Hence, this paper proposes a decentralized PID controller that relies on frequency domain specifications. This controller is designed to minimize the loop interactions and fulfill the design criteria of the MIMO system. The PID parameters are calculated based on gain and phase margin specifications. Additionally, a first-order plus dead time model is derived for each of the decoupled subsystems. Furthermore, robust stability is analysed using disc margin analysis, which overcomes the constraints of traditional margins. Moreover, the paper determines a secure range of uncertainty for various levels of gain and phase uncertainties. The findings suggest that the proposed controller achieves robust stability over a broader range of margins when compared to alternative control methods.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SMALLHOLDER PIG PRODUCTION IN SABON GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Multistage sampling procedures were adopted in this study to select Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA), 3 out of 11 wards in the LGA and 49 pig farmers. The aim was to analyze the socio-economic as well as costs and returns of pig production in the LGA. A structured questionnaire was used to generate primary data which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis. Results showed that majority of the farmers fell within the active productive age of 30-50 years; 67% were males and over 67% were married. The total variable cost (TVC) amounted to N185,000 while the gross income was N539,000 yielding a gross margin of N 354,000 and return on investment of N 2.91. Major constraints identified include shortage of funds and poor pricing of produce. Recommendations proffered include better access to credit and membership of cooperative and farmer groups.

Vaping Transitions and Incident Depressive Symptoms among Young Adults: A Marginal Structural Model Analysis.

The extent to which vaping influences depression is unclear, but could be estimated through application of novel epidemiologic methods. Among a prospective cohort of young adults from California who screened negative for depression, we estimated repeated measures marginal structural models to examine the association of four vaping transitions from time T to T+1 (persistent use, discontinuation, initiation, persistent nonuse) with risk of clinically significant depressive symptoms at T+1, simultaneously across three ~1.5 year time-intervals between 2017-2021. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights adjusted for time-dependent confounders and selection bias. Among n=3,496 observations (1,806 participants, mean pooled baseline age=19.5), 8.1% reported persistent vaping from T to T+1, 6.2% reported discontinuation (i.e., use at T and no use at T+1), 6.5% initiated e-cigarettes (i.e., no use at T and use at T+1), and 79.2% reported persistent nonuse at both time-points. Compared to persistent vaping at two waves, persistent nonuse (RR=0.76, 95%CI:0.62-0.93) and discontinuation (RR=0.71, 95%CI:0.52-0.96) were associated with lower risk of depression. Associations were robust to sensitivity analyses, including restricting to tobacco naïve participants and varying temporal assumptions to reduce potential for reverse causation. Young adults who consistently avoid or discontinue vaping may be protected from depressive symptom occurrence.

Supply Chain Analysis Orchid and Impact on Orchid Commodities Sales in Rawa Belong Market Jakarta

This study aims to 1) determine the flow of products, finance and information of orchid commodities and their impact on sales in Pasar Rawa Belong Jakarta and 2) determine marketing efficiency according to marketing margins and farmer's share. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative descriptive is used to determine the product flow, financial flow and information flow of vanda douglas orchid in Pamulang Sub-district while quantitative is used to determine the marketing efficiency of vanda douglas orchid in Pamulang based on marketing margin and farmer's share. The sampling technique was purposive sampling for farmers, village collectors, wholesalers and retailers. Data analysis techniques used are descriptive analysis and marketing margin analysis. The results showed that there were four marketing channels formed in the orchid supply chain in Pamulang District consisting of product flow, financial flow and information flow in each marketing channel. Marketing channel III is the most efficient channel with a marketing efficiency value of 3.36% and has entered the criteria &lt;5%, the total marketing margin value of Rp 300 / stem and the farmer's share value of 85%.

Supply Chain Analysis Orchid and Impact on Orchid Commodities Sales in Rawa Belong Market Jakarta

This study aims to 1) determine the flow of products, finance and information of orchid commodities and their impact on sales in Pasar Rawa Belong Jakarta and 2) determine marketing efficiency according to marketing margins and farmer's share. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative descriptive is used to determine the product flow, financial flow and information flow of vanda douglas orchid in Pamulang Sub-district while quantitative is used to determine the marketing efficiency of vanda douglas orchid in Pamulang based on marketing margin and farmer's share. The sampling technique was purposive sampling for farmers, village collectors, wholesalers and retailers. Data analysis techniques used are descriptive analysis and marketing margin analysis. The results showed that there were four marketing channels formed in the orchid supply chain in Pamulang District consisting of product flow, financial flow and information flow in each marketing channel. Marketing channel III is the most efficient channel with a marketing efficiency value of 3.36% and has entered the criteria &lt;5%, the total marketing margin value of Rp 300 / stem and the farmer's share value of 85%.

Analysis of Distribution and Consumption Patterns in Pangkalpinang City

The food industry not only fulfils basic human needs for survival, but is also one of the vital economic sectors for a region. It creates jobs, from farmers to distributors, and drives various related industries such as packaging and transportation. Furthermore, the export of food products can be a significant source of foreign exchange. Thus, the healthy and sustainable development of the food industry not only ensures the food security of the community, but also contributes to economic growth and overall regional welfare. The purpose of this study is to analyze distribution and consumption patterns in Pangkalpinang City, using analysis of market structure detection, and analysis of trade and transport margins. The data from this study uses primary data, the results show that the distribution pattern of cooking oil and chicken eggs has the longest path and the pattern of consumption of food commodities contributing to the highest deflation is rice

Evaluating tourist perceptions of architectural heritage values at a World Heritage Site in South-East China: The case of Gulangyu Island

Tourism has become an important economic pathway through which heritage is valued. This paper evaluates tourist perceptions of architectural heritage at a World Heritage Site by combining Global Positioning System-tracking, questionnaire survey, Ordered Probit Model, and marginal utility analysis, and compares it with a broader expert and state led interpretation for optimization of heritage values inheritance by content analysis and matching model. The results respectively reveal the core value of tourist perceptions, and indicate the consistency and the degree of mismatch between tourist perception and institutional interpretation. Management implications are suggested for decision-making and planning optimization of heritage tourism sites.

Profitability of Soymilk Processing: Implications for Upscaling among Small Scale Enterprises

The profitability of soymilk processing with implications for scaling up among small-scale enterprises was investigated based on data which emanated from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&amp;T), Moor Plantation, Apata Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Soymilk, a plant-based product, has gained popularity as a nutritious and sustainable substitute for dairy milk, prompting interest in its production in a commercialized way. In order to establish profitability and upscaling, an economic analysis of soymilk processed at the Institute was carried out on five (5) treatments using two (2) different methods. The partial budgetary and gross margin analysis were used to evaluate the profitability of the soymilk processed. The research outcome showed that treatment Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps was the best with the least cost. Treatment Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps had a positive net benefit of ₦4,090, an incremental net benefit of ₦435, an incremental cost of ₦915 and a marginal rate of returns of 47.54. This implies that compared to other treatments, the Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps method of soymilk processing would give an additional 45.54 litres of soymilk for every ₦1 spent in processing soymilk, which is the highest compared to other treatments. The findings suggest that soymilk processing holds promise as a profitable business if this treatment is adopted and upscaled.

Margin clearance greater than 1 mm in nodal-positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients: multicentre retrospective analysis.

The introduction of the 1 mm cut-off for resection margin according to the Leeds Pathology Protocol has transformed the concept of surgical radicality. Its impact on nodal-positive resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of margin clearance on survival among resected, nodal-positive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients whose specimens were analysed according to the Leeds Pathology Protocol. Data were collected retrospectively from multicentre clinical databases. Resected patients with nodal involvement were included. Overall survival and disease-free survival were analysed according to minimum reported margin clearances of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mm. The results are reported separately for patients who had not undergone venous resection and for patients for whom data were available regarding the superior mesenteric vein-facing margin or the vein specimen. The eighth edition of TNM classification by the AJCC was used. The study comprised 290 stage IIB patients and 215 stage III patients without venous resection. The superior mesenteric vein margin analysis comprised 127 stage IIB patients and 198 stage III patients. The different resection margin distances were not associated with overall survival and disease-free survival among patients without venous resection (P > 0.050). Receiving adjuvant therapy was associated with longer overall survival among stage IIB patients (P = 0.034) and stage III patients (P = 0.003) and with longer disease-free survival among stage III patients (P < 0.001). In this study, a margin clearance greater than 1 mm showed no clear effect on overall survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients with nodal involvement, whereas adjuvant therapy was confirmed to be essential to ensure longer overall survival.