Rate Patterns Research Articles

Рост окуня Perca fluviatilis L., 1758 (Percidae) в казахстанской части бассейна Ишима

The growth of Eurasian perch in water bodies within the Ishim River system in the Republic of Kazakhstan has been investigated. Data from 29 samples from various water bodies of the Ishim watershed and some adjacent watersheds are presented. The most extensive age series were found in specimens from Lake Lobanovo (National Park “Kokshetau”) – up to sixteen years (15+). River populations had a shorter lifespan. Comparison of growth rate patterns indicates the presence of two conditional “units”: the first includes the majority of lake populations, while the second includes Karatomarskoe Reservoir and Lake Lobanovo. Some samples are located outside of these groupings. The examined chronological samples show significant differences in growth for some. This is typical for Lake Karakol and, partialy, – the Ishimskoe Reservoir, where positive hydrological changes occurred between perch catches years, resulting in increased growth rates. These samples exhibit a low level of correlation in growth indicators between adjacent ages, indicating disruption in growth rate “canalization” and the acquisition of opportunities for individuals in a renewed unbalanced habitat environment. In relatively stable conditions of most other water bodies, the correlation level of these data indicators is high for the majority of comparison pairs. When comparing Ishim populations with previously published data on the Nura and Sarysu river watersheds re-garding growth rates, one can empirically conclude about the more successful growth of perch in the Nura-Sarysu watershed. However, it should be noted that mainly water bodies without commercial fishing and with developed recreational fishing were studied in the Ishim watershed. In contrast, water bodies with predominant commercial fishing were surveyed in the Nura-Sarysu system. The different impacts of these types of fishing may determine both the growth rates and the lifespan of perch.

Childhood Adversity and Telomere Length.

Purpose: Exposure to adversity during childhood and adolescence is associated with numerous health conditions in adulthood; telomere shortening may be a mechanism through which adversity contributes to poor outcomes. We studied three areas of adversity (parent relational instability, child household instability, and financial instability) occurring during three epochs across childhood and adolescence and their associations with telomere length during adolescence. Methods: Data were obtained from the first wave of a longitudinal cohort study of youth aged 11-17 and their primary caregiver. Caregivers completed demographic and adversity questionnaires; youth provided a saliva sample for DNA extraction for telomere analysis. Results: Of 879 youth, over half experienced some adversity. More than one third experienced parent relational instability in each age epoch, with nearly a quarter experiencing parent relational instability in all age epochs. Youth experienced a similar pattern of financial instability but lower rates of child household instability. Youth experiencing parent relational instability at two or three epochs had shorter telomeres compared to those without any parent relational instability (p < .004). Youth who experienced child household instability in two age epochs had shorter telomeres (p = .003) and youth who experienced financial instability across all three epochs had shorter telomeres (p = .013) compared to youth without these adversities. Conclusion: Continuing exposure to adversity in early childhood may be more likely to affect telomere length. Research is needed to further determine adversities exerting the most effect and to understand if early telomere shortening has long term health effects.

Investigating the effects of material density on strain rates in pressurized rotational cylinders

AbstractThis study investigates strain rates in internally pressurized rotating cylinders with varying density, using Norton's law to analyze the effects of anisotropy and the creep law exponent n. The research is significant for optimizing the design and durability of such cylinders in engineering applications. A detailed analysis revealed distinct strain rate patterns among anisotropic materials Types I and II exhibited lower circumferential strain rates compared to isotropic Type III materials, while Types I and III showed reduced axial strain rates relative to isotropic Type II materials. These findings suggest that anisotropic Types I and II materials offer superior stress‐related performance, enhancing the durability of cylinders under pressure and rotation. The study's novelty lies in its comprehensive examination of anisotropy's influence on strain rates, extending beyond prior work by demonstrating how specific anisotropic materials outperform isotropic ones in reducing deformation and improving structural resilience.

Spatial patterns of colorectal cancer survival rates in Malaysia, 2013-2018.

Large geographical variations in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates have been reported across regions. Poorer survival rates were mainly found in socioeconomically deprived areas, highly dense areas, and areas lacking healthcare accessibility. The objective of this study was to identify, compare, and contrast the spatial patterns of 5-year CRC-specific survival rates and identify high-priority areas by districts in Malaysia. This retrospective cohort study utilized secondary data from the National Cancer Registry. CRC patients (ICD10 C18-21) diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 were selected. Patient addresses were geocoded into districts and states via geospatial data from the National Geospatial Centre, whereas district population density data were gathered from the Population Census of Malaysia. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were conducted to determine and compare the 5-year CRC-specific survival rates, and the spatial distribution of CRC survival by district was determined via ArcGIS software. A total of 18,513 CRC patients were registered from 143 districts, with 10,819 deaths occurring during follow-up. The national 5-year CRC-specific survival rate was 42%, with median survival time of 36months (95% CI: 34.46, 37.54). The eastern region (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang) had the lowest survival (38.0%). Among the 143 districts, eighty-one (56.6%) reported survival rates below the national average while thirty-six (25.2%) were identified as high-priority districts. The differences in CRC survival rates were evident according to geographical location. Area-based targeted interventions to improve CRC detection, management, and access to healthcare are imperative to address cancer survival disparities and help effectively allocate resources.

Dynamic algorithmic awareness based on FAT evaluation: Heuristic intervention and multidimensional prediction

AbstractAs the widespread use of algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, understanding the interaction process of human–algorithm interaction becomes increasingly crucial. From the human perspective, algorithmic awareness is recognized as a significant factor influencing how users evaluate algorithms and engage with them. In this study, a formative study identified four dimensions of algorithmic awareness: conceptions awareness (AC), data awareness (AD), functions awareness (AF), and risks awareness (AR). Subsequently, we implemented a heuristic intervention and collected data on users' algorithmic awareness and FAT (fairness, accountability, and transparency) evaluation in both pre‐test and post‐test stages (N = 622). We verified the dynamics of algorithmic awareness and FAT evaluation through fuzzy clustering and identified three patterns of FAT evaluation changes: “Stable high rating pattern,” “Variable medium rating pattern,” and “Unstable low rating pattern.” Using the clustering results and FAT evaluation scores, we trained classification models to predict different dimensions of algorithmic awareness by applying different machine learning techniques, namely Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and XGBoost (XGB). Comparatively, experimental results show that the SVM algorithm accomplishes the task of predicting the four dimensions of algorithmic awareness with better results and interpretability. Its F1 scores are 0.6377, 0.6780, 0.6747, and 0.75. These findings hold great potential for informing human‐centered algorithmic practices and HCI design.

Larval source management in Ethiopia: modelling to assess its effectiveness in curbing malaria surge in dire Dawa and Batu Towns

BackgroundEthiopia faces several severe challenges in terms of malaria elimination, including drug resistance and diagnostic evasion in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, insecticide resistance in the primary Anopheles malaria vector, and, most recently, the invasion of the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Novel malaria control methods are therefore needed, and in this paper, we describe the evaluation of a larval source management (LSM) strategy implemented in response to An. stephensi. The primary outcome was the malaria incidence rate compared between intervention and non-intervention sites in the presence of An. stephensi.MethodsIntervention (Batu and Dire Dawa) and control (Metehara) towns were selected, and weekly malaria passive case detection data collected between 2014 and 2023 were obtained from the Oromia regional state and Dire Dawa City Administration Health Bureau. In addition, data regarding intervention were obtained from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) reports. Weekly malaria passive case data were used to evaluate the change in the estimated malaria incidence rate and trends of temporal patterns of the estimated malaria incidence rate before and after interventions. An interrupted time series model with a cyclic second-order random walk structure periodic seasonal term was used to assess the impact of LSM on malaria incidence rate in the intervention and control settings.ResultsAn upsurge in malaria cases occurred after 2020 at both the intervention and control sites. The temporal patterns of malaria incidence rate showed an increasing trend after the intervention. The ITS model depicted that the LSM has no impact in reducing the malaria incidence rate at both intervention site Dire Dawa [immediate impact = 1.462 (0.891, 2.035)], [Lasting impact = 0.003 (− 0.012, 0.018)], and Batu [Immediate impact 0.007 (− 0.235, 0.249), [Lasting impact = 0.008 (− 0.003, 0.013)].ConclusionsAn overall increasing trend in the malaria incidence rate was observed irrespective of the implementation of LSM in the urban settings of Ethiopia, where An. stephensi has been found. Further investigations and validations of the incorporation of LSM into control activities are warranted.

Trends in papillary thyroid cancer mortality in Denmark according to stage and education.

Few studies exist on trends in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) survival and mortality according to stage and level of socioeconomic status. Nationwide cohort study. Patients diagnosed with PTC during 2000-2015 in Denmark were identified from the Danish Cancer Registry and followed until the end of 2020. We evaluated 5-year all-cause mortality and relative survival according to stage and 5-year mortality rates with corresponding average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) according to stage and education. Finally, we assessed the association between several factors and mortality of PTC using Cox regression. For the 2006 cases of PTC diagnosed during 2000-2015, relative survival tended to increaseand mortality rates tended to decrease for all stages. For localized PTC, mortality rates tended to decrease among individuals with medium education (AAPC = -7.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -14.7 to 1.5), but showed an increasing pattern among individuals with long education (AAPC = 19.8, 95%CI: -4.2 to 50.0). For nonlocalized PTC, mortality rates showed a decreasing tendency among individuals with medium and long education (AAPC = -5.5, 95%CI: -13.2 to 2.9, and AAPC = -10.4, 95%CI: -20.8 to 1.4, respectively). Being diagnosed with PTC in a more recent calendar period and long education were associated with a lower mortality rate in the Cox regression analysis. A pattern of an increasing relative survival and decreasing mortality rates of PTC across all stages was seen in Denmark during 2000-2015. The decreasing pattern in mortality rates was most evident in individuals with localized stage and medium education, and in individuals with nonlocalized stage and medium or long education.

Prostate cancer incidence rates, trends, and treatment related to prostate-specific antigen screening recommendations in the United States

BackgroundChanges in US prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening guidelines have impacted prostate cancer (PCa) incidence rates and trends. This study shows corresponding changes in PCa incidence rates and describes treatment patterns by tumor stage, age, and race/ethnicity. MethodsAnalyses were based on 777,152 cases diagnosed in 17 population-based tumor registries in the SEER Program of the US National Cancer Institute, 2007–2021. Rates were age adjusted and trends assessed using annual percent change and joinpoint regression. ResultsPCa age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000) fell from 165.8 in 2007 to 101 in 2014 (APC=-6.51, p<0.05) and then rose to 121.2 in 2021 (APC=1.87, p< 0.05). The significant fall and rise in rates appeared in ages 55–69 and ≥70, all racial/ethnic groups (except in Hispanics during 2014–2021), and in local/regional stage. PCa incidence rates by tumor stage, age, and race/ethnicity were presented and discussed. A few PCa cases were identified through autopsy or death certificate among the racial/ethnic groups (0.68 %-1.37 %). Unstaged cases identified through sources other than autopsy or death certificate significantly varied by race/ethnicity, ranging from 4.13 % for non-Hispanic (NH) Whites to 9.5 % for Hispanic (Chi-square p <.0001). In 2017–2021, surgery occurred in 33 % of cases (primarily in local/regional cases, inversely associated with age), radiation in 30 % of cases (increasing with age in local/regional stage cases and decreasing with age in distant stage cases), and chemotherapy in 2 % of cases (<1 % in local/regional stage cases and 9 %-38 % for age groups in distant stage cases). Several racial/ethnic differences in treatment exist, such as NH Blacks (vs. NH Whites) with local/regional disease were significantly less likely to receive surgery and more likely to receive radiation. ConclusionsUnderstanding trends and patterns of PCa rates and treatment among patients by tumor stage, age, and race/ethnicity can guide public health planning in relation to screening and treatment.

Understanding the role of topography on valley floor gully and hillslope gully development in cropland of the rolling hill region of northeast China

In regions with steep slopes, the classification of permanent gully (PG) into hillslope gullies (HG) and valley floor gullies (VG) was obvious before the study began. However, in the rolling hill region (slope < 5°), the difference between HG and VG was often overlooked. Moreover, there is no standardized approach for classifying gullies, which results in ambiguity regarding the impact of topography on various developmental stages of gullies and significantly impairs the effective management of gully erosion in the rolling hill region. We propose a remote sensing-based classification method to categorize 1081 PG into VG and HG in the cropland of the rolling hill region. The high-resolution satellite images (0.7 m) from 2010 and 2021 of all PGs were used to obtain the gully development rate and distribution patterns. Among these, 79 typical PGs were investigated using UAV to acquire high-resolution DEM (5 cm), which was used to analyze the relationship between the single or composite topographic factor and gully development rates. The results show that the proposed classification method can effectively recognize the VG and HG in the rolling hill region. The average length, area, and volume of the VG were found to be 2.31, 3.15, and 6.59 times that of the HG, respectively. The rate of gully head retreat, expansion area, and volume of the VG were also 1.59, 2.48, and 5.81 times faster than that of the HG, respectively. In HG and VG, the retreat rate of gully head (Δl) both showed a positive linear correlation with the distance from the gully head to the catchment divide (LA). The extension rate of gully area (Δa) was positively linearly and exponentially correlated with composite topographic factor SA (product of local slope (S) and contributing area above the gully head (A)). Additionally, the Δa of VG was strongly related to the shape and size of A, while the Δa of HG was strongly related to S. The gully volume expansion rate (ΔV) of both HG and VG was influenced by factors such as the existing size of the gully, the contributing area of the outlet (Ao), and the elevation difference from the outlet to the gully head (h). Hence, the changes in Δl and Δa for PG are primarily attributed to hydraulic erosion, while ΔV is influenced by both hydraulic and gravitational erosion. The study has shown the non-negligible influence of HG and VG in the rolling hill region. And the composite topographic factors can also better predict the PG development rate. This study contributes to the formulation of effective soil erosion prevention strategies and sustainable land management practices.

Chitosan-coated PLA/poloxamer nanoparticles stimulate immunologic cancer cell death and synergistic chemo-immunotherapeutic efficacy

Cancer, a key factor in declining global life expectancy, has driven the integration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to address multidrug resistance and influence the tumor microenvironment. We developed a novel vaccine delivery carrier, a chitosan-coated polylactic acid/poloxamer nanoparticle (CPP NP), designed to co-encapsulate an anticancer drug and antigen without any chemical conjugation process, enabling effective and synergistic cancer chemo-immunotherapy. The CPP NP achieved synergistic efficacy through paclitaxel (PTX), an immunogenic cell death-inducing chemotherapeutic agent; ovalbumin (OVA), which promotes dendritic cell maturation; and enhanced cellular uptake facilitated by chitosan. The PTX and OVA-loaded CPP NPs (PTX/OVA@CPP NPs) were stable in PBS for four weeks and resuspended well after lyophilization without any cryoprotectants. Moreover, PTX and OVA from the NPs exhibited a sustained release rate and pH-responsive release pattern within different cellular microenvironments. Importantly, PTX@CPP NPs exhibited much higher anticancer efficacy across various cancer cell lines, even multidrug-resistant cells, compared to free PTX and PTX@PP NPs without the chitosan coating. In antigen-presenting cells, OVA@CPP NPs led to higher IL-2 secretion and cellular uptake compared to free OVA and OVA@PP NPs. Furthermore, in a tumor-bearing mouse model, PTX/OVA@CPP NPs exhibited strong synergistic tumor suppression and triggered OVA antigen-specific responses, promoting an antitumor immune response. These findings demonstrate that PTX/OVA@CPP NPs show potential as new chemo-immunotherapeutic agents for effective cancer treatment.

Characterization of dynamic interplay among different channels during immiscible displacement in porous media under different flow rates.

Although immiscible displacement in porous media has been extensively studied, a more comprehensive analysis of the underlying dynamic behaviors is still necessary. In this work, we conducted experimental and theoretical analyses on the dynamic interplay among channels during immiscible displacement under varying flow rates. In a rock-structured microfluidic chip, we observed typical displacement patterns, including viscous fingering and capillary fingering, and analyzed their frontiers and efficiencies. Interestingly, we discovered a novel 'V'-shaped recovery rate pattern, which differs from the monotonic curve considered in previous research. The recovery rate reaches its lowest point at an injection rate of 1 μL/min (42%), increasing to 55 and 65% at rates of 16 and 0.1 μL/min, respectively. This increase may attribute to all-directional displacement at lower rates and multi-fingering displacement at higher rates, contrasting with primary fingering displacement observed at intermediate rates. Furthermore, we developed a dual-tube model to investigate the dynamic mechanisms between adjacent channels during the displacement process. At high injection rates, an increase in low-viscosity fluid rapidly reduces overall average viscosity of the channels, accelerating displacement while hindering the displacement process in neighboring channels. Conversely, at low injection rates, increased capillary forces at pore-throat junctions delay breakthrough in one channel, promoting simultaneous displacement in parallel channels and ensuring stability. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of the interplay between viscous and capillary forces in porous media during displacement processes.

Interactive effects of CO2, temperature, and nitrate limitation on the growth and physiology of strain CCMP 1334 of the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus (Cyanophyceae).

The marine cyanobacterium Synecococcus sp. (CCMP 1334) was grown in a continuous culture system on a 12:12 h light:dark cycle at all combinations of low and high pCO2 (400 and 1000 ppmv, respectively), nutrient availability (nitrate-limited and nutrient-replete conditions), and temperatures of 21, 24, 28, 32, and 35°C. The maximum nutrient-replete growth rate was ~1.15 day-1 at 32-35°C. Median nutrient-replete growth rates were higher at 1000 ppmv than at 400 ppmv pCO2 at all temperatures. Carbon:nitrogen ratios were independent of pCO2 at a fixed relative growth rate (i.e., growth rate ÷ nutrient-replete growth rate) but decreased with increasing temperature. Carbon:chlorophyll a ratios were decreased monotonically with increasing temperature and were higher under nitrate-limited than nutrient-replete conditions. Ratios of phycoerythrin to chlorophyll a were independent of growth conditions. Productivity indices were independent of temperature and nutrient limitation but were consistently higher at 1000 ppmv than 400 ppmv pCO2. Both growth rates and dark respiration rates were positively correlated with temperature, and the associated Q10 values were 2.2 and 2.3, respectively. A model of phytoplankton growth in which cellular carbon is allocated to structure, storage, or the light or dark reactions of photosynthesis accounted for the general patterns of cell composition and growth rate. This strain of Synechococcus appears well suited to changes in environmental conditions that are expected as the climate warms in response to anthropogenic emissions of CO2.

Integrating Wearable Health Technology into Patient Care: Implications for Chronic Disease Management and Preventive Health

The integration of wearable health technology into patient care represents a transformative approach to managing chronic diseases and promoting preventive health. This article examines the potential of wearable devices, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and continuous monitoring sensors, to enhance patient outcomes by providing real-time data on key health indicators, including heart rate, blood pressure, physical activity, and sleep patterns. Through an analysis of current applications and advancements in wearable technology, this study assesses how these devices contribute to early disease detection, improved patient engagement, and proactive management of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Findings indicate that wearable health technology supports more personalized and responsive care models, allowing healthcare providers to track patient progress remotely, adjust treatments as needed, and foster greater adherence to health interventions. Additionally, the study highlights challenges related to data privacy, interoperability, and patient adherence, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues to fully realize the potential of wearable technology in healthcare. By providing insights into the effective integration of wearable devices in clinical settings, this research offers valuable guidance for healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers aiming to improve chronic disease management and advance preventive healthcare strategies.

Relationship Between Heart Rate and Perceived Stress in Intensive Care Unit Residents: Exploratory Analysis Using Fitbit Data.

Intensive care unit (ICU) residents are exposed to high stress levels due to the intense nature of their work, which can impact their mental health and job performance. Heart rate measured through wearable devices has the potential to provide insights into residents' self-reported stress and aid in developing targeted interventions. This exploratory study aims to analyze continuous heart rate data and self-reported stress levels and stressors in ICU residents to examine correlations between physiological responses, stress levels, and daily stressors reported. A secondary data analysis was conducted on heart rate measurements and stress assessments collected from 57 ICU residents over a 3-week period using Fitbit Charge 3 devices. These devices captured continuous physiological data alongside daily surveys that assessed stress levels and identified stressors. The study used Spearman rank correlation, point-biserial correlation analysis, 2-tailed paired t tests, and mixed-effect models to analyze the relationship between heart rate features and stress indicators. The findings reveal complex interactions between stress levels and heart rate patterns. The correlation analysis between stress levels and median heart rate values across different percentile ranges showed that lower percentile heart rates (bottom 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%) had modest correlations with stress, whereas higher percentiles (top 50%, 25%, 10%, and 5%) did not correlate significantly (all P>.05). The 2-tailed paired t test indicated significant differences in stress levels reported in midday versus end-of-day surveys (P<.001), although these changes in stress levels were not consistently reflected in heart rate patterns. Additionally, we explored and found that stressors related to "other health" issues had the highest positive correlation with stress level changes from midday to end-of-day surveys. However, the weak effect of these stressors on peak heart rate suggests that their impact on physiological measures like heart rate is not yet clear. According to our mixed-effects model, stress levels significantly influenced heart rate variations when hierarchical data were taken into account (P=.03), meaning that as the stress level increased, there was a significant increase in mean heart rate. This study highlights the complexity of using heart rate as an indicator of stress, particularly in high-stress environments like the ICU. Our findings suggest that while heart rate is found to correlate with self-reported stress in the mixed-effect model, its impact is modest, and it should be combined with other physiological and psychological measures to obtain a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of residents' stress levels.

Flexible scan statistic with a restricted likelihood ratio for optimized COVID-19 surveillance.

Disease surveillance remains important for early detection of new COVID-19 variants. For this purpose, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends integrating of COVID-19 surveillance with other respiratory diseases. This requires knowledge of areas with elevated risk, which in developing countries is lacking from the routine analyses. Focusing on Ghana, this study employed scan-statistic cluster analysis to uncover the spatial patterns of incidence and Case Fatality Rates (CFR) of COVID-19 based on reports covering the four pandemic waves in Ghana between 12 March 2020 and 28 February 2022. Applying flexible spatial scan statistic with restricted likelihood ratio, we examined the incidence and CFR clusters before and after adjustment for covariates. We used distance to the epicentre, proportion of the population aged ≥ 65, male proportion of the population and urban proportion of the population as the covariates. We identified 56 significant spatial clusters for incidence and 26 for CFR for all four waves of the pandemic. The Most Likely Clusters (MLCs) of incidence occurred in the districts in south-eastern Ghana, while the CFR ones occurred in districts in the central and the northeastern parts of the country. These districts could serve as sites for sentinel or genomic surveillance. Spatial relationships were identified between COVID-19 incidence covariates and the CFR. We observed closeness to the epicentre and high proportions of urban populations increased COVID-19 incidence, whiles high proportions of those aged ≥ 65 years increased the CFR. Accounting for the covariates resulted in changes in the distribution of the clusters. Both incidence and CFR due to COVID-19 were spatially clustered, and these clusters were affected by high proportions of the urban population, high proportions of the male population, high proportions of the population aged ≥ 65 years and closeness to the epicentre. Surveillance should target districts with elevated risk. Long-term control measures for COVID-19 and other contagious diseases should consider improving quality healthcare access and measures to reduce growth rates of urban populations.

A Study of the Role of Income, Consumption Patterns and Time in Shaping Food Expenditure in India

Aims: we sought to determine the key factors affecting per capita monthly expenditure on food across Indian states over time. Study Design: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study that uses existing data from National Sample Survey (NSS), 61st, 66th and 68th rounds. Methodology: We compiled datasets on 10 independent variables believed to influence monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) across 17 Indian states over three distinct time periods (2004-05, 2009-10, 2011-12). These variables include household size, dependency ratio, milk availability, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), literacy rate, a time dummy variable, poverty rate, and consumption patterns of cereals, pulses, and non-vegetarian food. Results: The analysis of 68 observations identified key factors influencing household food consumption expenditure. milk consumption showed a positive correlation with expenditure, yielding a coefficient of 1.106 (p =0.001) as did literacy rate (coefficient = 10.018, p = 0.045), expenditure on non-food items (coefficient = 0.086, p = 0.001), and expenditure share on eggs and meat (coefficient = 29.011, p = 0.001). Time dummy variables indicated rising expenditures over time, with coefficients of 517.76 (p = 0.001) for 2009-10, 703.93 (p = 0.001) for 2011-12, and 2324.29 (p = 0.001) for 2022-23. Overall, the model accounted for 90.9% of the variance in food consumption expenditure. Conclusion: Higher per capita milk availability leads to increased overall food spending, while the time factor indicates a trend of rising expenditures, likely linked to changing consumption patterns and incomes. literacy rate also positively affect food expenditure choices The analysis also shows that spending on protein-rich foods, such as eggs and meat, positively affects overall food expenditure.

Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries in United States Active Duty Service Members: Prevalence/Incidence, Health Care Utilization, and Cost Analysis Spanning Fiscal Years 2016-2021.

Lower Extremity musculoskeletal injuries (LE MSKIs) represent a significant portion of overuse injuries in active duty service members (ADSMs). However, variations in study methods and research gaps related to LE MSKIs have prevented Department of Defense (DoD) leaders from assessing the burden of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to report the incidence, prevalence, and types of LE MSKIs sustained by ADSMs across four branches of service and describe associated health care utilization and private sector costs. This was a retrospective, longitudinal population study, including ADSMs from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Prevalence and incidence rates for LE MSKIs, associated health care utilization, and costs were obtained by querying electronic health records (EHR) from military treatment facilities (MTFs), private sector care (PC) claims, and theater medical data from the Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2021 (FY16-21). Utilization associated with LE MSKIs in both the direct care (DC) and PC settings was classified into mutually exclusive outpatient encounter categories and acute inpatient stays. PC costs related to LE MSKIs were captured for each year. In FY21, LE MSKIs occurred in 25.3% of ADSMs (n = 378,615). A higher proportion of females sustained an LE MSKI (33.3%), compared to males (23.7%). From FY16-21, the Army had the highest annual prevalence of LE MSKIs (30.9-35.5%), followed by the Air Force (23.8-31.0%), Marine Corps (23.4-27.0%), and Navy (17.2-19.8%). Incidence rate patterns were similar, with the Army sustaining LE MSKIs at 320 to 377 injuries per 1,000 person-years, followed by the Air Force (241-318), Marines (255-288), and Navy (173-203). Overuse/non-specific MSKIs of the knee were the most common injury type and body region affected, respectively. There were 10,675,543 DC and 1,875,307 PC outpatient encounters from FY16-21 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of LE MSKI. The Air Force was most reliant on PC, with 21.5 to 36.8% of LE MSKI-related encounters occurring outside MTFs during FY16-21. Over $99 million was paid by TRICARE on LE MSKI in FY21 alone with Same Day Surgeries accounting for almost half ($48 million) of this total. Among U.S. ADSMs, LE MSKIs remain highly prevalent and costly. We observed disparities across the Services in the prevalence and incidence of LE MSKIs, and their respective reliance on the private sector for management of these conditions. Findings from this work may support military leaders and MSKI researchers who seek to reduce the impact of LE MSKIs on the readiness and overall health of the U.S. Military.

Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries in United States Active Duty Service Members: Prevalence/Incidence, Health Care Utilization, and Cost Analysis Spanning Fiscal Years 2016-2021.

Upper Extremity musculoskeletal injuries (UE MSKIs) represent a major threat to the overall health and readiness of U.S. active duty service members (U.S. ADSMs). However, a lack of prior research and inconsistent study and surveillance methodology has limited Department of Defense (DoD) leaders from assessing and addressing the burden of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to report the incidence, prevalence, and types of UE MSKIs sustained by ADSMs across four branches of service and describe associated health care utilization and private sector costs. This was a retrospective, longitudinal population study, including ADSMs from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Prevalence and incidence rates for UE MSKIs, associated health care utilization, and private sector costs were obtained by querying electronic health records from military treatment facilities (MTF), private sector care (PC) claims, and theater medical data from the Military Health System Data Repository from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2021 (Fiscal Years [FYs] 16-21). Utilization associated with UE MSKIs in both the direct care (DC) and PC settings was classified into mutually exclusive outpatient encounter categories and acute inpatient stays. PC costs related to UE MSKIs were captured for each year. In FY21, UE MSKIs occurred in 15.0% of ADSMs (n = 224,842). From FY16-21, the Army had the highest annual prevalence of UE MSKIs (16.7-18.8%), followed by the Air Force (15.2-17.6%), Marine Corps (13.2-14.7%), and Navy (11.1-12.6%). Incidence rate patterns were similar, with the Army sustaining UE MSKIs at 172 to 199 injuries per 1,000 person-years, followed by the Air Force (150-181), Marines (140-157), and Navy (113-130). Overuse/non-specific MSKIs of the shoulder were the most common UE injury type and body region affected, respectively. There were 5,641,191 DC and 1,290,153 PC outpatient encounters from FY16-21 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of UE MSKI. The Air Force was most reliant on PC, with 31.5% of their UE MSKI-related encounters occurring outside MTFs during FY16-21. Among U.S. ADSMs, UE MSKIs are both highly prevalent and financially burdensome. We observed variation across the Services in the prevalence and incidence of UE MSKIs, and their respective reliance on the private sector for management of these conditions. Findings from this work may support military leaders and MSKI researchers who seek to reduce the impact of UE MSKIs on the readiness and overall health of the U.S. Military.

Selection of spillover channels in spatial dynamic panel models using heterogeneous shrinkage on spatial parameters

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a Bayesian approach to estimating heterogeneous spatial dynamic panel models, subject to possible shrinkage on spatial dependence parameters. This amounts to heterogeneous selection of candidate spatial weight matrices that represent different spillover channels. The shrinkage methods include both the traditional and more flexible ones that allow the shrinkage strength to vary across spatial parameters. Monte Carlo results indicate that when the true model has a relatively low proportion of nonzero spatial parameters, flexible shrinkage in general leads to lower average root mean squared errors in estimating these parameters. An empirical study using this approach shows that there exists substantial heterogeneity in spillover channels across counties that determine the correlation patterns of county COVID-19 vaccination rates in four states in the United States.

Focus on user micro multi-behavioral states: Time-sensitive User Behavior Conversion Prediction and Multi-view Reinforcement Learning Based Recommendation Approach

In recommender systems, user behavior conversion implies user interest drifts and behavior patterns. However, current research has paid little attention to the correlation between target behavior conversion rate and user behavior patterns, and the impact of highly time-sensitive multi-behavior analysis on target behavior conversion rate is neglected. Meanwhile, compared to normal behavior conversions, user deviant behavior conversions are seldom studied. The behavior conversion rate that balances normal behavior patterns and deviant behavior patterns can more accurately reflect user interest drifts and real-time needs, thereby improving recommendation performance. Based on the above motivations, we propose a Time-sensitive Behavior Conversion Prediction and Multi-view Reinforcement Learning Based Recommendation Approach (TCMR), aiming to achieve more accurate and adaptive recommendations by analyzing user interest drifts, demand timings and behavior stability. First, we construct a hyper-behavior spatial model of highly collaborative temporal signals, and propose a subnet collaborative method to obtain normal behavior patterns, in which, core subnet, similarity subnet and behavior subnet are extracted from the hyper-behavior spatial model. Subsequently, we design a multi-level user behavior trajectory tree to perceive potential user deviant behaviors by comparing behavior conversions within the single behavior modality and across different behavior modality. By integrating normal behaviors and deviant behaviors, we evaluate user interest drifts, demand timings, and behavior stability, and ultimately obtain a prediction of behavior conversion rate. Finally, a multi-perspective asynchronous reinforcement learning is proposed, enabling TCMR to provide recommendations by considering multiple user perspectives and purposes. Experimental results demonstrate that TCMR exhibits superior recommendation performance and effectiveness.