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Published Algorithms (published + algorithms)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%
Engineering	50%

Selected Abstracts

Evaluation of Three Algorithms to Identify Incident Breast Cancer in Medicare Claims Data

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5 2007
Heather T. Gold
Objective. To test the validity of three published algorithms designed to identify incident breast cancer cases using recent inpatient, outpatient, and physician insurance claims data. Data. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data linked with Medicare physician, hospital, and outpatient claims data for breast cancer cases diagnosed from 1995 to 1998 and a 5 percent control sample of Medicare beneficiaries in SEER areas. Study Design. We evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of three algorithms applied to new data compared with original reported results. Algorithms use health insurance diagnosis and procedure claims codes to classify breast cancer cases, with SEER as the reference standard. We compare algorithms by age, stage, race, and SEER region, and explore via logistic regression whether adding demographic variables improves algorithm performance. Principal Findings. The sensitivity of two of three algorithms is significantly lower when applied to newer data, compared with sensitivity calculated during algorithm development (59 and 77.4 percent versus 90 and 80.2 percent, p<.00001). Sensitivity decreases as age increases, and false negative rates are higher for cases with in situ, metastatic, and unknown stage disease compared with localized or regional breast cancer. Substantial variation also exists by SEER registry. There was potential for improvement in algorithm performance when adding age, region, and race to an indicator variable for whether the algorithm determined a subject to be a breast cancer case (p<.00001). Conclusions. Differential sensitivity of the algorithms by SEER region and age likely reflects variation in practice patterns, because the algorithms rely on administrative procedure codes. Depending on the algorithm, 3,5 percent of subjects overall are misclassified in 1998. Misclassification disproportionately affects older women and those diagnosed with in situ, metastatic, or unknown-stage disease. Algorithms should be applied cautiously to insurance claims databases to assess health care utilization outside SEER-Medicare populations because of uneven misclassification of subgroups that may be understudied already. [source]

Determination of regional net radiation and soil heat flux over a heterogeneous landscape of the Tibetan Plateau

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 15 2002
Yaoming Ma
Abstract This paper explores the potential for documenting regional fields of surface energy fluxes over the Tibetan plateau using published algorithms and previously calibrated empirical formulae with data from NOAA-14 AVHRR and atmospheric data collected during the GAME-Tibet field experiment. Comparison with observations at three field sites suggests errors in the resulting estimates are less than 10% in the clear sky conditions necessary for application of this approach. Because of the need for clear skies, it was only possible to calculate the desired regional fields for one satellite scene during the 5 month study period. Maps of surface energy fluxes, and frequency analyses of these maps, are presented for this scene. The need for an alternative, more consistently applicable, satellite-based method to map surface energy fields is highlighted. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The Gauss-Seidel fast affine projection algorithm for multichannel active noise control and sound reproduction systems

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 2-3 2005
Martin Bouchard
Abstract In the field of adaptive filtering, the fast implementations of affine projection algorithms are known to provide a good tradeoff between convergence speed and computational complexity. Such algorithms have recently been published for multichannel active noise control systems. Previous work reported that these algorithms can outperform more complex recursive least-squares algorithms when noisy plant models are used in active noise control systems. This paper proposes a new fast affine projection algorithm for multichannel active noise control or sound reproduction systems, based on the Gauss,Seidel solving scheme. The proposed algorithm has a lower complexity than the previously published algorithms, with the same convergence speed and the same good performance with noisy plant models, and a potential for better numerical stability. It provides the best performance/cost ratio. Details of the algorithm and its complexity are presented in the paper, with simulation results to validate its performance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Improvements on the computation of boundaries in QFT

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 12 2006
José Carlos Moreno
Abstract Quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is an engineering design technique of uncertain feedback systems that uses frequency domain specifications. A key step in QFT is the mapping of these specifications into regions of the Nichols plane, whose borders are usually referred to as boundaries. Boundaries computation is a key design step, thus a precise and efficient computation is critical for both obtaining low bandwidth feedback compensators and simplification of the design process. In this work, the problem of boundaries computation is analysed, introducing a new algorithm based on the computation of level curves of a three-dimensional surface. Besides magnitude boundaries, associated with some specification over the magnitude of a closed-loop transfer function, phase boundaries are also considered. In addition, comparison with previous published algorithms is done in terms of precision and computational efficiency. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure: Recognition, risk stratification, and treatment review

JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue S6 2008
Alpesh Amin MD
Abstract Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has emerged as a major healthcare problem. It causes approximately 3% of all hospitalizations in the United States, with the direct medical cost of these hospitalizations estimated at $18.8 billion per year. Early recognition, risk stratification, and evidence-based treatment are crucial in reducing the morbidity, mortality, and costs associated with this disorder. Classic signs and symptoms of ADHF, such as rales, dyspnea, and peripheral edema, may be absent at hospital presentation and, even when present, are not specific to this disorder. As a result, serum B,type natriuretic peptide level is now used to rapidly and accurately detect ADHF. Multivariate analyses have identified renal dysfunction, hypotension, advanced age, hyponatremia, and comorbidities as significant and independent mortality risk factors. Based on these factors, mortality risk can be stratified from very low to very high using published algorithms that have been validated in independent populations. Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of ADHF are available from both the European Society of Cardiology and the Heart Failure Society of America. In general, an intravenous loop diuretic, either alone or in combination with a vasodilator, is recommended as initial therapy in patients with volume overload, depending on the patient's clinical status. Use of inotropic agents should be limited to the small subset of patients with low-output syndrome and significant hypotension. In any event, frequent monitoring of clinical response is essential, with subsequent therapy determined by this response. Finally, focused patient education during hospitalization may help reduce readmissions for ADHF. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3(Suppl 6):S16,S24. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine. [source]

Localization of Accessory Pathways in the Wolff-Parkinson-White Pattern,Physician Versus Computer Interpretation of the Same Algorithm

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2007
ANDREW D. McGAVIGAN M.D., M.R.C.P.
Background: There are several published algorithms for the prediction of accessory pathway (AP) location in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome from the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Most depend on stepwise criteria, and minor disagreements between observers over QRS transition point or delta wave axis may lead to different classification of pathway location. We compared the utility of a computerized program in identifying pathway location from the ECG using the algorithm published by Fitzpatrick and coworkers3 against physician assessment with the same algorithm. Methods: Thirty-one 12-lead ECGs with an overt preexcitation pattern were examined by three physicians and AP localized to one of eight anatomical sites using the Fitzpatrick algorithm, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Similarly, pathway location was determined by the Glasgow ECG program with the Fitzpatrick algorithm incorporated into its logic. Results: The agreement between each physician and their consensus was 28/31, 29/31, and 29/31. Similarly, assessment by the Glasgow program produced agreement with the physician consensus in 29/31 cases. Of the 24 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation, the program localized the pathway to the true or adjacent annular region in 20, compared to 20/24 by physician assessment of the algorithm, producing a similar predictive accuracy to published data. Conclusion: This study has shown that incorporation of the Fitzpatrick algorithm for AP location into a widely used computer program results in the same level of performance as that of experienced physicians and may be useful in clinical practice as an aid to referral for electrophysiological study and ablation. [source]