Development of a Novel Classification Approach for Cow Behavior Analysis Using Tracking Data and Unsupervised Machine Learning Techniques.

Global Positioning Systems (GPSs) can collect tracking data to remotely monitor livestock well-being and pasture use. Supervised machine learning requires behavioral observations of monitored animals to identify changes in behavior, which is labor-intensive. Our goal was to identify animal behaviors automatically without using human observations. We designed a novel framework using unsupervised learning techniques. The framework contains two steps. The first step segments cattle tracking data using state-of-the-art time series segmentation algorithms, and the second step groups segments into clusters and then labels the clusters. To evaluate the applicability of our proposed framework, we utilized GPS tracking data collected from five cows in a 1096 ha rangeland pasture. Cow movement pathways were grouped into six behavior clusters based on velocity (m/min) and distance from water. Again, using velocity, these six clusters were classified into walking, grazing, and resting behaviors. The mean velocity for predicted walking and grazing and resting behavior was 44, 13 and 2 min/min, respectively, which is similar to other research. Predicted diurnal behavior patterns showed two primary grazing bouts during early morning and evening, like in other studies. Our study demonstrates that the proposed two-step framework can use unlabeled GPS tracking data to predict cattle behavior without human observations.

Effects of transitional care interventions on quality of life in people with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To identify and appraise the quality of evidence of transitional care interventions on quality of life in lung cancer patients. BACKGROUND: Quality of life is a strong predictor of survival. The transition from hospital to home is a high-risk period for patients' readmission and death, which seriously affect their quality of life. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 22 October 2022. The primary outcome was quality of life. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4, results were expressed as standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. This study was complied with PRISMA guidelines and previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023429464). RESULTS: Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included consisting of a total of 1700 participants, and 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. It was found that transitional care interventions significantly improved quality of life (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.40, p = .03) and helped reduce symptoms (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.13 to -0.18, p = .007) in lung cancer patients, but did not significantly reduce anxiety and depression, and the effect on self-efficacy was unclear. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that transitional care interventions can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients, and that primarily educational interventions based on symptom management theory appeared to be more effective. But, there was no statistically significant effect on anxiety and depression. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides references for the application of transitional care interventions in the field of lung cancer care, and encourages nurses and physicians to apply transitional care plans to facilitate patients' safe transition from hospital to home. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Real-Time Monitoring of Grazing Cattle Using LORA-WAN Sensors to Improve Precision in Detecting Animal Welfare Implications via Daily Distance Walked Metrics.

Animal welfare monitoring relies on sensor accuracy for detecting changes in animal well-being. We compared the distance calculations based on global positioning system (GPS) data alone or combined with motion data from triaxial accelerometers. The assessment involved static trackers placed outdoors or indoors vs. trackers mounted on cows grazing on pasture. Trackers communicated motion data at 1 min intervals and GPS positions at 15 min intervals for seven days. Daily distance walked was determined using the following: (1) raw GPS data (RawDist), (2) data with erroneous GPS locations removed (CorrectedDist), or (3) data with erroneous GPS locations removed, combined with the exclusion of GPS data associated with no motion reading (CorrectedDist_Act). Distances were analyzed via one-way ANOVA to compare the effects of tracker placement (Indoor, Outdoor, or Animal). No difference was detected between the tracker placement for RawDist. The computation of CorrectedDist differed between the tracker placements. However, due to the random error of GPS measurements, CorrectedDist for Indoor static trackers differed from zero. The walking distance calculated by CorrectedDist_Act differed between the tracker placements, with distances for static trackers not differing from zero. The fusion of GPS and accelerometer data better detected animal welfare implications related to immobility in grazing cattle.

Effects of home-based telehealth on the physical condition and psychological status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of home-based telehealth compared with usual care on six-minute walking distance (6MWD), health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We identified randomized controlled trials through a systematic multidatabase search. Titles and abstracts were assessed for relevance. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias and quality of evidence. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager and Stata. RESULTS: We included 32 randomized controlled trials (n = 5232). Devices used for home-based telehealth interventions included telephones, videos, and combined devices. The quality of the evidence was downgraded due to high risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. Home-based telehealth significantly increased 6MWD by 35 m (SD = 30.42) and reduced symptom burden by 3 points (SD = -2.30) on the COPD assessment test compared with usual care. However, no significant differences in anxiety and depression were noted between the home-based telehealth group and the standard care group. In subgroup analysis, home-based telehealth significantly improved 6MWD and health status after 6-12 months and >12 months. CONCLUSION: Low quality evidence showed that home-based telehealth interventions reduce symptom burden and increase walking distance to a clinically meaningful extent in patients with COPD. However, no effects on depression and anxiety were observed.

Active Cycle of Breathing Technique: A Respiratory Modality to Improve Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer and surgery put a physiologic and psychological burden on patients with lung cancer. The active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) has been considered as an effective airway clearance method for patients with lung diseases. Its effectiveness on perioperative outcomes in patients with lung cancer warrants study. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study explored the effects of the ACBT on patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to the intervention (N = 34) or control group (N = 34). The intervention group received the ACBT, and the control group received usual pre-/postoperative breathing exercises. Outcomes included dyspnea, exercise capacity, anxiety, depression, and postoperative pulmonary complications. Intention-to-treat analysis was also performed. FINDINGS: Dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and postoperative pulmonary complications were significantly improved at discharge for patients in the intervention group.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Club Drug Use among Secondary Vocational Students in China.

To understand the prevalence of and factors associated with club drug use among Chinese secondary vocational students, a nationally representative survey was conducted. The multistage cluster sampling strategy was employed to select participants. A total of 9469 students from eleven secondary vocational schools in five cities completed self-reported questionnaires, which included information on club drug use, sociodemographic variables, individual factors, as well as peer and family related factors. The data were separately analyzed with Poisson regression models for female and male students. The overall lifetime prevalence of club drug use was 2.7% (258/9469), and male students had higher prevalence than female students (3.5% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). Female and male students shared four risk factors (i.e., having ever smoked, perceiving social benefit expectancies, peer drug using and perceiving peer's approval of drug use) and one protective factor (i.e., having medium or high levels of refusal skills) for club drug use. Moreover, family drug using and having a part-time job were two additionally independent risk factors for club drug use among male students. These findings indicate that the problem of club drug use among Chinese secondary vocational students is worthy of attention. The prevention of club drug use should address multiple risks and protective factors on individual, peer and family levels.

Analysis and prediction of produced water quantity and quality in the Permian Basin using machine learning techniques.

Appropriate produced water (PW) management is critical for oil and gas industry. Understanding PW quantity and quality trends for one well or all similar wells in one region would significantly assist operators, regulators, and water treatment/disposal companies in optimizing PW management. In this research, historical PW quantity and quality data in the New Mexico portion (NM) of the Permian Basin from 1995 to 2019 was collected, pre-processed, and analyzed to understand the distribution, trend and characteristics of PW production for potential beneficial use. Various machine learning algorithms were applied to predict PW quantity for different types of oil and gas wells. Both linear and non-linear regression approaches were used to conduct the analysis. The prediction results from five-fold cross-validation showed that the Random Forest Regression model reported high prediction accuracy. The AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average model showed good results for predicting PW volume in time series. The water quality analysis results showed that the PW samples from the Delaware and Artesia Formations (mostly from conventional wells) had the highest and the lowest average total dissolved solids concentrations of 194,535 mg/L and 100,036 mg/L, respectively. This study is the first research that comprehensively analyzed and predicted PW quantity and quality in the NM-Permian Basin. The results can be used to develop a geospatial metrics analysis or facilitate system modeling to identify the potential opportunities and challenges of PW management alternatives within and outside oil and gas industry. The machine learning techniques developed in this study are generic and can be applied to other basins to predict PW quantity and quality.

Multimodal Exercise Program: A Pilot Randomized Trial for Patients With Lung Cancer Receiving Surgical Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Curative lung resection is the best option for patients with stage I-III lung cancer, and the best exercise intervention in these patients has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study explored whether a short-term pre- and postsurgery multimodal exercise program affected dyspnea, exercise capacity, inspiratory capacity, anxiety, and depression. METHODS: A total of 101 patients were randomly allocated into the combined intervention group (n = 34), the breathing exercise group (n = 32), or the control group (n = 35). During hospitalization, patients in the two intervention groups received one or more kinds of exercise intervention, and patients in the control group only received usual care. Outcomes were assessed at admission, on the day before surgery, and at discharge. FINDINGS: Both intervention groups achieved significant improvements in dyspnea, exercise capacity, and inspiratory capacity, and patients in the combined intervention group exhibited greater improvements in outcomes as compared to those randomized to the breathing exercise group.

Active Video Games as an Adjunct to Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to investigate the effectiveness of active video games as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: All entries to the following databases were searched up until April 3, 2019: PubMed, Embase Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Wanfang, Weipu, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. RESULTS: A total of seven articles (three randomized controlled trials and four quasi-experimental studies) with 249 patients were included. Active video games can increase the 6-min walk distance by 30.9 meters on average. Four studies assessed quality of life and showed significant improvement. Four studies have reported that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease found active video games to be enjoyable. Patient adherence was assessed in two studies and showed high adherence with active video games. No adverse events related to active video games were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The review demonstrated that active video games as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may prove to be useful and enjoyable. Additional studies should explore the differences between different types of active video games in order to create more effective game interventions for pulmonary rehabilitation.

Effects of Home-Based Exercise Training for Patients With Lung Cancer.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: To investigate the effectiveness of home-based exercise training on exercise capacity, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). LITERATURE SEARCH: A systematic literature search of the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials, Embase®, PubMed®, and Web of Science databases was performed for articles published through July 22, 2018. DATA EVALUATION: The meta-analysis was conducted with Review Manager, version 5.3, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. SYNTHESIS: 10 articles with a total of 453 patients met the inclusion criteria. Home-based exercise training was found to increase the six-minute walk distance. In addition, anxiety was also improved after the intervention. However, no improvements in dyspnea, depression, or HRQOL were observed. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Home-based exercise training as a nursing intervention for promoting the rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer can be recommended, but more research should be undertaken to determine the most effective exercises and follow-up methods.

Pathogenic bacteria distributions and drug resistance analysis in 96 cases of neonatal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to summarize common pathogens and associated drug resistance in neonatal sepsis (NS). METHODS: Blood culture and drug sensitivity results from 96 NS cases treated from January 2010 to August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 97 pathogenic bacteria were detected from these 96 NS cases; Gram-positive cocci accounted for 76.3% of the cases, among which 70.1% involved coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CONS), whereas Gram-negative bacilli and fungi accounted for 19.6% and fungi 4.1% of cases, respectively. Gram-positive cocci exhibited a higher penicillin resistance rate and full vancomycin sensitivity, whereas Gram-negative bacilli exhibited a higher cephalosporin resistance rate, low meropenem resistance rate (6.7%), and no resistance to amikacin. CONCLUSIONS: The main causative pathogens of NS in our hospital were Gram-positive cocci, among which coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp such as S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus were the main conditional pathogens; among Gram-negative pathogens, Klebsiella pneumoniae were most frequently isolated and showed widespread resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins.

[Treatment effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with interventional chemotherapy on vertebral metastases].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Vertebral metastasis is a common manifestation of patients with advanced cancer without effective treatment. This study was to explore treatment value and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with interventional chemotherapy on vertebral metastases. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with vertebral metastases (42 men, 33 women; aged 31-76 years) were divided into 2 groups: 39 were treated by PVP combined with chemotherapy (VPCC group), and 36 were treated by PVP alone (VP group). All procedures were guided by CT scan. The results and complications were evaluated by pain questionnaire and routine follow-up. RESULTS: Response rate was significantly higher in VPCC group than in VP group (93.0% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.05); complete response rates of VPCC group and VP group were 25.6% and 10.3%. Common complication of VPCC was transient aggravation of pain. CONCLUSIONS: PVP may release the pain, and consolidate the vertebrae of patients with vertebral metastases. Its short-term effect may be enhanced by adding drugs into bone cement.