Plos One
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The parallelisation of big data is emerging as an important framework for large-scale parallel data applications such as seismic data processing. The field of seismic data is so large or complex that traditional data processing software is incapable of dealing with it. For example, the implementation of parallel processing in seismic applications to improve the processing speed is complex in nature. ⋯ In our framework, we used the Apache Hadoop with its MapReduce function. All experiments were conducted on the RedHat CentOS platform. Finally, we studied the bottlenecks and improved the overall performance of the system for seismic algorithms (stochastic inversion).
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The EQ-5D instrument is now used in many health systems as a health outcomes measure. Recently an EQ-5D valuation study was conducted for Trinidad and Tobago, but thus far there have been no population norms published for Trinidad and Tobago or for any Caribbean country. The objective of this study is to provide a set of population norms, and to investigate inequalities in health in Trinidad and Tobago. ⋯ The population norms provided in this study can be used by clinicians, academics and policy makers in several ways. They can be used in comparing different demographic groups or patient groups, or as a basis for tracking the progress of patients through a treatment regimen. They can also provide a baseline for cost utility analysis of health interventions for Trinidad and Tobago.
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Oral cancer (OC) is one of the common malignant neoplasm resulting in a range of debilitating symptoms. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) could provide a valuable insight into the impact of OC on patients' quality of life (QoL). Selecting an adequate instrument among available PROMs for OC has been challenging for clinicians due to lack of information on their psychometric quality. This systematic review provides an extensive overview of methodological quality of all currently available PROMs for OC. ⋯ QOL-OC can be implemented in future studies to better understand symptoms and expectations of OC patients and help inform clinicians to formulate treatment strategies as per patients' needs.
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Poor sleep quality is prevalent among older adults and is compounded by frailty and polypharmacy. This descriptive, cross-sectional study examines the associations between sleep quality, inappropriate medication use and frailty. The study was conducted among 151 residents of 11 aged care homes in three states in Malaysia; convenience sampling was used. ⋯ The average number of PIP was associated with subjective sleep quality (p = 0.045) and the use of sleep medications (p = 0.001), and inversely associated with sleep disturbance (0.049). Furthermore, frailty correlated significantly with poor overall sleep quality (p = 0.032). Findings support the need for medication review to identify and reduce PIMs and optimise prescriptions to improve sleep quality and hence, related health outcomes among residents of aged care homes.
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Cognitive impairment (CI) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a frequent neuropsychiatric manifestation affecting several domains, even in apparently asymptomatic patients. Current research revealed that the typical CI pattern affects frontal-subcortical circuit and thus executive functions. The impairment of non-literal language or pragmatic language (PL), including metaphors, idioms, inferences or irony has been well described in several conditions such as autism disorders, Parkinson's disease, brain injury and even in earlier phases of neurodegenerative processes. Even if PL neuro-anatomy remains controversial, correlation between executive dysfunctions and non-literal language involvement has been reported both in traumatic injury and mild cognitive impairment patients. Nonetheless, no specific study has been performed to evaluate PL impairment in SLE patients so far. ⋯ In this study we evaluated for the first time PL in SLE patients finding a dysfunction in almost half of patients. The dysfunction of PL was significantly more frequent than the other domains assessed.