Search results for "modeling"
showing 10 items of 4489 documents
Similar efficacy of low and standard doses of transdermal estradiol in controlling bone turnover in postmenopausal women
2006
To investigate the effects of a low transdermal estradiol dose on bone metabolism and to compare it with both the standard dose and absence of treatment.In this study performed in a third-level academic center, 66 healthy postmenopausal women underwent hormone therapy (HT) with patches containing estradiol at standard (0.050 mg/day, HT50, 33 women) or low dosage (0.025 mg/day, HT25, 33 women) and 70 women were without treatment (NT). The values (mean of three samples) of several bone biochemical parameters were compared between groups after adjusting for confounding factors. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) in the spine and hip in all cases, and …
Should contact bans be lifted in Germany? A quantitative prediction of its effects
2020
Many countries consider the lifting of restrictions of social contacts (RSC). We quantify the effects of RSC for Germany. We initially employ a purely statistical approach to predicting prevalence of COVID19 if RSC were upheld after April 20. We employ these findings and feed them into our theoretical model. We find that the peak of the number of sick individuals would be reached already mid April. The number of sick individuals would fall below 1,000 at the beginning of July. When restrictions are lifted completely on April 20, the number of sick should rise quickly again from around April 27. A balance between economic and individual costs of RSC and public health objectives consists in l…
ENDOCRINOLOGY IN PREGNANCY: Bone metabolic changes during pregnancy: a period of vulnerability to osteoporosis and fracture
2015
Changes in bone density and bone markers suggest that pregnancy is associated with deterioration of bone mass in the mother. The metabolism of calcium resets to allow for the needs imposed by the building of the fetal skeleton. The fetus contributes to the process through the output of regulators from the placenta. Understanding of the whole process is limited, but some changes are unambiguous. There is an increase in the circulating levels of vitamin D, but its functional impact is unclear. Fetal parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrp) play an indirect role through support of a calcium gradient that creates hypercalcemia in the fetus. Placental GH, which increases up to t…
Studying hypertension in ocular fundus images using Hausdorff dispersion ordering.
2010
Retinal arterial and vein diameters are altered in individuals at risk of cardiovascular events mainly due to high blood pressure. The measurement of retinal vessel diameters has been proved to reflect individuals' vascular health. Dispersion of such measures which are obtained by means of ocular fundus images is a major factor not usually considered in clinical research. In this paper, a method to evaluate if different levels of clinically relevant covariables induce greater dispersion in retinal arterial and vein diameters is proposed. A multivariate dispersion ordering, the Hausdorff dispersion order, is used to compare the level of dispersion in such diameters for different groups of pa…
2021
Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study which was conducted in 2018 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Participants were 5883 15-year-old boys and girls. To examine the associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. In the comparison of Nordic countries, the prevalence of lonel…
Effect of alendronate and exercise on bone and physical performance of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.
2003
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-month trial we evaluated effects of weight- bearing jumping exercise and oral alendronate, alone or in combination, on the mass and structure of bone, risk factors for falling (muscle strength and power, postural sway, and dynamic balance), and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women. A total of 164 healthy, sedentary, early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: (1) 5 mg of alendronate daily plus progressive jumping exercise, (2) 5 mg alendronate, (3) placebo plus progressive jumping exercise, or (4) placebo. The primary endpoint was 12-month change in bone mass and geometry (measured…
U-search: a meta engine for creation of knowledge paths on the web
2010
The main tools used to find digital contents in the Web are search engines and directories but they are not presently able to understand the user specific needs and starting knowledge. This work presents "U-Search" a new meta engine that allows to create knowledge paths on the Web based on specific user requirements and knowledge levels. To this end, we consider different searcher categories such as a "basic searcher" who knows little about a topic and will look for more information, a "deep searcher" who will look for specific details on a topic that he/she already knows and a "wide searcher" who will look for expanding his/her knowledge domain with topics that are loosely related to the s…
A web search methodology for different user typologies
2009
Search engines and directories are the main tools used to find desired information into the ocean of digital contents that is the Web. However, they are not presently able to understand the user specific needs and starting knowledge because their inability to simulate the processes of human mind. Natural Language Processing, Folksonomy, Semantic Web and Serendipitous Surfing are some of the recent research fields towards understanding of human natural language and in general of real user needs. This work aims to add one step more to this evolution path by presenting a new search methodology that allows users to create new knowledge paths on the web based on their specific requirements. Thus…
Common etiological pathways between toxic substance use, Internet and cybersex addiction: The role of expectancies and antisocial deviance proneness
2016
This study examined Internet and cybersex addiction in adolescents and how such behaviour was associated with substance use (in particular, cigarettes, alcohol, and drug use). Participants were 312 adolescents, aged 14-16, who completed survey instruments. Study measures included demographic, toxic substance use, expectancies toward substances consumption, antisocial deviance proneness, Internet, and cybersex addiction variables. Descriptive, bivariate analyses, exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses, and structural Equation Modeling were performed. Nearly 60%, 26%, and 25% of adolescents reported having drunk alcohol, used drugs and smoked cigarettes respectively. Prevalence of Internet …