Distinguishing the Leading Agents in Classification Problems Using the Entropy-Based Metric.

The paper addresses the problem of distinguishing the leading agents in the group. The problem is considered in the framework of classification problems, where the agents in the group select the items with respect to certain properties. The suggested method of distinguishing the leading agents utilizes the connectivity between the agents and the Rokhlin distance between the subgroups of the agents.

The outcomes of treatment for homebound adults with complex medical conditions in a hospital-at-home unit in the southern district of Israel.

Background: A model of hospital-at-home services called the Home Care Unit ("the unit") has been implemented in the southern region of the Clalit Healthcare Services in Israel. The aim of the present study was to characterize this service model.

Methods: A retrospective cross-over study.

Anxiety and Disruptive Behavior Symptoms and Disorders in Preschool-Age Offspring of Parents With and Without Bipolar Disorder: Associations With Parental Comorbidity.

Objective: We examined the relative contribution of parental bipolar disorder (BPD) and psychiatric comorbidities (disruptive behavior disorders [DBD] and anxiety disorders) in predicting psychiatric symptoms and disorders in 2-5-year-old offspring.

Methods: Participants were 60 families with a parent with BPD and 78 offspring and 70 comparison families in which neither parent had a mood disorder and 91 offspring. Parent and offspring diagnoses and symptoms were assessed using standardized diagnostic interviews and measures, with offspring assessors masked to parental diagnoses.

The Pediatric Accommodation Scale: Psychometric Evaluation of a Therapist-Report Format.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in youth, and accommodation is prevalent among youth with anxiety disorders. The Pediatric Accommodation Scale (PAS) is an interview administered by trained evaluators and a parent-report form (PAS-PR) to assess accommodation and its impact. Both have strong psychometric properties including internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and data supporting construct validity.

Detection of Static and Mobile Targets by an Autonomous Agent with Deep Q-Learning Abilities.

This paper addresses the problem of detecting multiple static and mobile targets by an autonomous mobile agent acting under uncertainty. It is assumed that the agent is able to detect targets at different distances and that the detection includes errors of the first and second types. The goal of the agent is to plan and follow a trajectory that results in the detection of the targets in a minimal time.

Factors affecting adherence to physical training in the outpatient phase of rehabilitation, in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aim      To evaluate the outpatient physical exercise (PE) compliance and the affecting factors in patients after coronary bypass (CB).Material and methods  The study included 67 men with ischemic heart disease younger than 75 years who had had CB. All patients were randomized to 2 groups: group 1 exercised on a bicycle ergometer at the rehabilitation center, under the monitoring of medical staff; patients of group 2 performed home-based exercise (HBE) by dosed walking.

Subjective Trusts for the Control of Mobile Robots under Uncertainty.

The paper deals with the methods of handling imperfect information and the control of mobile robots acting under uncertainty. It is assumed that the robots act in autonomous regime and are controlled internally without referring the externally defined probabilities of the states and actions. To control the activity of the robots, we suggest the novel multi-valued logic techniques based on the recently developed measures, known as the subjective trusts.

Beyond 16 Sessions: Extending Manualized Treatment of Anxious Youth.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is well established as an efficacious treatment for anxious youth, yet a number of youth remain symptomatic after the 10-16 sessions of treatment stipulated by most CBT treatment manuals. While a significant minority do not respond, no study has examined the frequency and impact of additional therapy sessions. This study examined youth receiving outpatient therapy at an anxiety clinic who were offered the option to continue treatment after completing 16 sessions of manual-based CBT.

Information Theory: Deep Ideas, Wide Perspectives, and Various Applications.

The history of information theory, as a mathematical principle for analyzing data transmission and information communication, was formalized in 1948 with the publication of Claude Shannon's famous paper "A Mathematical Theory of Communication" [...

Methylphenidate for Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Exploratory 3-Day, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of methylphenidate (MPH) for cognitive function in older patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Male and female subjects aged 65 years and older with a clinical diagnosis MCI were included in an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible subjects were assigned to either treatment with immediate-release MPH or placebo.

Cooperative Detection of Multiple Targets by the Group of Mobile Agents.

The paper considers the detection of multiple targets by a group of mobile robots that perform under uncertainty. The agents are equipped with sensors with positive and non-negligible probabilities of detecting the targets at different distances. The goal is to define the trajectories of the agents that can lead to the detection of the targets in minimal time.

The Role of Comorbid Depression in Youth Anxiety Treatment Outcomes.

Findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between comorbid depression and anxiety and treatment outcomes for anxious youth. The current study compared a sample of anxious youth with a comorbid depressive disorder (n = 20) and those without comorbid depression (n = 137). All participants received 16 weekly sessions of Coping Cat and completed measures assessing anxiety/depression severity, impairment, and functioning at pretreatment and posttreatment.

Motor learning in hemi-Parkinson using VR-manipulated sensory feedback.

Aims: Modalities for rehabilitation of the neurologically affected upper-limb (UL) are generally of limited benefit. The majority of patients seriously affected by UL paresis remain with severe motor disability, despite all rehabilitation efforts. Consequently, extensive clinical research is dedicated to develop novel strategies aimed to improve the functional outcome of the affected UL.

Accommodation of Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from the TAASD Study.

: Accommodation, or the ways in which families modify their routines and expectations in response to a child's anxiety, is common and interferes with anxiety treatment outcomes. However, little research has examined family accommodation among youth with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety. The current study aimed to (a) identify pre-treatment correlates of accommodation, (b) examine changes in accommodation after treatment, and (c) assess relationships between accommodation and post-treatment anxiety severity.

Antidepressant Use in a 3- to 12-Year Follow-up of Anxious Youth: Results from the CAMELS Trial.

The current study explored whether patient characteristics predicted patterns of antidepressant use (i.e., never used, single episode of use, or two or more episodes) in a naturalistic follow-up.

Implementation of Geriatric Recommendations by Doctors: A Comparison of Models of Geriatric Assessment for Mobile and Home-Ridden Patients.

In the present study we assessed the rate of implementation of recommendations given following geriatric assessment for home-ridden patients; a retrospective review of medical records to evaluate the implementation of geriatric recommendations given to patients in the Home Geriatric Service (HGS) between 2015 and 2016. The patients were categorized into two groups: the HGS-clinic (HGS-C) group, in which the primary care physician was responsible for implementation of the recommendations, and the HGS-home care (HGS-H) group, in which the responsibility for implementation of the recommendations was on the geriatrician. The results were compared with the implementation of recommendations in other ambulatory models for mobile patients-Clinic-Based Geriatric Assessment Services (CBGAS).

[Prediction of Risk of Calcification of Heart Valve Bioprostheses on the Basis of Comprehensive Assessment of Recipients Clinical Factors and Their Compliance With Therapy].

Purpose: The development of the prediction methods of calcification risk of heart valve bioprostheses (BP) based on comprehensive assessment of the impact of clinical factors of the recipients and their adherence to medication.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective study of clinical status and adherence to drug therapy of 170 recipients of heart valve BP with (n=63) and without (n=109) calcification. We used the method of comprehensive assessment of the analyzed parameters with estimation of prognostic coefficients for each of them, followed by calculation of integral indicators and construction on their basis of prognostic models for the various intervals of BP functioning.

Treatment of Candida sternal infection following cardiac surgery - a review of literature.

Background: Candida sternal wound infections (SWIs) following cardiac surgery are rare but are associated with a high mortality rate. Guidelines on this topic either propose no suggestions for management or offer recommendations based on a small number of reports.

Methods: This paper presents a case of a Candida SWI and its successful treatment with debridement using a burr, negative pressure vacuum therapy (NPVT) and dermal grafting.

Peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection: Risk factors and the role of antibiotic-impregnated catheters for prevention.

Background: Antimicrobial-impregnated (AIP) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) compared with nonantimicrobial-impregnated (NAIP) catheters. We sought to assess risk factors for CLABSI with a focus on the effect of AIP PICCs.

Methods: CLABSI rate was determined among patients who received PICCs from July 2009 through June 2012 using a retrospective study design.

Orthostatic hypotension and overall mortality in 1050 older patients of the outpatient comprehensive geriatric assessment unit.

Aim: Orthostatic hypotension is a common problem in individuals aged ≥65 years. Its association with mortality is not clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between orthostatic hypotension and overall mortality in a sample of individuals aged ≥65 years who were seen at the Outpatient Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

[Factors for the development of persistent postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery under extracorporeal circulation].

Aim: To analyze the factors contributing to the increased risk of persistent postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) under extracorporeal circulation (EC).

Subjects And Methods: 257 male patients aged 45 to 69 years with coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing elective CABS under EC were examined. In addition to conventional clinical examination, all the patients underwent neuropsychological testing 3-5 days before, 7-14 days and 1 year after CABS.

Can home care for homebound patients with chronic heart failure reduce hospitalizations and costs?

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF), a common problem in adults, is associated with multiple hospitalizations, high mortality rates and high costs.

Purpose: To evaluate whether home care for homebound patients with CHF reduces healthcare service utilization and overall costs.

Methods: A retrospective study of healthcare utilization among homebound patients who received home care for CHF from 2012-1015.

The Treatment of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder (TAASD) Study: Rationale, Design and Methods.

This paper describes the rationale, design, and methods of the Treatment for Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders study, a three-site randomized controlled trial investigating the relative efficacy of a modular CBT protocol for anxiety in ASD (Behavioral Interventions for Anxiety in Children with Autism) versus standard CBT for pediatric anxiety (the program) and a treatment-as-usual control. The trial is distinct in its scope, its direct comparison of active treatments for anxiety in ASD, and its comprehensive approach to assessing anxiety difficulties in youth with ASD. The trial will evaluate the relative benefits of CBT for children with ASD and investigate potential moderators (ASD severity, anxiety presentation, comorbidity) and mediators of treatment response, essential steps for future dissemination and implementation.