• Title/Summary/Keyword: Meta-Evaluation

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Tabu Search based Optimization Algorithm for Reporting Cell Planning in Mobile Communication (이동통신에서 리포팅 셀 계획을 위한 타부서치 기반 최적화 알고리즘)

  • Jang, Kil-woong
    • Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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    • v.24 no.9
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    • pp.1193-1201
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    • 2020
  • Cell planning, which determines the cell structure for location management of mobile terminals in mobile communications, has been dealt with as an important research task to determine network performance. Among the factors influencing the cell structure planning in mobile communication, the signal cost for location management plays the most important role. In this paper, we propose an optimization algorithm that minimizes the location management cost of all the cells used to plan the cell structure in the network with reporting cell structure in mobile communication. The proposed algorithm uses a Tabu search algorithm, which is a meta-heuristic algorithm, and the proposed algorithm proposes a new neighborhood generation method to obtain a result close to the optimal solution. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, the simulation was performed in terms of location management cost and algorithm execution time. The evaluation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing genetic algorithm and simulated annealing.

The Impact of Abdominal Liposuction on Abdominally Based Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

  • Bond, Evalina S.;Soteropulos, Carol E.;Poore, Samuel O.
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.324-331
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    • 2022
  • Prior abdominal liposuction can be viewed as a relative or absolute contraindication to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction given concerns for damaged perforators and scarring complicating intraoperative dissection. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of abdominally based breast reconstruction in patients with a history of abdominal liposuction. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from the earliest available date through June 2020. Deep inferior epigastric perforator, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), superficial inferior epigastric artery, and pedicled TRAM flaps were included for evaluation. Complications included total or partial flap loss, fat necrosis, seroma, delayed wound healing, and donor site complications. After inclusion criteria were applied, 336 non-duplicate articles were screened, yielding 11 for final review, representing 55 flaps in 43 patients. There was no instance of total flap loss, eight (14.5%) flaps developed partial loss or fat necrosis, three (5.4%) flaps had delayed wound healing, and two (4.6%) patients had donor site complications. Most authors (8/11) utilized some type of preoperative imaging. Doppler ultrasonography was the most used modality, and these patients had the lowest rate of partial flap loss or flap fat necrosis (8%), followed by those without any preoperative imaging (10%). In conclusion, this review supports that patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction with a history of abdominal liposuction are not at an increased risk of flap or donor site complications. Although preoperative imaging was common, it did not reliably decrease complications. Further prospective studies are needed to address the role of imaging in improving outcomes.

A Systematic Review on the Treatment of Post-Stroke Patients Based on Sasang Constitutional Medicine (사상의학적 중풍 후유증 치료에 대한 체계적 문헌 고찰)

  • Oh, Hyunjoo;Lee, Jeongyun;Lee, Hyeri;Lee, Junhee
    • Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.48-64
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    • 2022
  • Objectives The purpose of this study was to review and evaluate the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of treatment based on Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) for post-stroke patients by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published in 10 electronic databases up to December 2020, were searched. For the included studies, Cochrane's risk of bias assessment was performed to analyze the methodological quality. The strength of evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system based on the results of analyses. All review processes were performed by two independent researchers. Results Five RCTs were finally included. All included RCTs were conducted for one month on post-stroke patients in 60-80s, four studies on Tae-Eum patients and one study on So-Yang patients. Four types of constitution-specific herbal medicine (Chungpyesagan-tang, Cheongsimsanyak-tang, Yeoldahanso-tang, and Yangkyuksanhwa-tang) and constitution-specific acupuncture therapy were identified as interventions. More than half of the included studies were evaluated as low quality due to the high-risk of bias in selection, performance, and detection. The combination of constitution-specific herbal medicine, acupuncture, and conventional treatment was more effective in improving the patients' motor impairment, dysphagia, aphasia, and depression than conventional treatment alone. No serious adverse events by SCM treatment were reported. Conclusions SCM treatment may improve the sequelae of post-stroke patients safely in combination with conventional treatment. Since the quality of clinical evidence included in this study was low, higher quality clinical evidence obtained in well-designed clinical studies will be needed.

Chuna Manual Therapy for Postpartum Low Back Pain: Systematic Review (출산 후 요통에 대한 추나요법의 효과: 체계적 문헌고찰)

  • Cho, Ju-chan;Park, In-hwa;Hwang, Man-Suk;Heo, In
    • The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2021
  • Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chuna manual therapy (CMT) for postpartum low back pain using a systematic review. Methods We performed a literature search using 12 electronic databases up to the end of September 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effect of CMT in the treatment of postpartum low back pain. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results Four randomized controlled trials were reported statistically significant effect in pain VAS, ODI and JOA of chuna manual therapy compared with moxibution, electro acupuncture, hyperthermia or usual care. As a result of assessing the risk of bias tool, most of the contents of the evaluation items were not identified, so it was evaluated as an uncertain risk. Conclusions CMT may be effective in treating postpartum low back pain. However, evidence was limited due to the small sample size, lack of well-designed RCTs and regional bias. Further well-designed studies are required to obtain stronger evidence.

Outcomes of Closed versus Open Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review

  • Gupta, Rohun;John, Jithin;Ranganathan, Noopur;Stepanian, Rima;Gupta, Monik;Hart, Justin;Nossoni, Farideddin;Shaheen, Kenneth;Folbe, Adam;Chaiyasate, Kongkrit
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.49 no.5
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    • pp.569-579
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    • 2022
  • Open and closed rhinoplasty are two main approaches to perform nasal modifications. According to current literature, there is no current consensus among plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists on which technique is preferred in terms of aesthetic result, complications, and patient satisfaction. This study uses published research to determine whether open or closed rhinoplasty leads to superior patient outcomes. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for systematic reviews were followed and a literature search was conducted in four databases based on our search strategy. Articles were then imported into COVIDENCE where they underwent primary screening and full-text review. Twenty articles were selected in this study after 243 articles were screened. There were 4 case series, 12 retrospective cohort studies, 1 prospective cohort study, 1 case-control, and 2 outcomes research. There were three cosmetic studies, eight functional studies, and nine studies that included both cosmetic and functional components. Sixteen studies utilized both open and closed rhinoplasty and four utilized open rhinoplasty. Both techniques demonstrated high patient and provider satisfaction and no advantage was found between techniques. Based on available studies, we cannot conclude if there is a preference between open or closed rhinoplasty in terms of which technique leads to better patient outcomes. Several studies determined that open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty leads to comparative patient satisfaction. To make outcome reporting more reliable and uniform among studies, authors should look to utilize the Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness scale and the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation.

Reducing pain and opioid consumption after body contouring of the breast by application of a perioperative nerve block: a systematic review

  • Asserson, Derek B.;Sahar, David E.
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.361-365
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    • 2021
  • Background Pain in the postoperative body contouring patient has traditionally been managed with narcotic medication. In an effort to minimize side effects and prevent addiction, plastic surgeons are searching for novel ways to provide adequate analgesia, one of which is nerve blocks. This study was conducted with a meta-analysis that evaluates the efficacy of these blocks for patients who undergo breast surgery. Methods A search of the PubMed/MEDLINE database for articles including the terms "post-operative analgesia" OR "postoperative pain management" AND "in plastic surgery" OR "in cosmetic surgery" OR "in elective surgery" in February 2019 generated five studies on elective breast augmentation and reduction mammoplasty that reported pain scores and quantities of opioids consumed. Independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and a random effects model were implemented for evaluation. Results A total of 317 patients were identified as having undergone body contouring of the breast, about half of which received a nerve block. Pain scores on a 1-10 scale and opioid dose-equivalents were calculated. Those who were blocked had an average score of 2.40 compared to 3.64 for those who did not (P<0.001), and required an average of 5.20 less narcotic doses (P<0.001). Pain relief following subpectoral augmentation was best achieved with type-II blocks as opposed to type-I and type-II with serratus plane (P<0.001). Conclusions The opioid epidemic has extended to all surgical specialties. Implementation of a nerve block seems to be an efficacious and cost-effective mechanism to not only help with post-operative pain, but also lower the need for narcotics, especially in subpectoral augmentation.

Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of dimensional hard tissue changes following alveolar ridge preservation techniques of different bone substitutes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Pickert, Finn Niclas;Spalthoff, Simon;Gellrich, Nils-Claudius;Tarraga, Juan Antonio Blaya
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.52 no.1
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    • pp.3-27
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    • 2022
  • Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of different graft materials used in alveolar ridge preservation on dimensional hard tissue changes of the alveolar ridge, assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Methods: A systematic electronic search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and a manual search were conducted from November 2019 until January 2020. Randomized controlled trials were included if they assessed at least 1 variable related to vertical or horizontal hard tissue changes measured using CBCT scans. After a qualitative analysis of the included studies, subgroups were formed according to the graft material used, and a quantitative analysis was performed for 5 outcome variables: changes in vertical alveolar bone height at 2 points (midbuccal and midpalatal/midlingual) and changes in horizontal (buccolingual) alveolar bone width at 3 different levels from the initial crest height (1, 3, and 5 mm). Results: The search resulted in 1,582 studies, and after an independent 3-stage screening, 16 studies were selected for qualitative analysis and 9 for quantitative analysis. The metaanalysis showed a significantly (P<0.05) lower reduction of alveolar ridge dimensions for the xenogenic subgroup than in the allogenic subgroup, both vertically at the midbuccal aspect (weighted mean difference [WMD]=-0.20; standard error [SE]=0.26 vs. WMD=-0.90; SE=0.22) as well as horizontally at 1 mm (WMD=-1.32; SE=0.07 vs. WMD=-2.99; SE=0.96) and 3 mm (WMD=-0.78; SE=0.11 vs. WMD=-1.63; SE=0.40) from the initial crest height. No statistical analysis could be performed for the autogenic subgroup because it was not reported in sufficient numbers. Conclusions: Less vertical and horizontal bone reduction was observed when xenogenic graft materials were used than when allogenic graft materials were used; however, the loss of alveolar ridge dimensions could not be completely prevented by any graft material.

Short-term Scheduling Optimization for Subassembly Line in Ship Production Using Simulated Annealing (시뮬레이티드 어닐링을 활용한 조선 소조립 라인 소일정계획 최적화)

  • Hwang, In-Hyuck;Noh, Jac-Kyou;Lee, Kwang-Kook;Shin, Jon-Gye
    • Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.73-82
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    • 2010
  • Productivity improvement is considered as one of hot potato topics in international shipyards by the increasing amount of orders. In order to improve productivity of lines, shipbuilders have been researching and developing new work method, process automation, advanced planning and scheduling and so on. An optimization approach was accomplished on short-term scheduling of subassembly lines in this research. The problem of subassembly line scheduling turned out to be a non-deterministic polynomial time problem with regard to SKID pattern’s sequence and worker assignment to each station. The problem was applied by simulated annealing algorithm, one of meta-heuristic methods. The algorithm was aimed to avoid local minimum value by changing results with probability function. The optimization result was compared with discrete-event simulation's to propose what pros and cons were. This paper will help planners work on scheduling and decision-making to complete their task by evaluation.

Meta-heuristic optimization algorithms for prediction of fly-rock in the blasting operation of open-pit mines

  • Mahmoodzadeh, Arsalan;Nejati, Hamid Reza;Mohammadi, Mokhtar;Ibrahim, Hawkar Hashim;Rashidi, Shima;Mohammed, Adil Hussein
    • Geomechanics and Engineering
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    • v.30 no.6
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    • pp.489-502
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    • 2022
  • In this study, a Gaussian process regression (GPR) model as well as six GPR-based metaheuristic optimization models, including GPR-PSO, GPR-GWO, GPR-MVO, GPR-MFO, GPR-SCA, and GPR-SSO, were developed to predict fly-rock distance in the blasting operation of open pit mines. These models included GPR-SCA, GPR-SSO, GPR-MVO, and GPR. In the models that were obtained from the Soungun copper mine in Iran, a total of 300 datasets were used. These datasets included six input parameters and one output parameter (fly-rock). In order to conduct the assessment of the prediction outcomes, many statistical evaluation indices were used. In the end, it was determined that the performance prediction of the ML models to predict the fly-rock from high to low is GPR-PSO, GPR-GWO, GPR-MVO, GPR-MFO, GPR-SCA, GPR-SSO, and GPR with ranking scores of 66, 60, 54, 46, 43, 38, and 30 (for 5-fold method), respectively. These scores correspond in conclusion, the GPR-PSO model generated the most accurate findings, hence it was suggested that this model be used to forecast the fly-rock. In addition, the mutual information test, also known as MIT, was used in order to investigate the influence that each input parameter had on the fly-rock. In the end, it was determined that the stemming (T) parameter was the most effective of all the parameters on the fly-rock.

Qualitative Assessment and Development of Level of Evidence and Strength of Recommendation Models in the Field of Physical Therapy in Korea (국내 물리치료분야에 대한 질적 평가와 근거 수준 및 권고 등급 모형 개발 방안)

  • Sung-Hyoun Cho;Jeong-Woo Lee
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.231-242
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    • 2023
  • Purpose : This study aimed to identify ways to improve the quality of physical therapy research and ultimately review the current situation to improve evidence-based decision-making in physical therapy. Methods : For better evidence-based decision-making in physical therapy, researchers should review the quality assessment of articles in more detail and report their findings for valid and appropriate level of evidence and strength of recommendations. The level of evidence affects how well the findings are derived from well-designed literature. The evaluation of the evidence focuses primarily on the study design and the degree of bias that may compromise the validity of the findings. The final recommendation is based on a combination of the study design and literature quality. To uncover gems of information in each paper, a risk of bias assessment should be performed after the literature has been initially selected. Results : Researchers should consider the complexity of the intervention, appropriate grouping, and calculation of effect sizes for the intervention. Researchers conducting systematic reviews should provide a detailed description of the quality assessment performed and present a detailed analysis of their interpretation of the results. The results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses should be interpreted with caution and include a risk of bias assessment. Guidelines for the level of evidence and strength of recommendations should be developed and utilized more broadly to improve reporting practices in physical therapy. Conclusion : Researchers should be knowledgeable about the strengths and limitations of each study design and methodology. In the future, researchers will also need to improve their ability to critically evaluate their findings, given the potential for their results to influence clinical practice.