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Despite various supervised methods and algorithms, prediction methods do not necessarily provide the optimal values of the outputs. In this paper, an approach is proposed based on the integration of the clustering algorithm and a new mathematical programming model for predicting the efficient and optimal level of hospital outputs. In the first stage, units are evaluated using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and then, high-efficiency units are selected. In the second stage, the selected units are clustered based on the inputs of the units using the fuzzy C-means algorithm. For each unit to be estimated, the corresponding cluster is found and the closest unit to the target unit is determined. Finally, using the proposed new mathematical programming model, the optimal values are estimated based on the more efficient unit. A case study on Iranian hospitals illustrates the implementation of algorithms and methods and shows the abilities of the proposed approach.

Considering customer reviews is one of the challenges of real-world decision models. These reviews can be on different platforms and include a large amount of information and may also include incomprehensible and unrelated phrases. The main advantage of customer reviews is the realistic view that it provides a realistic view of the product or service. Therefore, converting unstructured and incoherent customer-based reviews into machine learning language and ultimately turning it into a decision model is very important. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end ranking method for integrating mechanisms such as text processing, sentiment analysis and the multi-criteria decision-making technique. The proposed ranking method relies on the integration of three methods, namely, the aspect-based sentiment analysis (ABSA) method, the Dawid-Skene algorithm and the Best Worst Method (BWM). In other words, the proposed work encompasses four major steps: i) crawling customer reviews, ii) preprocessing, iii) aspect term extraction, aspect category detection and polarity detection, and iv) designing a decision-making model. The main contribution of this study is to consider ABSA at three levels simultaneously and integrate ABSA and BWM in designing an end-to-end ranking method for ranking the quality of hotel services, facilities and amenities based on customer reviews. The ability of the proposed end-to-end ranking framework is evaluated using a real data set of user reviews of Sydney hotels.

The working world is undergoing profound changes, and occupational accidents are always a global concern due to substantial impacts on productivity collapse and workers’ safety. To address this problem, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) has been widely implemented to assess such risks. This, however, fails to provide reliable results because of some shortcomings of the risk priority number score of the FMEA including neglecting the weight of risk factors, having doubtful formulation, and performing poorly in distinguishing risks. This study presents a two-phase approach to identify and prioritize Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) risks to focus on critical risks instead of diverting organizational efforts to non-critical ones and overcoming the shortcomings of the traditional score. In the first phase, potential risks are identified, and after determining the value of risk factors using the FMEA technique, Fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm is applied to cluster these risks. Then, the weight of risk factors is calculated based on the Fuzzy Best–Worst Method (FBWM), and following this, clusters are labeled based on weighted Euclidean distance. In the second phase, a hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method is proposed based on the FBWM and combined compromise solution to prioritize risks belonging to the critical cluster. This is to create a distinct priority for risks and facilitate the implementation of corrective/preventive actions. This approach is applied in the automotive industry, and results are compared with other FMEA-based MCDM methods to validate findings. Eventually, a sensitivity analysis is designed to show the ability and applicability of the proposed approach.

Weight gain and metabolic complications are major adverse effects of many psychotropic drugs. We aimed to understand how socio-economic status (SES), defined as the Swiss socio-economic position (SSEP), is associated with cardiometabolic parameters after initiation of psychotropic medications known to induce weight gain. Cardiometabolic parameters were collected in two Swiss cohorts following the prescription of psychotropic medications. The SSEP integrated neighborhood-based income, education, occupation, and housing condition. The results were then validated in an independent replication sample (UKBiobank), using educational attainment (EA) as a proxy for SES. Adult patients with a low SSEP had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome over one year versus patients with a high SSEP (Hazard ratio (95% CI) = 3.1 (1.5-6.5), n = 366). During the first 6 months of follow-up, a significant negative association between SSEP and body mass index (BMI), weight change, and waist circumference change was observed (25 ≤ age < 65, n = 526), which was particularly important in adults receiving medications with the highest risk of weight gain, with a BMI difference of 0.86 kg/m2 between patients with low versus high SSEP (95% CI: 0.03-1.70, n = 99). Eventually, a causal effect of EA on BMI was revealed using Mendelian randomization in the UKBiobank, which was notably strong in high-risk medication users (beta: -0.47 SD EA per 1 SD BMI; 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.27, n = 11,314). An additional aspect of personalized medicine was highlighted, suggesting the patients' SES represents a significant risk factor. Particular attention should be paid to patients with low SES when initiating high cardiometabolic risk psychotropic medications.

In Iran, location is usually done by temporary relief organizations without considering the necessary standards or conditions. The inappropriate and unscientific location may have led to another catastrophe, even far greater than the initial tragedy. In this study, the proposed locations of crisis management in the region and the optimal points proposed by the Geographic Information System (GIS), taking into account the opinions of experts and without the opinion of experts, were evaluated according to 18 criteria. First, the optimal areas have been evaluated according to standard criteria extracted by GIS and the intended locations of the region for accommodation in times of crisis. Then, the position of each place is calculated concerning each criterion. The resulting matrix of optimal options was qualitatively entered into the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Evaluation (PROMETHEE) for analysis. The triangular fuzzy aggregation method for weighting and standard classification of criteria for extracting optimal areas using GIS and integrating entropy and the Multiobjective Optimization Based on Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method for prioritizing places in the region are considered in this research. Finally, by applying constraints and using net input and output flows, optimal and efficient options are identified by PROMETHEE V. Among the research options, only four options were optimal and efficient. A case study of the Tehran metropolis is provided to show the ability of the proposed approach for selecting the points in three modes, with/without applying weights and applying crisis management.

Due to its simplicity, versatility and the diversity of applications to which it can be applied, k-means is one of the well-known algorithms for clustering data. The foundation of this algorithm is based on the distance measure. However, the traditional k-means has some weaknesses that appear in some data sets related to real applications, the most important of which is to consider only the distance criterion for clustering. Various studies have been conducted to address each of these weaknesses to achieve a balance between quality and efficiency. In this paper, a novel k-means variant of the original algorithm is proposed. This approach leverages the power of bargaining game modelling in the k-means algorithm for clustering data. In this novel setting, cluster centres compete with each other to attract the largest number of similar objectives or entities to their cluster. Thus, the centres keep changing their positions so that they have smaller distances with the maximum possible data than other cluster centres. We name this new algorithm the game-based k-means (GBK-means) algorithm. To show the superiority and efficiency of GBK-means over conventional clustering algorithms, namely, k-means and fuzzy k-means, we use the following syntactic and real-world data sets: (1) a series of two-dimensional syntactic data sets; and (2) ten benchmark data sets that are widely used in different clustering studies. The evaluation criteria show GBK-means is able to cluster data more accurately than classical algorithms based on eight evaluation metrics, namely F-measure, the Dunn index (DI), the rand index (RI), the Jaccard index (JI), normalized mutual information (NMI), normalized variation of information (NVI), the measure of concordance and error rate (ER).

Early intervention in psychosis is crucial to improving patient response to treatment and the functional deficits that critically affect their long-term quality of life. Stratification tools are needed to personalize functional deficit prevention strategies at an early stage. In the present study, we applied topological tools to analyze symptoms of early psychosis patients, and detected a clear stratification of the cohort into three groups. One of the groups had a significantly better psychosocial outcome than the others after a 3-year clinical follow-up. This group was characterized by a metabolic profile indicative of an activated antioxidant response, while that of the groups with poorer outcome was indicative of oxidative stress. We replicated in a second cohort the finding that the three distinct clinical profiles at baseline were associated with distinct outcomes at follow-up, thus validating the predictive value of this new stratification. This approach could assist in personalizing treatment strategies., QC 20201230

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that exposure to Childhood Trauma [CT] may play a role in the risk of obesity in Early Psychosis [EP] patients; however, whether this is independently of age at exposure to CT and the medication profile has yet to be investigated. METHODS: 113 EP-patients aged 18-35 were recruited from the Treatment and Early Intervention in Psychosis Program [TIPP-Lausanne]. Body Mass Index [BMI], Weight Gain [WG] and Waist Circumference [WC] were measured prospectively at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months of weight gain inducing psychotropic treatment. Patients were classified as Early-Trauma and Late-Trauma if the exposure had occurred before age 12 or between ages 12 and 16 respectively. Generalized Linear Mixed-Models were adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, baseline BMI, medication and for diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: Late-Trauma patients, when compared to Non-Trauma patients showed greater WCs during the follow-up [p = 0.013]. No differences were found in any of the other follow-up measures. CONCLUSIONS: Exposition to CT during adolescence in EP-patients treated with psychotropic medication is associated with greater WC during the early phase of the disease. Further investigation exploring mechanisms underlying the interactions between peripubertal stress, corticoids responsiveness and a subsequent increase of abdominal adiposity is warranted.