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Abstract Considering the complexities and challenges in the classification of multiclass and imbalanced fault conditions, this study explores the systematic combination of unsupervised and supervised learning by hybridising clustering (CLUST) and optimised multi-layer perceptron neural network with grey wolf algorithm (GWO-MLP). The hybrid technique was meticulously examined on a historical hydraulic system dataset by first, extracting and selecting the most significant statistical time-domain features. The selected features were then grouped into distinct clusters allowing for reduced computational complexity through a comparative study of four different and frequently used categories of unsupervised clustering algorithms in fault classification. The Synthetic Minority Over Sampling Technique (SMOTE) was then employed to balance the classes of the training samples from the various clusters which then served as inputs for training the supervised GWO-MLP. To validate the proposed hybrid technique (CLUST-SMOTE-GWO-MLP), it was compared with its distinct modifications (variants). The superiority of CLUST-SMOTE-GWO-MLP is demonstrated by outperforming all the distinct modifications in terms of test accuracy and seven other statistical performance evaluation metrics (error rate, sensitivity, specificity, precision, F score, Mathews Correlation Coefficient and geometric mean). The overall analysis indicates that the proposed CLUST-SMOTE-GWO-MLP is efficient and can be used to classify multiclass and imbalanced fault conditions. Article Highlights The issue of multiclass and imbalanced class outputs is addressed for improving predictive maintenance. A multiclass fault classifier based on clustering and optimised multi-layer perceptron with grey wolf is proposed. The robustness and feasibility of the proposed technique is validated on a complex hydraulic system dataset.

Fraud analytics refers to the use of advanced analytics (data mining, big data analysis, or artificial intelligence) to detect fraud. While fraud analytics offers the promise of more efficiency in fighting fraud, it also raises legal challenges related to data protection and administrative law. These legal requirements are well documented but the concrete way in which public administrations have integrated them remains unexplored. Due to the complexity of the techniques applied, it is crucial to understand the current state of practice and the accompanying challenges to develop appropriate governance mechanisms. The use of advanced analytics in organizations without appropriate organizational change can lead to ethical challenges and privacy issues. The goal of this article is to examine how these legal requirements are addressed in public administrations and to identify the challenges that emerge in doing so. For this, we examined two case studies related to fraud analytics from the Belgian Federal administration: the detection of tax frauds and social security infringements. This article details 15 governance practices that have been used in administrations. Furthermore, it highlights the complexity of integrating legal requirements with advanced analytics by identifying six key trade-offs between fraud analytics opportunities and legal requirements.

The use of waste incineration with energy recovery is a matured waste-to-energy (WtE) technology. Waste incineration can reduce the volume and mass of municipal solid waste significantly. However, the generation of high volumes of polluting flue gases is one of the major drawbacks of this technology. Acidic gases are constituents in the flue gas stream which are deemed detrimental to the environment. The wet flue gas desulphurization (FGD) method is widely employed to clean acidic gases from flue gas streams, due to its high efficiency. A major setback of the wet FGD technology is the production of wastewater, which must be treated before reuse or release into the environment. Treating the wastewater from the wet FGD presents challenges owing to the high level of contamination of heavy metals and other constituents. Membrane distillation (MD) offers several advantages in this regard, owing to the capture of low-grade heat to drive the process. In this study the wet FGD method is adopted for use in a proposed waste incineration plant located in Ghana. Through a mass and energy flow analysis it was found that MD was well matched to treat the 20 m3/h of wastewater generated during operation. Thermal performance of the MD system was assessed together with two parametric studies. The thermal efficiency, gained output ratio, and specific energy consumption for the optimized MD system simulated was found to be 64.9%, 2.34 and 966 kWh/m3, respectively, with a total thermal energy demand of 978.6 kW.

Certain bat species serve as natural reservoirs for pathogens in several key viral families including henipa-, lyssa-, corona-, and filoviruses, which may pose serious threats to human health. The Common Vampire Bat ( Desmodus rotundus), due to its abundance, sanguivorous feeding habit involving humans and domestic animals, and highly social behavioral ecology, may have an unusually high potential for interspecies disease transmission. Previous studies have investigated rabies dynamics in D. rotundus, yet the diversity of other viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that these bats may carry remains largely unknown. We screened 396 blood, urine, saliva, and fecal samples from D. rotundus captured in Guatemala for 13 viral families and genera. Positive results were found for rhabdovirus, adenovirus, and herpesvirus assays. We also screened these samples for Bartonella spp. and found that 38% of individuals tested positive. To characterize potential for interspecies transmission associated with feeding behavior, we also analyzed cytochrome B sequences from fecal samples to identify prey species and found that domestic cattle ( Bos taurus) made up the majority of blood meals. Our findings suggest that the risk of pathogen spillover from Desmodus rotundus, including between domestic animal species, is possible and warrants further investigation to characterize this microbial diversity and expand our understanding of foraging ecology in their populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with injuries to the midface frequently sustain ophthalmic injuries and fractures to the facial bones. Despite this, basic ophthalmic examination and assessment of important clinical signs are often missing from the records of patients attending the emergency department (ED). We implemented a structured record keeping tool to improve documentation for patients presenting to the ED with midface injuries. Methods: At our institution, a structured record keeping tool was introduced to document important clinical features of maxillofacial injuries. This assessment tool included 17 key clinical diagnostic signs and symptoms including a six-part basic ophthalmic examination. We audited 369 patients attending the ED with suspected midface bony injuries using this tool. Results: A statistically significant improvement in the documentation of all six ophthalmic parameters was seen. The documentation rate of visual acuity increased by 41.1% (SE 2.8; p<0.001); diplopia by 45% (2.9; p<0.001); double vision by 51% (2.9; p<0.001); lateral subconjunctival haemorrhage with no posterior limit by 83% (2.6; p<0.001) and enopthalmous by 86% (2.4; p<0.001). Documenting whether pupils were equal and react to light increased by 14% (1.4; p<0.001). In addition, 10 out of 11 non-ophthalmic parameters showed significant improvement. The mean global record keeping score increased from 45.3% (95% CI 42.7% to 47.7%) to 99.1% (95% CI 98.2% to 100%; p<0.001). Conclusions: This work demonstrates that a structured record keeping tool is a simple and effective method of significantly improving clinical documentation for patients with facial injuries presenting to the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first case in the English language describing Achromobacter xylosoxidans in a patient with idiopathic bronchiectasis. A 66-year-old man with bronchiectasis presented with shortness of breath to the emergency department of our institution, a district hospital in the UK. His medications included long-term supplemental oxygen therapy and prophylactic azithromycin. Following 2 days admission to the respiratory unit, his saturations significantly deteriorated, and the patient was admitted to intensive care with type II respiratory failure. Following a week of intubation and ventilation, multidrug resistant A. xylosoxidans was isolated from the tracheal aspiration secretions. The patient recovered after receiving targeted intravenous antimicrobial therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]