Medical decision support systems based on Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

Fuzzy cognitive map based approach for predicting yield in cotton crop production as a basis for decision support system in precision agriculture application

Prognostic Value of Late Heart Rate Recovery After Treadmill Exercise

Decision support systems in crowdfunding: A fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) approach

Hemoglobin levels are a parameter that measures respiratory pigment in red blood cells. A decrease in hemoglobin levels can lead to anemia. Factors contributing to hemoglobin levels include inadequate nutrient intake, particularly iron and protein, as well as the effect of inhibitors on iron absorption such as calcium. This study aims to assess the intake of energy, protein, iron, and calcium in relation to hemoglobin levels among pregnant women. This research employs a Cross-Sectional study design. The sample consisted of 55 pregnant women selected through purposive sampling. Data collection on energy, protein, iron, and calcium intake was done using the SQ-FFQ questionnaire, while hemoglobin levels were measured using an Hb meter (EasyTouch GCHb), and data were analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation test. The results showed that pregnant women had adequate energy intake (41.8%), excess protein intake (40%), adequate iron intake (89.1%), and adequate calcium intake (80%). Abnormal hemoglobin levels were observed in the third trimester of pregnancy (16.3%), whereas normal hemoglobin levels were found in the second trimester (34.5%). Statistical tests revealed no significant relationship between energy intake (p = 0.223), protein (p = 0.201), iron (p = 0.327), and calcium (p = 0.641) with hemoglobin levels. The conclusion of this study is that there is no significant relationship between energy, protein, iron, and calcium intake and hemoglobin levels among pregnant women in Parung Panjang District, Bogor Regency. Pregnant women should regularly consume calcium supplements and iron tablets to meet their iron and calcium needs, which can help prevent anemia.

Optimizing protein intake in preterm infants

Introducing Fuzzy Cognitive Maps for developing Decision Support System for Triage at Emergency Room Admissions for the Elderly

Effect of Increasing Energy and Protein Intake on Mammary Development in Heifer Calves

High proportions of older people with normal nutritional status have poor protein intake and low diet quality

Decision–support systems in the field of integrated water management could benefit considerably from social science knowledge, as many environmental changes are human-induced. Unfortunately the adequate incorporation of qualitative social science concepts in a quantitative modeling framework is not straightforward. The applicability of fuzzy set theory and fuzzy cognitive maps for the integration of qualitative scenarios in a decision–support system was examined for the urbanization of the coastal city of Ujung Pandang, Indonesia. The results indicate that both techniques are useful tools for the design of integrated models based on a combination of concepts from the natural and social sciences.

Diabetic older adults (OA) are at greater risk of muscle strength (MS) loss and functional capacity (FC) decline than non-diabetics. Protein and energy intakes are important determinants of muscle mass and MS maintenance and indirectly affect FC. The study sought to determine whether low protein and energy intakes were associated with FC decline and whether this association was mediated by MS in diabetic OA over a 3-year follow-up, in secondary analyses of the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. In 172 diabetic OA (62 % men, mean age=75years), FC decline was defined as the change between SMAF (Système de Mesure de l'Autonomie Fonctionnelle) scores at baseline (T1) and 3years later (T4). Baseline adequate protein and energy intakes were set at ≥1g/kg BW and ≥30kcal/kg BW, respectively. Sex-stratified linear regressions were controlled for confounding variables. Mean body weight (BW) was 85.42±13.8 in men and 79.7±11.5 in women (p≤.001). Adequate protein intake in women was associated with lesser FC decline (mean±SE) (2.11±0.81 vs. 4.91±0.72; p=.029), while adequate energy intake was not associated with FC decline either in men or in women. In women, 1g protein/kg BW helped maintain MS, hence minimizing FC decline. These results demonstrate that protein intake is important in maintaining FC in diabetic OA, albeit with sex differences. This study provides further evidence that protein requirements may be greater than the 0.8g/kg BW currently recommended for OA. Future research in larger samples over longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results.

Objective: To establish the determinants of weight, length and head circumference changes during their initial hospitalization in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants. Subjects/Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed. Weight z-score and percentage of target dietary intakes (TDIs) were prospectively determined daily during the first 5 weeks of life in a group of preterm infants (n = 111, birth weight <1,500 g, gestational age <34 weeks). Weight, length and head circumference at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) were recorded. A mixed effects regression model was used to evaluate changes in weight z-score during the first 5 weeks of life. Simple Pearson correlations and stepwise logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between fetal growth, illness severity, nutritional intake and growth at 36 weeks' PMA. Results: Weight z-score decreased significantly in all infants during the first 5 weeks of life from -0.92 ± 0.66 at birth to -1.89 ± 0.65 at 5 weeks. The variation of weight z-score during the first 5 weeks of life was influenced by weight z-score at birth, energy and protein intakes and gestational age. Mean energy and protein intakes were 95.5 and 86.4% of TDIs. Weight z-score fell to -2.05 ± 0.64 at 36 weeks' PMA. Birth weight z-score was significantly correlated with weight z-score at 36 weeks (R² = 0.71; p < 0.001). Severity of illness influenced the weight z-score at 36 weeks. Conclusion: Despite achieving a protein and energy intake close to the described target intake, the rate of growth in our infants was lower than indicated by the intrauterine growth curve. Lower gestational age, lower birth weight and severe illness had a negative effect on growth.

Integrating nutrients, foods, diets, and appetites with obesity and cardiometabolic health.

Five rations formulated from varying amounts of pasture hay and oat, lupin and pea grains were fed to South Australian Merino ewes at different controlled levels of digestible energy and crude protein intakes. Ovulation was recorded by laparoscopy or laparotomy 17 days and 34 days after the commencement of the experiment, An increase in protein intake supplied by lupin grain increased the ovulation rate through an increased incidence of multiple ovulation only when the initial level of feeding supplied low protein and energy intakes, and not when the initial level of feeding provided moderate intakes of protein and energy. The response in ovulation rate was evident within the first 17 days after protein intake was increased, and did not change further during the second 17-day period. Particularly in November/ December, when a proportion of ewes failed to ovulate, the mean ovulation rate of ewes fed at low protein and energy intakes was increased more by additional protein and energy together than by additional protein alone. It is suggested that increased protein intake per se stimulates the ovulation rate only when the initial intake is close to the maintenance requirement, and that energy, either by itself or together with protein, subsequently becomes the limiting factor.

BackgroundPrevention of postnatal growth restriction of very preterm infants still represents a challenge for neonatologists. As standard feeding regimens have proven to be inadequate. Improved feeding strategies are needed to promote growth. Aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a set of nutritional strategies could limit the postnatal growth restriction of a cohort of preterm infants.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe performed a prospective non randomized interventional cohort study. Growth and body composition were assessed in 102 very low birth weight infants after the introduction of a set of nutritional practice changes. 69 very low birth weight infants who had received nutrition according to the standard nutritional feeding strategy served as a historical control group. Weight was assessed daily, length and head circumference weekly. Body composition at term corrected age was assessed using an air displacement plethysmography system. The cumulative parenteral energy and protein intakes during the first 7 days of life were higher in the intervention group than in the historical group (530±81 vs 300±93 kcal/kg, p<0.001 and 21±2.9 vs 15±3.2 g/kg, p<0.01). During weaning from parenteral nutrition, the intervention group received higher parental/enteral energy and protein intakes than the historical control group (1380±58 vs 1090±70 kcal/kg; 52.6±7 vs 42.3±10 g/kg, p<0.01). Enteral energy (kcal/kg/d) and protein (g/kg/d) intakes in the intervention group were higher than in the historical group (130±11 vs 100±13; 3.5±0.5 vs 2.2±0.6, p<0.01). The negative changes in z score from birth to discharge for weight and head circumference were significantly lower in the intervention group as compared to the historical group. No difference in fat mass percentage between the intervention and the historical groups was found.ConclusionsThe optimization and the individualization of nutritional intervention promote postnatal growth of preterm infants without any effect on percentage of fat mass.

Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. The prevalence of anaemia in the developing countries is three to four times higher than that in the developed countries. The iron status was assessed in 199 apparently healthy male and female adolescents aged 12–19 years living in a fishing community in Sabah, Malaysia. Data on socio-economic characteristics, lifestyles, anthropometry measurements, iron status, and dietary intake were gathered. Dietary intake of energy, iron, and most nutrients (with the exception of protein and vitamin C) were below the recommended levels for Malaysian adolescents. Three-quarters of the iron was derived from plant foods. The mean haemoglobin value for the male was 13.9±1.3 g/dl with 9.5% having less than 12 g/dl, while the respective figures for the female were 12.4±1.6 g/dl and 28.6%. The mean serum ferritin concentrations for male and female adolescents were 21.5 and 15.4 μg/l, respectively; with 25.7% of the males and 49.5% of the females having deficient levels of ferritin. Dietary intake of total energy and iron, and gender were found to be independent determinants of serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels, accounting for over 40% of the variations for each of these iron indicators. In males, but not in females, the intake of dietary protein and iron, and physical activity were also found to be significant determinants of serum ferritin. The age of subjects and household size were significant determinants of haemoglobin levels for male subjects, but not for female subjects. The findings indicate the importance of adequate intake of energy and dietary iron for improving the iron status of adolescents.