In this paper, the upper bounds for a multivariable fuzzy logic controller under G/Sdel's implication are investigated and a generalized multivariable structure of fuzzy controller are proposed. Contribution operators, such as max (v) operation, ensure the greatest upper bound as well as the least upper bound. Conditions which determine an appropriate upper bound are also determined. This theor...

BACKGROUND To test the hypothesis that perioperative blood transfusion (PBT)impacts oncologic outcomes of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS Retrospective analysis of 2492 patients with UTUC treated at 23 institutions with RNU between 1987 and 2007.Cox regression models addressed the association of PBT with disease recur...

OBJECTIVES To identify factors associated with Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) satisfaction and to determine whether these relationships are gender specific. METHODS This study was based on data collected in a cross-sectional study among long-term opioid-dependent individuals (n = 160; 46.3% women). Participants completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire in reference to OAT episodes. Soci...

OBJECTIVES This survey was conducted to determine the frequency with which different data analysis techniques are being used in occupational cohort studies. Of particular interest was the relative use of external and internal comparison groups, and the choice of multivariable model. METHODS Occupational cohort studies published in 1990-91 were located with Medline and Index Medicus, and the c...

BACKGROUND Pneumonia is a common comorbidity among hospitalized older adults and may impede functional restoration and increase medical cost. Medicare reimbursement rates for patients receiving in-patient medical rehabilitation services are higher for individuals who have comorbid pneumonia. We examined the impact of comorbid pneumonia on outcomes for patients with lower extremity fracture rece...

Abstract Background Sleep traits are associated with cardiometabolic disease risk, evidence from Mendelian randomization (MR) suggesting that insomnia symptoms and shorter sleep duration increase coronary artery risk. We combined adjusted multivariable regression (AMV) MR analyses of phenotypes unfavourable on 113 metabolomic to investigate possible biochemical mechanisms linking cardiovascular...

BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation is proposed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and serum bilirubin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the association between serum total bilirubin (Tb) concentration and renal function in an adult population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study and collected anthropometric measuremen...

PURPOSE/INTRODUCTION The present study investigates potential associations between liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) measured sex hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and bone ultrasound parameters at the heel in men and women from the general population. METHODS Data from 502 women and 425 men from the population-based Study of Health i...

Objective. To examine whether vascular calcifications on hand films in RA might aid in determining mortality risk. Methods. Hand radiographs from 906 RA patients were scored as positive or negative for vascular calcifications. Patient characteristics associated with vascular calcifications were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, and associations with mortality were examined using...