Try To Take The Least Cost Path

Try To Take The Least Cost Patha C E D B A1try To Take The

Try to take the least cost path: A > C > E > D > B > A 1 Try to take the least cost path O > N > P > M > Q > O 2 Kruskal’s I,L -> 5 L,M -> 6 I,J -> 7 I,K -> 9 Prim’s J,I -> 7 I,L -> 5 L,M -> 6 I,K -> 9 Both = , 8, 20, 22, 34, IN-ORDER 25, 33, 44, 49, 51, 69, 79, 83, 87 PRE-ORDER 69, 49, 33, 25, 44, 51, 87, 79, 83 POST-ORDER 25, 44, 33, 51, 49, 83, 79, 87, Result: 23624/+*/ 6 c. (b,e)(e,f)(b,c)(a,c)(f,g)(c,d) Quantitative Annotated Bibliography Patricia Marrero NSG6101 Nursing Research Project Week One June 5, 2021 Deek, H., Hamilton, S., Brown, N., Inglis, S. C., Digiacomo, M ., Newton, P., Noureddine, S., MacDonald, P. S. & Davidson, P. M. (2016). Family-centered approaches to healthcare interventions in chronic diseases in adults: a quantitative systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 72(5); pp. . The sole objective of authors in this quantitative article was to help adults living with chronic conditions develop educational and knowledge awareness on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating patterns and bringing out other elements of effective self-centered care that likely improve health outcomes and safety. The paper analyzed 10 quantitative studies that evaluated patient outcomes upon introducing focused-family interventions and hence classified as a peer-reviewed article. Therefore, significant findings were supported with evidence-based researches, whereby authors affirmed the reliability of results with the successful outcomes of the applied family-centered interventions. In this case, the authors used transition care and active learning platforms to reduce the adverse effects of chronic illnesses on the patients. It is fundamental to involve families in the patient treatment plan. Perceiving the significance of patients' friends and family in patients' medical care plans, clinicians attempt to work with patients and families to guarantee their wellbeing and prosperity in a commonly beneficial relationship. However, the study was faced with a drawback of the year limits, opening gaps for future exploration. As a family nurse practitioner, this study is relevant because my role is to draw in families and relatives in patient care. After all, patient-centered care is focused on developing interventions that improve the quality of care and safety. The authors' fundamental concept in this review includes the family as a client, context, a system, and the family as a component of society. Coyne, I., Comiskey, C. M. Lalor, J. G. Higgins, A. Eliott, N., & Begley, C. (2016). An exploration of clinical practice in sites with and without a clinical nurse or midwife specialists or advanced nurse practitioners in Ireland. BMC Health Services Research. 16(151) This quantitative reviewed article's primary focus was to examine the impact of clinical practice in settings without advanced nurse practitioners, midwife professionals, and clinical nurses. The research study used different people holding various positions in the medical field through documentary, observations, and performance of interview data. There was a significant difference in the study’s outcome between the post holders and non-post holders. Post holders provided advanced medical care than non-post holders. In some cases, patient's needs and preferences did not match with the results of the EBP. Therefore, clinical practice and the role of a nurse are required to examine the patient’s preferences and need critically. Notably, the nurse must act as an advocate for the patients to meet their needs and preferences by modifying the guidelines developed from the clinical research. As a family nurse practitioner in the midwifery setting, I will benefit from this research study because postholders handle midwife services and roles. Data biases were limiting the analysis of collected information because there was no third party involved to correct data collected from people. The article concluded that healthcare facilities and other relevant healthcare agencies need to employ more personnel to fill the gaps of demands created by post holders and advanced practitioners deficient, especially in sites without midwife specialists or clinical nurses. Therefore, more specialist and advanced practice posts in nursing and midwifery should be developed and supported with healthcare in order to meet the changing healthcare demands, improve service delivery, and promote person-centered care.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The concept of selecting the least cost path is fundamental in fields such as transportation, logistics, network design, and decision-making processes where optimal resource utilization is crucial. The principles of graph theory and algorithms like Kruskal's and Prim's are employed to determine the most economical pathways connecting nodes in a network. This paper explores the application of these algorithms to solve the problem of finding the minimum spanning tree (MST) in a weighted graph, elaborating on the specific pathways and criteria involved.

Understanding Least Cost Pathways and Graph Algorithms

The problem of identifying the least cost path involves examining a network of nodes connected by edges, each with an associated weight representing cost, distance, or effort required. The goal is to connect all nodes with the minimum total weight, forming a spanning tree that includes every node without creating cycles. Algorithms such as Kruskal's and Prim's are designed to efficiently accomplish this task, each with distinct procedural steps but ultimately arriving at similar solutions.

Kruskal's algorithm constructs the MST by sorting edges from the lowest weight to the highest, then sequentially adding edges that do not form cycles until all nodes are connected. Conversely, Prim's algorithm starts from a selected node and grows the spanning tree by repeatedly adding the smallest weight edge that connects a new node to the existing tree. Both methods ensure the path chosen minimizes total cost in the network.

The application of these algorithms in practice requires detailed data about the network's edges and weights. For example, considering the edges I,L (5), L,M (6), I,J (7), I,K (9), and J,I (7) reflects the practical considerations of network design, where selecting minimal pathways involves analyzing multiple options and their cumulative costs.

Application of Kruskal's and Prim's Algorithms

The given edge list suggests a network where connecting nodes involves specific costs, with some edges sharing similar weights. Kruskal’s approach would involve sorting all edges by weight: I,L (5), L,M (6), J,I (7), I,J (7), I,K (9), and selecting the lightest edges that do not produce cycles. In contrast, Prim's algorithm begins at a starting node, for example, node I, and repeatedly adds the smallest connecting edge, which would produce an MST that might differ slightly based on the starting point.

Crucially, both algorithms aim for the most economical network, but their process differs. For example, Kruskal’s may pick I,L (5) first, then L,M (6), and so on, whereas Prim’s may prioritize connecting nodes from a specific starting point, potentially leading to different sequences but the same overall minimal total weight.

The calculated total weight figures of 8, 20, 22, 34 reflect the aggregate costs of these pathways. Choosing the optimal route depends on analyzing the full set of edge weights and ensuring no cycles are formed, which is essential for network integrity.

Tree Traversals and Their Significance

Tree traversal methods like in-order, pre-order, and post-order are essential in understanding the structure of the MST once constructed. In-order traversal visits nodes in a left-root-right sequence, pre-order follows root-left-right, and post-order visits left-right-root. These methods are valuable for tasks such as data serialization, expression tree evaluation, and network routing.

For instance, the in-order sequence 25, 33, 44, 49, 51, 69, 79, 83, 87 illustrates the sorted traversal of particular nodes, reflecting the systematic exploration or processing order in the network structure. Similarly, pre-order and post-order traversals reveal different hierarchical information advantageous in specific applications.

Understanding these traversal methods enhances comprehension of the network's hierarchical and relational structures, facilitating better planning and analysis in fields like electrical engineering, computer science, and logistical management.

Other Pathfinding and Data Analysis

The mention of a more arbitrary set of paths and a numerical result (23624/+*/) suggests a complex calculation or a code related to the network’s analysis or a different computational problem, possibly involving path costs, data encoding, or decision metrics.

Additionally, the pairs (b,e)(e,f)(b,c)(a,c)(f,g)(c,d) possibly denote connections or relationships within a different subset of a network, emphasizing the importance of understanding interconnected systems, whether for communication, social networks, or resource management.

In biomedical or healthcare settings, such as discussed in the annotated bibliographies, these algorithms and network methods mirror efforts to optimize resource allocation, patient pathways, or intervention strategies, where cost-efficiency and effective connectivity are critical.

Healthcare Applications and Research Evidence

The integration of network and pathway analysis extends beyond theoretical constructs into practical applications—particularly in healthcare systems and nursing practice. For example, research by Deek et al. (2016) emphasizes family-centered approaches to healthcare that improve outcomes in chronic disease management (Deek et al., 2016). This aligns with the concept of optimizing patient pathways and resource allocation to enhance safety and effectiveness, comparable to finding the least cost path in a network.

Similarly, Coyne et al. (2016) highlight the importance of advanced nursing roles in delivering efficient, patient-centered care (Coyne et al., 2016). The study underscores that expanding specialized personnel can minimize gaps in service delivery, paralleling the importance of minimal and effective pathways in network design.

Applying these principles in nursing and healthcare management involves a commitment to systematic planning—akin to graph algorithms—aiming for optimal outcomes with available resources. Using such methods, healthcare administrators can improve decision-making processes, streamline patient care pathways, and enhance overall health system efficiency.

Conclusion

Determining the least cost path in a network is crucial for optimizing resources across various fields, including engineering, logistics, and healthcare. Algorithms like Kruskal's and Prim's provide systematic, efficient means for identifying minimal spanning trees that connect all points economically. In practical applications, understanding these algorithms and traversal methods helps improve system design, resource allocation, and decision-making processes.

In healthcare, these principles underpin efforts to develop cost-effective care pathways, optimize staff deployment, and implement family-centered interventions. As research indicates, integrating advanced roles and shared decision-making improves safety and quality outcomes. Consequently, embracing systematic, algorithm-driven approaches in healthcare management can ensure sustainable, efficient, and patient-centered systems.

References

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  • Coyne, I., Comiskey, C. M., Lalor, J. G., Higgins, A., Eliott, N., & Begley, C. (2016). An exploration of clinical practice in sites with and without a clinical nurse or midwife specialists or advanced nurse practitioners in Ireland. BMC Health Services Research, 16, 151.
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