Nature's style: Naturally trendy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cohn, T.A.; Lins, H.F.

2005-01-01

Hydroclimatological time series often exhibit trends. While trend magnitude can be determined with little ambiguity, the corresponding statistical significance, sometimes cited to bolster scientific and political argument, is less certain because significance depends critically on the null hypothesis which in turn reflects subjective notions about what one expects to see. We consider statistical trend tests of hydroclimatological data in the presence of long-term persistence (LTP). Monte Carlo experiments employing FARIMA models indicate that trend tests which fail to consider LTP greatly overstate the statistical significance of observed trends when LTP is present. A new test is presented that avoids this problem. From a practical standpoint, however, it may be preferable to acknowledge that the concept of statistical significance is meaningless when discussing poorly understood systems.

Nature's style: Naturally trendy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohn, Timothy A.; Lins, Harry F.

2005-12-01

Hydroclimatological time series often exhibit trends. While trend magnitude can be determined with little ambiguity, the corresponding statistical significance, sometimes cited to bolster scientific and political argument, is less certain because significance depends critically on the null hypothesis which in turn reflects subjective notions about what one expects to see. We consider statistical trend tests of hydroclimatological data in the presence of long-term persistence (LTP). Monte Carlo experiments employing FARIMA models indicate that trend tests which fail to consider LTP greatly overstate the statistical significance of observed trends when LTP is present. A new test is presented that avoids this problem. From a practical standpoint, however, it may be preferable to acknowledge that the concept of statistical significance is meaningless when discussing poorly understood systems.

[A strategic family medicine model for controlling borderline and mild arterial hypertension].

PubMed

Uzcátegui Contreras, D; Granadillo Vera, D; Salinas, P J; Alvarez, N

1999-10-31

To research on the relationship of the patient and his/her family as a non-pharmacological factor for blood hypertension. To determine whether a hyposodic, hypocaloric, hypofat, and hypocholesterolemic diet decreases the blood tension. To determine whether physical exercises in the patient and his/her family help to reduce the hypertension. To observe whether the psychological therapy of muscles relaxation helps to reduce the hypertension. To evaluate in the sample of families, the experience of each member, as well as their suggestions and complaints about the programme. To design the strategic model to control the blood tension by ambulatory means. Controlled intervention study, descriptive, non-randomized, prospective. PLACEMENT: Primary care. Study group of 10 patients, 10 wives, and 12 children, and control group of 10 patients excluding family members. With both groups (study and control) there were meetings every 15 days for 6 months according to an established schedule. In the meetings there were given talks, pamphlets, physical exercises, muscles relaxation therapy, all about blood hypertension. There were questionnaires before and after each activity. MEASURING AND MAIN RESULTS: In both groups (study and control) there was a statistically significant (t < 0.01) reduction in the weight. The blood systolic tension decreased in both positions, seated and standing, in the study group (difference statistically significant) but not so in the control group, although there was a non-significant difference (decrease of 1.5 mmHg) in the seated position. The diastolic tension decreased significantly in the study group both in seated and standing positions, not so in the control group. The study sample showed that systolic tension seated and standing had a statistically significant reduction in the study group but not so in the control group. The weight had statistically significant reduction in both study and control groups. Total cholesterol had statistically significant decrease in the study group but not in the control group. HDL-C had statistically significant reduction in the study group; in the control group there was a decrease but not statistically significant. The triglycerides did not decrease statistically significant in any of the groups (study and control).

An operational definition of a statistically meaningful trend.

PubMed

Bryhn, Andreas C; Dimberg, Peter H

2011-04-28

Linear trend analysis of time series is standard procedure in many scientific disciplines. If the number of data is large, a trend may be statistically significant even if data are scattered far from the trend line. This study introduces and tests a quality criterion for time trends referred to as statistical meaningfulness, which is a stricter quality criterion for trends than high statistical significance. The time series is divided into intervals and interval mean values are calculated. Thereafter, r(2) and p values are calculated from regressions concerning time and interval mean values. If r(2) ≥ 0.65 at p ≤ 0.05 in any of these regressions, then the trend is regarded as statistically meaningful. Out of ten investigated time series from different scientific disciplines, five displayed statistically meaningful trends. A Microsoft Excel application (add-in) was developed which can perform statistical meaningfulness tests and which may increase the operationality of the test. The presented method for distinguishing statistically meaningful trends should be reasonably uncomplicated for researchers with basic statistics skills and may thus be useful for determining which trends are worth analysing further, for instance with respect to causal factors. The method can also be used for determining which segments of a time trend may be particularly worthwhile to focus on.

Continuous water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate constituent concentrations and loads in the Red River of the North at Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, 2003-12

USGS Publications Warehouse

Galloway, Joel M.

2014-01-01

The Red River of the North (hereafter referred to as “Red River”) Basin is an important hydrologic region where water is a valuable resource for the region’s economy. Continuous water-quality monitors have been operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, City of Grand Forks, and City of East Grand Forks at the Red River at Fargo, North Dakota, from 2003 through 2012 and at Grand Forks, N.Dak., from 2007 through 2012. The purpose of the monitoring was to provide a better understanding of the water-quality dynamics of the Red River and provide a way to track changes in water quality. Regression equations were developed that can be used to estimate concentrations and loads for dissolved solids, sulfate, chloride, nitrate plus nitrite, total phosphorus, and suspended sediment using explanatory variables such as streamflow, specific conductance, and turbidity. Specific conductance was determined to be a significant explanatory variable for estimating dissolved solids concentrations at the Red River at Fargo and Grand Forks. The regression equations provided good relations between dissolved solid concentrations and specific conductance for the Red River at Fargo and at Grand Forks, with adjusted coefficients of determination of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Specific conductance, log-transformed streamflow, and a seasonal component were statistically significant explanatory variables for estimating sulfate in the Red River at Fargo and Grand Forks. Regression equations provided good relations between sulfate concentrations and the explanatory variables, with adjusted coefficients of determination of 0.94 and 0.89, respectively. For the Red River at Fargo and Grand Forks, specific conductance, streamflow, and a seasonal component were statistically significant explanatory variables for estimating chloride. For the Red River at Grand Forks, a time component also was a statistically significant explanatory variable for estimating chloride. The regression equations for chloride at the Red River at Fargo provided a fair relation between chloride concentrations and the explanatory variables, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.66 and the equation for the Red River at Grand Forks provided a relatively good relation between chloride concentrations and the explanatory variables, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.77. Turbidity and streamflow were statistically significant explanatory variables for estimating nitrate plus nitrite concentrations at the Red River at Fargo and turbidity was the only statistically significant explanatory variable for estimating nitrate plus nitrite concentrations at Grand Forks. The regression equation for the Red River at Fargo provided a relatively poor relation between nitrate plus nitrite concentrations, turbidity, and streamflow, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.46. The regression equation for the Red River at Grand Forks provided a fair relation between nitrate plus nitrite concentrations and turbidity, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.73. Some of the variability that was not explained by the equations might be attributed to different sources contributing nitrates to the stream at different times. Turbidity, streamflow, and a seasonal component were statistically significant explanatory variables for estimating total phosphorus at the Red River at Fargo and Grand Forks. The regression equation for the Red River at Fargo provided a relatively fair relation between total phosphorus concentrations, turbidity, streamflow, and season, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.74. The regression equation for the Red River at Grand Forks provided a good relation between total phosphorus concentrations, turbidity, streamflow, and season, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.87. For the Red River at Fargo, turbidity and streamflow were statistically significant explanatory variables for estimating suspended-sediment concentrations. For the Red River at Grand Forks, turbidity was the only statistically significant explanatory variable for estimating suspended-sediment concentration. The regression equation at the Red River at Fargo provided a good relation between suspended-sediment concentration, turbidity, and streamflow, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.95. The regression equation for the Red River at Grand Forks provided a good relation between suspended-sediment concentration and turbidity, with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.96.

Analysis of determinations of the distance between the sun and the galactic center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malkin, Z. M.

2013-02-01

The paper investigates the question of whether or not determinations of the distance between the Sun and the Galactic center R 0 are affected by the so-called "bandwagon effect", leading to selection effects in published data that tend to be close to expected values, as was suggested by some authors. It is difficult to estimate numerically a systematic uncertainty in R 0 due to the bandwagon effect; however, it is highly probable that, even if widely accepted values differ appreciably from the true value, the published results should eventually approach the true value despite the bandwagon effect. This should be manifest as a trend in the published R 0 data: if this trend is statistically significant, the presence of the bandwagon effect can be suspected in the data. Fifty two determinations of R 0 published over the last 20 years were analyzed. These data reveal no statistically significant trend, suggesting they are unlikely to involve any systematic uncertainty due to the bandwagon effect. At the same time, the published data show a gradual and statistically significant decrease in the uncertainties in the R 0 determinations with time.

Statistical significance test for transition matrices of atmospheric Markov chains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vautard, Robert; Mo, Kingtse C.; Ghil, Michael

1990-01-01

Low-frequency variability of large-scale atmospheric dynamics can be represented schematically by a Markov chain of multiple flow regimes. This Markov chain contains useful information for the long-range forecaster, provided that the statistical significance of the associated transition matrix can be reliably tested. Monte Carlo simulation yields a very reliable significance test for the elements of this matrix. The results of this test agree with previously used empirical formulae when each cluster of maps identified as a distinct flow regime is sufficiently large and when they all contain a comparable number of maps. Monte Carlo simulation provides a more reliable way to test the statistical significance of transitions to and from small clusters. It can determine the most likely transitions, as well as the most unlikely ones, with a prescribed level of statistical significance.

Incidence of three-rooted mandibular first molars among contemporary Japanese individuals determined using multidetector computed tomography.

PubMed

Ishii, Namiko; Sakuma, Ayaka; Makino, Yohsuke; Torimitsu, Suguru; Yajima, Daisuke; Inokuchi, Go; Motomura, Ayumi; Chiba, Fumiko; Hoshioka, Yumi; Iwase, Hirotaro; Saitoh, Hisako

2016-09-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of three-rooted mandibular first molars in a contemporary Japanese population using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and examine whether this characteristic root form may be useful for identification purposes. Prior to their forensic autopsies, we obtained MDCT scans of 365 cadavers (255 males, 110 females) with mandibular first molars on both sides. Altogether, 730 mandibular first molars were examined morphologically on reconstructed CT images, and the incidence of three-rooted molars was recorded. The results were analyzed statistically to determine sex and left-right differences using the chi-square test. In all, 189 (25.9%) of the 730 mandibular first molars had three roots: 79 (31.0%) in the 255 males and 35 (31.8%) in the 110 females. No statistically significant difference was found between the sexes. In the 39 individuals who had unilateral three-rooted mandibular first molars, 7 (17.9%) were on the left side and 32 (82.1%) were on the right side, indicating a statistically significant predominance on the right side. The incidence of three-rooted mandibular first molars in contemporary Japanese individuals was 25.9%, with no statistically significant sex difference, but in the case of unilateral three-rooted teeth, with a statistically significant predominance on the right side. Our study found that Japanese and northeastern Asians have a high incidence of the three-rooted mandibular first molars among individuals of Mongolian origin; this finding may be a useful screening tool for identification of unknown individuals. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

PSSMSearch: a server for modeling, visualization, proteome-wide discovery and annotation of protein motif specificity determinants.

PubMed

Krystkowiak, Izabella; Manguy, Jean; Davey, Norman E

2018-06-05

There is a pressing need for in silico tools that can aid in the identification of the complete repertoire of protein binding (SLiMs, MoRFs, miniMotifs) and modification (moiety attachment/removal, isomerization, cleavage) motifs. We have created PSSMSearch, an interactive web-based tool for rapid statistical modeling, visualization, discovery and annotation of protein motif specificity determinants to discover novel motifs in a proteome-wide manner. PSSMSearch analyses proteomes for regions with significant similarity to a motif specificity determinant model built from a set of aligned motif-containing peptides. Multiple scoring methods are available to build a position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) describing the motif specificity determinant model. This model can then be modified by a user to add prior knowledge of specificity determinants through an interactive PSSM heatmap. PSSMSearch includes a statistical framework to calculate the significance of specificity determinant model matches against a proteome of interest. PSSMSearch also includes the SLiMSearch framework's annotation, motif functional analysis and filtering tools to highlight relevant discriminatory information. Additional tools to annotate statistically significant shared keywords and GO terms, or experimental evidence of interaction with a motif-recognizing protein have been added. Finally, PSSM-based conservation metrics have been created for taxonomic range analyses. The PSSMSearch web server is available at http://slim.ucd.ie/pssmsearch/.

The relationship between the behavior problems and motor skills of students with intellectual disability.

PubMed

Lee, Yangchool; Jeoung, Bogja

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the motor skills and the behavior problems of students with intellectual disabilities. The study participants were 117 students with intellectual disabilities who were between 7 and 25 years old (male, n=79; female, n=38) and attending special education schools in South Korea. Motor skill abilities were assessed by using the second version of the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency, which includes subtests in fine motor control, manual coordination, body coordination, strength, and agility. Data were analyzed with SPSS IBM 21 by using correlation and regression analyses, and the significance level was set at P <0.05. The results showed that fine motor precision and integration had a statistically significant influence on aggressive behavior. Manual dexterity showed a statistically significant influence on somatic complaint and anxiety/depression, and bilateral coordination had a statistically significant influence on social problems, attention problem, and aggressive behavior. Our results showed that balance had a statistically significant influence on social problems and aggressive behavior, and speed and agility had a statistically significant influence on social problems and aggressive behavior. Upper limb coordination and strength had a statistically significant influence on social problems.

Identifying Measurement Disturbance Effects Using Rasch Item Fit Statistics and the Logit Residual Index.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mount, Robert E.; Schumacker, Randall E.

1998-01-01

A Monte Carlo study was conducted using simulated dichotomous data to determine the effects of guessing on Rasch item fit statistics and the Logit Residual Index. Results indicate that no significant differences were found between the mean Rasch item fit statistics for each distribution type as the probability of guessing the correct answer…

A randomized trial in a massive online open course shows people don't know what a statistically significant relationship looks like, but they can learn.

PubMed

Fisher, Aaron; Anderson, G Brooke; Peng, Roger; Leek, Jeff

2014-01-01

Scatterplots are the most common way for statisticians, scientists, and the public to visually detect relationships between measured variables. At the same time, and despite widely publicized controversy, P-values remain the most commonly used measure to statistically justify relationships identified between variables. Here we measure the ability to detect statistically significant relationships from scatterplots in a randomized trial of 2,039 students in a statistics massive open online course (MOOC). Each subject was shown a random set of scatterplots and asked to visually determine if the underlying relationships were statistically significant at the P < 0.05 level. Subjects correctly classified only 47.4% (95% CI [45.1%-49.7%]) of statistically significant relationships, and 74.6% (95% CI [72.5%-76.6%]) of non-significant relationships. Adding visual aids such as a best fit line or scatterplot smooth increased the probability a relationship was called significant, regardless of whether the relationship was actually significant. Classification of statistically significant relationships improved on repeat attempts of the survey, although classification of non-significant relationships did not. Our results suggest: (1) that evidence-based data analysis can be used to identify weaknesses in theoretical procedures in the hands of average users, (2) data analysts can be trained to improve detection of statistically significant results with practice, but (3) data analysts have incorrect intuition about what statistically significant relationships look like, particularly for small effects. We have built a web tool for people to compare scatterplots with their corresponding p-values which is available here: http://glimmer.rstudio.com/afisher/EDA/.

A randomized trial in a massive online open course shows people don’t know what a statistically significant relationship looks like, but they can learn

PubMed Central

Fisher, Aaron; Anderson, G. Brooke; Peng, Roger

2014-01-01

Scatterplots are the most common way for statisticians, scientists, and the public to visually detect relationships between measured variables. At the same time, and despite widely publicized controversy, P-values remain the most commonly used measure to statistically justify relationships identified between variables. Here we measure the ability to detect statistically significant relationships from scatterplots in a randomized trial of 2,039 students in a statistics massive open online course (MOOC). Each subject was shown a random set of scatterplots and asked to visually determine if the underlying relationships were statistically significant at the P < 0.05 level. Subjects correctly classified only 47.4% (95% CI [45.1%–49.7%]) of statistically significant relationships, and 74.6% (95% CI [72.5%–76.6%]) of non-significant relationships. Adding visual aids such as a best fit line or scatterplot smooth increased the probability a relationship was called significant, regardless of whether the relationship was actually significant. Classification of statistically significant relationships improved on repeat attempts of the survey, although classification of non-significant relationships did not. Our results suggest: (1) that evidence-based data analysis can be used to identify weaknesses in theoretical procedures in the hands of average users, (2) data analysts can be trained to improve detection of statistically significant results with practice, but (3) data analysts have incorrect intuition about what statistically significant relationships look like, particularly for small effects. We have built a web tool for people to compare scatterplots with their corresponding p-values which is available here: http://glimmer.rstudio.com/afisher/EDA/. PMID:25337457

Statistical analysis of the photodegradation of imazethapyr on the surface of extracted soybean (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays) epicuticular waxes.

PubMed

Anderson, Scott C; Christiansen, Amy; Peterson, Alexa; Beukelman, Logan; Nienow, Amanda M

2016-10-12

The photodegradation rate of the herbicide imazethapyr on epicuticular waxes of soybean and corn plants was investigated. Plant age, relative humidity, temperature, and number of light banks were varied during plant growth, analyzed statistically, and examined to determine if these factors had an effect on the photodegradation of imazethapyr. Through ultraviolet/visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy, epicuticular wax characteristics of soybean and corn plants were explored, were used to confirm observations determined statistically, and explain correlations between the rate constants and the composition of the epicuticular waxes. Plant age, the interaction between plant age and light, and the quadratic dependence on temperature were all determined to have a significant impact on the photodegradation rate of imazethapyr on the epicuticular waxes of soybean plants. As for the photodegradation rate on the epicuticular waxes of corn plants, the number of light banks used during growing and temperature were significant factors.

A fast algorithm for determining bounds and accurate approximate p-values of the rank product statistic for replicate experiments.

PubMed

Heskes, Tom; Eisinga, Rob; Breitling, Rainer

2014-11-21

The rank product method is a powerful statistical technique for identifying differentially expressed molecules in replicated experiments. A critical issue in molecule selection is accurate calculation of the p-value of the rank product statistic to adequately address multiple testing. Both exact calculation and permutation and gamma approximations have been proposed to determine molecule-level significance. These current approaches have serious drawbacks as they are either computationally burdensome or provide inaccurate estimates in the tail of the p-value distribution. We derive strict lower and upper bounds to the exact p-value along with an accurate approximation that can be used to assess the significance of the rank product statistic in a computationally fast manner. The bounds and the proposed approximation are shown to provide far better accuracy over existing approximate methods in determining tail probabilities, with the slightly conservative upper bound protecting against false positives. We illustrate the proposed method in the context of a recently published analysis on transcriptomic profiling performed in blood. We provide a method to determine upper bounds and accurate approximate p-values of the rank product statistic. The proposed algorithm provides an order of magnitude increase in throughput as compared with current approaches and offers the opportunity to explore new application domains with even larger multiple testing issue. The R code is published in one of the Additional files and is available at http://www.ru.nl/publish/pages/726696/rankprodbounds.zip .

"Clinical" Significance: "Clinical" Significance and "Practical" Significance are NOT the Same Things

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Lisa S.

2008-01-01

Clinical significance is an important concept in research, particularly in education and the social sciences. The present article first compares clinical significance to other measures of "significance" in statistics. The major methods used to determine clinical significance are explained and the strengths and weaknesses of clinical significance…

Simple Statistics: - Summarized!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blai, Boris, Jr.

Statistics are an essential tool for making proper judgement decisions. It is concerned with probability distribution models, testing of hypotheses, significance tests and other means of determining the correctness of deductions and the most likely outcome of decisions. Measures of central tendency include the mean, median and mode. A second…

Determining Differences in Efficacy of Two Disinfectants Using t-Tests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brehm, Michael A.; And Others

1996-01-01

Presents an experiment to compare the effectiveness of 95% ethanol to 20% bleach as disinfectants using t-tests for the statistical analysis of the data. Reports that bleach is a better disinfectant. Discusses the statistical and practical significance of the results. (JRH)

Using the bootstrap to establish statistical significance for relative validity comparisons among patient-reported outcome measures

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Relative validity (RV), a ratio of ANOVA F-statistics, is often used to compare the validity of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. We used the bootstrap to establish the statistical significance of the RV and to identify key factors affecting its significance. Methods Based on responses from 453 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients to 16 CKD-specific and generic PRO measures, RVs were computed to determine how well each measure discriminated across clinically-defined groups of patients compared to the most discriminating (reference) measure. Statistical significance of RV was quantified by the 95% bootstrap confidence interval. Simulations examined the effects of sample size, denominator F-statistic, correlation between comparator and reference measures, and number of bootstrap replicates. Results The statistical significance of the RV increased as the magnitude of denominator F-statistic increased or as the correlation between comparator and reference measures increased. A denominator F-statistic of 57 conveyed sufficient power (80%) to detect an RV of 0.6 for two measures correlated at r = 0.7. Larger denominator F-statistics or higher correlations provided greater power. Larger sample size with a fixed denominator F-statistic or more bootstrap replicates (beyond 500) had minimal impact. Conclusions The bootstrap is valuable for establishing the statistical significance of RV estimates. A reasonably large denominator F-statistic (F > 57) is required for adequate power when using the RV to compare the validity of measures with small or moderate correlations (r < 0.7). Substantially greater power can be achieved when comparing measures of a very high correlation (r > 0.9). PMID:23721463

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATIONS OF BORON; Estudo Estatistico de Determinacoes Espectrofotometricas de Boro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lima, F.W.; Pagano, C.; Schneiderman, B.

1959-07-01

Boron can be determined quantitatively by absorption spectrophotometry of solutions of the red compound formed by the reaction of boric acid with curcumin. This reaction is affected by various factors, some of which can be detected easily in the data interpretation. Others, however, provide more difficulty. The application of modern statistical method to the study of the influence of these factors on the quantitative determination of boron is presented. These methods provide objective ways of establishing significant effects of the factors involved. (auth)

Orthotopic bladder substitution in men revisited: identification of continence predictors.

PubMed

Koraitim, M M; Atta, M A; Foda, M K

2006-11-01

We determined the impact of the functional characteristics of the neobladder and urethral sphincter on continence results, and determined the most significant predictors of continence. A total of 88 male patients 29 to 70 years old underwent orthotopic bladder substitution with tubularized ileocecal segment (40) and detubularized sigmoid (25) or ileum (23). Uroflowmetry, cystometry and urethral pressure profilometry were performed at 13 to 36 months (mean 19) postoperatively. The correlation between urinary continence and 28 urodynamic variables was assessed. Parameters that correlated significantly with continence were entered into a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to determine the most significant predictors of continence. Maximum urethral closure pressure was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant correlation with diurnal continence. Nocturnal continence had not only a statistically significant positive correlation with maximum urethral closure pressure, but also statistically significant negative correlations with maximum contraction amplitude, and baseline pressure at mid and maximum capacity. Three of these 4 parameters, including maximum urethral closure pressure, maximum contraction amplitude and baseline pressure at mid capacity, proved to be significant predictors of continence on multivariate analysis. While daytime continence is determined by maximum urethral closure pressure, during the night it is the net result of 2 forces that have about equal influence but in opposite directions, that is maximum urethral closure pressure vs maximum contraction amplitude plus baseline pressure at mid capacity. Two equations were derived from the logistic regression model to predict the probability of continence after orthotopic bladder substitution, including Z1 (diurnal) = 0.605 + 0.0085 maximum urethral closure pressure and Z2 (nocturnal) = 0.841 + 0.01 [maximum urethral closure pressure - (maximum contraction amplitude + baseline pressure at mid capacity)].

Management system, organizational climate and performance relationships

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, B. D.

1979-01-01

Seven aerospace firms were investigated to determine if a relationship existed among management systems, organizational climate, and organization performance. Positive relationships were found between each of these variables, but a statistically significant relationship existed only between the management system and organizational climate. The direction and amount of communication and the degree of decentralized decision-making, elements of the management system, also had a statistically significant realtionship with organization performance.

Radon-222 concentrations in ground water and soil gas on Indian reservations in Wisconsin

USGS Publications Warehouse

DeWild, John F.; Krohelski, James T.

1995-01-01

For sites with wells finished in the sand and gravel aquifer, the coefficient of determination (R2) of the regression of concentration of radon-222 in ground water as a function of well depth is 0.003 and the significance level is 0.32, which indicates that there is not a statistically significant relation between radon-222 concentrations in ground water and well depth. The coefficient of determination of the regression of radon-222 in ground water and soil gas is 0.19 and the root mean square error of the regression line is 271 picocuries per liter. Even though the significance level (0.036) indicates a statistical relation, the root mean square error of the regression is so large that the regression equation would not give reliable predictions. Because of an inadequate number of samples, similar statistical analyses could not be performed for sites with wells finished in the crystalline and sedimentary bedrock aquifers.

A multi-level approach for investigating socio-economic and agricultural risk factors associated with rates of reported cases of Escherichia coli O157 in humans in Alberta, Canada.

PubMed

Pearl, D L; Louie, M; Chui, L; Doré, K; Grimsrud, K M; Martin, S W; Michel, P; Svenson, L W; McEwen, S A

2009-10-01

Using negative binomial and multi-level Poisson models, the authors determined the statistical significance of agricultural and socio-economic risk factors for rates of reported disease associated with Escherichia coli O157 in census subdivisions (CSDs) in Alberta, Canada, 2000-2002. Variables relating to population stability, aboriginal composition of the CSDs, and the economic relationship between CSDs and urban centres were significant risk factors. The percentage of individuals living in low-income households was not a statistically significant risk factor for rates of disease. The statistical significance of cattle density, recorded at a higher geographical level, depended on the method used to correct for overdispersion, the number of levels included in the multi-level models, and the choice of using all reported cases or only sporadic cases. Our results highlight the importance of local socio-economic risk factors in determining rates of disease associated with E. coli O157, but their relationship with individual risk factors requires further evaluation.

Physical and genetic-interaction density reveals functional organization and informs significance cutoffs in genome-wide screens

PubMed Central

Dittmar, John C.; Pierce, Steven; Rothstein, Rodney; Reid, Robert J. D.

2013-01-01

Genome-wide experiments often measure quantitative differences between treated and untreated cells to identify affected strains. For these studies, statistical models are typically used to determine significance cutoffs. We developed a method termed “CLIK” (Cutoff Linked to Interaction Knowledge) that overlays biological knowledge from the interactome on screen results to derive a cutoff. The method takes advantage of the fact that groups of functionally related interacting genes often respond similarly to experimental conditions and, thus, cluster in a ranked list of screen results. We applied CLIK analysis to five screens of the yeast gene disruption library and found that it defined a significance cutoff that differed from traditional statistics. Importantly, verification experiments revealed that the CLIK cutoff correlated with the position in the rank order where the rate of true positives drops off significantly. In addition, the gene sets defined by CLIK analysis often provide further biological perspectives. For example, applying CLIK analysis retrospectively to a screen for cisplatin sensitivity allowed us to identify the importance of the Hrq1 helicase in DNA crosslink repair. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of CLIK to determine optimal treatment conditions by analyzing genome-wide screens at multiple rapamycin concentrations. We show that CLIK is an extremely useful tool for evaluating screen quality, determining screen cutoffs, and comparing results between screens. Furthermore, because CLIK uses previously annotated interaction data to determine biologically informed cutoffs, it provides additional insights into screen results, which supplement traditional statistical approaches. PMID:23589890

Age at menarche and its socioeconomic determinants among female students in an urban area in Bangladesh.

PubMed

Islam, Md Serajul; Hussain, Md Altaf; Islam, Saimul; Mahumud, Rashidul Alam; Biswas, Tuhin; Islam, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful

2017-06-01

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the age at menarche and its socioeconomic determinants among urban female students (n=680) in Bangladesh. The mean age of the respondents was 14±1.43years. Majority of the respondents were unmarried (98.4%). The mean age at menarche was 11.6±3.6years, median 12years. Almost one-third (35.7%) of the participants had menarche at the age of 12years. There was no statistically significant difference between age at menarche before and after 12years with the socio-economic characteristics, except education (p=<0.001). In the multivariate model, only higher education was statistically significant predictor of age at menarche. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoindentation of orthodontic archwires: The effect of decontamination and clinical use on hardness, elastic modulus and surface roughness.

PubMed

Alcock, Joseph P; Barbour, Michele E; Sandy, Jonathan R; Ireland, Anthony J

2009-08-01

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of decontamination and clinical exposure on the elastic moduli, hardness and surface roughness of two frequently used orthodontic archwires, namely 0.020in.x0.020in. heat activated (martensitic active) nickel titanium archwires and 0.019in.x0.025in. austenitic stainless steel archwires. This study was a prospective clinical trial in which 20 consecutive patients requiring an archwire change as part of their course of orthodontic fixed appliance therapy, had either a nickel titanium or stainless steel archwire fitted as deemed clinically necessary. The effect of clinical use was determined by comparing distal end cuts of the "as received" archwires before and after decontamination, with the same retrieved archwires following clinical use and decontamination. Hardness, elastic modulus and surface roughness were determined using an atomic force microscope (AFM) coupled with a nanoindenter. The results showed that the decontamination regimen and clinical use had no statistically significant effect on the nickel titanium archwires, but did have a statistically significant effect on the steel archwires. Decontamination of the steel wires significantly increased the observed surface hardness (p=0.01) and reduced the surface roughness (p=0.02). Clinical use demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the observed elastic modulus (p<0.001) and a decrease in surface roughness (p=0.001). At present it is difficult to predict the clinical significance of these statistically significant changes in archwire properties on orthodontic tooth movement.

Preliminary Evaluation of Visual and Flight Performance of Three Current Multifocal Contact Lens Designs for Presbyopic US Army Aviators

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

absolute emmetropia. Up to a substantial 25% of the aviation population develops ametropia requiring the use of spectacles or other refractive correction...to determine statistical differences in visual performance. The types of contact lenses were compared in general to determine whether there was any...Lomb multi- focal, and 187 (sd=25) for the Ciba progressive. There was not a statistically significant difference for high luminance contrast

Abstracts of ARI Research Publications, FY 1978

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

initial item pool, 49 items were identified as having signifi- cant item-to-total-score correlations and were statistically determined to address a...failing. Differences among the three groups on main gun performance measures and the previous experience of gun- ners were not statistically significant...forms of the noncognitive cod- ing speed test; and (d) a second field administration to derive norms and other statistical characteristics of the new

US Geological Survey nutrient preservation experiment : experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of analytical results

USGS Publications Warehouse

Patton, Charles J.; Gilroy, Edward J.

1999-01-01

Data on which this report is based, including nutrient concentrations in synthetic reference samples determined concurrently with those in real samples, are extensive (greater than 20,000 determinations) and have been published separately. In addition to confirming the well-documented instability of nitrite in acidified samples, this study also demonstrates that when biota are removed from samples at collection sites by 0.45-micrometer membrane filtration, subsequent preservation with sulfuric acid or mercury (II) provides no statistically significant improvement in nutrient concentration stability during storage at 4 degrees Celsius for 30 days. Biocide preservation had no statistically significant effect on the 30-day stability of phosphorus concentrations in whole-water splits from any of the 15 stations, but did stabilize Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations in whole-water splits from three data-collection stations where ammonium accounted for at least half of the measured Kjeldahl nitrogen.

Significant Association of Urinary Toxic Metals and Autism-Related Symptoms—A Nonlinear Statistical Analysis with Cross Validation

PubMed Central

Adams, James; Kruger, Uwe; Geis, Elizabeth; Gehn, Eva; Fimbres, Valeria; Pollard, Elena; Mitchell, Jessica; Ingram, Julie; Hellmers, Robert; Quig, David; Hahn, Juergen

2017-01-01

Introduction A number of previous studies examined a possible association of toxic metals and autism, and over half of those studies suggest that toxic metal levels are different in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Additionally, several studies found that those levels correlate with the severity of ASD. Methods In order to further investigate these points, this paper performs the most detailed statistical analysis to date of a data set in this field. First morning urine samples were collected from 67 children and adults with ASD and 50 neurotypical controls of similar age and gender. The samples were analyzed to determine the levels of 10 urinary toxic metals (UTM). Autism-related symptoms were assessed with eleven behavioral measures. Statistical analysis was used to distinguish participants on the ASD spectrum and neurotypical participants based upon the UTM data alone. The analysis also included examining the association of autism severity with toxic metal excretion data using linear and nonlinear analysis. “Leave-one-out” cross-validation was used to ensure statistical independence of results. Results and Discussion Average excretion levels of several toxic metals (lead, tin, thallium, antimony) were significantly higher in the ASD group. However, ASD classification using univariate statistics proved difficult due to large variability, but nonlinear multivariate statistical analysis significantly improved ASD classification with Type I/II errors of 15% and 18%, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the urinary toxic metal excretion profiles of participants in the ASD group were significantly different from those of the neurotypical participants. Similarly, nonlinear methods determined a significantly stronger association between the behavioral measures and toxic metal excretion. The association was strongest for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (including subscales on Irritability, Stereotypy, Hyperactivity, and Inappropriate Speech), but significant associations were found for UTM with all eleven autism-related assessments with cross-validation R2 values ranging from 0.12–0.48. PMID:28068407

Stationary statistical theory of two-surface multipactor regarding all impacts for efficient threshold analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shu; Wang, Rui; Xia, Ning; Li, Yongdong; Liu, Chunliang

2018-01-01

Statistical multipactor theories are critical prediction approaches for multipactor breakdown determination. However, these approaches still require a negotiation between the calculation efficiency and accuracy. This paper presents an improved stationary statistical theory for efficient threshold analysis of two-surface multipactor. A general integral equation over the distribution function of the electron emission phase with both the single-sided and double-sided impacts considered is formulated. The modeling results indicate that the improved stationary statistical theory can not only obtain equally good accuracy of multipactor threshold calculation as the nonstationary statistical theory, but also achieve high calculation efficiency concurrently. By using this improved stationary statistical theory, the total time consumption in calculating full multipactor susceptibility zones of parallel plates can be decreased by as much as a factor of four relative to the nonstationary statistical theory. It also shows that the effect of single-sided impacts is indispensable for accurate multipactor prediction of coaxial lines and also more significant for the high order multipactor. Finally, the influence of secondary emission yield (SEY) properties on the multipactor threshold is further investigated. It is observed that the first cross energy and the energy range between the first cross and the SEY maximum both play a significant role in determining the multipactor threshold, which agrees with the numerical simulation results in the literature.

Using the Coefficient of Determination "R"[superscript 2] to Test the Significance of Multiple Linear Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quinino, Roberto C.; Reis, Edna A.; Bessegato, Lupercio F.

2013-01-01

This article proposes the use of the coefficient of determination as a statistic for hypothesis testing in multiple linear regression based on distributions acquired by beta sampling. (Contains 3 figures.)

Analysis of the sleep quality of elderly people using biomedical signals.

PubMed

Moreno-Alsasua, L; Garcia-Zapirain, B; Mendez-Zorrilla, A

2015-01-01

This paper presents a technical solution that analyses sleep signals captured by biomedical sensors to find possible disorders during rest. Specifically, the method evaluates electrooculogram (EOG) signals, skin conductance (GSR), air flow (AS), and body temperature. Next, a quantitative sleep quality analysis determines significant changes in the biological signals, and any similarities between them in a given time period. Filtering techniques such as the Fourier transform method and IIR filters process the signal and identify significant variations. Once these changes have been identified, all significant data is compared and a quantitative and statistical analysis is carried out to determine the level of a person's rest. To evaluate the correlation and significant differences, a statistical analysis has been calculated showing correlation between EOG and AS signals (p=0,005), EOG, and GSR signals (p=0,037) and, finally, the EOG and Body temperature (p=0,04). Doctors could use this information to monitor changes within a patient.

Cross-sectional evaluation of post-operative pain and flare-ups in endodontic treatments using a type of rotary instruments.

PubMed

Tanalp, Jale; Sunay, Hakki; Bayirli, Gündüz

2013-01-01

The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the general incidence of post-operative pain and flare-ups in patients who were endodontically treated by two endodontics specialists using rotary instruments (Hero 642, Micro Mega, France) with the same treatment protocol. Records of 382 teeth belonging to 268 patients treated by two endodontics specialists during a 6-month period were kept and evaluated. Post-operative pain between treatment visits was categorized using a pre-established scoring system. Ninety-five patients were males, whereas 173 were females. Pulpal necrosis without periapical pathosis was determined as the most common indication for endodontic treatment (21.7%) followed by irreversible pulpitis and re-treatment without periapical lesions (18.3%, 18.3%, respectively). The general prevalence of post-operative pain and flare-ups was determined as 8.1%, whereas cases that could be classified as real flare-ups which were severe and required an unscheduled visit (scores 2 and 3) comprised 3.4% of the cases. No statistically significant correlation was determined between gender and post-operative pain and flare-up (p = 0.05). There was a significant correlation between number of appointments and the presence of pain and flare-ups. Teeth undergoing multiple visits had a higher risk of developing post-operative pain and flare-ups compared to those with single appointments with a statistical significance (p = 0.03). Teeth with pre-operative pain were more prone to developing post-operative pain and discomfort with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). While no significant correlation was determined between tooth vitality and pain and flare-ups (p = 0.5), a statistically significant relationship existed between the presence of a periapical pathosis and post-operative pain and flare-ups. Cases with a periapical lesion had a higher risk of developing pain and flare-ups compared to those with no periapical involvement (p = 0.0001). Future studies may focus on the influence of rotary instrumentation systems in more specific groups of cases. Meanwhile; microbiological as well as psychological aspects of flare-ups are topics that warrant further investigation.

[Influence of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics on the quality of life].

PubMed

Grbić, Gordana; Djokić, Dragoljub; Kocić, Sanja; Mitrašinović, Dejan; Rakić, Ljiljana; Prelević, Rade; Krivokapić, Žarko; Miljković, Snežana

2011-01-01

The quality of life is a multidimensional concept, which is best expressed by the subjective well-being. Evaluation of the quality of life is the basis for measuring the well-being, and the determination of factors that determine the quality of life quality is the basis for its improvement. To evaluate and assess the determinants of the perceived quality of life of group distinguishing features which characterize demographic and socioeconomic factors. This was a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the population in Serbia aged over 20 years (9479 examinees). The quality of life was expressed by the perception of well-being (pleasure of life). Data on the examinees (demographic and socioeconomic characteristics) were collected by using a questionnaire for adults of each household. To process, analyze and present the data, we used the methods of parametric descriptive statistics (mean value, standard deviation, coefficient of variation), variance analysis and factor analysis. Although men evaluated the quality of life with a slightly higher grading, there was no statistically significant difference in the evaluation of the quality of life in relation to the examinee's gender (p > 0.005). Among the examinees there was a high statistically significant difference in grading the quality of life depending on age, level of education, marital status and type of job (p < 0.001). In relation to the number of children, there was no statistically significant difference in he grading of the quality of life (p > 0.005). The quality of life is influenced by numerous factors that characterize each person (demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individual). Determining factors of the quality of life are numerous and diverse, and the manner and the strength of their influence are variable.

Do Serum Creatinine Levels Show Clinically Significant Fluctuations on Serial Determinations on the Siemens Advia 1800 Analyzer?

PubMed

Levitan, Daniel; Harper, Aaron E; Sun, Yi; Scarpa Carniello, Jose V; Momeni, Amir; Kagan, Joshua; Alexis, Herol; Eid, Ikram; Harris, Loretta; Marshal, Barbara; Tafani, Edlira; Pincus, Matthew

2017-01-01

The goal of this work was to determine whether there are clinically significant fluctuations in the level of serum creatinine on serial determinations, especially in the borderline range (1.1-1.3 mg/dl), after specimen storage. Sixty-one serum samples were analyzed. They were divided into three categories based on the initial serum creatinine measurement: low (≤1.0 mg/dl), borderline (1.1-1.3 mg/dl), and high (≥1.4 mg/dl). The specimens were stored at 4°C and run on the Siemens Advia 1800 chemistry analyzer on days 1, 3, and 11. Statistical comparisons of the three groups were made using the unpaired t-test, yielding a two-tailed P-value for each group comparison. The P-values ranged from 0.0829 to 0.3892, indicating no statistically significant difference between the standard deviations of each group. Mild-to-moderate fluctuations in precision occur in successive serum creatinine determinations. The overwhelming majority of these fluctuations should not affect clinical decision making. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Infectious bursal disease: seroprevalence and associated risk factors in major poultry rearing areas of Ethiopia.

PubMed

Jenbreie, Shiferaw; Ayelet, Gelagay; Gelaye, Esayas; Kebede, Fekadu; Lynch, Stacey E; Negussie, Haileleul

2013-01-01

The study was conducted in eight districts of Ethiopia with the objectives of determining the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of infectious bursal disease (IBD). From the total of 2,597 chicken serum samples examined using ELISA, 83.1 % were found positive. The highest seroprevalence was found at Mekele (90.3 %) while the lowest was recorded at Gondar district (69.8 %). These differences among the study areas were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Highest seroprevalence was found in crossbreed of chicken (91.4 %) while the lowest was recorded in indigenous breed of chicken (81.4 %). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) among the three breeds of chickens, but sex was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of the disease was found high in young (≤ 8 weeks) age group (86.6 %) while the lowest prevalence was recorded in adults (>8 weeks) (72 %). This is also statistically significant (p < 0.05) between young and adult age groups. The prevalence of IBD in different production system indicated that higher seroprevalence was recorded in intensive production system (85.9 %) while the lowest was recorded in extensive production system (81.6 %). This difference is also statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Determining the relationship between atherosclerosis and periodontopathogenic microorganisms in chronic periodontitis patients.

PubMed

Bozoglan, Alihan; Ertugrul, Abdullah Seckin; Taspınar, Mehmet; Yuzbasioglu, Betul

2017-05-01

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between atherosclerosis and periodontopathogenic microorganisms in chronic periodontitis patients following periodontal treatment. A total of 40 patients were included in the study. 20 of these patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis and chronic periodontitis formed the test group. The remaining 20 patients were systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and formed the control group. All patients had nonsurgical periodontal treatment. The periodontopathogenic microorganism levels were determined at baseline and at 6 months in microbial dental plaque samples and WBC, LDL, HDL, PLT, fibrinogen, creatinine and hs-CRP levels were determined by blood samples. Statistically significant reduction has been achieved in clinical periodontal parameters following non-surgical periodontal treatment in test and control groups. Following periodontal treatment, WBC, LDL, PLT, fibrinogen, creatinine and hs-CRP levels significantly decreased and HDL levels significantly increased in both test and control groups. Similarly, the periodontopathogenic microorganism levels significantly decreased following periodontal treatment in the test and control groups. A statistically significant positive correlation has been determined between the periodontopathogenic microorganism levels and WBC, LDL, PLT, fibrinogen, creatinine, and hs-CRP levels in the test group. The association between hs-CRP, WBC, LDL, PLT, fibrinogen, creatinine, and the amount of periodontopathogenic microorganisms indicates the possibility that periodontal treatment could decrease the risk atherosclerosis. More studies must be conducted in order for these results to be supported.

Physical fitness of secondary school adolescents in relation to the body weight and the body composition: classification according to Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Part II.

PubMed

Chwałczyńska, Agnieszka; Jędrzejewski, Grzegorz; Lewandowski, Zdzisław; Jonak, Wiesława; Sobiech, Krzysztof A

2017-03-01

Underweight and obesity are important factors affecting the level of physical fitness. The aim of this study was to assess physical fitness of lower secondary school adolescents in relation to BMI. Two-hundred students, aged 14-16, were examined. Respondents were divided into 4 groups according to BMI classification. The body height and weight were determined. Physical fitness was assessed on the basis Zuchora's ISF tests. The body weight deficiency occurred in 3% of girls and 5% of boys, overweight was noted in 14% of both groups, and obesity in 6% and 12% accordingly. Statistically significant differences were determined in the components of physical fitness. They were noted in both genders between the group of children with standard body weight and overweight as well as obese children. Significant negative correlations were determined between and the components of physical fitness. More significant correlations giving evidence to the decrease of Zuchora's ISF score along with the increase of BMI were more significant in girls. Statistically significant differences between the boys and girls were determined in all five Zuchora's tests. The highest scores in physical fitness were achieved by the boys and girls with weight deficiency.

Physical fitness of secondary school adolescents in relation to the body weight and the body composition: classification according to World Health Organization. Part I.

PubMed

Chwałczyńska, Agnieszka; Jędrzejewski, Grzegorz; Socha, Małgorzata; Jonak, Wiesława; Sobiech, Krzysztof A

2017-03-01

Underweight and obesity are important factors affecting the level of physical fitness. The aim of this study was to assess physical fitness of lower secondary school adolescents in relation to BMI. Two-hundred students, aged 14-16, were examined. Respondents were divided into 4 groups according to BMI classification. The body height and weight were determined. Physical fitness was assessed on the basis Zuchora's ISF tests. The body weight deficiency occurred in 3% of girls and 5% of boys, overweight was noted in 14% of both groups, and obesity in 6% and 12% accordingly. Statistically significant differences were determined in the components of physical fitness. They were noted in both genders between the group of children with standard body weight and overweight as well as obese children. Significant negative correlations were determined between and the components of physical fitness. More significant correlations giving evidence to the decrease of Zuchora's ISF score along with the increase of BMI were more significant in girls. Statistically significant differences between the boys and girls were determined in all five Zuchora's tests. The highest scores in physical fitness were achieved by the boys and girls with weight deficiency.

Diagnostic index of 3D osteoarthritic changes in TMJ condylar morphology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomes, Liliane R.; Gomes, Marcelo; Jung, Bryan; Paniagua, Beatriz; Ruellas, Antonio C.; Gonçalves, João. Roberto; Styner, Martin A.; Wolford, Larry; Cevidanes, Lucia

2015-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate imaging statistical approaches for classifying 3D osteoarthritic morphological variations among 169 Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) condyles. Cone beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired from 69 patients with long-term TMJ Osteoarthritis (OA) (39.1 ± 15.7 years), 15 patients at initial diagnosis of OA (44.9 ± 14.8 years) and 7 healthy controls (43 ± 12.4 years). 3D surface models of the condyles were constructed and Shape Correspondence was used to establish correspondent points on each model. The statistical framework included a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and Direction-Projection- Permutation (DiProPerm) for testing statistical significance of the differences between healthy control and the OA group determined by clinical and radiographic diagnoses. Unsupervised classification using hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) was then conducted. Condylar morphology in OA and healthy subjects varied widely. Compared with healthy controls, OA average condyle was statistically significantly smaller in all dimensions except its anterior surface. Significant flattening of the lateral pole was noticed at initial diagnosis (p < 0.05). It was observed areas of 3.88 mm bone resorption at the superior surface and 3.10 mm bone apposition at the anterior aspect of the long-term OA average model. 1000 permutation statistics of DiProPerm supported a significant difference between the healthy control group and OA group (t = 6.7, empirical p-value = 0.001). Clinically meaningful unsupervised classification of TMJ condylar morphology determined a preliminary diagnostic index of 3D osteoarthritic changes, which may be the first step towards a more targeted diagnosis of this condition.

Comparison between Growth Patterns and Pharyngeal Widths in Different Skeletal Malocclusions in South Indian Population.

PubMed

Lakshmi, K Bhagya; Yelchuru, Sri Harsha; Chandrika, V; Lakshmikar, O G; Sagar, V Lakshmi; Reddy, G Vivek

2018-01-01

The main aim is to determine whether growth pattern had an effect on the upper airway by comparing different craniofacial patterns with pharyngeal widths and its importance during the clinical examination. Sixty lateral cephalograms of patients aged between 16 and 24 years with no pharyngeal pathology or nasal obstruction were selected for the study. These were divided into skeletal Class I ( n = 30) and skeletal Class II ( n = 30) using ANB angle subdivided into normodivergent, hyperdivergent, and hypodivergent facial patterns based on SN-GoGn angle. McNamara's airway analysis was used to determine the upper- and lower-airway dimensions. One-way ANOVA was used to do the intergroup comparisons and the Tukey's test as the secondary statistical analysis. Statistically significant difference exists between the upper-airway dimensions in both the skeletal malocclusions with hyperdivergent growth patterns when compared to other growth patterns. In both the skeletal malocclusions, vertical growers showed a significant decrease in the airway size than the horizontal and normal growers. There is no statistical significance between the lower airway and craniofacial growth pattern.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poyer, D.A.

In this report, tests of statistical significance of five sets of variables with household energy consumption (at the point of end-use) are described. Five models, in sequence, were empirically estimated and tested for statistical significance by using the Residential Energy Consumption Survey of the US Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration. Each model incorporated additional information, embodied in a set of variables not previously specified in the energy demand system. The variable sets were generally labeled as economic variables, weather variables, household-structure variables, end-use variables, and housing-type variables. The tests of statistical significance showed each of the variable sets tomore » be highly significant in explaining the overall variance in energy consumption. The findings imply that the contemporaneous interaction of different types of variables, and not just one exclusive set of variables, determines the level of household energy consumption.« less

Performance outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the National Basketball Association.

PubMed

Busfield, Benjamin T; Kharrazi, F Daniel; Starkey, Chad; Lombardo, Stephen J; Seegmiller, Jeffrey

2009-08-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of return to play and to quantify the effect on the basketball player's performance after surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Surgical injuries involving the ACL were queried for a 10-year period (1993-1994 season through 2004-2005 season) from the database maintained by the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standard statistical categories and player efficiency rating (PER), a measure that accounts for positive and negative playing statistics, were calculated to determine the impact of the injury on player performance relative to a matched comparison group. Over the study period, 31 NBA players had 32 ACL reconstructions. Two patients were excluded because of multiple ACL injuries, one was excluded because he never participated in league play, and another was the result of nonathletic activity. Of the 27 players in the study group, 6 (22%) did not return to NBA competition. Of the 21 players (78%) who did return to play, 4 (15%) had an increase in the preinjury PER, 5 (19%) remained within 1 point of the preinjury PER, and the PER decreased by more than 1 point after return to play in 12 (44%). Although decreases occurred in most of the statistical categories for players returning from ACL surgery, the number of games played, field goal percentage, and number of turnovers per game were the only categories with a statistically significant decrease. Players in the comparison group had a statistically significant increase in the PER over their careers, whereas the study group had a marked, though not statistically significant, increase in the PER in the season after reconstruction. After ACL reconstruction in 27 basketball players, 22% did not return to a sanctioned NBA game. For those returning to play, performance decreased by more than 1 PER point in 44% of the patients, although the changes were not statistically significant relative to the comparison group. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Using the Bootstrap Method for a Statistical Significance Test of Differences between Summary Histograms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Kuan-Man

2006-01-01

A new method is proposed to compare statistical differences between summary histograms, which are the histograms summed over a large ensemble of individual histograms. It consists of choosing a distance statistic for measuring the difference between summary histograms and using a bootstrap procedure to calculate the statistical significance level. Bootstrapping is an approach to statistical inference that makes few assumptions about the underlying probability distribution that describes the data. Three distance statistics are compared in this study. They are the Euclidean distance, the Jeffries-Matusita distance and the Kuiper distance. The data used in testing the bootstrap method are satellite measurements of cloud systems called cloud objects. Each cloud object is defined as a contiguous region/patch composed of individual footprints or fields of view. A histogram of measured values over footprints is generated for each parameter of each cloud object and then summary histograms are accumulated over all individual histograms in a given cloud-object size category. The results of statistical hypothesis tests using all three distances as test statistics are generally similar, indicating the validity of the proposed method. The Euclidean distance is determined to be most suitable after comparing the statistical tests of several parameters with distinct probability distributions among three cloud-object size categories. Impacts on the statistical significance levels resulting from differences in the total lengths of satellite footprint data between two size categories are also discussed.

Do clinical safety charts improve paramedic key performance indicator results? (A clinical improvement programme evaluation).

PubMed

Ebbs, Phillip; Middleton, Paul M; Bonner, Ann; Loudfoot, Allan; Elliott, Peter

2012-07-01

Is the Clinical Safety Chart clinical improvement programme (CIP) effective at improving paramedic key performance indicator (KPI) results within the Ambulance Service of New South Wales? The CIP intervention area was compared with the non-intervention area in order to determine whether there was a statistically significant improvement in KPI results. The CIP was associated with a statistically significant improvement in paramedic KPI results within the intervention area. The strategies used within this CIP are recommended for further consideration.

CHOICE OF INDICATOR DETERMINES THE SIGNIFICANCE AND RISK OBTAINED FROM THE STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION BETWEN FINE PARTICULATE MATTER MASS AND CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY

EPA Science Inventory

Minor changes in the indicator used to measure fine PM, which cause only modest changes in Mass concentrations, can lead to dramatic changes in the statistical relationship of fine PM mass with cardiovascular mortality. An epidemiologic study in Phoenix (Mar et al., 2000), augme...

Course Format Effects on Learning Outcomes in an Introductory Statistics Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sami, Fary

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if course format significantly impacted student learning and course completion rates in an introductory statistics course taught at Harford Community College. In addition to the traditional lecture format, the College offers an online, and a hybrid (blend of traditional and online) version of this class.…

Correlation between Na/K ratio and electron densities in blood samples of breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Topdağı, Ömer; Toker, Ozan; Bakırdere, Sezgin; Bursalıoğlu, Ertuğrul Osman; Öz, Ersoy; Eyecioğlu, Önder; Demir, Mustafa; İçelli, Orhan

2018-05-31

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the electron densities and Na/K ratio which has important role in breast cancer disease. Determinations of sodium and potassium concentrations in blood samples performed with inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Electron density values of blood samples were determined via ZXCOM. Statistical analyses were performed for electron densities and Na/K ratio including Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality tests, Spearman's rank correlation test and Mann-Whitney U test. It was found that the electron densities significantly differ between control and breast cancer groups. In addition, statistically significant positive correlation was found between the electron density and Na/K ratios in breast cancer group.

Effects of aldosterone blockade on left ventricular function and clinical status during acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Uzunhasan, Isil; Yildiz, Ahmet; Coskun, Ugur; Kalyoncuoglu, Muhsin; Baskurt, Murat; Cakar, Mehmet Akif; Kaya, Aysem; Pehlivanoglu, Seckin; Enar, Rasim; Okcun, Baris

2009-01-01

Heart failure is frequently a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers and aldosterone receptor blockers have been shown to improve outcomes in this setting. This study aimed to determine the effect of spironolactone on the frequency of clinical heart failure, mortality, rehospitalization and left ventricular functions determined by echocardiography. A total of 82 patients with STEMI hospitalized within 6-12 h of debut of symptoms were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned into spironolactone (group A) or placebo (group B) groups after informed consent had been obtained. All patients were followed for 6 months. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups when demographic criteria were compared. The incidence of post-MI angina pectoris, rhythm and conduction disturbance during hospitalization was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. Although not statistically significant, the incidence of clinical heart failure was slightly lower in Group A than in Group B (5% versus 11%). Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes were slightly lower in Group A than in Group B, although statistically this was not significant. In concordance with these findings, the ejection fraction was slightly higher in Group A than in Group B, although this was not statistically significant (47% versus 44%). This trend continued during a 6-month follow-up after randomization. Our findings suggest that early administration of aldosterone blockers provides additional benefits after AMI, reducing the incidence of post-MI angina pectoris and rhythm and conduction disturbances.

The application of feature selection to the development of Gaussian process models for percutaneous absorption.

PubMed

Lam, Lun Tak; Sun, Yi; Davey, Neil; Adams, Rod; Prapopoulou, Maria; Brown, Marc B; Moss, Gary P

2010-06-01

The aim was to employ Gaussian processes to assess mathematically the nature of a skin permeability dataset and to employ these methods, particularly feature selection, to determine the key physicochemical descriptors which exert the most significant influence on percutaneous absorption, and to compare such models with established existing models. Gaussian processes, including automatic relevance detection (GPRARD) methods, were employed to develop models of percutaneous absorption that identified key physicochemical descriptors of percutaneous absorption. Using MatLab software, the statistical performance of these models was compared with single linear networks (SLN) and quantitative structure-permeability relationships (QSPRs). Feature selection methods were used to examine in more detail the physicochemical parameters used in this study. A range of statistical measures to determine model quality were used. The inherently nonlinear nature of the skin data set was confirmed. The Gaussian process regression (GPR) methods yielded predictive models that offered statistically significant improvements over SLN and QSPR models with regard to predictivity (where the rank order was: GPR > SLN > QSPR). Feature selection analysis determined that the best GPR models were those that contained log P, melting point and the number of hydrogen bond donor groups as significant descriptors. Further statistical analysis also found that great synergy existed between certain parameters. It suggested that a number of the descriptors employed were effectively interchangeable, thus questioning the use of models where discrete variables are output, usually in the form of an equation. The use of a nonlinear GPR method produced models with significantly improved predictivity, compared with SLN or QSPR models. Feature selection methods were able to provide important mechanistic information. However, it was also shown that significant synergy existed between certain parameters, and as such it was possible to interchange certain descriptors (i.e. molecular weight and melting point) without incurring a loss of model quality. Such synergy suggested that a model constructed from discrete terms in an equation may not be the most appropriate way of representing mechanistic understandings of skin absorption.

Statistical comparison of pooled nitrogen washout data of various altitude decompression response groups

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, B. F.; Waligora, J. M.; Horrigan, D. J., Jr.

1985-01-01

This analysis was done to determine whether various decompression response groups could be characterized by the pooled nitrogen (N2) washout profiles of the group members, pooling individual washout profiles provided a smooth time dependent function of means representative of the decompression response group. No statistically significant differences were detected. The statistical comparisons of the profiles were performed by means of univariate weighted t-test at each 5 minute profile point, and with levels of significance of 5 and 10 percent. The estimated powers of the tests (i.e., probabilities) to detect the observed differences in the pooled profiles were of the order of 8 to 30 percent.

Relationship of body weight parameters with the incidence of common spontaneous tumors in Tg.rasH2 mice.

PubMed

Paranjpe, Madhav G; Denton, Melissa D; Vidmar, Tom J; Elbekai, Reem H

2014-10-01

The mechanistic relationship between increased food consumption, increased body weights, and increased incidence of tumors has been well established in 2-year rodent models. Body weight parameters such as initial body weights, terminal body weights, food consumption, and the body weight gains in grams and percentages were analyzed to determine whether such relationship exists between these parameters with the incidence of common spontaneous tumors in Tg.rasH2 mice. None of these body weight parameters had any statistically significant relationship with the incidence of common spontaneous tumors in Tg.rasH2 males, namely lung tumors, splenic hemangiosarcomas, nonsplenic hemangiosarcomas, combined incidence of all hemangiosarcomas, and Harderian gland tumors. These parameters also did not have any statistically significant relationship with the incidence of lung and Harderian gland tumors in females. However, in females, increased initial body weights did have a statistically significant relationship with the nonsplenic hemangiosarcomas, and increased terminal body weights did have a statistically significant relationship with the incidence of splenic hemangiosarcomas, nonsplenic hemangiosarcomas, and the combined incidence of all hemangiosarcomas. In addition, increased body weight gains in grams and percentages had a statistically significant relationship with the combined incidence of all hemangiosarcomas in females, but not separately with splenic and nonsplenic hemangiosarcomas. © 2013 by The Author(s).

Exploring Organizational Learning Mechanisms in Small-Size Business Enterprises

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graham, Carroll M.; Nafukho, Fredrick M.

2008-01-01

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the importance of existing organizational learning mechanisms and establish the size and magnitude of the relationship among the organizational learning mechanisms. Of great import also was to determine whether statistically significant relationships existed among the organizational learning…

Oregon ground-water quality and its relation to hydrogeological factors; a statistical approach

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, T.L.; Gonthier, J.B.

1984-01-01

An appraisal of Oregon ground-water quality was made using existing data accessible through the U.S. Geological Survey computer system. The data available for about 1,000 sites were separated by aquifer units and hydrologic units. Selected statistical moments were described for 19 constituents including major ions. About 96 percent of all sites in the data base were sampled only once. The sample data were classified by aquifer unit and hydrologic unit and analysis of variance was run to determine if significant differences exist between the units within each of these two classifications for the same 19 constituents on which statistical moments were determined. Results of the analysis of variance indicated both classification variables performed about the same, but aquifer unit did provide more separation for some constituents. Samples from the Rogue River basin were classified by location within the flow system and type of flow system. The samples were then analyzed using analysis of variance on 14 constituents to determine if there were significant differences between subsets classified by flow path. Results of this analysis were not definitive, but classification as to the type of flow system did indicate potential for segregating water-quality data into distinct subsets. (USGS)

Anger and depression levels of mothers with premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Kardaşözdemir, Funda; AKGüN Şahin, Zümrüt

2016-02-04

The aim of this study was to examine anger and depression levels of mothers who had a premature infant in the NICU, and all factors affecting the situation. This descriptive study was performed in the level I and II units of NICU at three state hospitals in Turkey. The data was collected with a demographic questionnaire, "Beck Depression Inventory" and "Anger Expression Scale". Descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric statistical tests and Pearson correlation were used in the data analysis. Mothers whose infants are under care in NICU have moderate depression. It has also been determined that mothers' educational level, income level and gender of infants were statistically significant (p <0.05). A positive relationship between depression and trait anger scores was found to be statistically significant. A negative relationship existed between depression and anger-control scores for the mothers, which was statistically significant (p <0.05). Due to the results of research, recommended that mothers who are at risk of depression and anger in the NICU evaluated by nurses and these nurses to develop their consulting roles.

Coordinate based random effect size meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies.

PubMed

Tench, C R; Tanasescu, Radu; Constantinescu, C S; Auer, D P; Cottam, W J

2017-06-01

Low power in neuroimaging studies can make them difficult to interpret, and Coordinate based meta-analysis (CBMA) may go some way to mitigating this issue. CBMA has been used in many analyses to detect where published functional MRI or voxel-based morphometry studies testing similar hypotheses report significant summary results (coordinates) consistently. Only the reported coordinates and possibly t statistics are analysed, and statistical significance of clusters is determined by coordinate density. Here a method of performing coordinate based random effect size meta-analysis and meta-regression is introduced. The algorithm (ClusterZ) analyses both coordinates and reported t statistic or Z score, standardised by the number of subjects. Statistical significance is determined not by coordinate density, but by a random effects meta-analyses of reported effects performed cluster-wise using standard statistical methods and taking account of censoring inherent in the published summary results. Type 1 error control is achieved using the false cluster discovery rate (FCDR), which is based on the false discovery rate. This controls both the family wise error rate under the null hypothesis that coordinates are randomly drawn from a standard stereotaxic space, and the proportion of significant clusters that are expected under the null. Such control is necessary to avoid propagating and even amplifying the very issues motivating the meta-analysis in the first place. ClusterZ is demonstrated on both numerically simulated data and on real data from reports of grey matter loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) and syndromes suggestive of MS, and of painful stimulus in healthy controls. The software implementation is available to download and use freely. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Recovery of several volatile organic compounds from simulated water samples: Effect of transport and storage

USGS Publications Warehouse

Friedman, L.C.; Schroder, L.J.; Brooks, M.G.

1986-01-01

Solutions containing volatile organic compounds were prepared in organic-free water and 2% methanol and submitted to two U.S. Geological Survey laboratories. Data from the determination of volatile compounds in these samples were compared to analytical data for the same volatile compounds that had been kept in solutions 100 times more concentrated until immediately before analysis; there was no statistically significant difference in the analytical recoveries. Addition of 2% methanol to the storage containers hindered the recovery of bromomethane and vinyl chloride. Methanol addition did not enhance sample stability. Further, there was no statistically significant difference in results from the two laboratories, and the recovery efficiency was more than 80% in more than half of the determinations made. In a subsequent study, six of eight volatile compounds showed no significant loss of recovery after 34 days.

Fracture load and failure analysis of zirconia single crowns veneered with pressed and layered ceramics after chewing simulation.

PubMed

Stawarczyk, Bogna; Ozcan, Mutlu; Roos, Malgorzata; Trottmann, Albert; Hämmerle, Christoph H F

2011-01-01

This study determined the fracture load of zirconia crowns veneered with four overpressed and four layered ceramics after chewing simulation. The veneered zirconia crowns were cemented and subjected to chewing cycling. Subsequently, the specimens were loaded at an angle of 45° in a Universal Testing Machine to determine the fracture load. One-way ANOVA, followed by a post-hoc Scheffé test, t-test and Weibull statistic were performed. Overpressed crowns showed significantly lower fracture load (543-577 N) compared to layered ones (805-1067 N). No statistical difference was found between the fracture loads within the overpressed group. Within the layered groups, LV (1067 N) presented significantly higher results compared to LC (805 N). The mean values of all other groups were not significantly different. Single zirconia crowns veneered with overpressed ceramics exhibited lower fracture load than those of the layered ones after chewing simulation.

Statistical inference for template aging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuckers, Michael E.

2006-04-01

A change in classification error rates for a biometric device is often referred to as template aging. Here we offer two methods for determining whether the effect of time is statistically significant. The first of these is the use of a generalized linear model to determine if these error rates change linearly over time. This approach generalizes previous work assessing the impact of covariates using generalized linear models. The second approach uses of likelihood ratio tests methodology. The focus here is on statistical methods for estimation not the underlying cause of the change in error rates over time. These methodologies are applied to data from the National Institutes of Standards and Technology Biometric Score Set Release 1. The results of these applications are discussed.

Testing the effect of a science-enhanced curriculum on the science achievement and agricultural competency of secondary agricultural education students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haynes, James Christopher

Scope and Method of Study. The purpose of this study was to determine if a science-enhanced curriculum produced by the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Training (CAERT) taught in a secondary level animal science or horticulture course would improve students' understanding of selected scientific principles significantly, when compared to students who were instructed using a traditional curriculum. A secondary purpose was to determine the effect that the science-enhanced CAERT curriculum would have on students' agricultural knowledge when compared to students who were instructed using a traditional curriculum. The design of the study was ex post facto, causal comparative because no random assignment of the treatment group occurred. Findings and Conclusions. No statistically significant difference was found between the treatment and comparison groups regarding science achievement. However, the mean score of the treatment group was slightly larger than the comparison group indicating a slightly higher achievement level; a "Small" effect size (d = .16) for this difference was calculated. It was determined that a statistically significant difference (p < .05) existed in agriculture competency scores in animal science (p = .001) and horticulture (p = .000) as a result of the treatment. Moreover, this was considered to be a "very large" effect (d = 1.18) in animal science and a "large" effect (d = .92) in horticulture. When considering student achievement in science, this study found that the use of the science-enhanced CAERT curriculum did not result in a statistically significant increase (p < .05) in student performance as determined by the TerraNova3 science proficiency examination. However, students who were instructed using the CAERT curriculum scored better overall than those who were instructed using a "traditional" curriculum.

Joint resonant CMB power spectrum and bispectrum estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meerburg, P. Daniel; Münchmeyer, Moritz; Wandelt, Benjamin

2016-02-01

We develop the tools necessary to assess the statistical significance of resonant features in the CMB correlation functions, combining power spectrum and bispectrum measurements. This significance is typically addressed by running a large number of simulations to derive the probability density function (PDF) of the feature-amplitude in the Gaussian case. Although these simulations are tractable for the power spectrum, for the bispectrum they require significant computational resources. We show that, by assuming that the PDF is given by a multivariate Gaussian where the covariance is determined by the Fisher matrix of the sine and cosine terms, we can efficiently produce spectra that are statistically close to those derived from full simulations. By drawing a large number of spectra from this PDF, both for the power spectrum and the bispectrum, we can quickly determine the statistical significance of candidate signatures in the CMB, considering both single frequency and multifrequency estimators. We show that for resonance models, cosmology and foreground parameters have little influence on the estimated amplitude, which allows us to simplify the analysis considerably. A more precise likelihood treatment can then be applied to candidate signatures only. We also discuss a modal expansion approach for the power spectrum, aimed at quickly scanning through large families of oscillating models.

Evaluating the Difference between Virtual and Paper-Based Clinical Cases in Family Medicine Undergraduate Education

PubMed Central

Cagran, Branka

2018-01-01

Introduction A “virtual patient” is defined as a computer program which simulates real patients' cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of virtual patients affects the level of factual knowledge of family medicine students at the undergraduate level. Methods This was a case-controlled prospective study. The students were randomly divided into experimental (EG: N = 51) and control (CG: N = 48) groups. The students in the EG were asked to practice diagnosis using virtual patients instead of the paper-based clinical cases which were solved by the students in the CG. The main observed variable in the study was knowledge of family medicine, determined by 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) about knowledge of family medicine. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the groups' initial knowledge. At the final assessment of knowledge, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, but there was a statistically significant difference between their initial and final knowledge. Conclusions The study showed that adding virtual patient cases to the curriculum, instead of paper clinical cases, did not affect the level of factual knowledge about family medicine. Virtual patients can be used, but a significant educational outcome is not expected. PMID:29568779

A strategy for enhancing financial performance: a study of general acute care hospitals in South Korea.

PubMed

Choi, Mankyu; Lee, Keon-Hyung

2008-01-01

In this study, the determinants of hospital profitability were evaluated using a sample of 142 hospitals that had undergone hospital standardization inspections by the South Korea Hospital Association over the 4-year period from 1998 to 2001. The measures of profitability used as dependent variables in this study were pretax return on assets, after-tax return on assets, basic earning power, pretax operating margin, and after-tax operating margin. Among those determinants, it was found that ownership type, teaching status, inventory turnover, and the average charge per adjusted inpatient day positively and statistically significantly affected all 5 of these profitability measures. However, the labor expenses per adjusted inpatient day and administrative expenses per adjusted inpatient day negatively and statistically significantly affected all 5 profitability measures. The debt ratio negatively and statistically significantly affected all 5 profitability measures, with the exception of basic earning power. None of the market factors assessed were shown to significantly affect profitability. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the profitability of hospitals can be improved despite deteriorating external environmental conditions by facilitating the formation of sound financial structures with optimal capital supplies, optimizing the management of total assets with special emphasis placed on inventory management, and introducing efficient control of fixed costs including labor and administrative expenses.

Bayesian Methods for Determining the Importance of Effects

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Criticisms have plagued the frequentist null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST) procedure since the day it was created from the Fisher Significance Test and Hypothesis Test of Jerzy Neyman and Egon Pearson. Alternatives to NHST exist in frequentist statistics, but competing methods are also avai...

An Investigation of Leadership Styles and Psychological Contracts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chu, Hui-Chin; Fu, Chi-Jung

2005-01-01

This study was conducted to determine whether a statistically significant relationship exists between the leadership styles of managers and employee psychological contracts, as perceived by the employees. The findings indicated that the employees' perception of leadership style significantly affected satisfaction levels of employee psychological…

Elemental, microstructural, and mechanical characterization of high gold orthodontic brackets after intraoral aging.

PubMed

Hersche, Sepp; Sifakakis, Iosif; Zinelis, Spiros; Eliades, Theodore

2017-02-01

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the elemental composition, the microstructure, and the selected mechanical properties of high gold orthodontic brackets after intraoral aging. Thirty Incognito™ (3M Unitek, Bad Essen, Germany) lingual brackets were studied, 15 brackets as received (control group) and 15 brackets retrieved from different patients after orthodontic treatment. The surface of the wing area was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Backscattered electron imaging (BEI) was performed, and the elemental composition was determined by X-ray EDS analysis (EDX). After appropriate metallographic preparation, the mechanical properties tested were Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), elastic index (ηIT), and Vickers hardness (HV). These properties were determined employing instrumented indentation testing (IIT) with a Vickers indenter. The results were statistically analyzed by unpaired t-test (α=0.05). There were no statistically significant differences evidenced in surface morphology and elemental content between the control and the experimental group. These two groups of brackets showed no statistically significant difference in surface morphology. Moreover, the mean values of HM, EIT, ηIT, and HV did not reach statistical significance between the groups (p>0.05). Under the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the surface elemental content and microstructure as well as the evaluated mechanical properties of the Incognito™ lingual brackets remain unaffected by intraoral aging.

Determinant of securitization asset pricing in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakri, M. H.; Ali, R.; Ismail, S.; Sufian, F.; Baharom, A. H.

2014-12-01

Malaysian firms have been reported involve in Asset Back Securities since 1986s where Cagamas is a pioneer. This research aims to examine the factor influencing primary market spread. Least square method and regression analysis are applied for the study period 2004-2012. The result shows one determinants in internal regression model and three determinants in external regression influence or contribute to the primary market spread and are statistically significant in developing the securitization in Malaysia. It can be concluded that transaction size significantly contribute to the determinant primary market spread in internal regression model while liquidity, transaction size and crisis is significant in both regression model. From five hypotheses, three hypotheses support that the determinants have a relationship with primary market spread.

Statistics 101 for Radiologists.

PubMed

Anvari, Arash; Halpern, Elkan F; Samir, Anthony E

2015-10-01

Diagnostic tests have wide clinical applications, including screening, diagnosis, measuring treatment effect, and determining prognosis. Interpreting diagnostic test results requires an understanding of key statistical concepts used to evaluate test efficacy. This review explains descriptive statistics and discusses probability, including mutually exclusive and independent events and conditional probability. In the inferential statistics section, a statistical perspective on study design is provided, together with an explanation of how to select appropriate statistical tests. Key concepts in recruiting study samples are discussed, including representativeness and random sampling. Variable types are defined, including predictor, outcome, and covariate variables, and the relationship of these variables to one another. In the hypothesis testing section, we explain how to determine if observed differences between groups are likely to be due to chance. We explain type I and II errors, statistical significance, and study power, followed by an explanation of effect sizes and how confidence intervals can be used to generalize observed effect sizes to the larger population. Statistical tests are explained in four categories: t tests and analysis of variance, proportion analysis tests, nonparametric tests, and regression techniques. We discuss sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and likelihood ratios. Measures of reliability and agreement, including κ statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Bland-Altman graphs and analysis, are introduced. © RSNA, 2015.

Erythrocyte transfusions and serum prohepcidin levels in premature newborns with anemia of prematurity.

PubMed

Yapakçi, Ece; Ecevit, Ayşe; Gökmen, Zeynel; Tarcan, Aylin; Ozbek, Namik

2009-11-01

Hepcidin is a regulatory peptide hormone acts by limiting intestinal iron absorption and promoting iron retention. Determining the level of hepcidin in anemia of prematurity might be important in preventing iron overload. This study aimed to determine serum levels of prohepcidin in newborns with anemia of prematurity, to assess the effect of a single erythrocyte transfusion on serum prohepcidin levels, and to determine the possible relationships between prohepcidin levels and serum iron and complete blood count parameters. Nineteen premature newborns with anemia of prematurity who had been treated with erythrocyte transfusions were included in this study. Just before, and 48 hours after, each transfusion, venous blood samples were collected from patients. Serum prohepcidin levels before and after erythrocyte transfusion were 206.5+/-27.3 and 205.7+/-47.1 ng/mL, respectively; no statistically significant differences were found. No significant differences existed before or after transfusion regarding serum total iron and ferritin levels, iron-binding capacity, or mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. No significant correlations existed between serum prohepcidin levels and other parameters, either before or after transfusions. Our results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between serum prohepcidin levels before and after a single erythrocyte transfusion in premature newborns.

Mirror book therapy for the treatment of idiopathic facial palsy.

PubMed

Barth, Jodi Maron; Stezar, Gincy L; Acierno, Gabriela C; Kim, Thomas J; Reilly, Michael J

2014-09-01

We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine the effectiveness of treating idiopathic facial palsy with mirror book therapy in conjunction with facial physical rehabilitation. We compared outcomes in 15 patients who underwent mirror book therapy in addition to standard therapy with those of 10 patients who underwent standard rehabilitation therapy without the mirror book. Before and after treatment, patients in both groups were rated according to the Facial Grading System (FGS), the Facial Disability Index-Physical (FDIP), and the Facial Disability Index-Social (FDIS). Patients in the mirror therapy group had a mean increase of 24.9 in FGS score, 22.0 in FDIP score, and 25.0 in FDIS score, all of which represented statistically significant improvements over their pretreatment scores. Those who did not receive mirror book therapy had mean increases of 20.8, 19.0, 14.6, respectively; these, too, represented significant improvements over baseline, and thus there was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the two groups. Nevertheless, our results show that patients who used mirror book therapy in addition to standard facial rehabilitation therapy experienced significant improvements in the treatment of idiopathic facial palsy. While further studies are necessary to determine if it has a definitive, statistically significant advantage over standard therapy, we recommend adding this therapy to the rehabilitation program in view of its ease of use, low cost, and lack of side effects.

Determinants of antiretroviral therapy coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa

PubMed Central

Hoque, Mohammad Zahirul

2015-01-01

Among 35 million people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2013, only 37% had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite global concerted efforts to provide the universal access to the ART treatment, the ART coverage varies among countries and regions. At present, there is a lack of systematic empirical analyses on factors that determine the ART coverage. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify the determinants of the ART coverage in 41 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It employed statistical analyses for this purpose. Four elements, namely, the HIV prevalence, the level of national income, the level of medical expenditure and the number of nurses, were hypothesised to determine the ART coverage. The findings revealed that among the four proposed determinants only the HIV prevalence had a statistically significant impact on the ART coverage. In other words, the HIV prevalence was the sole determinant of the ART coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa. PMID:26664812

Application of Digital Image Analysis to Determine Pancreatic Islet Mass and Purity in Clinical Islet Isolation and Transplantation

PubMed Central

Wang, Ling-jia; Kissler, Hermann J; Wang, Xiaojun; Cochet, Olivia; Krzystyniak, Adam; Misawa, Ryosuke; Golab, Karolina; Tibudan, Martin; Grzanka, Jakub; Savari, Omid; Grose, Randall; Kaufman, Dixon B; Millis, Michael; Witkowski, Piotr

2015-01-01

Pancreatic islet mass, represented by islet equivalent (IEQ), is the most important parameter in decision making for clinical islet transplantation. To obtain IEQ, the sample of islets is routinely counted manually under a microscope and discarded thereafter. Islet purity, another parameter in islet processing, is routinely acquired by estimation only. In this study, we validated our digital image analysis (DIA) system developed using the software of Image Pro Plus for islet mass and purity assessment. Application of the DIA allows to better comply with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) standards. Human islet samples were captured as calibrated digital images for the permanent record. Five trained technicians participated in determination of IEQ and purity by manual counting method and DIA. IEQ count showed statistically significant correlations between the manual method and DIA in all sample comparisons (r >0.819 and p < 0.0001). Statistically significant difference in IEQ between both methods was found only in High purity 100μL sample group (p = 0.029). As far as purity determination, statistically significant differences between manual assessment and DIA measurement was found in High and Low purity 100μL samples (p<0.005), In addition, islet particle number (IPN) and the IEQ/IPN ratio did not differ statistically between manual counting method and DIA. In conclusion, the DIA used in this study is a reliable technique in determination of IEQ and purity. Islet sample preserved as a digital image and results produced by DIA can be permanently stored for verification, technical training and islet information exchange between different islet centers. Therefore, DIA complies better with cGMP requirements than the manual counting method. We propose DIA as a quality control tool to supplement the established standard manual method for islets counting and purity estimation. PMID:24806436

A Comparison of Computer-Assisted Instruction and the Traditional Method of Teaching Basic Statistics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ragasa, Carmelita Y.

2008-01-01

The objective of the study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the posttest. A class of 38 sophomore college students in the basic statistics taught with the use of computer-assisted instruction and another class of 15 students…

2016 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey: Overview Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-01

environment within the Academies. This Executive Summary will provide a summary of the methodology used and the top line results from the survey.1 Summary...discussion of the measurement constructs, a description of the survey methodology , and detailed presentation of the results. Each report section...are determined statistically significant at an alpha (α) level of .05.6 Survey Methodology Statistical Design OPA conducts cross-Service surveys that

The platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolase, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, paraoxonase 1 and arylesterase levels in treated and untreated patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Carlioglu, Ayse; Kaygusuz, Ikbal; Karakurt, Feridun; Gumus, Ilknur Inegol; Uysal, Aysel; Kasapoglu, Benan; Armutcu, Ferah; Uysal, Sema; Keskin, Esra Aktepe; Koca, Cemile

2014-11-01

To evaluate the platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolyze (PAF-AH), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), arylesterase (ARE) levels and the effects of metformin and Diane-35 (ethinyl oestradiol + cyproterone acetate) therapies on these parameters and to determine the PON1 polymorphisms among PCOS patients. Ninety patients with PCOS, age 30, and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: metformin treatment, Diane-35 treatment and no medication groups. The treatment with metformin or Diane-35 was continued for 6 months and all subjects were evaluated with clinical and biochemical parameters 6 months later. One-way Anova test, t test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. PAF-AH and ox-LDL levels were statistically significantly higher in untreated PCOS patients than controls, and they were statistically significantly lower in patients treated with metformin or Diane-35 than untreated PCOS patients. In contrast, there were lower PON1 (not statistically significant) and ARE (statistically significant) levels in untreated PCOS patients than the control group and they significantly increased after metformin and Diane-35 treatments. In PCOS patients serum PON1 levels for QQ, QR and RR phenotypes were statistically significantly lower than the control group. In patients with PCOS, proatherogenic markers increase. The treatment of PCOS with metformin or Diane-35 had positive effects on lipid profile, increased PON1 level, which is a protector from atherosclerosis and decreased the proatherogenic PAF-AH and ox-LDL levels.

[Characteristics of particulate matter pollution in coke oven plant].

PubMed

Deng, Hua-xin; Zhang, Wang-zhen; Huang, Kun; He, Yun-feng; Li, Xiao-hai; Kuang, Dan; Lin, Da-feng; Zhang, Xiao-min; Wu, Tang-chun

2012-12-01

To explore the characteristics of particulate matter pollution in coke oven plant, so as to provide scientific data for establishing occupational exposure limits for coke oven emissions. Concentrations of CO, SO₂, BSM, BTEX (concentrations of benzene, toluene and xylene were determined in this study), PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, 16 selected PAHs in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ were determined in the work environment of a coke oven plant in Wuhan. The work environment was divided into the adjunct area, the bottom of, the side of and the top of coke oven. The concentrations of CO, SO₂, BSM, BETX, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, PAHs in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ were significantly related to working environmental categories, respectively, and were increasing as the adjunct area < bottom < side < top (P (trend) < 0.05). PM₁₀ was statistically significantly correlated with CO, SO₂, benzene, BTEX and BSM (0.705, 0.823, 0.664, 0.624 and 0.734, respectively). PM₂.₅ was statistically significantly correlated with CO, SO₂, benzene, BTEX and BSM (0.635, 0.916, 0. 680, 0.553 and 0.726, respectively). BSM was statistically significantly correlated with benzene (0.689). The ratios of PM₂.₅ to PM₁₀ between different work environments were not significantly different in one-way ANOVA (P > 0.05). The distribution of aromatic rings and the concentrations of total benzo[a] pyrene equivalents in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ were not statistically different between work environments. The concentrations of particulate matter was related with other contents of coke oven emissions in coke work environment, and the contents and types of PAHs in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ were similar.

The effect of intravesical instillations with Hyaluronic Acid on sexual dysfunction in women with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI).

PubMed

Nightingale, Gemma; Shehab, Qasem; Kandiah, Chandrakumaran; Rush, Lorraine; Rowe-Jones, Clare; Phillips, Christian H

2018-02-01

To determine whether sexual dysfunction in women with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) improved following treatment with intravesical Hyaluronic Acid (HA) instillations. Ethical approval was obtained for a prospective study to be performed. Patients referred for bladder instillations to treat RUTI, and who were sexually active, were recruited to the study. A selection of validated questionnaires (ICIQ-UI, ICIQ-VS, FSDS-R, ICIQ-FLUTS, O'Leary/Sant and PGI-I) were completed at baseline, three, six and 12 months after initiation of treatment with bladder instillations. Treatment consisted of weekly bladder instillations with a preparation containing HA for four weeks then monthly for two further treatments. Results were populated in SPSS for statistical analysis and statistical significance was powered for 22 patients. Thirty women were included in the study. FSDS-R was used to determine sexual dysfunction and showed that 57% patients with RUTI had significant sexual distress. There was a significant improvement in FSDS-R at three, six and 12 months when compared to baseline (Friedman two-way analysis p < 0.001). ICIQ FLUTS F and I scores, O'Leary/Sant, ICIQ VS and PGI-I also showed a statistically significant improvement throughout the period of follow up. A statistically significant, negative correlation was found between FSDS-R and PGI-I at 12 months (r = -0.468, p = 0.009). We have reinforced previous work showing the association between RUTI and sexual dysfunction, and an improvement in bladder symptoms following treatment with HA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to prove an improvement in sexual dysfunction following intravesical treatment with HA which is sustained for up to 12 months. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of repeated simulated clinical use and sterilization on the cutting efficiency and flexibility of Hyflex CM nickel-titanium rotary files.

PubMed

Seago, Scott T; Bergeron, Brian E; Kirkpatrick, Timothy C; Roberts, Mark D; Roberts, Howard W; Himel, Van T; Sabey, Kent A

2015-05-01

Recent nickel-titanium manufacturing processes have resulted in an alloy that remains in a twinned martensitic phase at operating temperature. This alloy has been shown to have increased flexibility with added tolerance to cyclic and torsional fatigue. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of repeated simulated clinical use and sterilization on cutting efficiency and flexibility of Hyflex CM rotary files. Cutting efficiency was determined by measuring the load required to maintain a constant feed rate while instrumenting simulated canals. Flexibility was determined by using a 3-point bending test. Files were autoclaved after each use according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Files were tested through 10 simulated clinical uses. For cutting efficiency, mean data were analyzed by using multiple factor analysis of variance and the Dunnett post hoc test (P < .05). For flexibility, mean data were analyzed by using Levene's Test of Equality of Error and a general linear model (P < .05). No statistically significant decrease in cutting efficiency was noted in groups 2, 5, 6, and 7. A statistically significant decrease in cutting efficiency was noted in groups 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10. No statistically significant decrease in flexibility was noted in groups 2, 3, and 7. A statistically significant decrease in flexibility was noted in groups 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Repeated simulated clinical use and sterilization showed no effect on cutting efficiency through 1 use and no effect on flexibility through 2 uses. Published by Elsevier Inc.

How Many Subjects are Needed for a Visual Field Normative Database? A Comparison of Ground Truth and Bootstrapped Statistics.

PubMed

Phu, Jack; Bui, Bang V; Kalloniatis, Michael; Khuu, Sieu K

2018-03-01

The number of subjects needed to establish the normative limits for visual field (VF) testing is not known. Using bootstrap resampling, we determined whether the ground truth mean, distribution limits, and standard deviation (SD) could be approximated using different set size ( x ) levels, in order to provide guidance for the number of healthy subjects required to obtain robust VF normative data. We analyzed the 500 Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) SITA-Standard results of 116 healthy subjects and 100 HFA full threshold results of 100 psychophysically experienced healthy subjects. These VFs were resampled (bootstrapped) to determine mean sensitivity, distribution limits (5th and 95th percentiles), and SD for different ' x ' and numbers of resamples. We also used the VF results of 122 glaucoma patients to determine the performance of ground truth and bootstrapped results in identifying and quantifying VF defects. An x of 150 (for SITA-Standard) and 60 (for full threshold) produced bootstrapped descriptive statistics that were no longer different to the original distribution limits and SD. Removing outliers produced similar results. Differences between original and bootstrapped limits in detecting glaucomatous defects were minimized at x = 250. Ground truth statistics of VF sensitivities could be approximated using set sizes that are significantly smaller than the original cohort. Outlier removal facilitates the use of Gaussian statistics and does not significantly affect the distribution limits. We provide guidance for choosing the cohort size for different levels of error when performing normative comparisons with glaucoma patients.

Explaining Math Achievement: Personality, Motivation, and Trust

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kilic-Bebek, Ebru

2009-01-01

This study investigated the statistical significance of student trust next to the well-tested constructs of personality and motivation to determine whether trust is a significant predictor of course achievement in college math courses. Participants were 175 students who were taking undergraduate math courses in an urban public university. The…

Statistics of contractive cracking patterns. [frozen soil-water rheology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noever, David A.

1991-01-01

The statistics of convective soil patterns are analyzed using statistical crystallography. An underlying hierarchy of order is found to span four orders of magnitude in characteristic pattern length. Strict mathematical requirements determine the two-dimensional (2D) topology, such that random partitioning of space yields a predictable statistical geometry for polygons. For all lengths, Aboav's and Lewis's laws are verified; this result is consistent both with the need to fill 2D space and most significantly with energy carried not by the patterns' interior, but by the boundaries. Together, this suggests a common mechanism of formation for both micro- and macro-freezing patterns.

Effect of Edmark Program on Reading Fluency in Third-Grade Students with Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meeks, Bryce T.; Martinez, James; Pienta, Rachel S.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this research study was to determine if the Edmark Reading Program increased reading fluency, attitudes, and engagement in third-grade students with disabilities (N = 7). Student fluency was measured using estimated oral reading fluency determined by the STAR reading assessment. A statistically significant difference was found…

Seeking Comfort: How and Why Preservice Teachers Use Internet Resources for Lesson Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawyer, Amanda G.; Myers, Joy

2018-01-01

This study examined 158 lesson plans at one institution across two teacher education programs, inclusive early childhood and elementary education, to determine the impact of Internet usage as inspiration on preservice teachers' lesson plans. Fisher's exact test determined statistically significant differences between the Internet use of preservice…

Determining the Relationship among Organizational Learning Dimensions of a Small-Size Business Enterprise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nafukho, Fredrick M.; Graham, Carroll M.; Muyia, Machuma H.

2009-01-01

Purpose: The primary purpose of the study was to determine the type of relationships that existed among organizational learning dimensions studied. In addition, the study sought to establish whether the correlations were statistically significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a correlational quantitative…

[Predicative significance of HRV and HRT to premature beat on patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis].

PubMed

Bao, Ying; Wang, Dejun; Du, Zhenlan; Liu, Shuhen

2014-07-01

To determine the predicative significance of HRV and HRT to premature beat on patients with coal-worker's pneumoconiosis. 100 coal-worker's pneumoconiosis patients with premature beat (including 44 cases of occasional ventricular premature contraction and 56 cases of frequent ventricular premature contraction) were chosen as CWP group, and 50 healthy coal workers were chosen as control group. 24 h DCG was used to monitor and analyze the change of premature beat and to calculate HRV. Index: SDNN, SDANN, HFLF, HRT: TO, TS, compare HRV of CWP group and control group and the changes of HRT of both occasional and frequent ventricular premature contraction. The incidence of CWP at night (66.1%, 37 cases) is higher than that during daytime (33.9%, 19 cases), and the difference is statistically significant with P < 0.05. HRV (SDNN SDANN HF HL) indexes of CWP group are lower than control group, and the difference is statistically significant with P < 0.05. HRV indexes of control group at night are higher than that during daytime, and the difference is statistically significant with P < 0.05. Comparison of CWP group HRV indexes between day and night is statistically insignificant with P > 0.05. Compared with control group, TO of CWP group is higher while TS is lower, and the difference is statistically significant with P < 0.05. Compared with occasional ventricular premature contraction patients in CWP group, TO of frequent ventricular premature contraction patients is higher while TS is lower, and the difference is statistically significant with P < 0.05. Frequent ventricular premature contraction group in CWP group suffer from severe impaired autonomic nervous function injury, and abnormal HRV and HRT can be prognostic indicator of frequent ventricular premature contraction among coal-worker's pneumoconiosis patients.

Hematological parameters of human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, North Western Nigeria.

PubMed

Abdulqadir, Ibrahim; Ahmed, Sagir Gumel; Kuliya, Aisha Gwarzo; Tukur, Jamilu; Yusuf, Aminu Abba; Musa, Abubakar Umar

2018-01-01

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) scourge continues to affect young women within the reproductive age group and pregnancy is a recognized indication for the use antiretroviral (ARV) drugs among HIV-positive women. The aim is to determine the combined effect of pregnancy, HIV and ARV drugs on the hematological parameters of the pregnant women. This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among 70 each of HIV-positive and negative pregnant women. Bio-demographic and clinical data were extracted from the client folder and 4 ml of blood sample was obtained from each participant. Full blood count was generated using Swelab automatic hematology analyzer while reticulocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were conducted manually. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version software 16 while P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pregnant women with HIV had statistically significant lower hematocrit and white blood cell (WBC) and higher ESR than pregnant women without HIV ( P < 0.000). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of platelet and reticulocyte ( P > 0.05). However, among HIV positive pregnant women, those with CD4 count <350/μL had statistically significant lower WBC and lymphocyte count than those with CD4 count ≥350/μL ( P < 0.05), whereas, those on zidovudine (AZT)-containing treatment had statistically significant lower hematocrit and higher mean cell volume than those on non-AZT-containing treatment ( P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in any of the hematological parameters ( P > 0.050) between women on first- and second-line ARV regimens. There is a significant difference in terms of hematological parameters between HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women in this environment.

A note on generalized Genome Scan Meta-Analysis statistics

PubMed Central

Koziol, James A; Feng, Anne C

2005-01-01

Background Wise et al. introduced a rank-based statistical technique for meta-analysis of genome scans, the Genome Scan Meta-Analysis (GSMA) method. Levinson et al. recently described two generalizations of the GSMA statistic: (i) a weighted version of the GSMA statistic, so that different studies could be ascribed different weights for analysis; and (ii) an order statistic approach, reflecting the fact that a GSMA statistic can be computed for each chromosomal region or bin width across the various genome scan studies. Results We provide an Edgeworth approximation to the null distribution of the weighted GSMA statistic, and, we examine the limiting distribution of the GSMA statistics under the order statistic formulation, and quantify the relevance of the pairwise correlations of the GSMA statistics across different bins on this limiting distribution. We also remark on aggregate criteria and multiple testing for determining significance of GSMA results. Conclusion Theoretical considerations detailed herein can lead to clarification and simplification of testing criteria for generalizations of the GSMA statistic. PMID:15717930

A Model Assessment of Satellite Observed Trends in Polar Sea Ice Extents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vinnikov, Konstantin Y.; Cavalieri, Donald J.; Parkinson, Claire L.

2005-01-01

For more than three decades now, satellite passive microwave observations have been used to monitor polar sea ice. Here we utilize sea ice extent trends determined from primarily satellite data for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for the period 1972(73)-2004 and compare them with results from simulations by eleven climate models. In the Northern Hemisphere, observations show a statistically significant decrease of sea ice extent and an acceleration of sea ice retreat during the past three decades. However, from the modeled natural variability of sea ice extents in control simulations, we conclude that the acceleration is not statistically significant and should not be extrapolated into the future. Observations and model simulations show that the time scale of climate variability in sea ice extent in the Southern Hemisphere is much larger than in the Northern Hemisphere and that the Southern Hemisphere sea ice extent trends are not statistically significant.

Temporal static stress drop variations due to injection activity at The Geysers geothermal field, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staszek, M.; Orlecka-Sikora, B.; Leptokaropoulos, K.; Kwiatek, G.; Martínez-Garzón, P.

2017-07-01

We use a high-quality data set from the NW part of The Geysers geothermal field to determine statistical significance of temporal static stress drop variations and their relation to injection rate changes. We use a group of 322 seismic events which occurred in the proximity of Prati-9 and Prati-29 injection wells to examine the influence of parameters such as moment magnitude, focal mechanism, hypocentral depth, and normalized hypocentral distances from open-hole sections of injection wells on static stress drop changes. Our results indicate that (1) static stress drop variations in time are statistically significant, (2) statistically significant static stress drop changes are inversely related to injection rate fluctuations. Therefore, it is highly expected that static stress drop of seismic events is influenced by pore pressure in underground fluid injection conditions and depends on the effective normal stress and strength of the medium.

Effect of temperature and moisture content on tensile behaviour of false banana fibre (Ensete ventricosum)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizera, Cestmir; Herak, David; Hrabe, Petr; Kabutey, Abraham

2017-07-01

The mechanical behaviour of natural fibres as composite materials can be affected by changes in temperature and moisture content. The aim of this paper was to describe the effect of temperature and moisture content on tensile strength of false banana fibre (Ensete ventricosum) and to determine its water absorption. Samples of fibres were prepared and tested until rupture point with strain rate of 0.05 min-1 at temperature change between -20 and 220°C as well as moisture content between 10 and 90% wb. The water absorption and release of Ensete fibres at 60 and 90% relative humidity was also determined. Results showed that Ensete fibres exhibited stability of tensile strength in the temperature range from 0 to 100°C but the increase of temperature decreased statistically significantly the tensile strength. The effect of moisture content on tensile strength was not statistically significant. The equilibrium moisture content at 60% relative humidity and 25°C was determined.

Statistical analysis of long-term monitoring data for persistent organic pollutants in the atmosphere at 20 monitoring stations broadly indicates declining concentrations.

PubMed

Kong, Deguo; MacLeod, Matthew; Hung, Hayley; Cousins, Ian T

2014-11-04

During recent decades concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the atmosphere have been monitored at multiple stations worldwide. We used three statistical methods to analyze a total of 748 time series of selected POPs in the atmosphere to determine if there are statistically significant reductions in levels of POPs that have had control actions enacted to restrict or eliminate manufacture, use and emissions. Significant decreasing trends were identified in 560 (75%) of the 748 time series collected from the Arctic, North America, and Europe, indicating that the atmospheric concentrations of these POPs are generally decreasing, consistent with the overall effectiveness of emission control actions. Statistically significant trends in synthetic time series could be reliably identified with the improved Mann-Kendall (iMK) test and the digital filtration (DF) technique in time series longer than 5 years. The temporal trends of new (or emerging) POPs in the atmosphere are often unclear because time series are too short. A statistical detrending method based on the iMK test was not able to identify abrupt changes in the rates of decline of atmospheric POP concentrations encoded into synthetic time series.

Dating of Early Subdural Haematoma: A Correlative Clinico-Radiological Study

PubMed Central

Rao, Murali Gundu; Khandelwal, Niranjan; Sharma, Suresh Kumar

2016-01-01

Introduction Determination of post-traumatic interval remains one of the foremost important goals of any forensic investigation related to human crimes. The estimation of time since injury in cases of subdural haemorrhage has been studied only by a few investigators on the histological and radiological front. Aim The purpose of this study was to determine the post-traumatic interval of Subdural Haemorrhage (SDH) based on Hounsfield Unit measurements (HU) on Computed Tomography (CT) in surviving victims of head injury. Materials and Methods The study included a total of 100 cases of closed head injury with subdural haemorrhage. The Post-traumatic Time Interval (PTI) varied from 0.5 hours to a maximum of 249 hours, with a mean of 54.2 hours. Results Statistically significant results were obtained between the HU measurements of the SDH and the post-traumatic intervals and were found to be statistically significant. A rough attempt was made to determine the effect of haematoma volume on attenuation and was found out to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion The density of the subdural haematoma decreases with increase in the post-traumatic interval that concurs with the limited number of studies being conducted in the past. We concluded that further sorting of cases could be done according to its age with additional research and uniformity in the methodology. PMID:27190831

[The growth behavior of mouse fibroblasts on intraocular lens surface of various silicone and PMMA materials].

PubMed

Kammann, J; Kreiner, C F; Kaden, P

1994-08-01

Experience with intraocular lenses (IOL) made of PMMA dates back ca. 40 years, while silicone IOLs have been in use for only about 10 years. The biocompatibility of PMMA and silicone caoutchouc was tested in a comparative study investigating the growth of mouse fibroblasts on different IOL materials. Spectrophotometric determination of protein synthesis and liquid scintillation counting of DNA synthesis were carried out. The spreading of cells was planimetrically determined, and the DNA synthesis of individual cells in direct contact with the test sample was tested. The results showed that the biocompatibility of silicone lenses made of purified caoutchouc is comparable with that of PMMA lenses; there is no statistically significant difference. However, impurities arising during material synthesis result in a statistically significant inhibition of cell growth on the IOL surfaces.

Correlations between iron content in knee joint tissues and chosen indices of peripheral blood morphology.

PubMed

Brodziak-Dopierała, Barbara; Roczniak, Wojciech; Jakóbik-Kolon, Agata; Kluczka, Joanna; Koczy, Bogdan; Kwapuliński, Jerzy; Babuśka-Roczniak, Magdalena

2017-10-01

Iron as a cofactor of enzymes takes part in the synthesis of the bone matrix. Severe deficiency of iron reduces the strength and mineral density of bones, whereas its excess may increase oxidative stress. In this context, it is essential to determine the iron content in knee joint tissues. The study objective was to determine the level of iron in the tissues of the knee joint, i.e., in the femoral bone, tibia and meniscus. Material for analysis was obtained during endoprosthetic surgery of the knee joint. Within the knee joint, the tibia, femur and meniscus were analyzed. Samples were collected from 50 patients, including 36 women and 14 men. The determination of iron content was performed with the ICP-AES method, using Varian 710-ES. The lowest iron content was in the tibia (27.04 μg/g), then in the meniscus (38.68 μg/g) and the highest in the femur (41.93 μg/g). Statistically significant differences were noted in the content of iron in knee joint tissues. In patients who underwent endoprosthesoplasty of the knee joint, statistically significant differences were found in the levels of iron in various components of the knee joint. The highest iron content was found in the femoral bone of the knee joint and then in the meniscus, the lowest in the tibia. The differences in iron content in the knee joint between women and men were not statistically significant.

The effect of digital rectal exam on the 4Kscore for aggressive prostate cancer.

PubMed

Maccini, Michael A; Westfall, Nicholas J; Van Bokhoven, Adrie; Lucia, Marshall Scott; Poage, Wendy; Maroni, Paul D; Wilson, Shandra S; Glodé, Leonard Michael; Arangua, Paul; Newmark, Jay; Steiner, Mitchell; Werahera, Priya N; Crawford, Elward David

2018-05-01

The 4Kscore is a new commercially available blood-based diagnostic test which predicts risk for aggressive, clinically significant prostate cancer on prostate biopsy. The 4Kscore is currently restricted to patients who have not had a digital rectal exam (DRE) in the previous 96 h, owing to prior mixed data suggesting that prostate specific antigen (PSA) isoforms may increase by a statistically significant-if not necessarily clinically significant-amount shortly after DRE. Our primary objective was to determine if 4Kscore test results are affected by a preceding DRE. Participants at a Prostate Cancer Awareness Week screening event sponsored by the Prostate Conditions Education Council filled out clinical history questionnaires and had blood samples for 4Kscore testing drawn prior to DRE, then 15-45 min following DRE. Patients with prior cancer diagnosis, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor medication use, or lower urinary tract procedures in the prior 6 months were excluded, resulting in a population of 162 participants for analysis. Values were then compared to determine if there was a significant difference in 4Kscore following DRE. A statistically significant increase was seen in levels of 3 kallikreins measured (total PSA, free PSA, and intact PSA; median <0.03 ng/mL for all). This resulted in a small but statistically significant decrease in post-DRE 4Kscore (median absolute score decrease 0.43%). Using a 4Kscore cutoff of 7.5% resulted in reclassification of 10 patients (6.2%), nine of whom were "downgraded" from above the cutoff to below. If the blood draw for the 4 K score is performed after a screening DRE, there is a statistically significant difference in the 4 K score results, but in the vast majority of cases it would not affect clinical decision making. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of serum KL-6 levels with interstitial lung disease in patients with connective tissue disease: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Oguz, Ekin Oktay; Kucuksahin, Orhan; Turgay, Murat; Yildizgoren, Mustafa Turgut; Ates, Askin; Demir, Nalan; Kumbasar, Ozlem Ozdemir; Kinikli, Gulay; Duzgun, Nursen

2016-03-01

It was aimed to evaluate KL-6 glycoprotein levels to determine if it may be a diagnostic marker for the connective tissue diseases (CTDs) predicting CTD-related interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) (CTD-ILD) development and to examine if there was a difference between patients and healthy controls. The study included 113 patients with CTD (45 CTD without lung involvement, 68 CTD-ILD) and 45 healthy control subjects. KL-6 glycoprotein levels were analyzed with ELISA in patients and the control group. The relationship between KL-6 glycoprotein levels and CTD-ILD was assessed. In the comparison of all the groups in the study, significantly higher levels of KL-6 were determined in the CTD-ILD group than in either the CTD without pulmonary involvement group or the healthy control group (p < 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the KL-6 levels in the healthy control group and the CTD without pulmonary involvement group (p = 0.289). The KL-6 levels did not differ significantly according to the connective tissue diseases in the diagnostic groups (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma, polymyositis/ dermatomyositis). In the healthy control group, there was a statistically significant difference between KL-6 levels in smokers and non-smokers. Smokers had significantly higher serum KL-6 levels compared with non-smokers (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between smoking status (pack-year) and serum KL-6 levels. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum KL-6 levels and time since diagnosis of CTD and CTD-ILD. The level of KL-6 as a predictive factor could be used to identify the clinical development of ILD before it is detected on imaging modality. Further prospective clinical studies are needed to define whether levels of KL-6 might have prognostic value or might predict progressive ILD.

How large is the gluon polarization in the statistical parton distributions approach?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soffer, Jacques; Bourrely, Claude; Buccella, Franco

2015-04-10

We review the theoretical foundations of the quantum statistical approach to parton distributions and we show that by using some recent experimental results from Deep Inelastic Scattering, we are able to improve the description of the data by means of a new determination of the parton distributions. We will see that a large gluon polarization emerges, giving a significant contribution to the proton spin.

Cardiac events in New Jersey after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

PubMed

Allegra, John R; Mostashari, Farzad; Rothman, Jonathan; Milano, Peter; Cochrane, Dennis G

2005-09-01

The higher stress associated with the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks on September 11, 2001, may have resulted in more cardiac events particularly in those living in close proximity. Our goal was to determine if there was an increase in cardiac events in a subset of emergency departments (EDs) within a 50-mi radius of the WTC. We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients seen by ED physicians in 16 EDs for the 60 days before and after September 11 in 2000-2002. We determined the number of patients admitted to an inpatient bed with a primary or secondary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) or tachyarrhythmia. In each year, we compared patient visits for the 60 days before and after September 11 using the chi-square statistic. For the 360 days during the 3 years, there were 571,079 patient visits in the database of which 110,766 (19.4%) were admitted. Comparing the 60 days before and after September 11, 2001, we found a statistically significant increase in patients with MIs (79 patients before versus 118 patients after, P =.01), representing an increase of 49%. There were no statistically significant differences for MIs in 2000 and 2002 and in tachyarrhythmias for all three years. For the 60-day period after September 11, 2001, we found a statistically significant increase in the number of patients presenting with acute MI but no increase in patients admitted with tachyarrhythmias.

Adhesive properties and adhesive joints strength of graphite/epoxy composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudawska, Anna; Stančeková, Dana; Cubonova, Nadezda; Vitenko, Tetiana; Müller, Miroslav; Valášek, Petr

2017-05-01

The article presents the results of experimental research of the adhesive joints strength of graphite/epoxy composites and the results of the surface free energy of the composite surfaces. Two types of graphite/epoxy composites with different thickness were tested which are used to aircraft structure. The single-lap adhesive joints of epoxy composites were considered. Adhesive properties were described by surface free energy. Owens-Wendt method was used to determine surface free energy. The epoxy two-component adhesive was used to preparing the adhesive joints. Zwick/Roell 100 strength device were used to determination the shear strength of adhesive joints of epoxy composites. The strength test results showed that the highest value was obtained for adhesive joints of graphite-epoxy composite of smaller material thickness (0.48 mm). Statistical analysis of the results obtained, the study showed statistically significant differences between the values of the strength of the confidence level of 0.95. The statistical analysis of the results also showed that there are no statistical significant differences in average values of surface free energy (0.95 confidence level). It was noted that in each of the results the dispersion component of surface free energy was much greater than polar component of surface free energy.

Development of polytoxicomania in function of defence from psychoticism.

PubMed

Nenadović, Milutin M; Sapić, Rosa

2011-01-01

Polytoxicomanic proportions in subpopulations of youth have been growing steadily in recent decades, and this trend is pan-continental. Psychoticism is a psychological construct that assumes special basic dimensions of personality disintegration and cognitive functions. Psychoticism may, in general, be the basis of pathological functioning of youth and influence the patterns of thought, feelings and actions that cause dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of basic dimensions of psychoticism for commitment of youth to abuse psychoactive substances (PAS) in order to reduce disturbing intrapsychic experiences or manifestation of psychotic symptoms. For the purpose of this study, two groups of respondents were formed, balanced by age, gender and family structure of origin (at least one parent alive). The study applied a DELTA-9 instrument for assessment of cognitive disintegration in function of establishing psychoticism and its operationalization. The obtained results were statistically analyzed. From the parameters of descriptive statistics, the arithmetic mean was calculated with measures of dispersion. A cross-tabular analysis of variables tested was performed, as well as statistical significance with Pearson's chi2-test, and analysis of variance. Age structure and gender are approximately represented in the group of polytoximaniacs and the control group. Testing did not confirm the statistically significant difference (p > 0.5). Statistical methodology established that they significantly differed in most variables of psychoticism, polytoxicomaniacs compared with a control group of respondents. Testing confirmed a high statistical significance of differences of variables of psychoticism in the group of respondents for p < 0.001 to p < 0.01. A statistically significant representation of the dimension of psychoticism in the polytoxicomaniac group was established. The presence of factors concerning common executive dysfunction was emphasized.

Evaluating collective significance of climatic trends: A comparison of methods on synthetic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huth, Radan; Dubrovský, Martin

2017-04-01

The common approach to determine whether climatic trends are significantly different from zero is to conduct individual (local) tests at each single site (station or gridpoint). Whether the number of sites where the trends are significantly non-zero can or cannot occur by random, is almost never evaluated in trend studies. That is, collective (global) significance of trends is ignored. We compare three approaches to evaluating collective statistical significance of trends at a network of sites, using the following statistics: (i) the number of successful local tests (a successful test means here a test in which the null hypothesis of no trend is rejected); this is a standard way of assessing collective significance in various applications in atmospheric sciences; (ii) the smallest p-value among the local tests (Walker test); and (iii) the counts of positive and negative trends regardless of their magnitudes and local significance. The third approach is a new procedure that we propose; the rationale behind it is that it is reasonable to assume that the prevalence of one sign of trends at individual sites is indicative of a high confidence in the trend not being zero, regardless of the (in)significance of individual local trends. A potentially large amount of information contained in trends that are not locally significant, which are typically deemed irrelevant and neglected, is thus not lost and is retained in the analysis. In this contribution we examine the feasibility of the proposed way of significance testing on synthetic data, produced by a multi-site stochastic generator, and compare it with the two other ways of assessing collective significance, which are well established now. The synthetic dataset, mimicking annual mean temperature on an array of stations (or gridpoints), is constructed assuming a given statistical structure characterized by (i) spatial separation (density of the station network), (ii) local variance, (iii) temporal and spatial autocorrelations, and (iv) the trend magnitude. The probabilistic distributions of the three test statistics (null distributions) and critical values of the tests are determined from multiple realizations of the synthetic dataset, in which no trend is imposed at each site (that is, any trend is a result of random fluctuations only). The procedure is then evaluated by determining the type II error (the probability of a false detection of a trend) in the presence of a trend with a known magnitude, for which the synthetic dataset with an imposed spatially uniform non-zero trend is used. A sensitivity analysis is conducted for various combinations of the trend magnitude and spatial autocorrelation.

The challenge of identifying greenhouse gas-induced climatic change

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maccracken, Michael C.

1992-01-01

Meeting the challenge of identifying greenhouse gas-induced climatic change involves three steps. First, observations of critical variables must be assembled, evaluated, and analyzed to determine that there has been a statistically significant change. Second, reliable theoretical (model) calculations must be conducted to provide a definitive set of changes for which to search. Third, a quantitative and statistically significant association must be made between the projected and observed changes to exclude the possibility that the changes are due to natural variability or other factors. This paper provides a qualitative overview of scientific progress in successfully fulfilling these three steps.

Linearised and non-linearised isotherm models optimization analysis by error functions and statistical means

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

In adsorption study, to describe sorption process and evaluation of best-fitting isotherm model is a key analysis to investigate the theoretical hypothesis. Hence, numerous statistically analysis have been extensively used to estimate validity of the experimental equilibrium adsorption values with the predicted equilibrium values. Several statistical error analysis were carried out. In the present study, the following statistical analysis were carried out to evaluate the adsorption isotherm model fitness, like the Pearson correlation, the coefficient of determination and the Chi-square test, have been used. The ANOVA test was carried out for evaluating significance of various error functions and also coefficient of dispersion were evaluated for linearised and non-linearised models. The adsorption of phenol onto natural soil (Local name Kalathur soil) was carried out, in batch mode at 30 ± 20 C. For estimating the isotherm parameters, to get a holistic view of the analysis the models were compared between linear and non-linear isotherm models. The result reveled that, among above mentioned error functions and statistical functions were designed to determine the best fitting isotherm. PMID:25018878

Economic assessment of the construction industry: A construction-economics nexus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, Herbert Marion, Jr.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an economic assessment of the construction industry. More specifically, this study addresses ambiguities within the literature that are associated with the construction-economics nexus. The researcher 1) investigated the relationships between economic indicators and stock prices of U.S. construction equipment manufacturers, 2) investigated the relationships between energy production, consumption, and corruption, and 3) determined the economic effect electricity generation and electricity consumption has on economies of scale. The researcher used descriptive and inferential statistics in this study and determined that economists, researchers, policy-makers, and others should have predicted the 2007-08 world economic collapse 5-6 years prior to realization of the event given that construction indices and GDP grossly regressed from statistically acceptable trends as early as 2002 and perhaps 2000. Substantiating this claim, the effect of the cost of construction materials and labor, i.e. construction index, on GDP was significant for years leading up to the collapse (1970-2007). Additionally, it was determined that energy production and consumption are predictors of governmental corruption in some countries. In the Republic of Botswana, for example, the researcher determined that energy production and consumption statistically jointly effected governmental corruption. In addition to determining statistical effect, a model for predicting governmental corruption was developed based on energy production and consumption volumes. Also, the researcher found that electricity generation in the 25 largest world economies had a statistically significant effect on GDP. Electricity consumption also had an effect on GDP, as well, but not on other economic indicators. More importantly than the quantitative findings, the researcher concluded that the construction-economics nexus is far more complex than most policy-makers realize. As such, infrastructure spending may, or may not, be an answer to the current world economic collapse, as much more research remains to be completed by researchers to address known ambiguities within various associated findings. Until a collective agreement can be reached among researchers as to the effect that construction spending has on economic output under known, specific parameters, policy-makers should exercise extreme caution when leveraging infrastructure spending as a solution for overcoming the world economic collapse.

Functional genomics annotation of a statistical epistasis network associated with bladder cancer susceptibility.

PubMed

Hu, Ting; Pan, Qinxin; Andrew, Angeline S; Langer, Jillian M; Cole, Michael D; Tomlinson, Craig R; Karagas, Margaret R; Moore, Jason H

2014-04-11

Several different genetic and environmental factors have been identified as independent risk factors for bladder cancer in population-based studies. Recent studies have turned to understanding the role of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in determining risk. We previously developed the bioinformatics framework of statistical epistasis networks (SEN) to characterize the global structure of interacting genetic factors associated with a particular disease or clinical outcome. By applying SEN to a population-based study of bladder cancer among Caucasians in New Hampshire, we were able to identify a set of connected genetic factors with strong and significant interaction effects on bladder cancer susceptibility. To support our statistical findings using networks, in the present study, we performed pathway enrichment analyses on the set of genes identified using SEN, and found that they are associated with the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, a component of tobacco smoke. We further carried out an mRNA expression microarray experiment to validate statistical genetic interactions, and to determine if the set of genes identified in the SEN were differentially expressed in a normal bladder cell line and a bladder cancer cell line in the presence or absence of benzo[a]pyrene. Significant nonrandom sets of genes from the SEN were found to be differentially expressed in response to benzo[a]pyrene in both the normal bladder cells and the bladder cancer cells. In addition, the patterns of gene expression were significantly different between these two cell types. The enrichment analyses and the gene expression microarray results support the idea that SEN analysis of bladder in population-based studies is able to identify biologically meaningful statistical patterns. These results bring us a step closer to a systems genetic approach to understanding cancer susceptibility that integrates population and laboratory-based studies.

Fragility of Results in Ophthalmology Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Shen, Carl; Shamsudeen, Isabel; Farrokhyar, Forough; Sabri, Kourosh

2018-05-01

Evidence-based medicine is guided by our interpretation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that address important clinical questions. Evaluation of the robustness of statistically significant outcomes adds a crucial element to the global assessment of trial findings. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the robustness of ophthalmology RCTs through application of the Fragility Index (FI), a novel metric of the robustness of statistically significant outcomes. Systematic review. A literature search (MEDLINE) was performed for all RCTs published in top ophthalmology journals and ophthalmology-related RCTs published in high-impact journals in the past 10 years. Two reviewers independently screened 1811 identified articles for inclusion if they (1) were a human ophthalmology-related trial, (2) had a 1:1 prospective study design, and (3) reported a statistically significant dichotomous outcome in the abstract. All relevant data, including outcome, P value, number of patients in each group, number of events in each group, number of patients lost to follow-up, and trial characteristics, were extracted. The FI of each RCT was calculated and multivariate regression applied to determine predictive factors. The 156 trials had a median sample size of 91.5 (range, 13-2593) patients/eyes, and a median of 28 (range, 4-2217) events. The median FI of the included trials was 2 (range, 0-48), meaning that if 2 non-events were switched to events in the treatment group, the result would lose its statistical significance. A quarter of all trials had an FI of 1 or less, and 75% of trials had an FI of 6 or less. The FI was less than the number of missing data points in 52.6% of trials. Predictive factors for FI by multivariate regression included smaller P value (P < 0.001), larger sample size (P = 0.001), larger number of events (P = 0.011), and journal impact factor (P = 0.029). In ophthalmology trials, statistically significant dichotomous results are often fragile, meaning that a difference of only a couple of events can change the statistical significance. An application of the FI in RCTs may aid in the interpretation of results and assessment of quality of evidence. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of wall curvature on turbulence statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, R. D.; Moin, P.

1985-01-01

A three-dimensional, time-dependent, direct numerical simulation of low-Reynolds number turbulent flow in a mildly curved channel was performed, and the results examined to determine the mechanism by which curvature affects wall-bounded turbulent shear flows. A spectral numerical method with about one-million modes was employed, and no explicit subgrid scale model was used. The effects of curvature on this flow were determined by comparing the concave and convex sides of the channel. The observed effects are consistent with experimental observations for mild curvature. The most significant difference in the turbulence statistics between the concave and convex sides is in the Reynolds shear stress. This is accompanied by significant differences in the terms of the Reynolds shear stress balance equations. In addition, it was found that stationary Taylor-Goertler vortices were present and that they had a significant effect on the flow by contributing to the mean Reynolds shear stress, and by enhancing the difference between the wall shear stresses.

Quantitative EEG abnormalities in persons with "pure" epileptic predisposition without epilepsy: a low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) study.

PubMed

Puskás, S; Bessenyei, M; Fekete, I; Hollódy, K; Clemens, B

2010-09-01

Epileptic predisposition means genetically determined, increased seizure susceptibility. Neurophysiological evaluation of this condition is still lacking. In order to investigate "pure epileptic predisposition" (without epilepsy) in this pilot study the authors prospectively recruited ten persons who displayed generalized tonic-clonic seizures precipitated by 24 or more hours of sleep deprivation but were healthy in any other respects. 21-channel EEGs were recorded in the morning, in the waking state, after a night of sufficient sleep in the interictal period. For each person, a total of 120s artifact-free EEG was processed to low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) analysis. LORETA activity (Ampers/meters squared) was computed for 2394 voxels, 19 active electrodes and 1Hz very narrow bands from 1 to 25Hz. The data were compressed into four frequency bands (delta: 0.5-4.0Hz, theta: 4.5-8.0Hz, alpha: 8.5-12.0Hz, beta: 12.5-25.0Hz) and projected onto the MRI figures of a digitized standard brain atlas. The band-related LORETA results were compared to those of ten, age- and sex-matched healthy persons using independent t-tests. p<0.01 differences were accepted as statistically significant. Statistically significant decrease of alpha activity was found in widespread, medial and lateral parts of the cortex above the level of the basal ganglia. Maximum alpha decrease and statistically significant beta decrease were found in the left precuneus. Statistically not significant differences were delta increase in the medial-basal frontal area and theta increase in the same area and in the basal temporal area. The significance of alpha decrease in the patient group remains enigmatic. beta decrease presumably reflects non-specific dysfunction of the cortex. Prefrontal delta and theta increase might have biological meaning despite the lack of statistical significance: these findings are topographically similar to those reported in idiopathic generalized epilepsy in previous investigations. Quantitative EEG characteristics of the genetically determined epilepsy predisposition were given in terms of frequency bands and anatomical distribution. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determinants of personal exposure to PM2.5, ultrafine particle counts, and CO in a transport microenvironment.

PubMed

Kaur, S; Nieuwenhuijsen, M J

2009-07-01

Short-term human exposure concentrations to PM2.5, ultrafine particle counts (particle range: 0.02-1 microm), and carbon monoxide (CO) were investigated at and around a street canyon intersection in Central London, UK. During a four week field campaign, groups of four volunteers collected samples at three timings (morning, lunch, and afternoon), along two different routes (a heavily trafficked route and a backstreet route) via five modes of transport (walking, cycling, bus, car, and taxi). This was followed by an investigation into the determinants of exposure using a regression technique which incorporated the site-specific traffic counts, meteorological variables (wind speed and temperature) and the mode of transport used. The analyses explained 9, 62, and 43% of the variability observed in the exposure concentrations to PM2.5, ultrafine particle counts, and CO in this study, respectively. The mode of transport was a statistically significant determinant of personal exposure to PM2.5, ultrafine particle counts, and CO, and for PM2.5 and ultrafine particle counts it was the most important determinant. Traffic count explained little of the variability in the PM2.5 concentrations, but it had a greater influence on ultrafine particle count and CO concentrations. The analyses showed that temperature had a statistically significant impact on ultrafine particle count and CO concentrations. Wind speed also had a statistically significant effect but smaller. The small proportion in variability explained in PM2.5 by the model compared to the largest proportion in ultrafine particle counts and CO may be due to the effect of long-range transboundary sources, whereas for ultrafine particle counts and CO, local traffic is the main source.

Adolescent cigarette smoking and health risk behavior.

PubMed

Busen, N H; Modeland, V; Kouzekanani, K

2001-06-01

During the past 30 years, tobacco use among adolescents has substantially increased, resulting in major health problems associated with tobacco consumption. The purpose of this study was to identify adolescent smoking behaviors and to determine the relationship among smoking, specific demographic variables, and health risk behaviors. The sample consisted of 93 self-selecting adolescents. An ex post facto design was used for this study and data were analyzed by using nonparametric statistics. Findings included a statistically significant relationship between lifetime cigarette use and ethnicity. Statistically significant relationships were also found among current cigarette use and ethnicity, alcohol use, marijuana use, suicidal thoughts, and age at first sexual intercourse. Nurses and other providers must recognize that cigarette smoking may indicate other risk behaviors common among adolescents. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company

Increased fibulin-1 plasma levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients: possible contribution to the link between PCOS and cardiovascular risk.

PubMed

Scarinci, E; Tropea, A; Russo, G; Notaristefano, G; Messana, C; Alesiani, O; Fabozzi, S M; Lanzone, A; Apa, R

2018-04-21

To investigate a possible relation between fibulin-1 plasma levels and PCOS. ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1. 50 women with PCOS and 40 control patients who attended the Unit of Human Reproductive Pathophysiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, were enrolled. Ultrasonographic pelvic examinations, hormonal profile assays, oral tolerance test OGTT, lipid profile and ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1 were performed. Fibulin-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in PCOS patients than in matched control women. No statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and AUCi, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, AMH, androstenedione and FAI, whereas a statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and 17OHP (p = 0.016) in the PCOS group. However, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that 17 OH P did not independently predict fibulin-1 levels (p = 0.089). Our data could contribute to explain the hypothesized increased cardiovascular risk and vascular damage in patients with PCOS. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiometabolic disorders associated with PCOS is mandatory to identify new therapeutic strategies to eventually prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases in these patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of the clinical and CT findings for differentiating Kikuchi's disease and tuberculous lymphadenitis presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy.

PubMed

Baek, Hye Jin; Lee, Jeong Hyun; Lim, Hyun Kyung; Lee, Ha Young; Baek, Jung Hwan

2014-11-01

To determine the optimal clinical and CT findings for differentiating Kikuchi's disease (KD) and tuberculous lymphadenitis (TB) in patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy. From 2006 to 2010, 87 consecutive patients who were finally diagnosed with KD or TB were enrolled. Two radiologists performed independent analysis of contrast-enhanced neck CT images with regard to the involvement pattern, nodal or perinodal changes, and evidence of the previous infection. Significant clinical and CT findings of KD were determined by statistical analyses. Of the 87 patients, 27 (31%) were classified as having KD and 60 (69%) as having TB. Statistically significant findings of KD patients were younger age, presence of fever, involvement of ≥5 nodal levels or the bilateral neck, no or minimal nodal necrosis, marked perinodal infiltration, and no evidence of upper lung lesion or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The presence of four or more statistically significant clinical and CT findings of KD had the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (A z = 0.861; 95% confidence intervals 0.801, 0.909), with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 83%. CT can be a helpful tool for differentiating KD from TB, especially when it is combined with the clinical findings.

Prognostic value of GLUT-1 expression in ovarian surface epithelial tumors: a morphometric study.

PubMed

Ozcan, Ayhan; Deveci, Mehmet Salih; Oztas, Emin; Dede, Murat; Yenen, Mufit Cemal; Korgun, Emin Turkay; Gunhan, Omer

2005-08-01

To investigate the reported increase in the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT-1 in borderline and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors and its relationship to prognosis. In this study, areas in which immunohistochemical membranous staining with GLUT-1 were most evident were selected, and the proportions of GLUT-1 expression in 46 benign, 11 borderline and 42 malignant cases of ovarian epithelial tumors were determined quantitatively with a computer and Zeiss Vision KS 400 3.0 (Göttingen, Germany) for Windows (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, U.S.A.) image analysis. GLUT-1 expression was determined in all borderline tumors (11 of 11) and in 97.6% of malignant tumors (41 of 42). No GLUT-1 expression was observed in benign tumors. The intensity of GLUT-1 staining was lower in borderline tumors than in malignant cases. This was statistically significant (p = 0.005). As differentiation in malignant tumors increased, proportions of GLUT-1 expression showed a relative increase, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.68). When GLUT-1 expression in borderline and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors was analyzed against prognosis, no statistically significant difference was identified. Assessment of GLUT-1 expression using the image analysis program was more reliable, with higher reproducibility than in previous studies.

Measurements of experimental precision for trials with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes.

PubMed

Teodoro, P E; Torres, F E; Santos, A D; Corrêa, A M; Nascimento, M; Barroso, L M A; Ceccon, G

2016-05-09

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of statistics as experimental precision degree measures for trials with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes. Cowpea genotype yields were evaluated in 29 trials conducted in Brazil between 2005 and 2012. The genotypes were evaluated with a randomized block design with four replications. Ten statistics that were estimated for each trial were compared using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and path analysis. According to the class limits established, selective accuracy and F-test values for genotype, heritability, and the coefficient of determination adequately estimated the degree of experimental precision. Using these statistics, 86.21% of the trials had adequate experimental precision. Selective accuracy and the F-test values for genotype, heritability, and the coefficient of determination were directly related to each other, and were more suitable than the coefficient of variation and the least significant difference (by the Tukey test) to evaluate experimental precision in trials with cowpea genotypes.

Cervical vertebral maturation and dental age in coeliac patients.

PubMed

Costacurta, M; Condò, R; Sicuro, L; Perugia, C; Docimo, R

2011-07-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the cervical vertebral maturation and dental age, in group of patients with coelic disease (CD), in comparison with a control group of healthy subjects. At the Paediatric Dentistry Unit of PTV Hospital, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, 120 female patients, age range 12.0-12.9 years were recruited. Among them, 60 subjects (Group 1) were affected by CD, while the control group (Group 2) consisted of 60 healthy subjects, sex and age-matched. The Group 1 was subdivided, according to the period of CD diagnosis, in Group A (early diagnosis) and Group B (late diagnosis). The skeletal age was determined by assessing the cervical vertebral maturation, while the dental age has been determined using the method codified by Demirjiyan. STATISTICS.: The analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 16; SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). In all the assessments a significant level of alpha = 0.05 was considered. There are no statistically significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2 as for chronological age (p=0.122). Instead, from the assessment of skeletal-dental age, there are statistically significant differences between Group 1 - Group 2 (p<0.001) and Group A - Group B (p<0.001). The statistical analysis carried out to assess the differences between chronological and skeletal-dental age within the single groups, show a statistically significant difference in Group 1 (p<0.001) and in Group B (p<0.001), while there are no statistically significant differences in Group 2 (p=0.538) and in Group A (p=0.475). A correlation between skeletal and dental age was registered; for Groups 1-2 and for Groups A-B the Pearson coefficient was respectively equal to 0.967 and 0.969, with p<0.001. Through the analysis of data it is possible to assess that the percentage of subjects with skeletal and dental age delay corresponds to 20% in healthy subjects, 56.7% in coeliac subjects, 23% in coeliac subjects with early diagnosis and 90% in coeliac subjects with late diagnosis. From the comparison between Group 2 and Group A there are no statistically significant differences (p=0.951). Conclusions. The skeletal age and dental age delay may be two predictive indexes for a CD diagnosis. The dental age and cervical vertebral maturity can be assessed with a low cost, non invasive, easy to perform exam carried out through the routine radiographic examinations such as orthopanoramic and lateral teleradiography.

Determination of quality parameters from statistical analysis of routine TLD dosimetry data.

PubMed

German, U; Weinstein, M; Pelled, O

2006-01-01

Following the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) practice, there is a need to measure very low doses, of the same order of magnitude as the natural background, and the limits of detection of the dosimetry systems. The different contributions of the background signals to the total zero dose reading of thermoluminescence dosemeter (TLD) cards were analysed by using the common basic definitions of statistical indicators: the critical level (L(C)), the detection limit (L(D)) and the determination limit (L(Q)). These key statistical parameters for the system operated at NRC-Negev were quantified, based on the history of readings of the calibration cards in use. The electronic noise seems to play a minor role, but the reading of the Teflon coating (without the presence of a TLD crystal) gave a significant contribution.

A Correlational Study of Principals' Leadership Style and Teacher Absenteeism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Jason

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y, gender, age, and years of experience of principals form a composite explaining the variation in teacher absences. It sought to determine whether all or any of these variables would be statistically significant in explaining the variance in absences for teachers.…

Morphometric variations of the 7th cervical vertebrae of Zulu, White, and Colored South Africans.

PubMed

Kibii, Job M; Pan, Rualing; Tobias, Phillip V

2010-05-01

The 7th cervical vertebrae of 240 cadavers of South African Zulu, White, and Colored population groups were examined to determine morphometric variation. White and Colored females had statistically significant narrower cervical anteroposterior diameters than their male counterparts, whereas no statistically significant difference between sexes of the Zulu population group was observed in this variable. In addition, although Zulu and Colored females had statistically significant narrower cervical transverse diameters than their male counterparts, there was no statistically significant variation between South African white males and females in this respect. The findings indicate that sexual dimorphism is more apparent in the vertebral centrum, across the three population groups, where males had significantly larger dimensions in centrum anteroposterior diameter, height, and width than their female counterparts. The study further reveals that sexual dimorphism is more apparent when one compares aspects of the 7th cervical vertebra between sexes within the same population group. Overall, the dimensions of the various variates of the vertebra are substantially smaller in women than in men. The smaller dimensions, particularly of the centrum, may be the result of lower skeletal mass in women and render them more vulnerable to fractures resulting from compression forces. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Downregulation of toll-like receptor-mediated signalling pathways in oral lichen planus.

PubMed

Sinon, Suraya H; Rich, Alison M; Parachuru, Venkata P B; Firth, Fiona A; Milne, Trudy; Seymour, Gregory J

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and TLR-associated signalling pathway genes in oral lichen planus (OLP). Initially, immunohistochemistry was used to determine TLR expression in 12 formalin-fixed archival OLP tissues with 12 non-specifically inflamed oral tissues as controls. RNA was isolated from further fresh samples of OLP and non-specifically inflamed oral tissue controls (n = 6 for both groups) and used in qRT(2)-PCR focused arrays to determine the expression of TLRs and associated signalling pathway genes. Genes with a statistical significance of ±two-fold regulation (FR) and a P-value < 0.05 were considered as significantly regulated. Significantly more TLR4(+) cells were present in the inflammatory infiltrate in OLP compared with the control tissues (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the numbers of TLR2(+) and TLR8(+) cells between the groups. TLR3 was significantly downregulated in OLP (P < 0.01). TLR8 was upregulated in OLP, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The TLR-mediated signalling-associated protein genes MyD88 and TIRAP were significantly downregulated (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), as were IRAK1 (P < 0.05), MAPK8 (P < 0.01), MAP3K1 (P < 0.05), MAP4K4 (P < 0.05), REL (P < 0.01) and RELA (P < 0.01). Stress proteins HMGB1 and the heat shock protein D1 were significantly downregulated in OLP (P < 0.01). These findings suggest a downregulation of TLR-mediated signalling pathways in OLP lesions. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Noise induced hearing loss of forest workers in Turkey.

PubMed

Tunay, M; Melemez, K

2008-09-01

In this study, a total number of 114 workers who were in 3 different groups in terms of age and work underwent audiometric analysis. In order to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the hearing loss levels of the workers who were included in the study, variance analysis was applied with the help of the data obtained as a result of the evaluation. Correlation and regression analysis were applied in order to determine the relations between hearing loss and their age and their time of work. As a result of the variance analysis, statistically significant differences were found at 500, 2000 and 4000 Hz frequencies. The most specific difference was observed among chainsaw machine operators at 4000 Hz frequency, which was determined by the variance analysis. As a result of the correlation analysis, significant relations were found between time of work and hearing loss in 0.01 confidence level and between age and hearing loss in 0.05 confidence level. Forest workers using chainsaw machines should be informed, they should wear or use protective materials and less noising chainsaw machines should be used if possible and workers should undergo audiometric tests when they start work and once a year.

Statistical results on restorative dentistry experiments: effect of the interaction between main variables

PubMed Central

CAVALCANTI, Andrea Nóbrega; MARCHI, Giselle Maria; AMBROSANO, Gláucia Maria Bovi

2010-01-01

Statistical analysis interpretation is a critical field in scientific research. When there is more than one main variable being studied in a research, the effect of the interaction between those variables is fundamental on experiments discussion. However, some doubts can occur when the p-value of the interaction is greater than the significance level. Objective To determine the most adequate interpretation for factorial experiments with p-values of the interaction nearly higher than the significance level. Materials and methods The p-values of the interactions found in two restorative dentistry experiments (0.053 and 0.068) were interpreted in two distinct ways: considering the interaction as not significant and as significant. Results Different findings were observed between the two analyses, and studies results became more coherent when the significant interaction was used. Conclusion The p-value of the interaction between main variables must be analyzed with caution because it can change the outcomes of research studies. Researchers are strongly advised to interpret carefully the results of their statistical analysis in order to discuss the findings of their experiments properly. PMID:20857003

Environmental Literacy Development: A Comparison between Online and Traditional Campus Courses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, James Young

As traditional educational efforts expand into the online environment, academic research is needed to determine if effective environmental education could be replicated in the virtual classroom in higher education. Although previous research showed that the online course delivery could be an effective means of teaching environmental facts, what had yet to be determined is if there was a significance difference in the development of an environmental literacy, represented by attitudes and behaviors between online and traditional campus students, at a university within the Western United States. To determine if there was a measured statistical difference in environmental literacy following course completion this causal comparative quantitative study built on the theoretical foundations of environmental literacy development and used the Measures of Ecological Attitudes and Knowledge Scale and New Ecological Paradigm. From a sample of 205 undergraduate environmental science students it was determined, through the use of two tailed t tests at the 0.05 significance level, that no statistical difference in environmental knowledge, actual commitment, and global environmental awareness were evident. However, statistical differences existed in verbal commitment and emotional connection to the environment. Both the online and the traditional campus classroom are shown to be effective in the development of environmental literacy. As technology continues to be incorporated in higher education, environmental educators should see technology as an additional tool in environmental literacy development. However, the identified differences in emotional and verbal commitment should be further investigated.

Significance Testing Needs a Taxonomy: Or How the Fisher, Neyman-Pearson Controversy Resulted in the Inferential Tail Wagging the Measurement Dog.

PubMed

Bradley, Michael T; Brand, Andrew

2016-10-01

Accurate measurement and a cutoff probability with inferential statistics are not wholly compatible. Fisher understood this when he developed the F test to deal with measurement variability and to make judgments on manipulations that may be worth further study. Neyman and Pearson focused on modeled distributions whose parameters were highly determined and concluded that inferential judgments following an F test could be made with accuracy because the distribution parameters were determined. Neyman and Pearson's approach in the application of statistical analyses using alpha and beta error rates has played a dominant role guiding inferential judgments, appropriately in highly determined situations and inappropriately in scientific exploration. Fisher tried to explain the different situations, but, in part due to some obscure wording, generated a long standing dispute that currently has left the importance of Fisher's p < .05 criteria not fully understood and a general endorsement of the Neyman and Pearson error rate approach. Problems were compounded with power calculations based on effect sizes following significant results entering into exploratory science. To understand in a practical sense when each approach should be used, a dimension reflecting varying levels of certainty or knowledge of population distributions is presented. The dimension provides a taxonomy of statistical situations and appropriate approaches by delineating four zones that represent how well the underlying population of interest is defined ranging from exploratory situations to highly determined populations. © The Author(s) 2016.

Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship to depressive symptoms in first-year university students

PubMed Central

Acikgoz, Ayla; Dayi, Ayfer; Binbay, Tolga

2017-01-01

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and factors influencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in first-year students at a university health campus and to evaluate the relationship between depression and PMS. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of 618 university students from March to June 2016 at Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), Beck Depression Inventory and Student Identification Form. The data were analyzed with Version 20.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Science. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, and Chi-square test for trend, and independent samples t test and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The prevalence of PMS in the university students was 58.1%. Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who smoked, drink alcohol, and consumed a large amount of fatty and high-calorie foods, in students who had a bad to very bad perception of their economic situation, and those who had any chronic disease or anemia (p<0.05). Premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in students who had a risk of depression (p<0.01). A statistically significant relationship was determined between the risk of depression and PMSS total score and all PMSS subscale scores except for appetite changes (p<0.01). Conclusion: Premenstrual syndrome was found in more than half of the students who participated in the study. Premenstrual syndrome was higher in students who had a chronic disease and/or an unhealthy lifestyle. There was a statistically significant relationship between PMS and risk of depression. Students who have PMS symptoms should be evaluated for the risk of depression. PMID:29114701

Effects of foot strike on low back posture, shock attenuation, and comfort in running.

PubMed

Delgado, Traci L; Kubera-Shelton, Emilia; Robb, Robert R; Hickman, Robbin; Wallmann, Harvey W; Dufek, Janet S

2013-03-01

Barefoot running (BF) is gaining popularity in the running community. Biomechanical changes occur with BF, especially when initial contact changes from rearfoot strike (RFS) to forefoot strike (FFS). Changes in lumbar spine range of motion (ROM), particularly involving lumbar lordosis, have been associated with increased low back pain. However, it is not known if changing from RFS to FFS affects lumbar lordosis or low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a change from RFS to FFS would change lumbar lordosis, influence shock attenuation, or change comfort levels in healthy recreational/experienced runners. Forty-three subjects performed a warm-up on the treadmill where a self-selected foot strike pattern was determined. Instructions on running RFS/FFS were taught, and two conditions were examined. Each condition consisted of 90 s of BF with RFS or FFS, order randomly assigned. A comfort questionnaire was completed after both conditions. Fifteen consecutive strides from each condition were extracted for analyses. Statistically significant differences between FFS and RFS shock attenuation (P < 0.001), peak leg acceleration (P < 0.001), and overall lumbar ROM (P = 0.045) were found. There were no statistically significant differences between FFS and RFS in lumbar extension or lumbar flexion. There was a statistically significant difference between FFS and RFS for comfort/discomfort of the comfort questionnaire (P = .007). There were no statistically significant differences between other questions or the average of all questions. Change in foot strike from RFS to FFS decreased overall ROM in the lumbar spine but did not make a difference in flexion or extension in which the lumbar spine is positioned. Shock attenuation was greater in RFS. RFS was perceived a more comfortable running pattern.

Teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period: a systematic review.

PubMed

Xavier, Chloé; Benoit, Anita; Brown, Hilary K

2018-06-01

Teenage mothers are at increased risk for adverse social outcomes and short-term health problems, but long-term impacts on mental health are poorly understood. The aims of our systematic review were to determine the association between teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period, critically appraise the literature's quality and guide future research. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to June 2017 for peer-reviewed articles written in English or French. Data were collected using a modified Cochrane Data Extraction Form. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project critical appraisal tool. Heterogeneity of studies permitted only a qualitative synthesis. Nine quantitative studies comprising the results from analyses of 11 cohorts met our criteria and were rated as strong (n=5), moderate (n=2) or weak (n=2). Three cohorts found a statistically significant association between teenage pregnancy and poor long-term mental health after adjustment, three found a statistically significant association before but not after adjustment and five did not find a statistically significant association. Studies observed varying degrees of attenuation after considering social context. Studies with statistically significant findings tended to comprise earlier cohorts, with outcomes measured at older ages. The association between teenage pregnancy and mental health beyond the postpartum period remains unclear. Future studies should employ age-period-cohort frameworks to disentangle effects of normative patterns and stress accumulation. Social factors are important in determining long-term mental health of teenage mothers and should be prioritised in prevention and intervention strategies. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Analyzing Large Gene Expression and Methylation Data Profiles Using StatBicRM: Statistical Biclustering-Based Rule Mining

PubMed Central

Maulik, Ujjwal; Mallik, Saurav; Mukhopadhyay, Anirban; Bandyopadhyay, Sanghamitra

2015-01-01

Microarray and beadchip are two most efficient techniques for measuring gene expression and methylation data in bioinformatics. Biclustering deals with the simultaneous clustering of genes and samples. In this article, we propose a computational rule mining framework, StatBicRM (i.e., statistical biclustering-based rule mining) to identify special type of rules and potential biomarkers using integrated approaches of statistical and binary inclusion-maximal biclustering techniques from the biological datasets. At first, a novel statistical strategy has been utilized to eliminate the insignificant/low-significant/redundant genes in such way that significance level must satisfy the data distribution property (viz., either normal distribution or non-normal distribution). The data is then discretized and post-discretized, consecutively. Thereafter, the biclustering technique is applied to identify maximal frequent closed homogeneous itemsets. Corresponding special type of rules are then extracted from the selected itemsets. Our proposed rule mining method performs better than the other rule mining algorithms as it generates maximal frequent closed homogeneous itemsets instead of frequent itemsets. Thus, it saves elapsed time, and can work on big dataset. Pathway and Gene Ontology analyses are conducted on the genes of the evolved rules using David database. Frequency analysis of the genes appearing in the evolved rules is performed to determine potential biomarkers. Furthermore, we also classify the data to know how much the evolved rules are able to describe accurately the remaining test (unknown) data. Subsequently, we also compare the average classification accuracy, and other related factors with other rule-based classifiers. Statistical significance tests are also performed for verifying the statistical relevance of the comparative results. Here, each of the other rule mining methods or rule-based classifiers is also starting with the same post-discretized data-matrix. Finally, we have also included the integrated analysis of gene expression and methylation for determining epigenetic effect (viz., effect of methylation) on gene expression level. PMID:25830807

Analyzing large gene expression and methylation data profiles using StatBicRM: statistical biclustering-based rule mining.

PubMed

Maulik, Ujjwal; Mallik, Saurav; Mukhopadhyay, Anirban; Bandyopadhyay, Sanghamitra

2015-01-01

Microarray and beadchip are two most efficient techniques for measuring gene expression and methylation data in bioinformatics. Biclustering deals with the simultaneous clustering of genes and samples. In this article, we propose a computational rule mining framework, StatBicRM (i.e., statistical biclustering-based rule mining) to identify special type of rules and potential biomarkers using integrated approaches of statistical and binary inclusion-maximal biclustering techniques from the biological datasets. At first, a novel statistical strategy has been utilized to eliminate the insignificant/low-significant/redundant genes in such way that significance level must satisfy the data distribution property (viz., either normal distribution or non-normal distribution). The data is then discretized and post-discretized, consecutively. Thereafter, the biclustering technique is applied to identify maximal frequent closed homogeneous itemsets. Corresponding special type of rules are then extracted from the selected itemsets. Our proposed rule mining method performs better than the other rule mining algorithms as it generates maximal frequent closed homogeneous itemsets instead of frequent itemsets. Thus, it saves elapsed time, and can work on big dataset. Pathway and Gene Ontology analyses are conducted on the genes of the evolved rules using David database. Frequency analysis of the genes appearing in the evolved rules is performed to determine potential biomarkers. Furthermore, we also classify the data to know how much the evolved rules are able to describe accurately the remaining test (unknown) data. Subsequently, we also compare the average classification accuracy, and other related factors with other rule-based classifiers. Statistical significance tests are also performed for verifying the statistical relevance of the comparative results. Here, each of the other rule mining methods or rule-based classifiers is also starting with the same post-discretized data-matrix. Finally, we have also included the integrated analysis of gene expression and methylation for determining epigenetic effect (viz., effect of methylation) on gene expression level.

Comparative study of scarf and extended chevron osteotomies for correction of hallux valgus.

PubMed

Vopat, Bryan G; Lareau, Craig R; Johnson, Julie; Reinert, Steven E; DiGiovanni, Christopher W

2013-12-01

Scarf and chevron osteotomies are two described treatments for the correction of hallux valgus deformity, but they have traditionally been employed for different levels of severity. We hypothesized that there would be no statistically significant difference between the results of these two treatments. This study is a retrospective review of 70 consecutive patients treated operatively for moderate and severe hallux valgus malalignment. The two groups based on their operative treatment: scarf osteotomy (Group A) and extended chevron osteotomy (Group B). Preoperative and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) were measured at final follow-up. Charts were also assessed to determine the postoperative rate of satisfaction, stiffness, and pain. There were no statistically significant differences between Groups A and B with regard to the HVA preoperatively and postoperatively. The DMAA was statistically significantly higher for Group B both preoperatively (p=0.0403) and postoperatively (p<0.0001). The differences in HVA correction and IMA correction were not statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to post-operative stiffness, pain, and satisfaction. The scarf and extended chevron osteotomies are capable of adequately reducing the HVA and IMA in patients with moderate to severe hallux valgus. These two techniques yielded similar patient outcomes in terms of stiffness, pain and satisfaction. Based on these results, we recommend both the scarf and extended chevron osteotomy as acceptable forms of correction for moderate to severe hallux valgus.

The Relationship between Dental Follicle Width and Maxillary Impacted Canines' Descriptive and Resorptive Features Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Dağsuyu, İlhan Metin; Okşayan, Rıdvan; Kahraman, Fatih; Aydın, Mehmet; Bayrakdar, İbrahim Şevki; Uğurlu, Mehmet

2017-01-01

To assess the relationship between dental follicle width and maxillary impacted canines' descriptive and resorptive features with three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study comprised 102 patients with cone-beam computed tomography 3D images and a total of 140 impacted canines. The association between maxillary impacted canine dental follicle width and the variables of gender, impaction side (right and left), localization of impacted canine (buccal, central, and palatal), and resorption of the adjacent laterals was compared. Measurements were analyzed with Student's t -test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U statistical test. According to gender, no statistically significant differences were found in the follicle size of the maxillary impacted canine between males and females ( p > 0.05). Widths of the follicles were determined for the right and left impaction sides, and no statistically significant relation was found ( p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between root resorption degrees of lateral incisors and maxillary impacted canine follicle width ( p < 0.05). Statistically significant higher follicle width values were present in degree 2 (mild) resorption than in degree 1 (no) and degree 3 (moderate) resorption samples ( p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between follicle width and the variables of gender, impaction side, and localization of maxillary impacted canines. Our study could not confirm that increased dental follicle width of the maxillary impacted canines exhibited more resorption risk for the adjacent lateral incisors.

A quantitative analysis of factors influencing the professional longevity of high school science teachers in Florida

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ridgley, James Alexander, Jr.

This dissertation is an exploratory quantitative analysis of various independent variables to determine their effect on the professional longevity (years of service) of high school science teachers in the state of Florida for the academic years 2011-2012 to 2013-2014. Data are collected from the Florida Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress databases. The following research hypotheses are examined: H1 - There are statistically significant differences in Level 1 (teacher variables) that influence the professional longevity of a high school science teacher in Florida. H2 - There are statistically significant differences in Level 2 (school variables) that influence the professional longevity of a high school science teacher in Florida. H3 - There are statistically significant differences in Level 3 (district variables) that influence the professional longevity of a high school science teacher in Florida. H4 - When tested in a hierarchical multiple regression, there are statistically significant differences in Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 that influence the professional longevity of a high school science teacher in Florida. The professional longevity of a Floridian high school science teacher is the dependent variable. The independent variables are: (Level 1) a teacher's sex, age, ethnicity, earned degree, salary, number of schools taught in, migration count, and various years of service in different areas of education; (Level 2) a school's geographic location, residential population density, average class size, charter status, and SES; and (Level 3) a school district's average SES and average spending per pupil. Statistical analyses of exploratory MLRs and a HMR are used to support the research hypotheses. The final results of the HMR analysis show a teacher's age, salary, earned degree (unknown, associate, and doctorate), and ethnicity (Hispanic and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander); a school's charter status; and a school district's average SES are all significant predictors of a Florida high school science teacher's professional longevity. Although statistically significant in the initial exploratory MLR analyses, a teacher's ethnicity (Asian and Black), a school's geographic location (city and rural), and a school's SES are not statistically significant in the final HMR model.

Depression and Self-Esteem in Early Adolescence.

PubMed

Tripković, Ingrid; Roje, Romilda; Krnić, Silvana; Nazor, Mirjana; Karin, Željka; Čapkun, Vesna

2015-06-01

Depression prevalence has increased in the last few decades, affecting younger age groups. The aim of this research was to determine the range of depression and low self-esteem in elementary school children in the city of Split. Testing was carried out at school and the sample comprised 1,549 children (714 boys and 832 girls, aged 13). Two psychological instruments were used: the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) and the Children and Adolescent Depression Scale (SDD). The average value of scores obtained by SEI test was 17.8 for all tested children. No statistically significant difference was found be-tween boys and girls. It was found that 11.9% of children showed signs of clinically significant depression, and 16.2% showed signs of depression. Statistically significant association between low self-esteem and clinically significant depression was found. No statistically significant difference among boys and girls according to dimension of cognitive depression was found, whereas statistically significant level of emotional depression was higher in girls than boys. It was found that both dimensions of depression decreased proportionally with the increase of SEI test score values: cognitive and emotional dimension of depression. The results of this study show that it is necessary to provide early detection of emotional difficulties in order to prevent serious mental disorders. Copyright© by the National Institute of Public Health, Prague 2015.

Banff study of pathologic changes in lung allograft biopsy specimens with donor-specific antibodies.

PubMed

Wallace, William Dean; Li, Ning; Andersen, Claus B; Arrossi, A Valeria; Askar, Medhat; Berry, Gerry J; DeNicola, Matthew M; Neil, Desley A; Pavlisko, Elizabeth N; Reed, Elaine F; Remmelink, Myriam; Weigt, S Sam; Weynand, Birgit; Zhang, Jennifer Q; Budev, Marie M; Farver, Carol F

2016-01-01

The diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in the lung transplant is still an area under investigation. We performed a blinded multicenter study to determine if any statistically significant histologic findings in transbronchial biopsy specimens from lung transplant patients correlate with the presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). We asked 9 pathologists with experience in lung transplantation to evaluate 161 lung transplant biopsy specimens for various histologic parameters. The findings were correlated with antibody status positive for DSAs, positive for non-DSAs, and no antibodies (NABs) present. The significance of each histologic variable was reviewed. We found no statistically significant association with acute cellular rejection, airway inflammation, or bronchiolitis obliterans and the presence or absence of antibodies. However, biopsy specimens with DSAs had a statistically significant difference vs NABs in the setting of acute lung injury, with or without diffuse alveolar damage (p = 0.0008), in the presence of capillary neutrophilic inflammation (p = 0.0014), and in samples with endotheliitis (p = 0.0155). In samples with complement 4d staining, there was a trend but no statistically significant difference between specimens associated with DSAs and specimens with NABs. Capillary inflammation, acute lung injury, and endotheliitis significantly correlated with DSAs. The infrequently observed diffuse staining for complement 4d limits the usefulness of this stain. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[The effect of Seguro Popular de Salud on catastrophic and impoverishing expenditures in Mexico, 2004-2012].

PubMed

Knaul, Felicia Marie; Arreola-Ornelas, Héctor; Wong, Rebeca; Lugo-Palacios, David G; Méndez-Carniado, Oscar

2018-01-01

To determine the impact of Seguro Popular (SPS) on catastrophic and impoverishing household expenditures and on the financial protection of the Mexican health system. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was applied to the population affiliated to SPS to determine the program's attributable effect on health expenditure. This analysis uses the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH) during 2004-2012, conducted by Mexico's National Institute of Statistics andGeography (INEGI). It was found that SPS has a significant effect on reducing the likelihood that households will incur impoverishing expenditures. A negative effect on catastrophic expenditures was also found, but it was not statistically significant. This paper shows the effect that SPS, in particular health insurance, has as an instrument of financial protection. Future studies using longer periods of ENIGH data should analyze the persistence of high out-of-pocket expenditure.

Response surface methodology as an approach to determine optimal activities of lipase entrapped in sol-gel matrix using different vegetable oils.

PubMed

Pinheiro, Rubiane C; Soares, Cleide M F; de Castro, Heizir F; Moraes, Flavio F; Zanin, Gisella M

2008-03-01

The conditions for maximization of the enzymatic activity of lipase entrapped in sol-gel matrix were determined for different vegetable oils using an experimental design. The effects of pH, temperature, and biocatalyst loading on lipase activity were verified using a central composite experimental design leading to a set of 13 assays and the surface response analysis. For canola oil and entrapped lipase, statistical analyses showed significant effects for pH and temperature and also the interactions between pH and temperature and temperature and biocatalyst loading. For the olive oil and entrapped lipase, it was verified that the pH was the only variable statistically significant. This study demonstrated that response surface analysis is a methodology appropriate for the maximization of the percentage of hydrolysis, as a function of pH, temperature, and lipase loading.

Human leukocyte antigens in Gulf War veterans with chronic unexplained multiple symptoms.

PubMed

O'Bryan, Thomas A; Romano, Paula J; Zangwill, Bruce C

2003-12-01

Several articles have suggested that immune dysregulation related to Gulf War deployment may be involved in chronic illnesses with an unclear etiology among Gulf War veterans. To determine whether genetic susceptibility related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system might play a role in development of the veterans' illnesses, we examined the frequency distribution of HLA A, B, DR, and DQ antigens from symptomatic veterans residing in south-central Pennsylvania compared with a local healthy population database. Only HLA-A28 demonstrated statistical significance. A28 was present in 7 (21.9%) of 32 of the veterans and 15 (6.9%) of 217 of the healthy population (p = 0.01, Fisher's exact test). This accounts for a minority of the ill veterans tested and is not statistically significant when corrected for the number of antigens determined. We conclude that specific HLA antigens are not strongly associated with the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.

[Prolyl hydroxylase activity in liver specimens in chronic liver diseases (author's transl)].

PubMed

Langness, U; Clausnitzer, H; Verspohl, M; Grasedyck, K

1978-08-25

100 patients were laparoscopied, liver tissue specimens taken from atypically altered areas. Prolyl hydroxylase was determined in the specimen, in parallel tissue was examined by light microscope. 8 groups of patients could be differentiated: Patients 1. with active, 2, with inactive cirrhosis, 3. with fatty infiltrations, 4. with fatty infiltration and mesenchymal reaction, 5. with aggressive, 6. with persistent, 7. with reactive hepatitis, 8. patients without histological changes. In the case of connective tissue increase in the liver prolyl hydroxylase activities were statistically significant above normal. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between the enzyme activities of each group. A correlation could be found between prolyl hydroxylase activity and morphologically estimated connective tissue formation, but not the serum enzyme activities usually determined in liver diseases. Therefore, could be concluded that prolyl hydroxylase activity is an index of actual collagen biosynthesis in chronic liver diseases.

Improving DHH students' grammar through an individualized software program.

PubMed

Cannon, Joanna E; Easterbrooks, Susan R; Gagné, Phill; Beal-Alvarez, Jennifer

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if the frequent use of a targeted, computer software grammar instruction program, used as an individualized classroom activity, would influence the comprehension of morphosyntax structures (determiners, tense, and complementizers) in deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) participants who use American Sign Language (ASL). Twenty-six students from an urban day school for the deaf participated in this study. Two hierarchical linear modeling growth curve analyses showed that the influence of LanguageLinks: Syntax Assessment and Intervention (LL) resulted in statistically significant gains in participants' comprehension of morphosyntax structures. Two dependent t tests revealed statistically significant results between the pre- and postintervention assessments on the Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation-Norm Referenced. The daily use of LL increased the morphosyntax comprehension of the participants in this study and may be a promising practice for DHH students who use ASL.

Residual stress in glass: indentation crack and fractography approaches

PubMed Central

Anunmana, Chuchai; Anusavice, Kenneth J.; Mecholsky, John J.

2009-01-01

Objective To test the hypothesis that the indentation crack technique can determine surface residual stresses that are not statistically significantly different from those determined from the analytical procedure using surface cracks, the four-point flexure test, and fracture surface analysis. Methods Soda-lime-silica glass bar specimens (4 mm × 2.3 mm × 28 mm) were prepared and annealed at 650 °C for 30 min before testing. The fracture toughness values of the glass bars were determined from 12 specimens based on induced surface cracks, four-point flexure, and fractographic analysis. To determine the residual stress from the indentation technique, 18 specimens were indented under 19.6 N load using a Vickers microhardness indenter. Crack lengths were measured within 1 min and 24 h after indentation, and the measured crack lengths were compared with the mean crack lengths of annealed specimens. Residual stress was calculated from an equation developed for the indentation technique. All specimens were fractured in a four-point flexure fixture and the residual stress was calculated from the strength and measured crack sizes on the fracture surfaces. Results The results show that there was no significant difference between the residual stresses calculated from the two techniques. However, the differences in mean residual stresses calculated within 1 min compared with those calculated after 24 h were statistically significant (p=0.003). Significance This study compared the indentation technique with the fractographic analysis method for determining the residual stress in the surface of soda-lime silica glass. The indentation method may be useful for estimating residual stress in glass. PMID:19671475

Statistics Refresher for Molecular Imaging Technologists, Part 2: Accuracy of Interpretation, Significance, and Variance.

PubMed

Farrell, Mary Beth

2018-06-01

This article is the second part of a continuing education series reviewing basic statistics that nuclear medicine and molecular imaging technologists should understand. In this article, the statistics for evaluating interpretation accuracy, significance, and variance are discussed. Throughout the article, actual statistics are pulled from the published literature. We begin by explaining 2 methods for quantifying interpretive accuracy: interreader and intrareader reliability. Agreement among readers can be expressed simply as a percentage. However, the Cohen κ-statistic is a more robust measure of agreement that accounts for chance. The higher the κ-statistic is, the higher is the agreement between readers. When 3 or more readers are being compared, the Fleiss κ-statistic is used. Significance testing determines whether the difference between 2 conditions or interventions is meaningful. Statistical significance is usually expressed using a number called a probability ( P ) value. Calculation of P value is beyond the scope of this review. However, knowing how to interpret P values is important for understanding the scientific literature. Generally, a P value of less than 0.05 is considered significant and indicates that the results of the experiment are due to more than just chance. Variance, standard deviation (SD), confidence interval, and standard error (SE) explain the dispersion of data around a mean of a sample drawn from a population. SD is commonly reported in the literature. A small SD indicates that there is not much variation in the sample data. Many biologic measurements fall into what is referred to as a normal distribution taking the shape of a bell curve. In a normal distribution, 68% of the data will fall within 1 SD, 95% will fall within 2 SDs, and 99.7% will fall within 3 SDs. Confidence interval defines the range of possible values within which the population parameter is likely to lie and gives an idea of the precision of the statistic being measured. A wide confidence interval indicates that if the experiment were repeated multiple times on other samples, the measured statistic would lie within a wide range of possibilities. The confidence interval relies on the SE. © 2018 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

Occipital and Cingulate Hypometabolism are Significantly Under-Reported on 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scans of Patients with Lewy Body Dementia.

PubMed

Hamed, Moath; Schraml, Frank; Wilson, Jeffrey; Galvin, James; Sabbagh, Marwan N

2018-01-01

To determine whether occipital and cingulate hypometabolism is being under-reported or missed on 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) CT scans in patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Recent studies have reported higher sensitivity and specificity for occipital and cingulate hypometabolism on FDG-PET of DLB patients. This retrospective chart review looked at regions of interest (ROI's) in FDG-PET CT scan reports in 35 consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable, possible, or definite DLB as defined by the latest DLB Consortium Report. ROI's consisting of glucose hypometabolism in frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and cingulate areas were tabulated and charted separately by the authors from the reports. A blinded Nuclear medicine physician read the images independently and marked ROI's separately. A Cohen's Kappa coefficient statistic was calculated to determine agreement between the reports and the blinded reads. On the radiology reports, 25.71% and 17.14% of patients reported occipital and cingulate hypometabolism respectively. Independent reads demonstrated significant disagreement with the proportion of occipital and cingulate hypometabolism being reported on initial reads: 91.43% and 85.71% respectively. Cohen's Kappa statistic determinations demonstrated significant agreement only with parietal hypometabolism (p<0.05). Occipital and cingulate hypometabolism is under-reported and missed frequently on clinical interpretations of FDG-PET scans of patients with DLB, but the frequency of hypometabolism is even higher than previously reported. Further studies with more statistical power and receiver operating characteristic analyses are needed to delineate the sensitivity and specificity of these in vivo biomarkers.

Self-esteem and its associated factors among secondary school students in Klang District, Selangor.

PubMed

Sherina, M S; Rampal, L; Loh, J W; Chan, C L; Teh, P C; Tan, P O

2008-03-01

Self-esteem is an important determinant of psychological well-being that is particularly problematic during adolescent life stage. There is a correlation between low self-esteem and other social problems among today's adolescents. This study was conducted to determine the mean self-esteem score, and to determine the association between self-esteem and age, sex, race, religion, number of siblings, ranking among siblings, family function, parental marital status and smoking among adolescents aged 12 to 20-years-old. A cross sectional study design using random cluster sampling method was done. Four out of a total of 35 secondary schools in Klang District, Selangor were selected. Respondents consisted of individual students in selected classes from the four selected schools. Data was collected using a self-administered, structured, pre-tested questionnaire and was analyzed using the SPSS version 12.0. Out of 1089 respondents, 793 completed the questionnaire (response rate 73.82%). The overall mean self-esteem score was 27.65. The mean self-esteem score for males (27.99) was slightly higher than females (27.31). The differences in the mean scores by race were statistically significant. There was a statistically significant relationship between mean self-esteem scores and sex, age, race, religion, number of siblings, smoking and family function. There was no statistically significant difference between mean self-esteem score with parental marital status and with ranking among siblings. The overall mean self-esteem score was 27.65. Self-esteem was associated with sex, age, race, religion, number of siblings, smoking and family function.

Effects of perceived smoking-cancer relationship and cardiovascular health attitudes on childrens' views of smoking.

PubMed

Bektas, Ilknur; Bektas, Murat; Selekoğlu, Yasemin; Kudubes, Aslı Akdeniz; Altan, Sema Sal; Ayar, Dijle

2015-01-01

This study was conducted with the aim of determining how students' perceived smoking-cancer relationship and cardiovascular health attitudes affect childrens' views of smoking. The sample of this descriptive-cross sectional study comprised 574 subjects between the ages of 11-15. The data were collected using the Children's Cardiovascular Health Promotion Attitude Scale and the Children's Decisional Balance Measure for Assessing and Predicting Smoking Status. Correlation and logistic regression were used for analysis. It was determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between the attitudes of children towards smoking and their ideas about the relationship of smoking with cancer, which is negative and low (r=-0.223). There was also a statistically significant relationship between their attitudes towards cardiovascular health and their attitudes towards smoking, again at a low level (r=0.257). It was determined that children with ideas about smoking and cancer were 9.4 times less likely to have positive/negative attitudes towards smoking, while positive attitudes towards cardiovascular health made negative attitudes towards smoking 3.9 times less likely. It was determined that the attitudes of students towards cardiovascular health and their perceptions of smoking and cancer reduced the positive perceptions towards smoking.

Condylar positional changes in rapid maxillary expansion assessed with cone-beam computer tomography.

PubMed

McLeod, Lauren; Hernández, Ivonne A; Heo, Giseon; Lagravère, Manuel O

2016-09-01

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of condylar spatial changes in patients having rapid maxillary expansion treatments compared to a control group. Thirty-seven patients with maxillary transverse deficiency (11-17 years old) were randomly allocated into two groups (one treatment group - tooth borne expander [hyrax] - and one control group). Cone-beam computer tomographies (CBCT) were obtained from each patient at two time points (initial T1 and at removal of appliance at 6 months T2). CBCTs were analyzed using AVIZO software and landmarks were placed on the upper first molars and premolars, cranial base, condyles and glenoid fossa. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients and one-way Anova analysis were used to determine if there was a change in condyle position with respect to the glenoid fossa and cranial base and if there was a statistically significant difference between groups. Descriptive statistics show that changes in the condyle position with respect to the glenoid fossa were minor in both groups (<1.9mm average for both groups). The largest difference in both groups was found when measuring the distance between the left and right condyle heads. When comparing changes between both groups, no statistically significant difference was found between changes in the condyles (P<0.05). Rapid maxillary expansion treatments present mild effects/changes on the condylar position. Nevertheless, these changes do not present a significant difference with controls, thus not constituting a limitation for applying this treatment. Copyright © 2016 CEO. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A study of engineering student attributes and time to completion of first-year required courses at Texas A&M University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimball, Jorja Lay

For many years, colleges of engineering across the nation have required that a foundational set of courses be completed for entry into upper division coursework or into a specific engineering major. Since 1998, The Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU) has required that incoming first-time enrolling students complete a Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) with specific cumulative grade points required for specific majors. However, considerations of the time to completion of coursework and other student characteristics and academic factors have not been taken into consideration by TAMU, like most institutions. The purpose of this study is to determine for first year engineering students at TAMU the relationship of gender, ethnicity, engineering major, unmet financial need, cumulative grade point average, and total transfer hours on time to completion of CBK courses. The results of the analysis showed that cumulative grade point average (CGPA) had the strongest relationship to completion of CBK of any independent variable in this study. Statistical significance was found for the following variables in this study: CGPA, gender, ethnicity, and unmet financial need. For the study's variable of major, statistical significance was found for Chemical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering majors. The one variable in this study that did not show statistical significance in relation to time to completion of CBK was transfer credit. Findings with implications for recruitment and retention of underrepresented in engineering is a statistical significance indicating that on average females are taking less time than males to complete CBK. The conclusion from the study is that efforts to attract more women into engineering have merit as do programs to support underrepresented students in order that they may complete CBK at a faster pace. Further study to determine profiles of those majors where statistical significance was found for students taking a greater or lesser amount of time for CBK completion than the mean is recommended, as is ongoing data collection and comparison for current cohorts of engineering majors at TAMU.

Disaster response team FAST skills training with a portable ultrasound simulator compared to traditional training: pilot study.

PubMed

Paddock, Michael T; Bailitz, John; Horowitz, Russ; Khishfe, Basem; Cosby, Karen; Sergel, Michelle J

2015-03-01

Pre-hospital focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) has been effectively used to improve patient care in multiple mass casualty events throughout the world. Although requisite FAST knowledge may now be learned remotely by disaster response team members, traditional live instructor and model hands-on FAST skills training remains logistically challenging. The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effectiveness of a novel portable ultrasound (US) simulator with traditional FAST skills training for a deployed mixed provider disaster response team. We randomized participants into one of three training groups stratified by provider role: Group A. Traditional Skills Training, Group B. US Simulator Skills Training, and Group C. Traditional Skills Training Plus US Simulator Skills Training. After skills training, we measured participants' FAST image acquisition and interpretation skills using a standardized direct observation tool (SDOT) with healthy models and review of FAST patient images. Pre- and post-course US and FAST knowledge were also assessed using a previously validated multiple-choice evaluation. We used the ANOVA procedure to determine the statistical significance of differences between the means of each group's skills scores. Paired sample t-tests were used to determine the statistical significance of pre- and post-course mean knowledge scores within groups. We enrolled 36 participants, 12 randomized to each training group. Randomization resulted in similar distribution of participants between training groups with respect to provider role, age, sex, and prior US training. For the FAST SDOT image acquisition and interpretation mean skills scores, there was no statistically significant difference between training groups. For US and FAST mean knowledge scores, there was a statistically significant improvement between pre- and post-course scores within each group, but again there was not a statistically significant difference between training groups. This pilot study of a deployed mixed-provider disaster response team suggests that a novel portable US simulator may provide equivalent skills training in comparison to traditional live instructor and model training. Further studies with a larger sample size and other measures of short- and long-term clinical performance are warranted.

Evaluation on the use of cerium in the NBL Titrimetric Method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zebrowski, J.P.; Orlowicz, G.J.; Johnson, K.D.

An alternative to potassium dichromate as titrant in the New Brunswick Laboratory Titrimetric Method for uranium analysis was sought since chromium in the waste makes disposal difficult. Substitution of a ceric-based titrant was statistically evaluated. Analysis of the data indicated statistically equivalent precisions for the two methods, but a significant overall bias of +0.035% for the ceric titrant procedure. The cause of the bias was investigated, alterations to the procedure were made, and a second statistical study was performed. This second study revealed no statistically significant bias, nor any analyst-to-analyst variation in the ceric titration procedure. A statistically significant day-to-daymore » variation was detected, but this was physically small (0.01 5%) and was only detected because of the within-day precision of the method. The added mean and standard deviation of the %RD for a single measurement was found to be 0.031%. A comparison with quality control blind dichromate titration data again indicated similar overall precision. Effects of ten elements on the ceric titration`s performance was determined. Co, Ti, Cu, Ni, Na, Mg, Gd, Zn, Cd, and Cr in previous work at NBL these impurities did not interfere with the potassium dichromate titrant. This study indicated similar results for the ceric titrant, with the exception of Ti. All the elements (excluding Ti and Cr), caused no statistically significant bias in uranium measurements at levels of 10 mg impurity per 20-40 mg uranium. The presence of Ti was found to cause a bias of {minus}0.05%; this is attributed to the presence of sulfate ions, resulting in precipitation of titanium sulfate and occlusion of uranium. A negative bias of 0.012% was also statistically observed in the samples containing chromium impurities.« less

MR Spectroscopy to Distinguish between Supratentorial Intraventricular Subependymoma and Central Neurocytoma.

PubMed

Ueda, Fumiaki; Aburano, Hiroyuki; Ryu, Yasuji; Yoshie, Yuichi; Nakada, Mitsutoshi; Hayashi, Yutaka; Matsui, Osamu; Gabata, Toshifumi

2017-07-10

The purpose of this study was to discriminate supratentorial intraventricular subependymoma (SIS) from central neurocytoma (CNC) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Single-voxel proton MRS using a 1.5T or 3T MR scanner from five SISs, five CNCs, and normal controls were evaluated. They were examined using a point-resolved spectroscopy. Automatically calculated ratios comparing choline (Cho), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), myoinositol (MI), and/or glycine (Gly) to creatine (Cr) were determined. Evaluation of Cr to unsuppressed water (USW) was also performed. Mann-Whitney U test was carried out to test the significance of differences in the metabolite ratios. Detectability of lactate (Lac) and alanine (Ala) was evaluated. Although a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed in Cho/Cr among SIS, control spectra, and CNC, no statistical difference was noted between SIS and control spectra (P = 0.11). Statistically significant differences were observed in NAA/Cr between SIS and CNC (P = 0.04) or control spectra (P < 0.0001). A statistically significant difference was observed in MI and/or Gly to Cr between SIS and control spectra (P = 0.03), and CNC and control spectra (P < 0.0006). There were no statistical differences between SIS and CNC for MI and/or Gly to Cr (P = 0.32). Significant statistical differences were found between SIS and control spectra (P < 0.0053), control spectra and CNC (P < 0.0016), and SIS and CNC (P < 0.0083) for Cr to USW. Lac inverted doublets were confirmed in two SISs. Triplets of Lac and Ala were detected in four spectra of CNC. The present study showed that MRS can be useful in discriminating SIS from CNC.

Streamflow Statistics for the Narraguagus River at Cherryfield, Maine

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dudley, Robert W.; Nielsen, Joseph P.

2000-01-01

Streamflow data have been collected for the Narraguagus River from 1948 to the present (2000) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging station at Cherryfield, Maine. This report describes a study done by the USGS to determine streamflow statistics using the streamflow record at the Narraguagus River station for use in total water use management plans implemented by State and Federal agencies. Because the effect of changes in irrigation practices from 1993 to the present on streamflow in the Narraguagus basin is unknown and potentially significant, streamflow data after December 1992 were not used in the determination of the streamflow statistics. For the period 1948- 92, monthly median streamflows range from 93.0 ft3/s (August) to 1,000 ft3/s (April). The median streamflow for the selected period of record for all days (1948-92) is 302 ft3/s.

Inhibition of Orthopaedic Implant Infections by Immunomodulatory Effects of Host Defense Peptides

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

significance was determined by t- tests or by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests in experiments with multiple...groups. Non- parametric Mann-Whitney tests , Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA followed by Newman-Kuels post hoc tests , or van Elteren’s two-way tests were applied to...in D, and black symbols in A), statistical analysis was by one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni versus control, post hoc tests . Otherwise, statistical

The Fluoride Content of Yerba Mate Depending on the Country of Origin and the Conditions of the Infusion.

PubMed

Łukomska, A; Jakubczyk, K; Maciejewska, D; Baranowska-Bosiacka, I; Janda, K; Goschorska, M; Chlubek, D; Bosiacka, B; Gutowska, I

2015-10-01

There are many reports of the positive effect of yerba mate on the human body. Elemental composition analysis of yerba mate revealed the presence of many microelements and macroelements, but there is no literature data referencing the content and the effect of the method of preparing the yerba mate infusion on the amount of released fluoride and thus the amount of this element supplied to the human body. Therefore, in the traditional way (cold and hot), we prepared infusions of yerba mate from different countries and determined in samples content of fluoride using potentiometric method. Hot infusions resulted in statistically significant (p = 0.03) increases in the amount of fluoride released from the dried material to the water, compared to brewing with water at room temperature. The successive refills of hot water also resulted in a release of the same amount of fluoride, although smaller than the infusion with water at room temperature (at the third refill, it was statistically significantly smaller at p = 0.003). With an increase in the number of hot water refills, the amount of fluoride released from the sample portion significantly decreased. Similar results were recorded when analyzing samples depending on the country of origin. The amount of fluoride released into the water differed statistically significantly depending on the country of origin. The most fluoride was determined in the infusions of yerba mate from Argentina and the least in infusions from Paraguay.

Pattern statistics on Markov chains and sensitivity to parameter estimation

PubMed Central

Nuel, Grégory

2006-01-01

Background: In order to compute pattern statistics in computational biology a Markov model is commonly used to take into account the sequence composition. Usually its parameter must be estimated. The aim of this paper is to determine how sensitive these statistics are to parameter estimation, and what are the consequences of this variability on pattern studies (finding the most over-represented words in a genome, the most significant common words to a set of sequences,...). Results: In the particular case where pattern statistics (overlap counting only) computed through binomial approximations we use the delta-method to give an explicit expression of σ, the standard deviation of a pattern statistic. This result is validated using simulations and a simple pattern study is also considered. Conclusion: We establish that the use of high order Markov model could easily lead to major mistakes due to the high sensitivity of pattern statistics to parameter estimation. PMID:17044916

Pattern statistics on Markov chains and sensitivity to parameter estimation.

PubMed

Nuel, Grégory

2006-10-17

In order to compute pattern statistics in computational biology a Markov model is commonly used to take into account the sequence composition. Usually its parameter must be estimated. The aim of this paper is to determine how sensitive these statistics are to parameter estimation, and what are the consequences of this variability on pattern studies (finding the most over-represented words in a genome, the most significant common words to a set of sequences,...). In the particular case where pattern statistics (overlap counting only) computed through binomial approximations we use the delta-method to give an explicit expression of sigma, the standard deviation of a pattern statistic. This result is validated using simulations and a simple pattern study is also considered. We establish that the use of high order Markov model could easily lead to major mistakes due to the high sensitivity of pattern statistics to parameter estimation.

Temperature modulation of the visible and near infrared absorption and scattering coefficients of human skin.

PubMed

Khalil, Omar S; Yeh, Shu-Jen; Lowery, Michael G; Wu, Xiaomao; Hanna, Charles F; Kantor, Stanislaw; Jeng, Tzyy-Wen; Kanger, Johannes S; Bolt, Rene A; de Mul, Frits F

2003-04-01

We determine temperature effect on the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients (mu(a) and mu(s)(')) of human forearm skin. Optical and thermal simulation data suggest that mu( a) and mu(s)(') are determined within a temperature-controlled depth of approximately 2 mm. Cutaneous mu(s)(') change linearly with temperature. Change in mu(a) was complex and irreversible above body normal temperatures. Light penetration depth (delta) in skin increased on cooling, with considerable person-to-person variations. We attribute the effect of temperature on mu(s)(') to change in refractive index mismatch, and its effect on mu(a) to perfusion changes. The reversible temperature effect on mu (s)(' ) was maintained during more than 90 min. contact between skin and the measuring probe, where temperature was modulated between 38 and 22 degrees C for multiple cycles While temperature modulated mu(s)(' ) instantaneously and reversibly, mu(a) exhibited slower response time and consistent drift. There was a statistically significant upward drift in mu(a) and a mostly downward drift in mu( s)(') over the contact period. The drift in temperature-induced fractional change in mu(s)(') was less statistically significant than the drift in mu(s)('). Deltamu( s)(') values determined under temperature modulation conditions may have less nonspecific drift than mu(s)(') which may have significance for noninvasive determination of analytes in human tissue.

Microwave-assisted extraction and mild saponification for determination of organochlorine pesticides in oyster samples.

PubMed

Carro, N; García, I; Ignacio, M-C; Llompart, M; Yebra, M-C; Mouteira, A

2002-10-01

A sample-preparation procedure (extraction and saponification) using microwave energy is proposed for determination of organochlorine pesticides in oyster samples. A Plackett-Burman factorial design has been used to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction and mild saponification on a freeze dried sample spiked with a mixture of aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachorepoxide, isodrin, transnonachlor, p, p'-DDE, and p, p'-DDD. Six variables: solvent volume, extraction time, extraction temperature, amount of acetone (%) in the extractant solvent, amount of sample, and volume of NaOH solution were considered in the optimization process. The results show that the amount of sample is statistically significant for dieldrin, aldrin, p, p'-DDE, heptachlor, and transnonachlor and solvent volume for dieldrin, aldrin, and p, p'-DDE. The volume of NaOH solution is statistically significant for aldrin and p, p'-DDE only. Extraction temperature and extraction time seem to be the main factors determining the efficiency of extraction process for isodrin and p, p'-DDE, respectively. The optimized procedure was compared with conventional Soxhlet extraction.

Evaluating statistical and clinical significance of intervention effects in single-case experimental designs: an SPSS method to analyze univariate data.

PubMed

Maric, Marija; de Haan, Else; Hogendoorn, Sanne M; Wolters, Lidewij H; Huizenga, Hilde M

2015-03-01

Single-case experimental designs are useful methods in clinical research practice to investigate individual client progress. Their proliferation might have been hampered by methodological challenges such as the difficulty applying existing statistical procedures. In this article, we describe a data-analytic method to analyze univariate (i.e., one symptom) single-case data using the common package SPSS. This method can help the clinical researcher to investigate whether an intervention works as compared with a baseline period or another intervention type, and to determine whether symptom improvement is clinically significant. First, we describe the statistical method in a conceptual way and show how it can be implemented in SPSS. Simulation studies were performed to determine the number of observation points required per intervention phase. Second, to illustrate this method and its implications, we present a case study of an adolescent with anxiety disorders treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques in an outpatient psychotherapy clinic, whose symptoms were regularly assessed before each session. We provide a description of the data analyses and results of this case study. Finally, we discuss the advantages and shortcomings of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Influence of science and technology magnet middle schools on students' motivation and achievement in science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, David

Some informal discussions among educators regarding motivation of students and academic performance have included the topic of magnet schools. The premise is that a focused theme, such as an aspect of science, positively affects student motivation and academic achievement. However, there is limited research involving magnet schools and their influence on student motivation and academic performance. This study provides empirical data for the discussion about magnet schools influence on motivation and academic ability. This study utilized path analysis in a structural equation modeling framework to simultaneously investigate the relationships between demographic exogenous independent variables, the independent variable of attending a science or technology magnet middle school, and the dependent variables of motivation to learn science and academic achievement in science. Due to the categorical nature of the variables, Bayesian statistical analysis was used to calculate the path coefficients and the standardized effects for each relationship in the model. The coefficients of determination were calculated to determine the amount of variance each path explained. Only five of 21 paths had statistical significance. Only one of the five statistically significant paths (Attended Magnet School to Motivation to Learn Science) explained a noteworthy amount (45.8%) of the variance.

Emerging correlations between measures of population well-being, suicide and homicide: a look at global and Australian data.

PubMed

Lee, Adrian Ys; Pridmore, Saxby

2014-04-01

Our aim was (1) to examine global and Australian data with a view to determining the presence of an inverse relationship between suicide and homicide rates, and (2) to examine global Human Development Index (HDI) values and suicide and homicide rates, with a view to determining any statistical relationship. Suicide and homicide rates and HDI values were available for 102 countries, and suicide and homicide rates were available for the states and territories of Australia. The three data sets had non-normal distributions, and the non-parametric Spearman's ρ was used for correlation statistics with α = 0.05. We found a weak, statistically significant inverse relationship between the suicide and homicide rates of 102 countries (ρ = -0.244, p = 0.014). No relationship was established for the Australian values, however. As anticipated, we found a significant negative correlation between homicide and HDI values. We unexpectedly demonstrated a positive correlation between suicide rates and HDI values. The notion that suicide and homicide have an inverse relationship now has some scientific support; but additional research is warranted to characterise and explain this relationship. The unexpected finding of a positive correlation between suicide rates and HDI values requires further examination.

No-Impact Threshold Values for NRAP's Reduced Order Models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Last, George V.; Murray, Christopher J.; Brown, Christopher F.

2013-02-01

The purpose of this study was to develop methodologies for establishing baseline datasets and statistical protocols for determining statistically significant changes between background concentrations and predicted concentrations that would be used to represent a contamination plume in the Gen II models being developed by NRAP’s Groundwater Protection team. The initial effort examined selected portions of two aquifer systems; the urban shallow-unconfined aquifer system of the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System (being used to develop the ROM for carbon-rock aquifers, and the a portion of the High Plains Aquifer (an unconsolidated and semi-consolidated sand and gravel aquifer, being used to development the ROMmore » for sandstone aquifers). Threshold values were determined for Cd, Pb, As, pH, and TDS that could be used to identify contamination due to predicted impacts from carbon sequestration storage reservoirs, based on recommendations found in the EPA’s ''Unified Guidance for Statistical Analysis of Groundwater Monitoring Data at RCRA Facilities'' (US Environmental Protection Agency 2009). Results from this effort can be used to inform a ''no change'' scenario with respect to groundwater impacts, rather than the use of an MCL that could be significantly higher than existing concentrations in the aquifer.« less

Active Duty - U.S. Army Noise Induced Hearing Injury Surveillance Calendar Years 2009-2013

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

rates for sensorineural hearing loss, significant threshold shift, tinnitus , and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. The intention is to monitor the morbidity...surveillance. These code groups include sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), significant threshold shift (STS), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus ... Tinnitus ) was analyzed using a regression model to determine the trend of incidence rates from 2007 to the current year. Statistical significance of a

Recovering incomplete data using Statistical Multiple Imputations (SMI): a case study in environmental chemistry.

PubMed

Mercer, Theresa G; Frostick, Lynne E; Walmsley, Anthony D

2011-10-15

This paper presents a statistical technique that can be applied to environmental chemistry data where missing values and limit of detection levels prevent the application of statistics. A working example is taken from an environmental leaching study that was set up to determine if there were significant differences in levels of leached arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) between lysimeters containing preservative treated wood waste and those containing untreated wood. Fourteen lysimeters were setup and left in natural conditions for 21 weeks. The resultant leachate was analysed by ICP-OES to determine the As, Cr and Cu concentrations. However, due to the variation inherent in each lysimeter combined with the limits of detection offered by ICP-OES, the collected quantitative data was somewhat incomplete. Initial data analysis was hampered by the number of 'missing values' in the data. To recover the dataset, the statistical tool of Statistical Multiple Imputation (SMI) was applied, and the data was re-analysed successfully. It was demonstrated that using SMI did not affect the variance in the data, but facilitated analysis of the complete dataset. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantifying Safety Margin Using the Risk-Informed Safety Margin Characterization (RISMC)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grabaskas, David; Bucknor, Matthew; Brunett, Acacia

2015-04-26

The Risk-Informed Safety Margin Characterization (RISMC), developed by Idaho National Laboratory as part of the Light-Water Reactor Sustainability Project, utilizes a probabilistic safety margin comparison between a load and capacity distribution, rather than a deterministic comparison between two values, as is usually done in best-estimate plus uncertainty analyses. The goal is to determine the failure probability, or in other words, the probability of the system load equaling or exceeding the system capacity. While this method has been used in pilot studies, there has been little work conducted investigating the statistical significance of the resulting failure probability. In particular, it ismore » difficult to determine how many simulations are necessary to properly characterize the failure probability. This work uses classical (frequentist) statistics and confidence intervals to examine the impact in statistical accuracy when the number of simulations is varied. Two methods are proposed to establish confidence intervals related to the failure probability established using a RISMC analysis. The confidence interval provides information about the statistical accuracy of the method utilized to explore the uncertainty space, and offers a quantitative method to gauge the increase in statistical accuracy due to performing additional simulations.« less

A statistical approach to evaluate the performance of cardiac biomarkers in predicting death due to acute myocardial infarction: time-dependent ROC curve

PubMed

Karaismailoğlu, Eda; Dikmen, Zeliha Günnur; Akbıyık, Filiz; Karaağaoğlu, Ahmet Ergun

2018-04-30

Background/aim: Myoglobin, cardiac troponin T, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) are frequently used biomarkers for evaluating risk of patients admitted to an emergency department with chest pain. Recently, time- dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis has been used to evaluate the predictive power of biomarkers where disease status can change over time. We aimed to determine the best set of biomarkers that estimate cardiac death during follow-up time. We also obtained optimal cut-off values of these biomarkers, which differentiates between patients with and without risk of death. A web tool was developed to estimate time intervals in risk. Materials and methods: A total of 410 patients admitted to the emergency department with chest pain and shortness of breath were included. Cox regression analysis was used to determine an optimal set of biomarkers that can be used for estimating cardiac death and to combine the significant biomarkers. Time-dependent ROC analysis was performed for evaluating performances of significant biomarkers and a combined biomarker during 240 h. The bootstrap method was used to compare statistical significance and the Youden index was used to determine optimal cut-off values. Results : Myoglobin and BNP were significant by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Areas under the time-dependent ROC curves of myoglobin and BNP were about 0.80 during 240 h, and that of the combined biomarker (myoglobin + BNP) increased to 0.90 during the first 180 h. Conclusion: Although myoglobin is not clinically specific to a cardiac event, in our study both myoglobin and BNP were found to be statistically significant for estimating cardiac death. Using this combined biomarker may increase the power of prediction. Our web tool can be useful for evaluating the risk status of new patients and helping clinicians in making decisions.

The statistical significance of error probability as determined from decoding simulations for long codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Massey, J. L.

1976-01-01

The very low error probability obtained with long error-correcting codes results in a very small number of observed errors in simulation studies of practical size and renders the usual confidence interval techniques inapplicable to the observed error probability. A natural extension of the notion of a 'confidence interval' is made and applied to such determinations of error probability by simulation. An example is included to show the surprisingly great significance of as few as two decoding errors in a very large number of decoding trials.

Comparative clinical evaluation of coronally advanced flap with or without platelet rich fibrin membrane in the treatment of isolated gingival recession

PubMed Central

Thamaraiselvan, Murugan; Elavarasu, Sugumari; Thangakumaran, Suthanthiran; Gadagi, Jayaprakash Sharanabasappa; Arthie, Thangavelu

2015-01-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of an autologous platelet rich fibrin (PRF) membrane to a coronally advanced flap (CAF) would improve the clinical outcome in terms of root coverage, in the treatment of isolated gingival recession. Materials and Methods: Systemically healthy 20 subjects each with single Miller's class I or II buccal recession defect were randomly assigned to control (CAF) or test (CAF + PRF) group. Clinical outcome was determined by measuring the following clinical parameters such as recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), width of keratinized tissue (WKT), gingival thickness (GTH), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) at baseline, 3rd, and 6th month postsurgery. Results: The root coverage was 65.00 ± 44.47% in the control group and 74.16 ± 28.98% in the test group at 6th month, with no statistically significant difference between them. Similarly, CAL, PD, and WKT between the groups were not statistically significant. Conversely, there was statistically significant increase in GTH in the test group. Conclusion: CAF is a predictable treatment for isolated Miller's class I and II recession defects. The addition of PRF to CAF provided no added advantage in terms of root coverage except for an increase in GTH. PMID:25810596

FACTORS RELATED TO ORAL CANDIDIASIS IN ELDERLY USERS AND NON-USERS OF REMOVABLE DENTAL PROSTHESES.

PubMed

Bianchi, Cyra Maria Pires de Carvalho; Bianchi, Hélcio Aparecido; Tadano, Tomoko; Paula, Claudete Rodrigues de; Hoffmann-Santos, Hugo Dias; Leite, Diniz Pereira; Hahn, Rosane Christine

2016-01-01

This study examined the association between oral candidiasis in elderly users and nonusers of prosthesis and its predisposing factors. To this end, we performed a cross-sectional study where saliva samples from 48 patients were collected they used prosthesis and 43 patients (control group) who did not use. Among the 91 patients, Candida spp were isolated in 40 (83.3%) who used prosthesis and in 23 (53.5%) in the control group. A statistically significant association was determined between the two groups, the isolation of yeasts and dental prosthesis (p < 0.05, OR = 4.3). The most common etiological agent was Candida albicans (37 isolates), with 23 (62.2%) in the denture group and 14 (37.8%) (control group). Among patients who presented clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis (n = 24), 83.3% (n = 20) belonged to the group that wore dentures, while only 16.7% (n = 4) belonged to the control group. Elderly patients with diabetes had 4.4 times higher estimated risk of developing oral candidiasis when compared with individuals without this condition. There was no statistically significant association between being user prostheses and have diabetes with the onset of candidiasis. No statistically significant association was determined between xerostomia, use of prosthesis and oral candidiasis. The use of prosthetics and poor oral hygiene in elderly patients predisposes to the development of oral candidiasis.

FACTORS RELATED TO ORAL CANDIDIASIS IN ELDERLY USERS AND NON-USERS OF REMOVABLE DENTAL PROSTHESES

PubMed Central

BIANCHI, Cyra Maria Pires de Carvalho; BIANCHI, Hélcio Aparecido; TADANO, Tomoko; de PAULA, Claudete Rodrigues; HOFFMANN-SANTOS, Hugo Dias; LEITE, Diniz Pereira; HAHN, Rosane Christine

2016-01-01

This study examined the association between oral candidiasis in elderly users and nonusers of prosthesis and its predisposing factors. To this end, we performed a cross-sectional study where saliva samples from 48 patients were collected they used prosthesis and 43 patients (control group) who did not use. Among the 91 patients, Candida spp were isolated in 40 (83.3%) who used prosthesis and in 23 (53.5%) in the control group. A statistically significant association was determined between the two groups, the isolation of yeasts and dental prosthesis (p < 0.05, OR = 4.3). The most common etiological agent was Candida albicans (37 isolates), with 23 (62.2%) in the denture group and 14 (37.8%) (control group). Among patients who presented clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis (n = 24), 83.3% (n = 20) belonged to the group that wore dentures, while only 16.7% (n = 4) belonged to the control group. Elderly patients with diabetes had 4.4 times higher estimated risk of developing oral candidiasis when compared with individuals without this condition. There was no statistically significant association between being user prostheses and have diabetes with the onset of candidiasis. No statistically significant association was determined between xerostomia, use of prosthesis and oral candidiasis. The use of prosthetics and poor oral hygiene in elderly patients predisposes to the development of oral candidiasis. PMID:27007560

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SNAP 10A THERMOELECTRIC CONVERTER ELEMENT PROCESS DEVELOPMENT VARIABLES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fitch, S.H.; Morris, J.W.

1962-12-15

Statistical analysis, primarily analysis of variance, was applied to evaluate several factors involved in the development of suitable fabrication and processing techniques for the production of lead telluride thermoelectric elements for the SNAP 10A energy conversion system. The analysis methods are described as to their application for determining the effects of various processing steps, estabIishing the value of individual operations, and evaluating the significance of test results. The elimination of unnecessary or detrimental processing steps was accomplished and the number of required tests was substantially reduced by application of these statistical methods to the SNAP 10A production development effort. (auth)

Use of the UPOINT Classification in Turkish Chronic Prostatitis or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Patients.

PubMed

Arda, Ersan; Cakiroglu, Basri; Tas, Tuncay; Ekici, Sinan; Uyanik, Bekir Sami

2016-11-01

To determine the positive subdomain numbers and distribution of the UPOINT classification in chronic prostatitis and to compare the erectile dysfunction (ED) pattern. From 2008 to 2013, 839 patients with symptomatic chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome were included in this study. The correlation between UPOINT domains and National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) total score, subscores, and the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function scores were evaluated retrospectively. The mean patient age was calculated as 37.7 ± 7.4 (range 21-65). The average total NIH-CPSI score was determined as 9.07 (range 1-40) and the average positive UPOINT subdomain number was determined as 2.87 ± 0.32 (range 1-6). Subdomain patient numbers and rates were calculated as 529 urinary (63%), 462 psychosocial (55%), 382 organ specific (45%), 290 infection (34%), 288 neurological or systemic (34%), and 418 tenderness (skeletal muscle) (50%), respectively. It was determined that ED, determining the subdomain of sexual dysfunction in patients, was positive in a total of 326 (39.9%) patients, with 220 patients having mild (26.2%), 76 mild to moderate (9.1%), 19 moderate (2.3%), and 5 with severe (0.6%) ED. A statistically significant correlation was not determined between the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function score and UPOINT subdomain number and NIH-CPSI score. It has been determined that although there is a strong and significant correlation between UPOINT classification and NIH-CPSI score in Turkish patients with chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, the inclusion of ED as an independent subdomain to the UPOINT classification is not statistically significant. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relationship between particulate matter and childhood asthma - basis of a future warning system for central Phoenix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitrova, R.; Lurponglukana, N.; Fernando, H. J. S.; Runger, G. C.; Hyde, P.; Hedquist, B. C.; Anderson, J.; Bannister, W.; Johnson, W.

2012-03-01

Statistically significant correlations between increase of asthma attacks in children and elevated concentrations of particulate matter of diameter 10 microns and less (PM10) were determined for metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Interpolated concentrations from a five-site network provided spatial distribution of PM10 that was mapped onto census tracts with population health records. The case-crossover statistical method was applied to determine the relationship between PM10 concentration and asthma attacks. For children ages 5-17, a significant relationship was discovered between the two, while children ages 0-4 exhibited virtually no relationship. The risk of adverse health effects was expressed as a function of the change from the 25th to 75th percentiles of mean level PM10 (36 μg m-3). This increase in concentration was associated with a 12.6% (95% CI: 5.8%, 19.4%) increase in the log odds of asthma attacks among children ages 5-17. Neither gender nor other demographic variables were significant. The results are being used to develop an asthma early warning system for the study area.

Relationship between particulate matter and childhood asthma - basis of a future warning system for Central Phoenix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitrova, R.; Lurponglukana, N.; Fernando, H. J. S.; Runger, G. C.; Hyde, P.; Hedquist, B. C.; Anderson, J.; Bannister, W.; Johnson, W.

2011-10-01

Statistically significant correlations between increase of asthma attacks in children and elevated concentrations of particulate matter of diameter 10 microns and less (PM10) were determined for metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Interpolated concentrations from a five-site network provided spatial distribution of PM10 that was mapped onto census tracts with population health records. The case-crossover statistical method was applied to determine the relationship between PM10 concentration and asthma attacks. For children ages 5-17, a significant relationship was discovered between the two, while children ages 0-4 exhibited virtually no relationship. The risk of adverse health effects was expressed as a function of the change from the 25th to 75th percentiles of mean level PM10 (36 μg m-3). This increase in concentration was associated with a 12.6% (95% CI: 5.8%, 19.4%) increase in the log odds of asthma attacks among children ages 5-17. Neither gender nor other demographic variables were significant. The results are being used to develop an asthma early warning system for the study area.

Young addicted men hormone profile detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zieliński, Paweł; Wasiewicz, Piotr; Leszczyńska, Bożena; Gromadzka-Ostrowska, Joanna

2010-09-01

Hormone parameters were determined in the serum of young addicted men in order to compare them with those obtained from the group of healthy subjects. Three groups were investigated which were named opiates, mixed and control group. Statistical and data mining methods were applied to obtain significant differences. R package was used for all computation. The determination of hormones parameters provide important information relative to impact of addiction.

Comparing geological and statistical approaches for element selection in sediment tracing research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laceby, J. Patrick; McMahon, Joe; Evrard, Olivier; Olley, Jon

2015-04-01

Elevated suspended sediment loads reduce reservoir capacity and significantly increase the cost of operating water treatment infrastructure, making the management of sediment supply to reservoirs of increasingly importance. Sediment fingerprinting techniques can be used to determine the relative contributions of different sources of sediment accumulating in reservoirs. The objective of this research is to compare geological and statistical approaches to element selection for sediment fingerprinting modelling. Time-integrated samplers (n=45) were used to obtain source samples from four major subcatchments flowing into the Baroon Pocket Dam in South East Queensland, Australia. The geochemistry of potential sources were compared to the geochemistry of sediment cores (n=12) sampled in the reservoir. The geochemical approach selected elements for modelling that provided expected, observed and statistical discrimination between sediment sources. Two statistical approaches selected elements for modelling with the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Discriminatory Function Analysis (DFA). In particular, two different significance levels (0.05 & 0.35) for the DFA were included to investigate the importance of element selection on modelling results. A distribution model determined the relative contributions of different sources to sediment sampled in the Baroon Pocket Dam. Elemental discrimination was expected between one subcatchment (Obi Obi Creek) and the remaining subcatchments (Lexys, Falls and Bridge Creek). Six major elements were expected to provide discrimination. Of these six, only Fe2O3 and SiO2 provided expected, observed and statistical discrimination. Modelling results with this geological approach indicated 36% (+/- 9%) of sediment sampled in the reservoir cores were from mafic-derived sources and 64% (+/- 9%) were from felsic-derived sources. The geological and the first statistical approach (DFA0.05) differed by only 1% (σ 5%) for 5 out of 6 model groupings with only the Lexys Creek modelling results differing significantly (35%). The statistical model with expanded elemental selection (DFA0.35) differed from the geological model by an average of 30% for all 6 models. Elemental selection for sediment fingerprinting therefore has the potential to impact modeling results. Accordingly is important to incorporate both robust geological and statistical approaches when selecting elements for sediment fingerprinting. For the Baroon Pocket Dam, management should focus on reducing the supply of sediments derived from felsic sources in each of the subcatchments.

Non-verbal communication of the residents living in homes for the older people in Slovenia.

PubMed

Zaletel, Marija; Kovacev, Asja Nina; Sustersic, Olga; Kragelj, Lijana Zaletel

2010-09-01

Aging of the population is a growing problem in all developed societies. The older people need more health and social services, and their life quality in there is getting more and more important. The study aimed at determining the characteristics of non-verbal communication of the older people living in old people's homes (OPH). The sample consisted of 267 residents of the OPH, aged 65-96 years, and 267 caregivers from randomly selected twenty-seven OPH. Three types of non-verbal communication were observed and analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In face expressions and head movements about 75% older people looked at the eyes of their caregivers, and about 60% were looking around, while laughing or pressing the lips together was rarely noticed. The differences between genders were not statistically significant while statistically significant differences among different age groups was observed in dropping the eyes (p = 0.004) and smiling (0.008). In hand gestures and trunk movements, majority of older people most often moved forwards and clenched fingers, while most rarely they stroked and caressed their caregivers. The differences between genders were statistically significant in leaning on the table (p = 0.001), and changing the position on the chair (0.013). Statistically significant differences among age groups were registered in leaning forwards (p = 0.006) and pointing to the others (p = 0.036). In different modes of speaking and paralinguistic signs almost 75% older people spoke normally, about 70% kept silent, while they rarely quarrelled. The differences between genders were not statistically significant while statistically significant differences among age groups was observed in persuasive speaking (p = 0.007). The present study showed that older people in OPH in Slovenia communicated significantly less frequently with hand gestures and trunk movements than with face expressions and head movements or different modes of speaking and paralinguistic signs. The caregivers should be aware of this and pay a lot of attention to these two groups of non-verbal expressions. Their importance should be constantly emphasized during the educational process of all kinds of health-care professionals as well.

Trends in groundwater quality in principal aquifers of the United States, 1988-2012

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindsey, Bruce D.; Rupert, Michael G.

2014-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program analyzed trends in groundwater quality throughout the nation for the sampling period of 1988-2012. Trends were determined for networks (sets of wells routinely monitored by the USGS) for a subset of constituents by statistical analysis of paired water-quality measurements collected on a near-decadal time scale. The data set for chloride, dissolved solids, and nitrate consisted of 1,511 wells in 67 networks, whereas the data set for methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) consisted of 1, 013 wells in 46 networks. The 25 principal aquifers represented by these networks account for about 75 percent of withdrawals of groundwater used for drinking-water supply for the nation. Statistically significant changes in chloride, dissolved-solids, or nitrate concentrations were found in many well networks over a decadal period. Concentrations increased significantly in 48 percent of networks for chloride, 42 percent of networks for dissolved solids, and 21 percent of networks for nitrate. Chloride, dissolved solids, and nitrate concentrations decreased significantly in 3, 3, and 10 percent of the networks, respectively. The magnitude of change in concentrations was typically small in most networks; however, the magnitude of change in networks with statistically significant increases was typically much larger than the magnitude of change in networks with statistically significant decreases. The largest increases of chloride concentrations were in urban areas in the northeastern and north central United States. The largest increases of nitrate concentrations were in networks in agricultural areas. Statistical analysis showed 42 or the 46 networks had no statistically significant changes in MTBE concentrations. The four networks with statistically significant changes in MTBE concentrations were in the northeastern United States, where MTBE was widely used. Two networks had increasing concentrations, and two networks had decreasing concentrations. Production and use of MTBE peaked in about 2000 and has been effectively banned in many areas since about 2006. The two networks that had increasing concentrations were sampled for the second time close to the peak of MTBE production, whereas the two networks that had decreasing concentrations were sampled for the second time 10 years after the peak of MTBE production.

Exploring models for the roles of health systems' responsiveness and social determinants in explaining universal health coverage and health outcomes.

PubMed

Valentine, Nicole Britt; Bonsel, Gouke J

2016-01-01

Intersectoral perspectives of health are present in the rhetoric of the sustainable development goals. Yet its descriptions of systematic approaches for an intersectoral monitoring vision, joining determinants of health, and barriers or facilitators to accessing healthcare services are lacking. To explore models of associations between health outcomes and health service coverage, and health determinants and health systems responsiveness, and thereby to contribute to monitoring, analysis, and assessment approaches informed by an intersectoral vision of health. The study is designed as a series of ecological, cross-country regression analyses, covering between 23 and 57 countries with dependent health variables concentrated on the years 2002-2003. Countries cover a range of development contexts. Health outcome and health service coverage dependent variables were derived from World Health Organization (WHO) information sources. Predictor variables representing determinants are derived from the WHO and World Bank databases; variables used for health systems' responsiveness are derived from the WHO World Health Survey. Responsiveness is a measure of acceptability of health services to the population, complementing financial health protection. Health determinants' indicators - access to improved drinking sources, accountability, and average years of schooling - were statistically significant in particular health outcome regressions. Statistically significant coefficients were more common for mortality rate regressions than for coverage rate regressions. Responsiveness was systematically associated with poorer health and health service coverage. With respect to levels of inequality in health, the indicator of responsiveness problems experienced by the unhealthy poor groups in the population was statistically significant for regressions on measles vaccination inequalities between rich and poor. For the broader determinants, the Gini mattered most for inequalities in child mortality; education mattered more for inequalities in births attended by skilled personnel. This paper adds to the literature on comparative health systems research. National and international health monitoring frameworks need to incorporate indicators on trends in and impacts of other policy sectors on health. This will empower the health sector to carry out public health practices that promote health and health equity.

Is there a difference between the STOP-BANG and the Berlin Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome questionnaires for determining respiratory complications during the perioperative period?

PubMed

Gokay, Pervin; Tastan, Sevinc; Orhan, Mehmet Emin

2016-05-01

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of the STOP-BANG and Berlin Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome questionnaires for evaluating potential respiratory complications during the perioperative period. Questionnaires that are used to determine obstructive sleep apnoea risk are not widely used for surgical patients. Among the questionnaires that are commonly used for obstructive sleep apnoea screening, it remains unclear whether the STOP-BANG or Berlin Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome questionnaire is more effective in terms of ease of use, usage period and diagnosis of surgical patients with obstructive sleep apnoea risk. This study was designed as a descriptive and prospective study. The study included 126 patients over 18 years of age who were American Society of Anesthesiologists classification class I-II and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To determine the potential obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome risk, the STOP-BANG and Berlin questionnaires were administered. Respiratory complications were then observed during the perioperative period. During intubation and extubation, we observed statistically significant differences in difficult intubation, difficult facemask ventilation and desaturation frequency between the high- and low-risk groups for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, as determined by the STOP-BANG questionnaire. During extubation, statistically significant differences in coughing, breath-holding and desaturation frequency were observed between the high-risk and low-risk groups, according to the Berlin questionnaire. In the post-anaesthesia care unit, both questionnaires found statistically significant differences between the low- and high-risk groups. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome screening questionnaires administered during the preoperative period are useful for predicting perioperative respiratory complications. It may be most useful to administer the STOP-BANG questionnaire as the initial evaluation. Questionnaires may be used to determine the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, which could impact the anaesthetisation of surgical patients. Questionnaires for determining the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome should be used regularly for surgical patients, and these questionnaires should be used to improve clinical protocols for anaesthesia and postanaesthesia care. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The effect of using graphic organizers in the teaching of standard biology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pepper, Wade Louis, Jr.

This study was conducted to determine if the use of graphic organizers in the teaching of standard biology would increase student achievement, involvement and quality of activities. The subjects were 10th grade standard biology students in a large southern inner city high school. The study was conducted over a six-week period in an instructional setting using action research as the investigative format. After calculation of the homogeneity between classes, random selection was used to determine the graphic organizer class and the control class. The graphic organizer class was taught unit material through a variety of instructional methods along with the use of teacher generated graphic organizers. The control class was taught the same unit material using the same instructional methods, but without the use of graphic organizers. Data for the study were gathered from in-class written assignments, teacher-generated tests and text-generated tests, and rubric scores of an out-of-class written assignment and project. Also, data were gathered from student reactions, comments, observations and a teacher's research journal. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative interpretation. By comparing statistical results, it was determined that the use of graphic organizers did not make a statistically significant difference in the understanding of biological concepts and retention of factual information. Furthermore, the use of graphic organizers did not make a significant difference in motivating students to fulfill all class assignments with quality efforts and products. However, based upon student reactions and comments along with observations by the researcher, graphic organizers were viewed by the students as a favorable and helpful instructional tool. In lieu of statistical results, student gains from instructional activities using graphic organizers were positive and merit the continuation of their use as an instructional tool.

Are conventional statistical techniques exhaustive for defining metal background concentrations in harbour sediments? A case study: The Coastal Area of Bari (Southeast Italy).

PubMed

Mali, Matilda; Dell'Anna, Maria Michela; Mastrorilli, Piero; Damiani, Leonardo; Ungaro, Nicola; Belviso, Claudia; Fiore, Saverio

2015-11-01

Sediment contamination by metals poses significant risks to coastal ecosystems and is considered to be problematic for dredging operations. The determination of the background values of metal and metalloid distribution based on site-specific variability is fundamental in assessing pollution levels in harbour sediments. The novelty of the present work consists of addressing the scope and limitation of analysing port sediments through the use of conventional statistical techniques (such as: linear regression analysis, construction of cumulative frequency curves and the iterative 2σ technique), that are commonly employed for assessing Regional Geochemical Background (RGB) values in coastal sediments. This study ascertained that although the tout court use of such techniques in determining the RGB values in harbour sediments seems appropriate (the chemical-physical parameters of port sediments fit well with statistical equations), it should nevertheless be avoided because it may be misleading and can mask key aspects of the study area that can only be revealed by further investigations, such as mineralogical and multivariate statistical analyses. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of conventional, protaper hand and protaper rotary instrumentation system for apical extrusion of debris, irrigants and bacteria- An in vitro randomized trial

PubMed Central

Kalra, Pinky; Suman, Ethel; Shenoy, Ramya; Suprabha, Baranya-Shrikrishna

2017-01-01

Background Endodontic instrumentation carries the risk of over extrusion of debris and bacteria. The technique used and the type of instrumentation influences this risk. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the K-file, ProTaper hand and ProTaper rotary instrumentation systems for the amount of apically extruded debris, irrigant solution and intracanal bacteria. Design Experimental single blinded randomized type of in vitro study with sample of 30 single rooted teeth. Endodontic access cavities were prepared and the root canals were filled with the suspension of E. faecalis. Myers and Montogomery Model was used to collect apically extruded debris and irrigant. Canals were prepared using K files, Hand protapers and Protaper rotary files. Statistical analysis Non Parametric test like Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test were applied to determine the significant differences among the group. Results Tests revealed statistically significant difference between the amount of debris and number of bacteria extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-files. No statistically significant difference was observed between the amounts of irrigant extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-file system. Statistically significant differences were observed between the amounts of bacteria and irrigant extruded by the ProTaper rotary and the Protaper hand. No statistically significant difference was observed between the amounts of debris extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-file system. Conclusions Amount of apical extrusion of irrigant solution, bacteria and debris are significantly greater with K File instruments and least with Protaper rotary instruments. Key words:Protaper, rotary, periapical extrusion. PMID:28210445

Eruption patterns of the chilean volcanoes Villarrica, Llaima, and Tupungatito

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz, Miguel

1983-09-01

The historical eruption records of three Chilean volcanoes have been subjected to many statistical tests, and none have been found to differ significantly from random, or Poissonian, behaviour. The statistical analysis shows rough conformity with the descriptions determined from the eruption rate functions. It is possible that a constant eruption rate describes the activity of Villarrica; Llaima and Tupungatito present complex eruption rate patterns that appear, however, to have no statistical significance. Questions related to loading and extinction processes and to the existence of shallow secondary magma chambers to which magma is supplied from a deeper system are also addressed. The analysis and the computation of the serial correlation coefficients indicate that the three series may be regarded as stationary renewal processes. None of the test statistics indicates rejection of the Poisson hypothesis at a level less than 5%, but the coefficient of variation for the eruption series at Llaima is significantly different from the value expected for a Poisson process. Also, the estimates of the normalized spectrum of the counting process for the three series suggest a departure from the random model, but the deviations are not found to be significant at the 5% level. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and chi-squared test statistics, applied directly to ascertaining to which probability P the random Poisson model fits the data, indicate that there is significant agreement in the case of Villarrica ( P=0.59) and Tupungatito ( P=0.3). Even though the P-value for Llaima is a marginally significant 0.1 (which is equivalent to rejecting the Poisson model at the 90% confidence level), the series suggests that nonrandom features are possibly present in the eruptive activity of this volcano.

Lower incisor inclination regarding different reference planes.

PubMed

Zataráin, Brenda; Avila, Josué; Moyaho, Angeles; Carrasco, Rosendo; Velasco, Carmen

2016-09-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of lower incisor inclination with respect to different reference planes. It was an observational, analytical, longitudinal, prospective study conducted on 100 lateral cephalograms which were corrected according to the photograph in natural head position in order to draw the true vertical plane (TVP). The incisor mandibular plane angle (IMPA) was compensated to eliminate the variation of the mandibular plane growth type with the formula "FMApx.- 25 (FMA) + IMPApx. = compensated IMPA (IMPACOM)". As the data followed normal distribution determined by the KolmogorovSmirnov test, parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis, Ttest, ANOVA and Pearson coefficient correlation test. Statistical analysis was performed using a statistical significance of p <0.05. There is correlation between TVP and NB line (NB) (0.8614), Frankfort mandibular incisor angle (FMIA) (0.8894), IMPA (0.6351), Apo line (Apo) (0.609), IMPACOM (0.8895) and McHorris angle (MH) (0.7769). ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the means for the 7 variables with 95% confidence level, P=0.0001. The multiple range test showed no significant difference among means: APoNB (0.88), IMPAMH (0.36), IMPANB (0.65), FMIAIMPACOM (0.01), FMIATVP (0.18), TVPIMPACOM (0.17). There was correlation among all reference planes. There were statistically significant differences among the means of the planes measured, except for IMPACOM, FMIA and TVP. The IMPA differed significantly from the IMPACOM. The compensated IMPA and the FMIA did not differ significantly from the TVP. The true horizontal plane was mismatched with Frankfort plane in 84% of the sample with a range of 19°. The true vertical plane is adequate for measuring lower incisor inclination. Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.

Medical statistics and hospital medicine: the case of the smallpox vaccination.

PubMed

Rusnock, Andrea

2007-01-01

Between 1799 and 1806, trials of vaccination to determine its safety and efficacy were undertaken in hospitals in London, Paris, Vienna, and Boston. These trials were among the first instances of formal hospital evaluations of a medical procedure and signal a growing acceptance of a relatively new approach to medical practice. These early evaluations of smallpox vaccination also relied on descriptive and quantitative accounts, as well as probabilistic analyses, and thus occupy a significant, yet hitherto unexamined, place in the history of medical statistics.

Estimating the color of maxillary central incisors based on age and gender

PubMed Central

Gozalo-Diaz, David; Johnston, William M.; Wee, Alvin G.

2008-01-01

Statement of problem There is no scientific information regarding the selection of the color of teeth for edentulous patients. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate linear regression models that may be used to predict color parameters for central incisors of edentulous patients based on some characteristics of dentate subjects. Material and methods A spectroradiometer and an external light source were set in a noncontacting 45/0 degree (45-degree illumination and 0-degree observer) optical configuration to measure the color of subjects’ vital craniofacial structures (maxillary central incisor, attached gingiva, and facial skin). The subjects (n=120) were stratified into 5 age groups with 4 racial groups and balanced for gender. Linear first-order regression was used to determine the significant factors (α=.05) in the prediction model for each color direction of the color of the maxillary central incisor. Age, gender, and color of the other craniofacial structures were studied as potential predictors. Final predictions in each color direction were based only on the statistically significant factors, and then the color differences between observed and predicted CIELAB values for the central incisors were calculated and summarized. Results The statistically significant predictors of age and gender accounted for 36% of the total variability in L*. The statistically significant predictor of age accounted for 16% of the total variability in a*. The statistically significant predictors of age and gender accounted for 21% of the variability in b*. The mean ΔE (SD) between predicted and observed CIELAB values for the central incisor was 5.8 (3.2). Conclusions Age and gender were found to be statistically significant determinants in predicting the natural color of central incisors. Although the precision of these predictions was less than the median color difference found for all pairs of teeth studied, and may be considered an acceptable precision, further study is needed to reduce this precision to the limit of detection. Clinical Implications Age is highly correlated with the natural color of the central incisors. When age increases, the central incisor becomes darker, more reddish, and more yellow. Also, the women subjects in this study had lighter and less yellow central incisors than the men. PMID:18672125

The role of shear wave elastography in the assessment of placenta previa-accreta.

PubMed

Alıcı Davutoglu, Ebru; Ariöz Habibi, Hatice; Ozel, Ayşegül; Yuksel, Mehmet Aytac; Adaletli, Ibrahim; Madazlı, Riza

2018-06-01

To evaluate the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the prediction of morbidly adherent placenta. Forty-three women with normal placental location and 26 women with anteriorly localized placenta previa were recruited for this case-control study. Placental elasticity values in both the groups were determined by SWE imaging. SWE values were higher in the placenta previa group in all regions than in normal localized placentas (p < .01). However, there was no statistically significant difference between SWE values of placenta previa with and without morbidly adherent placenta (p > .05). Placental stiffness is significantly higher in placenta previa than normal localized placentas. However, we could not demonstrate any statistically significant difference in the elasticity values between the placenta previa with and without accreta.

Social determinants, their relationship with leprosy risk and temporal trends in a tri-border region in Latin America

PubMed Central

Arcoverde, Marcos Augusto Moraes; Ramos, Antônio Carlos Viera; Alves, Luana Seles; Berra, Thais Zamboni; Arroyo, Luiz Henrique; de Queiroz, Ana Angélica Rêgo; dos Santos, Danielle Talita; Belchior, Aylana de Souza; Alves, Josilene Dália; Pieri, Flávia Meneguetti; Silva-Sobrinho, Reinaldo Antônio; Pinto, Ione Carvalho; Tavares, Clodis Maria; Yamamura, Mellina; Frade, Marco Andrey Cipriani; Palha, Pedro Fredemir; Chiaravalloti-Neto, Francisco; Arcêncio, Ricardo Alexandre

2018-01-01

Background Brazil is the only country in Latin America that has adopted a national health system. This causes differences in access to health among Latin American countries and induces noticeable migration to Brazilian regions to seek healthcare. This phenomenon has led to difficulties in the control and elimination of diseases related to poverty, such as leprosy. The aim of this study was to evaluate social determinants and their relationship with the risk of leprosy, as well as to examine the temporal trend of its occurrence in a Brazilian municipality located on the tri-border area between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Methods This ecological study investigated newly-diagnosed cases of leprosy between 2003 and 2015. Exploratory analysis of the data was performed through descriptive statistics. For spatial analysis, geocoding of the data was performed using spatial scan statistic techniques to obtain the Relative Risk (RR) for each census tract, with their respective 95% confidence intervals calculated. The Bivariate Moran I test, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models were applied to analyze the spatial relationships of social determinants and leprosy risk. The temporal trend of the annual coefficient of new cases was obtained through the Prais-Winsten regression. A standard error of 5% was considered statistically significant (p < 0.05). Results Of the 840 new cases identified in the study, there was a predominance of females (n = 427, 50.8%), of white race/color (n = 685, 81.6%), age range 15 to 59 years (n = 624, 74.3%), and incomplete elementary education (n = 504, 60.0%). The results obtained from multivariate analysis revealed that the proportion of households with monthly nominal household income per capita greater than 1 minimum wage (β = 0.025, p = 0.036) and people of brown race (β = -0.101, p = 0.024) were statistically-significantly associated with risk of illness due to leprosy. These results also confirmed that social determinants and risk of leprosy were significantly spatially non-stationary. Regarding the temporal trend, a decrease of 4% (95% CI [-0.053, -0.033], p = 0.000) per year was observed in the rate of detection of new cases of leprosy. Conclusion The social determinants income and race/color were associated with the risk of leprosy. The study’s highlighting of these social determinants can contribute to the development of public policies directed toward the elimination of leprosy in the border region. PMID:29624595

STATISTICAL METHOD FOR DETECTION OF A TREND IN ATMOSPHERIC SULFATE

EPA Science Inventory

Daily atmospheric concentrations of sulfate collected in northeastern Pennsylvania are regressed against meteorological factors, ozone, and time in order to determine if a significant trend in sulfate can be detected. he data used in this analysis were collected during the Sulfat...

Analysis of four dental alloys following torch/centrifugal and induction/ vacuum-pressure casting procedures.

PubMed

Thompson, Geoffrey A; Luo, Qing; Hefti, Arthur

2013-12-01

Previous studies have shown casting methodology to influence the as-cast properties of dental casting alloys. It is important to consider clinically important mechanical properties so that the influence of casting can be clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how torch/centrifugal and inductively cast and vacuum-pressure casting machines may affect the castability, microhardness, chemical composition, and microstructure of 2 high noble, 1 noble, and 1 base metal dental casting alloys. Two commonly used methods for casting were selected for comparison: torch/centrifugal casting and inductively heated/ vacuum-pressure casting. One hundred and twenty castability patterns were fabricated and divided into 8 groups. Four groups were torch/centrifugally cast in Olympia (O), Jelenko O (JO), Genesis II (G), and Liberty (L) alloys. Similarly, 4 groups were cast in O, JO, G, and L by an inductively induction/vacuum-pressure casting machine. Each specimen was evaluated for casting completeness to determine a castability value, while porosity was determined by standard x-ray techniques. Each group was metallographically prepared for further evaluation that included chemical composition, Vickers microhardness, and grain analysis of microstructure. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine significant differences among the main effects. Statistically significant effects were examined further with the Tukey HSD procedure for multiple comparisons. Data obtained from the castability experiments were non-normal and the variances were unequal. They were analyzed statistically with the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Significant results were further investigated statistically with the Steel-Dwass method for multiple comparisons (α=.05). The alloy type had a significant effect on surface microhardness (P<.001). In contrast, the technique used for casting did not affect the microhardness of the test specimen (P=.465). Similarly, the interaction between the alloy and casting technique was not significant (P=.119). A high level of castability (98.5% on average) was achieved overall. The frequency of casting failures as a function of alloy type and casting method was determined. Failure was defined as a castability index score of <100%. Three of 28 possible comparisons between alloy and casting combinations were statistically significant. The results suggested that casting technique affects the castability index of alloys. Radiographic analysis detected large porosities in regions near the edge of the castability pattern and infrequently adjacent to noncast segments. All castings acquired traces of elements found in the casting crucibles. The grain size for each dental casting alloy was generally finer for specimens produced by the induction/vacuum-pressure method. The difference was substantial for JO and L. This study demonstrated a relation between casting techniques and some physical properties of metal ceramic casting alloys. Copyright © 2013 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dental and Chronological Ages as Determinants of Peak Growth Period and Its Relationship with Dental Calcification Stages

PubMed Central

Litsas, George; Lucchese, Alessandra

2016-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between dental, chronological, and cervical vertebral maturation growth in the peak growth period, as well as to study the association between the dental calcification phases and the skeletal maturity stages during the same growth period. Methods: Subjects were selected from orthodontic pre-treatment cohorts consisting of 420 subjects where 255 were identified and enrolled into the study, comprising 145 girls and 110 boys. The lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs were examined from the archives of the Department of Orthodontics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Dental age was assessed according to the method of Demirjian, and skeletal maturation according to the Cervical Vertebral Maturation Method. Statistical elaboration included Spearman Brown formula, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis, paired samples t-test, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient. Results: Chronological and dental age showed a high correlation for both gender(r =0.741 for boys, r = 0.770 for girls, p<0.001). The strongest correlation was for the CVM Stage IV for both males (r=0.554) and females (r=0.68). The lowest correlation was for the CVM Stage III in males (r=0.433, p<0.001) and for the CVM Stage II in females (r=0.393, p>0.001). The t-test revealed statistically significant differences between these variables (p<0.001) during the peak period. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) between tooth calcification and CVM stages was determined. The second molars showed the highest correlation with CVM stages (CVMS) (r= 0.65 for boys, r = 0.72 for girls). Conclusion: Dental age was more advanced than chronological for both boys and girls for all CVMS. During the peak period these differences were more pronounced. Moreover, all correlations between skeletal and dental stages were statistically significant. The second molars showed the highest correlation whereas the canines showed the lowest correlation for both gender. PMID:27335610

Prediction of late disease recurrence and extended adjuvant letrozole benefit by the HOXB13/IL17BR biomarker.

PubMed

Sgroi, Dennis C; Carney, Erin; Zarrella, Elizabeth; Steffel, Lauren; Binns, Shemeica N; Finkelstein, Dianne M; Szymonifka, Jackie; Bhan, Atul K; Shepherd, Lois E; Zhang, Yi; Schnabel, Catherine A; Erlander, Mark G; Ingle, James N; Porter, Peggy; Muss, Hyman B; Pritchard, Katherine I; Tu, Dongsheng; Rimm, David L; Goss, Paul E

2013-07-17

Biomarkers to optimize extended adjuvant endocrine therapy for women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer are limited. The HOXB13/IL17BR (H/I) biomarker predicts recurrence risk in ER-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer patients. H/I was evaluated in MA.17 trial for prognostic performance for late recurrence and treatment benefit from extended adjuvant letrozole. A prospective-retrospective, nested case-control design of 83 recurrences matched to 166 nonrecurrences from letrozole- and placebo-treated patients within MA.17 was conducted. Expression of H/I within primary tumors was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction with a prespecified cutpoint. The predictive ability of H/I for ascertaining benefit from letrozole was determined using multivariable conditional logistic regression including standard clinicopathological factors as covariates. All statistical tests were two-sided. High H/I was statistically significantly associated with a decrease in late recurrence in patients receiving extended letrozole therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16 to 0.75; P = .007). In an adjusted model with standard clinicopathological factors, high H/I remained statistically significantly associated with patient benefit from letrozole (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.73; P = .006). Reduction in the absolute risk of recurrence at 5 years was 16.5% for patients with high H/I (P = .007). The interaction between H/I and letrozole treatment was statistically significant (P = .03). In the absence of extended letrozole therapy, high H/I identifies a subgroup of ER-positive patients disease-free after 5 years of tamoxifen who are at risk for late recurrence. When extended endocrine therapy with letrozole is prescribed, high H/I predicts benefit from therapy and a decreased probability of late disease recurrence.

Radiographic Response to Yttrium-90 Radioembolization in Anterior Versus Posterior Liver Segments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ibrahim, Saad M.; Lewandowski, Robert J.; Ryu, Robert K.

2008-11-15

The purpose of our study was to determine if preferential radiographic tumor response occurs in tumors located in posterior versus anterior liver segments following radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres. One hundred thirty-seven patients with chemorefractory liver metastases of various primaries were treated with yttrium-90 glass microspheres. Of these, a subset analysis was performed on 89 patients who underwent 101 whole-right-lobe infusions to liver segments V, VI, VII, and VIII. Pre- and posttreatment imaging included either triphasic contrast material-enhanced CT or gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Responses to treatment were compared in anterior versus posterior right lobe lesions using both RECIST and WHO criteria.more » Statistical comparative studies were conducted in 42 patients with both anterior and posterior segment lesions using the paired-sample t-test. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between pretreatment tumor size and posttreatment tumor response. Median administered activity, delivered radiation dose, and treatment volume were 2.3 GBq, 118.2 Gy, and 1,072 cm{sup 3}, respectively. Differences between the pretreatment tumor size of anterior and posterior liver segments were not statistically significant (p = 0.7981). Differences in tumor response between anterior and posterior liver segments were not statistically significant using WHO criteria (p = 0.8557). A statistically significant correlation did not exist between pretreatment tumor size and posttreatment tumor response (r = 0.0554, p = 0.4434). On imaging follow-up using WHO criteria, for anterior and posterior regions of the liver, (1) response rates were 50% (PR = 50%) and 45% (CR = 9%, PR = 36%), and (2) mean changes in tumor size were -41% and -40%. In conclusion, this study did not find evidence of preferential radiographic tumor response in posterior versus anterior liver segments treated with yttrium-90 glass microspheres.« less

Radiographic response to yttrium-90 radioembolization in anterior versus posterior liver segments.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Saad M; Lewandowski, Robert J; Ryu, Robert K; Sato, Kent T; Gates, Vanessa L; Mulcahy, Mary F; Kulik, Laura; Larson, Andrew C; Omary, Reed A; Salem, Riad

2008-01-01

The purpose of our study was to determine if preferential radiographic tumor response occurs in tumors located in posterior versus anterior liver segments following radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres. One hundred thirty-seven patients with chemorefractory liver metastases of various primaries were treated with yttrium-90 glass microspheres. Of these, a subset analysis was performed on 89 patients who underwent 101 whole-right-lobe infusions to liver segments V, VI, VII, and VIII. Pre- and posttreatment imaging included either triphasic contrast material-enhanced CT or gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Responses to treatment were compared in anterior versus posterior right lobe lesions using both RECIST and WHO criteria. Statistical comparative studies were conducted in 42 patients with both anterior and posterior segment lesions using the paired-sample t-test. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between pretreatment tumor size and posttreatment tumor response. Median administered activity, delivered radiation dose, and treatment volume were 2.3 GBq, 118.2 Gy, and 1,072 cm(3), respectively. Differences between the pretreatment tumor size of anterior and posterior liver segments were not statistically significant (p = 0.7981). Differences in tumor response between anterior and posterior liver segments were not statistically significant using WHO criteria (p = 0.8557). A statistically significant correlation did not exist between pretreatment tumor size and posttreatment tumor response (r = 0.0554, p = 0.4434). On imaging follow-up using WHO criteria, for anterior and posterior regions of the liver, (1) response rates were 50% (PR = 50%) and 45% (CR = 9%, PR = 36%), and (2) mean changes in tumor size were -41% and -40%. In conclusion, this study did not find evidence of preferential radiographic tumor response in posterior versus anterior liver segments treated with yttrium-90 glass microspheres.

Alveolar bone level changes in maxillary expansion treatments assessed through CBCT.

PubMed

Pham, Vi; Lagravère, Manuel O

2017-03-01

Determine changes in alveolar bone levels during expansion treatments as assessed through cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT). Sixty-one patients from Edmonton, Canada, with maxillary transverse deficiencies were split into three groups. One group was treated with a bone-anchored expander, another group was treated with a tooth-borne maxillary expander (Hyrax) and one group was untreated. CBCTs were obtained from each patient at two time points (initialT 1 and at removal of appliance after 6 months T 2 ). CBCTs were analyzed using AVIZO software and landmarks were placed on different dental and skeletal structures. Intra-examiner reliability for landmarks was done by randomly selecting 10 images and measuring each landmark 3 times, 1 week apart. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and ANOVA analysis were used to determine if there were changes to the alveolar bone levels and if these changes were statistically significant within each group. Landmarks reliability showed an ICC of at least 0.99 with a 95% confidence interval and a mean measurement error of at least 0.2067mm. Descriptive statistics show that changes in alveolar bone levels were less than 1mm for all three groups and therefore clinically insignificant. Changes between groups were not statistically different (P<0.05) from one another with the exception of 8 distances. However, since the distances were small, they were not considered clinically significant. Alveolar bone level changes were similar in maxillary expansion treatments and in the control group. The effects of maxillary expansion treatments on alveolar bone levels are not clinically significant. Copyright © 2016 CEO. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The fragility of statistically significant findings from randomized trials in head and neck surgery.

PubMed

Noel, Christopher W; McMullen, Caitlin; Yao, Christopher; Monteiro, Eric; Goldstein, David P; Eskander, Antoine; de Almeida, John R

2018-04-23

The Fragility Index (FI) is a novel tool for evaluating the robustness of statistically significant findings in a randomized control trial (RCT). It measures the number of events upon which statistical significance depends. We sought to calculate the FI scores for RCTs in the head and neck cancer literature where surgery was a primary intervention. Potential articles were identified in PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Cochrane without publication date restrictions. Two reviewers independently screened eligible RCTs reporting at least one dichotomous and statistically significant outcome. The data from each trial were extracted and the FI scores were calculated. Associations between trial characteristics and FI were determined. In total, 27 articles were identified. The median sample size was 67.5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 42-143) and the median number of events per trial was 8 (IQR = 2.25-18.25). The median FI score was 1 (IQR = 0-2.5), meaning that changing one patient from a nonevent to an event in the treatment arm would change the result to a statistically nonsignificant result, or P > .05. The FI score was less than the number of patients lost to follow-up in 71% of cases. The FI score was found to be moderately correlated with P value (ρ = -0.52, P = .007) and with journal impact factor (ρ = 0.49, P = .009) on univariable analysis. On multivariable analysis, only the P value was found to be a predictor of FI score (P = .001). Randomized trials in the head and neck cancer literature where surgery is a primary modality are relatively nonrobust statistically with low FI scores. Laryngoscope, 2018. © 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Comparisons of false negative rates from a trend test alone and from a trend test jointly with a control-high groups pairwise test in the determination of the carcinogenicity of new drugs.

PubMed

Lin, Karl K; Rahman, Mohammad A

2018-05-21

Interest has been expressed in using a joint test procedure that requires that the results of both a trend test and a pairwise comparison test between the control and the high groups be statistically significant simultaneously at the levels of significance recommended in the FDA 2001 draft guidance for industry document for the separate tests in order for the drug effect on the development of an individual tumor type to be considered as statistically significant. Results of our simulation studies show that there is a serious consequence of large inflations of the false negative rate through large decreases of false positive rate in the use of the above joint test procedure in the final interpretation of the carcinogenicity potential of a new drug if the levels of significance recommended for separate tests are used. The inflation can be as high as 204.5% of the false negative rate when the trend test alone is required to test if the effect is statistically significant. To correct the problem, new sets of levels of significance have also been developed for those who want to use the joint test in reviews of carcinogenicity studies.

Longitudinal and Immediate Effect of Kundalini Yoga on Salivary Levels of Cortisol and Activity of Alpha-Amylase and Its Effect on Perceived Stress

PubMed Central

García-Sesnich, Jocelyn N; Flores, Mauricio Garrido; Ríos, Marcela Hernández; Aravena, Jorge Gamonal

2017-01-01

Context: Stress is defined as an alteration of an organism's balance in response to a demand perceived from the environment. Diverse methods exist to evaluate physiological response. A noninvasive method is salivary measurement of cortisol and alpha-amylase. A growing body of evidence suggests that the regular practice of Yoga would be an effective treatment for stress. Aims: To determine the Kundalini Yoga (KY) effect, immediate and after 3 months of regular practice, on the perception of psychological stress and the salivary levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase activity. Settings and Design: To determine the psychological perceived stress, levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase activity in saliva, and compare between the participants to KY classes performed for 3 months and a group that does not practice any type of yoga. Subjects and Methods: The total sample consisted of 26 people between 18 and 45-year-old; 13 taking part in KY classes given at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile and 13 controls. Salivary samples were collected, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to quantify cortisol and kinetic reaction test was made to determine alpha-amylase activity. Perceived Stress Scale was applied at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was applied using Stata v11.1 software. Shapiro–Wilk test was used to determine data distribution. The paired analysis was fulfilled by t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. T-test or Mann–Whitney's test was applied to compare longitudinal data. A statistical significance was considered when P < 0.05. Results: KY practice had an immediate effect on salivary cortisol. The activity of alpha-amylase did not show significant changes. A significant decrease of perceived stress in the study group was found. Conclusions: KY practice shows an immediate effect on salivary cortisol levels and on perceived stress after 3 months of practice. PMID:28546677

The effectiveness of the directional microphone in the Oticon Medical Ponto Pro in participants with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

PubMed

Oeding, Kristi; Valente, Michael

2013-09-01

Current bone anchored hearing solutions (BAHSs) have incorporated automatic adaptive multichannel directional microphones (DMs). Previous fixed single-channel hypercardioid DMs in BAHSs have provided benefit in a diffuse listening environment, but little data are available on the performance of adaptive multichannel DMs in BAHSs for persons with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL). The primary goal was to determine if statistically significant differences existed in the mean Reception Threshold for Sentences (RTS in dB) in diffuse uncorrelated restaurant noise between unaided, an omnidirectional microphone (OM), split DM (SDM), and full DM (FDM) in the Oticon Medical Ponto Pro. A second goal was to assess subjective benefit using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) comparing the Ponto Pro to the participant's current BAHS, and the Ponto Pro and participant's own BAHS to unaided. The third goal was to compare RTS data of the Ponto Pro to data from an identical study examining Cochlear Americas' Divino. A randomized repeated measures, single blind design was used to measure an RTS for each participant for unaided, OM, SDM, and FDM. Fifteen BAHS users with USNHL were recruited from Washington University in St. Louis and the surrounding area. The Ponto Pro was fit by measuring in-situ bone conduction thresholds and was worn for 4 wk. An RTS was obtained utilizing Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) sentences in uncorrelated restaurant noise from an eight loudspeaker array, and subjective benefit was determined utilizing the APHAB. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the results of the Ponto Pro HINT and APHAB data, and comparisons between the Ponto Pro and previous Divino data. No statistically significant differences existed in mean RTS between unaided, the Ponto Pro's OM, SDM, or FDM (p = 0.10). The Ponto Pro provided statistically significant benefit for the Background Noise (BN) (p < 0.01) and Reverberation (RV) (p < 0.05) subscales compared to the participant's own BAHS. The Ponto Pro (Ease of Communication [EC] [p < 0.01], BN [p < 0.001], and RV [p < 0.01] subscales) and participant's own BAHS (BN [p < 0.01] and RV [p < 0.01] subscales) overall provided statistically significant benefit compared to unaided. Clinically significant benefit of 5% was present for the Ponto Pro compared to the participant's own BAHS and 10% for the Ponto Pro and the participant's own BAHS compared to unaided. The Ponto Pro's OM (p = 0.05), SDM (p = 0.05), and FDM (p < 0.01) were statistically significantly better than the Divino's OM. No significant differences existed between the Ponto Pro's OM, SDM, and FDM compared to the Divino's DM. No statistically significant differences existed between unaided, OM, SDM, or FDM. Participants preferred the Ponto Pro compared to the participant's own BAHS and the Ponto Pro and participant's own BAHS compared to unaided. The RTS of the Ponto Pro's adaptive multichannel DM was similar to the Divino's fixed hypercardioid DM, but the Ponto Pro's OM was statistically significantly better than the Divino's OM. American Academy of Audiology.

Determining the lifetime of detectable amounts of gunshot residue on the hands of a shooter using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

PubMed

Rosenberg, Matthew B; Dockery, Christopher R

2008-11-01

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to determine the period of time that a shooter will test positive for gunshot residue (GSR) after firing a revolver. Multiple rounds of primer were fired and samples collected at multiple hour intervals using an adhesive tape pressed against the skin. Samples were analyzed directly using a commercially available laser-induced breakdown spectrometer where barium emission (originating from barium nitrate in the primer) was observed. Population statistics were used to compare suspected GSR to a library of blank samples from which a threshold value was established. Statistically significant results, positive for GSR, are obtained 5.27 days after a firearm discharge using these techniques.

Residual stress in glass: indentation crack and fractography approaches.

PubMed

Anunmana, Chuchai; Anusavice, Kenneth J; Mecholsky, John J

2009-11-01

To test the hypothesis that the indentation crack technique can determine surface residual stresses that are not statistically significantly different from those determined from the analytical procedure using surface cracks, the four-point flexure test, and fracture surface analysis. Soda-lime-silica glass bar specimens (4 mm x 2.3 mm x 28 mm) were prepared and annealed at 650 degrees C for 30 min before testing. The fracture toughness values of the glass bars were determined from 12 specimens based on induced surface cracks, four-point flexure, and fractographic analysis. To determine the residual stress from the indentation technique, 18 specimens were indented under 19.6N load using a Vickers microhardness indenter. Crack lengths were measured within 1 min and 24h after indentation, and the measured crack lengths were compared with the mean crack lengths of annealed specimens. Residual stress was calculated from an equation developed for the indentation technique. All specimens were fractured in a four-point flexure fixture and the residual stress was calculated from the strength and measured crack sizes on the fracture surfaces. The results show that there was no significant difference between the residual stresses calculated from the two techniques. However, the differences in mean residual stresses calculated within 1 min compared with those calculated after 24h were statistically significant (p=0.003). This study compared the indentation technique with the fractographic analysis method for determining the residual stress in the surface of soda-lime-silica glass. The indentation method may be useful for estimating residual stress in glass.

[Decreased retraction of blood clots in patients with venous thromboembolic complications].

PubMed

Bredikhin, R A; Peshkova, A D; Maliasev, D V; Batrakova, M V; Le Min, J; Panasiuk, M V; Fatkhullina, L S; Ignat'ev, I M; Khaĭrullin, R N; Litvinov, R I

Haemostatic disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute venous thrombosis. One of the least studied reactions of blood coagulation and thrombogenesis is spontaneous contraction of blood clots, which takes place at the expense of the contractility apparatus of activated blood platelets adhered to fibrin fibres. The work was aimed at studying the parameters of contraction of blood clots, formed in vitro, in blood of 41 patients with acute venous thromboses as compared with the same parameters in apparently healthy donors. We used a new instrumental method making it possible to determine the time from initiation to the beginning of contraction, as well as the degree and velocity of clot contraction. It was revealed that in patients with venous thrombosis the ability of clots to shrink was significantly reduced as compared with the control. We detected a statistically significant retardation of and decrease in of blood clot concentration in patients with venous thrombosis complicated by pulmonary artery thromboembolism as compared with contraction in patients with isolated deep vein thrombosis, witch may be important for early diagnosis and determination of the risk of thromboembolism. Besides, we revealed a statistically significant retardation of contraction in patients with proximal thrombosis as compared with contraction in patients with distal thrombosis, with similar values of the degree of contraction. Contraction was statistically significantly reduced in acute thrombosis (less than 21 days), whereas in subacute thrombosis (more than 21 days) the parameters of contraction were closer to normal values. The obtained findings suggest that reduction of blood clot contraction may be a new, hitherto unstudied pathogenetic mechanism deteriorating the course and outcome of venous thrombosis. The clinical significance of contraction and its impairments, as well as the diagnostic and prognostic value of the laboratory test for blood clot contraction would merit further study.

CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and their influence on predisposition to autoimmune thyroid diseases (Graves’ disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis)

PubMed Central

Pastuszak-Lewandoska, Dorota; Sewerynek, Ewa; Domańska, Daria; Gładyś, Aleksandra; Skrzypczak, Renata

2012-01-01

Introduction Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is associated with both genetic and environmental factors which lead to the overactivity of immune system. Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms belong to the main genetic factors determining the susceptibility to AITD (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, HT and Graves' disease, GD) development. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between CTLA-4 polymorphisms (A49G, 1822 C/T and CT60 A/G) and HT and/or GD in Polish patients. Material and methods Molecular analysis involved AITD group, consisting of HT (n=28) and GD (n=14) patients, and a control group of healthy persons (n=20). Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and CTLA-4 polymorphisms were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, using three restriction enzymes: Fnu4HI (A49G), BsmAI (1822 C/T) and BsaAI (CT60 A/G). Results Statistical analysis (χ2 test) confirmed significant differences between the studied groups concerning CTLA-4 A49G genotypes. CTLA-4 A/G genotype was significantly more frequent in AITD group and OR analysis suggested that it might increase the susceptibility to HT. In GD patients, OR analysis revealed statistically significant relationship with the presence of G allele. In controls, CTLA-4 A/A genotype frequency was significantly increased suggesting a protective effect. There were no statistically significant differences regarding frequencies of other genotypes and polymorphic alleles of the CTLA-4 gene (1822 C/T and CT60 A/G) between the studied groups. Conclusions CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism seems to be an important genetic determinant of the risk of HT and GD in Polish patients. PMID:22851994

CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and their influence on predisposition to autoimmune thyroid diseases (Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis).

PubMed

Pastuszak-Lewandoska, Dorota; Sewerynek, Ewa; Domańska, Daria; Gładyś, Aleksandra; Skrzypczak, Renata; Brzeziańska, Ewa

2012-07-04

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is associated with both genetic and environmental factors which lead to the overactivity of immune system. Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms belong to the main genetic factors determining the susceptibility to AITD (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, HT and Graves' disease, GD) development. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between CTLA-4 polymorphisms (A49G, 1822 C/T and CT60 A/G) and HT and/or GD in Polish patients. Molecular analysis involved AITD group, consisting of HT (n=28) and GD (n=14) patients, and a control group of healthy persons (n=20). Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and CTLA-4 polymorphisms were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, using three restriction enzymes: Fnu4HI (A49G), BsmAI (1822 C/T) and BsaAI (CT60 A/G). Statistical analysis (χ(2) test) confirmed significant differences between the studied groups concerning CTLA-4 A49G genotypes. CTLA-4 A/G genotype was significantly more frequent in AITD group and OR analysis suggested that it might increase the susceptibility to HT. In GD patients, OR analysis revealed statistically significant relationship with the presence of G allele. In controls, CTLA-4 A/A genotype frequency was significantly increased suggesting a protective effect. There were no statistically significant differences regarding frequencies of other genotypes and polymorphic alleles of the CTLA-4 gene (1822 C/T and CT60 A/G) between the studied groups. CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism seems to be an important genetic determinant of the risk of HT and GD in Polish patients.

Chronic lung disease in very low birth weight infants: Persistence and improvement of a quality improvement process in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Birenbaum, H J; Pfoh, E R; Helou, S; Pane, M A; Marinkovich, G A; Dentry, A; Yeh, Hsin-Chieh; Updegraff, L; Arnold, C; Liverman, S; Cawman, H

2016-05-19

We previously demonstrated a significant reduction in our incidence of chronic lung disease in our NICU using potentially better practices of avoiding delivery room endotracheal intubation and using early nasal CPAP. We sought to demonstrate whether these improvements were sustained and or improved over time. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of infants 501-1500 grams born at our hospital between 2005 and 2013. Infants born during the 2005-2007, 2008-2010 and 2011-2013 epochs were grouped together, respectively. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the number and percent of maternal and neonatal characteristics by year grouping. Chi-squared tests were used to determine whether there were any statistically significant changes in characteristics across year groupings.. Two outcome variables were assessed: a diagnosis of chronic lung disease based on the Vermont Oxford Network definition and being discharged home on supplemental oxygen. There was a statistically significant improvement in the incidence of chronic lung disease in infants below 27 weeks' gestation in the three year period in the 2011-2013 cohort compared with those in the 2005-2007 cohort. We also found a statistically significant improvement in the number of infants discharged on home oxygen with birth weights 751-1000 grams and infants with gestational age less than 27 weeks in the 2011-2013 cohort compared to the 2005-2007 cohort. We demonstrated sustained improvement in our incidence of CLD between 2005 and 2013. We speculate that a multifaceted strategy of avoiding intubation and excessive oxygen in the delivery room, the early use of CPAP, as well as the use of volume targeted ventilation, when needed, may help significantly reduce the incidence of CLD.

Digital photography and transparency-based methods for measuring wound surface area.

PubMed

Bhedi, Amul; Saxena, Atul K; Gadani, Ravi; Patel, Ritesh

2013-04-01

To compare and determine a credible method of measurement of wound surface area by linear, transparency, and photographic methods for monitoring progress of wound healing accurately and ascertaining whether these methods are significantly different. From April 2005 to December 2006, 40 patients (30 men, 5 women, 5 children) admitted to the surgical ward of Shree Sayaji General Hospital, Baroda, had clean as well as infected wound following trauma, debridement, pressure sore, venous ulcer, and incision and drainage. Wound surface areas were measured by these three methods (linear, transparency, and photographic methods) simultaneously on alternate days. The linear method is statistically and significantly different from transparency and photographic methods (P value <0.05), but there is no significant difference between transparency and photographic methods (P value >0.05). Photographic and transparency methods provided measurements of wound surface area with equivalent result and there was no statistically significant difference between these two methods.

Impact of time to therapy and presence of collaterals on the efficacy of FX06 in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: a substudy of the F.I.R.E., the Efficacy of FX06 in the prevention of myocardial reperfusion injury trial.

PubMed

Hallén, Jonas; Petzelbauer, Peter; Schwitter, Jürg; Geudelin, Bernard; Buser, Peter; Atar, Dan

2010-04-01

To determine whether the efficacy of FX06 was dependent upon the timing of reperfusion therapy or the presence of collaterals in the Efficacy of FX06 in the prevention of myocardial reperfusion injury (F.I.R.E.) trial. Two hundred and thirty-four (234) patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were randomised to FX06 or matching placebo given as an intravenous bolus at reperfusion. Infarct size was assessed at 5-7 days and four months after myocardial infarction by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging determined total late enhancement and necrotic core zone. Patients were stratified according to presentation status (time-to-therapy <3 hours, n=108; time-to-therapy=3-6 hours, n=115) and presence of collaterals (yes, 46; no, 177). There were no statistically significant differences between groups at day 5-7. At four months, we observed statistically significant reductions of both measures of infarct size (0.3% vs. 2.4%, p=0.038; 8.0% vs. 16.0%, p=0.032) in the group given FX06 and presenting early. There was also a statistically significant reduction of total late enhancement zone among patients given FX06 with collaterals (7.3% vs. 15.2%, p=0.043). No differences were evident among late presenters or those without collaterals. FX06 significantly reduced infarct size at four months in the early presenters and in those with collaterals.

Comparison of the flexural strength of six reinforced restorative materials.

PubMed

Cohen, B I; Volovich, Y; Musikant, B L; Deutsch, A S

2001-01-01

This study calculated the flexural strength for six reinforced restorative materials and demonstrated that flexural strength values can be determined simply by using physical parameters (diametral tensile strength and Young's modulus values) that are easily determined experimentally. A one-way ANOVA analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the two reinforced glass ionomers and the four composite resin materials, with the composite resin being stronger than the glass ionomers.

Learning physics: A comparative analysis between instructional design methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathew, Easow

The purpose of this research was to determine if there were differences in academic performance between students who participated in traditional versus collaborative problem-based learning (PBL) instructional design approaches to physics curricula. This study utilized a quantitative quasi-experimental design methodology to determine the significance of differences in pre- and posttest introductory physics exam performance between students who participated in traditional (i.e., control group) versus collaborative problem solving (PBL) instructional design (i.e., experimental group) approaches to physics curricula over a college semester in 2008. There were 42 student participants (N = 42) enrolled in an introductory physics course at the research site in the Spring 2008 semester who agreed to participate in this study after reading and signing informed consent documents. A total of 22 participants were assigned to the experimental group (n = 22) who participated in a PBL based teaching methodology along with traditional lecture methods. The other 20 students were assigned to the control group (n = 20) who participated in the traditional lecture teaching methodology. Both the courses were taught by experienced professors who have qualifications at the doctoral level. The results indicated statistically significant differences (p < .01) in academic performance between students who participated in traditional (i.e., lower physics posttest scores and lower differences between pre- and posttest scores) versus collaborative (i.e., higher physics posttest scores, and higher differences between pre- and posttest scores) instructional design approaches to physics curricula. Despite some slight differences in control group and experimental group demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, and age) there were statistically significant (p = .04) differences between female average academic improvement which was much higher than male average academic improvement (˜63%) in the control group which may indicate that traditional teaching methods are more effective in females, whereas there was no significant difference noted in the experimental group between male and female participants. There was a statistically significant and negative relationship (r = -.61, p = .01) between age and physics pretest scores in the control group. No statistical analyses yielded significantly different average academic performance values in either group as delineated by ethnicity.

Facial anthropometric differences among gender, ethnicity, and age groups.

PubMed

Zhuang, Ziqing; Landsittel, Douglas; Benson, Stacey; Roberge, Raymond; Shaffer, Ronald

2010-06-01

The impact of race/ethnicity upon facial anthropometric data in the US workforce, on the development of personal protective equipment, has not been investigated to any significant degree. The proliferation of minority populations in the US workforce has increased the need to investigate differences in facial dimensions among these workers. The objective of this study was to determine the face shape and size differences among race and age groups from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health survey of 3997 US civilian workers. Survey participants were divided into two gender groups, four racial/ethnic groups, and three age groups. Measurements of height, weight, neck circumference, and 18 facial dimensions were collected using traditional anthropometric techniques. A multivariate analysis of the data was performed using Principal Component Analysis. An exploratory analysis to determine the effect of different demographic factors had on anthropometric features was assessed via a linear model. The 21 anthropometric measurements, body mass index, and the first and second principal component scores were dependent variables, while gender, ethnicity, age, occupation, weight, and height served as independent variables. Gender significantly contributes to size for 19 of 24 dependent variables. African-Americans have statistically shorter, wider, and shallower noses than Caucasians. Hispanic workers have 14 facial features that are significantly larger than Caucasians, while their nose protrusion, height, and head length are significantly shorter. The other ethnic group was composed primarily of Asian subjects and has statistically different dimensions from Caucasians for 16 anthropometric values. Nineteen anthropometric values for subjects at least 45 years of age are statistically different from those measured for subjects between 18 and 29 years of age. Workers employed in manufacturing, fire fighting, healthcare, law enforcement, and other occupational groups have facial features that differ significantly than those in construction. Statistically significant differences in facial anthropometric dimensions (P < 0.05) were noted between males and females, all racial/ethnic groups, and the subjects who were at least 45 years old when compared to workers between 18 and 29 years of age. These findings could be important to the design and manufacture of respirators, as well as employers responsible for supplying respiratory protective equipment to their employees.

Emotional Intelligence Profiles and Learning Strategies in Secondary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Inglés, Cándido J.; Martínez-Monteagudo, María C.; Pérez Fuentes, Maria C.; García-Fernández, José M.; Molero, María del Mar; Suriá-Martinez, Raquel; Gázquez, José J.

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship among emotional intelligence (EI) and learning strategies, identifying different emotional intelligence profiles and determining possible statistically significant differences in learning strategies through the identified profiles. Thousand and seventy-one Spaniards secondary school students…

Medical Errors Reduction Initiative

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

enough data was collected to have any statistical significance or determine impact on latent error in the process of blood transfusion. Bedside...of adverse drug events. JAMA 1995; 274: 35-43 . Leape, L.L., Brennan, T .A., & Laird, N .M. ( 1991) The nature of adverse events in hospitalized...Background Medical errors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients (Kohn, Corrigan and Donaldson, 2000; Leape, Brennan

Neighborhood archetypes for population health research: is there no place like home?

PubMed

Weden, Margaret M; Bird, Chloe E; Escarce, José J; Lurie, Nicole

2011-01-01

This study presents a new, latent archetype approach for studying place in population health. Latent class analysis is used to show how the number, defining attributes, and change/stability of neighborhood archetypes can be characterized and tested for statistical significance. The approach is demonstrated using data on contextual determinants of health for US neighborhoods defined by census tracts in 1990 and 2000. Six archetypes (prevalence 13-20%) characterize the statistically significant combinations of contextual determinants of health from the social environment, built environment, commuting and migration patterns, and demographics and household composition of US neighborhoods. Longitudinal analyses based on the findings demonstrate notable stability (76.4% of neighborhoods categorized as the same archetype ten years later), with exceptions reflecting trends in (ex)urbanization, gentrification/downgrading, and racial/ethnic reconfiguration. The findings and approach is applicable to both research and practice (e.g. surveillance) and can be scaled up or down to study health and place in other geographical contexts or historical periods. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impacts of Industrial Wind Turbine Noise on Sleep Quality: Results From a Field Study of Rural Residents in Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

Lane, James D; Bigelow, Philip L; Majowicz, Shannon E; McColl, R Stephen

2016-07-01

The objectives of this study were to determine whether grid-connected industrial wind turbines (IWTs) are a risk factor for poor sleep quality, and if IWT noise is associated with sleep parameters in rural Ontarians. A daily sleep diary and actigraphy-derived measures of sleep were obtained from 12 participants from an IWT community and 10 participants from a comparison community with no wind power installations. The equivalent and maximum sound pressure levels within the bedroom were also assessed. No statistically significant differences were observed between IWT residents and non-IWT residents for any of the parameters measured in this study. Actigraphy and sleep diaries are feasible tools to understand the impact of IWTs on the quality of sleep for nearby residents. Further studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to determine whether the lack of statistical significance observed here is a result of sample size, or reflects a true lack of association.

Carpal tunnel volume changes of the wrist under distraction.

PubMed

Cho, M S; Means, K R; Shrout, J A; Segalman, K A

2008-10-01

This study attempts to determine changes in carpal canal volume with distraction across the wrist. Uniform longitudinal distraction was maintained with two external fixators on the radial and ulnar aspects of the forearm axis of five cadaver specimens. After CT scanning, volume determinations were made at 5 mm increments beginning at the lunocapitate joint to a point 1.5 cm distal to the middle finger carpometacarpal joint. There was a statistically significant decrease of the mean total carpal canal volume from 0 to 4.54 kg of distraction, with no statistically significant decrease from 0 to 2.27 kg or 2.27 to 4.54 kg. The largest decrease occurred at 15 and 20 mm distal to the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament corresponding to the level of the hamate hook. Reduction in mean carpal canal volume was 10.2% and 7.5% at these distances, respectively, from 0 to 4.54 kg of distraction. Progressive distraction across the wrist causes a decrease in total carpal canal volume.

A Probabilistic Model of Local Sequence Alignment That Simplifies Statistical Significance Estimation

PubMed Central

Eddy, Sean R.

2008-01-01

Sequence database searches require accurate estimation of the statistical significance of scores. Optimal local sequence alignment scores follow Gumbel distributions, but determining an important parameter of the distribution (λ) requires time-consuming computational simulation. Moreover, optimal alignment scores are less powerful than probabilistic scores that integrate over alignment uncertainty (“Forward” scores), but the expected distribution of Forward scores remains unknown. Here, I conjecture that both expected score distributions have simple, predictable forms when full probabilistic modeling methods are used. For a probabilistic model of local sequence alignment, optimal alignment bit scores (“Viterbi” scores) are Gumbel-distributed with constant λ = log 2, and the high scoring tail of Forward scores is exponential with the same constant λ. Simulation studies support these conjectures over a wide range of profile/sequence comparisons, using 9,318 profile-hidden Markov models from the Pfam database. This enables efficient and accurate determination of expectation values (E-values) for both Viterbi and Forward scores for probabilistic local alignments. PMID:18516236

Genetic stock assessment of spawning arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) populations by flow cytometric determination of DNA content.

PubMed

Lockwood, S F; Bickham, J W

1991-01-01

Intraspecific variation in cellular DNA content was measured in five Coregonus autumnalis spawning populations from the Mackenzie River drainage, Canada, using flow cytometry. The rivers assayed were the Peel, Arctic Red, Mountain, Carcajou, and Liard rivers. DNA content was determined from whole blood preparations of fish from all rivers except the Carcajou, for which kidney tissue was used. DNA content measurements of kidney and blood preparations of the same fish from the Mountain River revealed statistically indistinguishable results. Mosaicism was found in blood preparations from the Peel, Arctic Red, Mountain, and Liard rivers, but was not observed in kidney tissue preparations from the Mountain or Carcajou rivers. The Liard River sample had significantly elevated mean DNA content relative to the other four samples; all other samples were statistically indistinguishable. Significant differences in mean DNA content among spawning stocks of a single species reinforces the need for adequate sample sizes of both individuals and populations when reporting "C" values for a particular species.

The best motivator priorities parents choose via analytical hierarchy process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farah, R. N.; Latha, P.

2015-05-01

Motivation is probably the most important factor that educators can target in order to improve learning. Numerous cross-disciplinary theories have been postulated to explain motivation. While each of these theories has some truth, no single theory seems to adequately explain all human motivation. The fact is that human beings in general and pupils in particular are complex creatures with complex needs and desires. In this paper, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been proposed as an emerging solution to move towards too large, dynamic and complex real world multi-criteria decision making problems in selecting the most suitable motivator when choosing school for their children. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 ("Statistical Package for Social Science") software. Statistic testing used are descriptive and inferential statistic. Descriptive statistic used to identify respondent pupils and parents demographic factors. The statistical testing used to determine the pupils and parents highest motivator priorities and parents' best priorities using AHP to determine the criteria chosen by parents such as school principals, teachers, pupils and parents. The moderating factors are selected schools based on "Standard Kualiti Pendidikan Malaysia" (SKPM) in Ampang. Inferential statistics such as One-way ANOVA used to get the significant and data used to calculate the weightage of AHP. School principals is found to be the best motivator for parents in choosing school for their pupils followed by teachers, parents and pupils.

Selected low-flow frequency statistics for continuous-record streamgages in Georgia, 2013

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gotvald, Anthony J.

2016-04-13

This report presents the annual and monthly minimum 1- and 7-day average streamflows with the 10-year recurrence interval (1Q10 and 7Q10) for 197 continuous-record streamgages in Georgia. Streamgages used in the study included active and discontinued stations having a minimum of 10 complete climatic years of record as of September 30, 2013. The 1Q10 and 7Q10 flow statistics were computed for 85 streamgages on unregulated streams with minimal diversions upstream, 43 streamgages on regulated streams, and 69 streamgages known, or considered, to be affected by varying degrees of diversions upstream. Descriptive information for each of these streamgages, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) station number, station name, latitude, longitude, county, drainage area, and period of record analyzed also is presented.Kendall’s tau nonparametric test was used to determine the statistical significance of trends in annual and monthly minimum 1-day and 7-day average flows for the 197 streamgages. Significant negative trends in the minimum annual 1-day and 7-day average streamflow were indicated for 77 of the 197 streamgages. Many of these significant negative trends are due to the period of record ending during one of the recent droughts in Georgia, particularly those streamgages with record through the 2013 water year. Long-term unregulated streamgages with 70 or more years of record indicate significant negative trends in the annual minimum 7-day average flow for central and southern Georgia. Watersheds for some of these streamgages have experienced minimal human impact, thus indicating that the significant negative trends observed in flows at the long-term streamgages may be influenced by changing climatological conditions. A Kendall-tau trend analysis of the annual air temperature and precipitation totals for Georgia indicated no significant trends. A comprehensive analysis of causes of the trends in annual and monthly minimum 1-day and 7-day average flows in central and southern Georgia is outside the scope of this study. Further study is needed to determine some of the causes, including both climatological and human impacts, of the significant negative trends in annual minimum 1-day and 7-day average flows in central and southern Georgia.To assess the changes in the annual 1Q10 and 7Q10 statistics over time for long-term continuous streamgages with significant trends in record, the annual 1Q10 and 7Q10 statistics were computed on a decadal accumulated basis for 39 streamgages having 40 or more years of record that indicated a significant trend. Records from most of the streamgages showed a decline in 7Q10 statistics for the decades of 1980–89, 1990–99, and 2000–09 because of the recent droughts in Georgia. Twenty four of the 39 streamgages had complete records from 1980 to 2010, and records from 23 of these gages exhibited a decline in the 7Q10 statistics during this period, ranging from –6.3 to –76.2 percent with a mean of –27.3 percent. No attempts were made during this study to adjust streamflow records or statistical analyses on the basis of trends.The monthly and annual 1Q10 and 7Q10 flow statistics for the entire period of record analyzed in the study are incorporated into the USGS StreamStatsDB, which is a database accessible to users through the recently released USGS StreamStats application for Georgia. StreamStats is a Web-based geographic information system that provides users with access to an assortment of analytical tools that are useful for water-resources planning and management, and for engineering design applications, such as the design of bridges. StreamStats allows users to easily obtain streamflow statistics, basin characteristics, and other information for user-selected streamgages.

Probability distributions of the electroencephalogram envelope of preterm infants.

PubMed

Saji, Ryoya; Hirasawa, Kyoko; Ito, Masako; Kusuda, Satoshi; Konishi, Yukuo; Taga, Gentaro

2015-06-01

To determine the stationary characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) envelopes for prematurely born (preterm) infants and investigate the intrinsic characteristics of early brain development in preterm infants. Twenty neurologically normal sets of EEGs recorded in infants with a post-conceptional age (PCA) range of 26-44 weeks (mean 37.5 ± 5.0 weeks) were analyzed. Hilbert transform was applied to extract the envelope. We determined the suitable probability distribution of the envelope and performed a statistical analysis. It was found that (i) the probability distributions for preterm EEG envelopes were best fitted by lognormal distributions at 38 weeks PCA or less, and by gamma distributions at 44 weeks PCA; (ii) the scale parameter of the lognormal distribution had positive correlations with PCA as well as a strong negative correlation with the percentage of low-voltage activity; (iii) the shape parameter of the lognormal distribution had significant positive correlations with PCA; (iv) the statistics of mode showed significant linear relationships with PCA, and, therefore, it was considered a useful index in PCA prediction. These statistics, including the scale parameter of the lognormal distribution and the skewness and mode derived from a suitable probability distribution, may be good indexes for estimating stationary nature in developing brain activity in preterm infants. The stationary characteristics, such as discontinuity, asymmetry, and unimodality, of preterm EEGs are well indicated by the statistics estimated from the probability distribution of the preterm EEG envelopes. Copyright © 2014 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Illegal drug use among female university students in Slovakia.

PubMed

Matejovičová, Barbora; Trandžík, Jozef; Schlarmannová, Janka; Boledovičová, Mária; Velemínský, Miloš

2015-01-20

This study is focused on the issue of illegal drug use among female university students preparing to become teachers. The main aim was to determine the frequency of drug abuse in a group of young women (n=215, mean age 20.44 years). Using survey methods, we determined that 33.48% of female university students in Slovakia use illegal drugs and 66.51% of students have never used illegal drugs. Differences between these groups were determined using statistical analysis, mostly in 4 areas of survey questions. We determined that education of parents has a statistically significant influence on use of illegal drugs by their children (χ2=10.14; P<0.05). Communication between parents and children and parental attention to children have a significant role in determining risky behavior (illegal drug use, χ2=8.698, P<0.05). Parents of students not using illegal drugs were interested in how their children spend their free time (68.53%). We confirmed the relationship between consumption of alcohol and illegal drug use (χ2=16.645; P<0.001) and smoking (χ2=6.226; P<0.05). The first contact with drugs occurs most frequently at high school age. The most consumed "soft" drug in our group of female university students is marijuana. Our findings are relevant for comparison and generalization regarding causes of the steady increase in number of young people using illegal drugs.

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Dissociation and Profiles of Mood, and Its Association with Biochemical Changes

PubMed Central

SELVİ, Yavuz; KILIÇ, Sultan; AYDIN, Adem; GÜZEL ÖZDEMİR, Pınar

2015-01-01

Introduction Sleep deprivation is a method, which has being used in order to comprehend the functions of sleep both in healthy individuals and for the patients of depression with in treatment, for a long time. The objective of our present study is to examine the relation between hormonal values, which are known for being related to the effects of these said changes determined in the mood, dissociation and thought suppression in healthy individuals after one night of sleep deprivation implementation. Methods One night sleep deprivation was performed on a total of thirty-two healthy volunteers (16 males and 16 females) who were included in the study. Blood samples were taken from the individuals before and after sleep deprivation implementation in order to determine cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and Thyroid Functions’ Levels tests. In order to evaluate the effects of the sleep deprivation on moods, “White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)” has been conducted, with an aim of evaluating thought suppression, “Profile of Mood States (POMS)”, “Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)” with a purpose of realizing any dissociation tendency. Results On the individuals who have been implemented for sleep deprivation, a decrease on depression and vigor-activity sub-scales values was detected, and an increase was determined on fatigue sub-scales values of “POMS”. While the values of DES were found to have been statistically increased after sleep deprivation, also a significant decrease was determined on WBSI values. Even if there hasn’t been any significant statistical change determined on cortisol levels after sleep deprivation, yet there had been some significant changes detected on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), fT3, fT4, and DHEA-S levels. Decrease in “POMS” depression sub-scale values and increase on fatigue sub-scale values were determined on the individuals whose sT4 levels were found to be increased significantly in statistic manner after the sleep deprivation. Conclusion According to the results of our study, sleep deprivation for one night was determined to cause decrease on depressive mood, increase on dissociative symptoms and to lower the tendency of suppressing the unwanted thoughts, consciously. The fact of being obtained lower depression values, on the individuals with the increased DHEA-S levels after the sleep deprivation meets with the information claiming that the high DHEA-S levels may be deemed as protectors against the negative effects of the stress. PMID:28360682

Comparison of corneal endothelial image analysis by Konan SP8000 noncontact and Bio-Optics Bambi systems.

PubMed

Benetz, B A; Diaconu, E; Bowlin, S J; Oak, S S; Laing, R A; Lass, J H

1999-01-01

Compare corneal endothelial image analysis by Konan SP8000 and Bio-Optics Bambi image-analysis systems. Corneal endothelial images from 98 individuals (191 eyes), ranging in age from 4 to 87 years, with a normal slit-lamp examination and no history of ocular trauma, intraocular surgery, or intraocular inflammation were obtained by the Konan SP8000 noncontact specular microscope. One observer analyzed these images by using the Konan system and a second observer by using the Bio-Optics Bambi system. Three methods of analyses were used: a fixed-frame method to obtain cell density (for both Konan and Bio-Optics Bambi) and a "dot" (Konan) or "corners" (Bio-Optics Bambi) method to determine morphometric parameters. The cell density determined by the Konan fixed-frame method was significantly higher (157 cells/mm2) than the Bio-Optics Bambi fixed-frame method determination (p<0.0001). However, the difference in cell density, although still statistically significant, was smaller and reversed comparing the Konan fixed-frame method with both Konan dot and Bio-Optics Bambi comers method (-74 cells/mm2, p<0.0001; -55 cells/mm2, p<0.0001, respectively). Small but statistically significant morphometric analyses differences between Konan and Bio-Optics Bambi were seen: cell density, +19 cells/mm2 (p = 0.03); cell area, -3.0 microm2 (p = 0.008); and coefficient of variation, +1.0 (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between these two methods in the percentage of six-sided cells detected (p = 0.55). Cell densities measured by the Konan fixed-frame method were comparable with Konan and Bio-Optics Bambi's morphometric analysis, but not with the Bio-Optics Bambi fixed-frame method. The two morphometric analyses were comparable with minimal or no differences for the parameters that were studied. The Konan SP8000 endothelial image-analysis system may be useful for large-scale clinical trials determining cell loss; its noncontact system has many clinical benefits (including patient comfort, safety, ease of use, and short procedure time) and provides reliable cell-density calculations.

A pilot study: the effect of healing touch on anxiety, stress, pain, pain medication usage, and physiological measures in hospitalized sickle cell disease adults experiencing a vaso-occlusive pain episode.

PubMed

Thomas, Linda S; Stephenson, Nancy; Swanson, Mel; Jesse, D Elizabeth; Brown, Sylvia

2013-12-01

This pilot study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Healing Touch on anxiety, stress, pain, pain medication usage, and selected physiological measures of hospitalized adults with sickle cell disease experiencing a vaso-occlusive pain episode. Healing Touch sessions were administered for 30 minutes on four consecutive days, and the self-reported data on anxiety, stress, pain, and the selected physiological data were collected while controlling for music and presence. A parallel-group randomized control trial comparing the effects of Healing Touch with Music (HTM) to Attention Control with Music (ACM). Due to the small sample size, there were no statistically significant changes in any between-group comparisons, except for present pain on Day 4 for the ACM group. For both groups, the within-group comparison showed a nonsignificant reduction in physiological parameters, a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and stress for the ACM group after Day 4, and a statistically significant reduction in stress in the HTM group after Days 2 and 4. The pre- to postintervention reductions in present pain were greater in the HTM group across all 4 days, but the only statistically significant within groups findings were in the HTM group (p < .01) on Day 1. Further research is needed.

Effect of Two Herbal Mouthwashes on Gingival Health of School Children

PubMed Central

Sharma, Ratika; Hebbal, Mamata; Ankola, Anil V.; Murugaboopathy, Vikneshan; Shetty, Sindhu Jayasimha

2014-01-01

This study aimed at determining the effect of indigenously prepared neem and mango chewing stick mouthwashes on plaque and gingival indices. A sample of 105 children aged 12-15 years was randomized into three groups, namely neem, mango, and chlorhexidine mouthwash groups. All the children were examined at baseline and gingival and plaque indices were recorded. Baseline scores for plaque and gingivitis were fair and moderate, respectively, in all the three groups and there existed no statistically significant difference among them. Ten millilitres each of herbal and chlorhexidine mouthwashes (0.2%) were administered according to the group allocation twice daily for 21 days. Indices were reassessed at 21 days (immediately after intervention) and at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after discontinuing the mouthwashes. Statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in plaque index was found in all the three mouthwash groups at 21 days and at 1 month from discontinuing the mouthwash. Chlorhexidine additionally showed statistically significant reduction in plaque index at 2 months from discontinuing the mouthwash. Statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in gingival index was found in all the three mouthwash groups at 21 days (immediately after discontinuing the mouthwash) and at 1 and 2 months from discontinuing the mouthwash. To conclude, all the three mouthwashes were effective antiplaque and antigingivitis agents. Chlorhexidine and neem possess equivalent efficacy in reducing plaque, while chlorhexidine has superior antigingivitis properties. PMID:25379471

Quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol content in cold pressed rice bran oil by TLC-image analysis method.

PubMed

Sakunpak, Apirak; Suksaeree, Jirapornchai; Monton, Chaowalit; Pathompak, Pathamaporn; Kraisintu, Krisana

2014-02-01

To develop and validate an image analysis method for quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods were developed, validated, and used for quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. The results obtained by these two different quantification methods were compared by paired t-test. Both assays provided good linearity, accuracy, reproducibility and selectivity for determination of γ-oryzanol. The TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods provided a similar reproducibility, accuracy and selectivity for the quantitative determination of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. A statistical comparison of the quantitative determinations of γ-oryzanol in samples did not show any statistically significant difference between TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods. As both methods were found to be equal, they therefore can be used for the determination of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil.

Quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol content in cold pressed rice bran oil by TLC-image analysis method

PubMed Central

Sakunpak, Apirak; Suksaeree, Jirapornchai; Monton, Chaowalit; Pathompak, Pathamaporn; Kraisintu, Krisana

2014-01-01

Objective To develop and validate an image analysis method for quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. Methods TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods were developed, validated, and used for quantitative analysis of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. The results obtained by these two different quantification methods were compared by paired t-test. Results Both assays provided good linearity, accuracy, reproducibility and selectivity for determination of γ-oryzanol. Conclusions The TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods provided a similar reproducibility, accuracy and selectivity for the quantitative determination of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. A statistical comparison of the quantitative determinations of γ-oryzanol in samples did not show any statistically significant difference between TLC-densitometric and TLC-image analysis methods. As both methods were found to be equal, they therefore can be used for the determination of γ-oryzanol in cold pressed rice bran oil. PMID:25182282

A Study to Determine if a Difference Exists Among the Cumulative Incidence of Acute Respiratory Disease Hospital Admissions of Three Groups of Army Basic Trainees as Defined by the Design of Barracks in Which They Are Housed

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

number) Using chi-square tests of homogeneity, a selected sample of Army Basic Trainees at Ft. Jackso was studied to determine if there was a...Period of training for sample soldiers was January to May 1985. Results of testing for the female trainees indicated no significant difference in incidence...of ARD among three barracks groups. Results of testing for male trainees indicated statistically significant dif -erences of ARD among each of three

Impact of Lumbar Fusion on Health Care Resource Utilization.

PubMed

Mina, Curtis; Carreon, Leah Y; Glassman, Steven D

2016-02-01

A longitudinal cohort. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of health care resource utilization decrease 2 years after lumbar spinal fusion. Despite the assumption that surgery will minimize the need for ongoing nonsurgical treatment, the impact of lumbar fusion on subsequent health care resource utilization has not been effectively studied. Patients who had continuous coverage by a major insurer during the year before decompression and posterolateral instrumented spinal fusion, and the 2 and a half years following were identified. All charges processed during this time-period were collected. Charges associated with the index surgery, the 90-day postoperative period, and those unrelated to spinal care were excluded. Associations with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improvement at 2 years after surgery and health care resource utilization were determined. Sixty-six patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 59 years and 39% were males. There was a decrease in health care utilization costs 1 year after surgery ($3267.59) compared with pre-op ($4246.32), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.197). There was a statistically significant decrease in costs during the second year after surgery ($1420.97) compared with either pre-op (P = 0.000) or 1-year costs (P = 0.001). No statistically significant correlations could be found between change in ODI scores and costs incurred at either year post-op. Health care utilization decreased at 1 year and significantly at 2 years after lumbar fusion. However, there was no correlation between use of nonsurgical resources and clinical outcome based on ODI scores. This raises the question as to whether these resources were used in a rational manner. This cooperative study between a major insurer and a tertiary spine center provides improved insight into the cost profile of lumbar fusion surgery. Further study is needed to determine whether ongoing post-op treatment is necessary or simply established practice. 2.

[Antiurolithiasic effect of a plant mixture of Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense and Sambucus nigra (Herbensurina®) in the prevention of experimentally induced nephrolithiasis in rats].

PubMed

Crescenti, Anna; Puiggròs, Francesc; Colomé, Arnau; Poch, Josep Antón; Caimari, Antoni; Bas, Josep Maria; Boqué, Noemí; Arola, Lluís

2015-12-01

To determine the effect of a botanical formulation of Herniaria glabra, Agropyron repens, Equisetum arvense, and Sambucus nigra as a preventive agent in an experimentally induced nefrolithiasis model in rats. Six groups of six Wistar male rats each were induced for nefrolithiasis by treatment with 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride for three days and then EG only for 15 days. One group was treated with placebo (control group) and the other groups (treated groups) were treated with 30 mg/Kg, 60 mg/Kg, 125 mg/Kg, 250 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg of the plant extract formulation (PEF). 24-h urine and water samples were collected one day before EG administration and at 7, 13 and 18 days to determine diuresis, crystalluria and urine biochemistry. The kidneys were removed for histological analysis. The phytochemical characterization of PEF and each of its component plant extracts was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Animals treated with 125 mg/Kg of the PEF had statistically significantly lower calcium oxalate crystals deposits content compared to the control group. All PEF doses statistically significantly decreased the number of microcalcifications compared to the control group. Furthermore, the number of kidneys affected by subcapsular fibrosis was statistically significantly higher in control group than in treated groups with the PEF. The diuresis of the 125 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg PEF-treated groups was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group. A phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, dicarboxylic acids and saponins. Treatment with PEF prevents deposits of calcium oxalate crystals formation and of microcalcifications in the kidney, and reduces the risk of fibrosis subcapsular. 125 mg/Kg of PEF is the dose that has a greater effect on the studied parameters.

Spontaneous genetic damage in the tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae): the effect of age.

PubMed

Schaumburg, Laura G; Poletta, Gisela L; Siroski, Pablo A; Mudry, Marta D

2014-05-15

Several studies indicate that certain factors such as age, sex or nutritional status among others, may affect the level of DNA damage, both induced and spontaneous, so it is very important to consider them for a more accurate interpretation of the findings. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of age, sex, and nest of origin on spontaneous genetic damage of Tupinambis merianae determined by the comet assay (CA) and the micronucleus (MN) test, in order to improve reference data for future in vivo studies of xenobiotics exposure in this species. Sixty-five tegu lizards of three different ages: newborns (NB), juveniles (JUV) and adults (AD), both sexes and from different nests of origin were used. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein of all animals and the MN test and CA were applied on peripheral blood erythrocytes to determine basal frequency of MN (BFMN) and basal damage index (BDI). The comparison between age groups showed statistically significant differences in the BFMN and BDI (p<0.05). NB animals showed significantly higher BDI values in relation to JUV and AD (p<0.016), but no statistically differences were found between the latter two. NB showed lower BFMN respect to other age groups, being statistically significant only when compared to AD (p<0.016). BFMN or BDI showed no statistically significant differences between sexes or nests of origin (p>0.05). A weak negative relationship was found only between BFMN and weight of NB tegu lizard (p=0.014; R(2)=0.245). Basal values of genetic damage obtained with both biomarkers in the tegu lizard evidenced that age is an intrinsic factor that should be taken into account to avoid misunderstanding of the results in future biomonitoring studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Changes in the elasticity of fibroadenoma during the menstrual cycle determined by real-time sonoelastography.

PubMed

Kılıç, Fahrettin; Kayadibi, Yasemin; Kocael, Pinar; Velidedeoglu, Mehmet; Bas, Ahmet; Bakan, Selim; Aydogan, Fatih; Karatas, Adem; Yılmaz, Mehmet Halit

2015-06-01

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) presents quantitative data that thought to represent intrinsic features of the target tissue. Factors affecting the metabolism of the breast parenchyma as well as age, menstrual cycle, hormone levels, pregnancy and lactation, pre-compression artifact during the examination could affect these elastic intrinsic features. Aim of our study is to determine variation of fibroadenoma elasticity during the menstrual cycle (MC) by means of real-time shear-wave elastography (SWE) and identify the optimal time for SWE evaluation. Thirty volunteers (aged 20-40 years) who had biopsy-proven fibroadenoma greater than 1cm in diameter, with regular menstrual cycle and without contraceptive medication underwent SWE (ShearWave on Aixplorer, France) once weekly during MC. Statistical data were processed by using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used for each lesion where the repeated factor was the elastographic measurements (premenstrual, menstrual and postmenstrual). Pillai's trace test was used. Pairwise correlation was calculated using Bonferroni correction. Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean elasticity value of fibroadenomas in mid-cycle was 28.49 ± 12.92 kPa, with the highest value obtained in the third week corresponding to the premenstrual stage (32.98 ± 13.35 kPa) and the lowest value obtained in the first week corresponding to the postmenstrual stage (25.39 ± 10.21 kPa). Differences between the elasticity values of fibroadenomas in premenstrual and postmenstrual periods were statistically significant (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in lesion size between the different phases of the menstrual cycle (p>0.05). In this study, we found that there is significant difference between the elasticity values of fibroadenomas on premenstrual and postmenstrual period. We propose that one week after menstruation would be appropriate time to perform breast SWE. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of a nontraditional general chemistry textbook and selected traditional textbooks used in Texas community colleges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvato, Steven Walter

The purpose of this study was to analyze questions within the chapters of a nontraditional general chemistry textbook and the four general chemistry textbooks most widely used by Texas community colleges in order to determine if the questions require higher- or lower-order thinking according to Bloom's taxonomy. The study employed quantitative methods. Bloom's taxonomy (Bloom, Engelhart, Furst, Hill, & Krathwohl, 1956) was utilized as the main instrument in the study. Additional tools were used to help classify the questions into the proper category of the taxonomy (McBeath, 1992; Metfessel, Michael, & Kirsner, 1969). The top four general chemistry textbooks used in Texas community colleges and Chemistry: A Project of the American Chemical Society (Bell et al., 2005) were analyzed during the fall semester of 2010 in order to categorize the questions within the chapters into one of the six levels of Bloom's taxonomy. Two coders were used to assess reliability. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods. The descriptive method involved calculation of the frequencies and percentages of coded questions from the books as belonging to the six categories of the taxonomy. Questions were dichotomized into higher- and lower-order thinking questions. The inferential methods involved chi-square tests of association to determine if there were statistically significant differences among the four traditional college general chemistry textbooks in the proportions of higher- and lower-order questions and if there were statistically significant differences between the nontraditional chemistry textbook and the four traditional general chemistry textbooks. Findings indicated statistically significant differences among the four textbooks frequently used in Texas community colleges in the number of higher- and lower-level questions. Statistically significant differences were also found among the four textbooks and the nontraditional textbook. After the analysis of the data, conclusions were drawn, implications for practice were delineated, and recommendations for future research were given.

Detection of crossover time scales in multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Erjia; Leung, Yee

2013-04-01

Fractal is employed in this paper as a scale-based method for the identification of the scaling behavior of time series. Many spatial and temporal processes exhibiting complex multi(mono)-scaling behaviors are fractals. One of the important concepts in fractals is crossover time scale(s) that separates distinct regimes having different fractal scaling behaviors. A common method is multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA). The detection of crossover time scale(s) is, however, relatively subjective since it has been made without rigorous statistical procedures and has generally been determined by eye balling or subjective observation. Crossover time scales such determined may be spurious and problematic. It may not reflect the genuine underlying scaling behavior of a time series. The purpose of this paper is to propose a statistical procedure to model complex fractal scaling behaviors and reliably identify the crossover time scales under MF-DFA. The scaling-identification regression model, grounded on a solid statistical foundation, is first proposed to describe multi-scaling behaviors of fractals. Through the regression analysis and statistical inference, we can (1) identify the crossover time scales that cannot be detected by eye-balling observation, (2) determine the number and locations of the genuine crossover time scales, (3) give confidence intervals for the crossover time scales, and (4) establish the statistically significant regression model depicting the underlying scaling behavior of a time series. To substantive our argument, the regression model is applied to analyze the multi-scaling behaviors of avian-influenza outbreaks, water consumption, daily mean temperature, and rainfall of Hong Kong. Through the proposed model, we can have a deeper understanding of fractals in general and a statistical approach to identify multi-scaling behavior under MF-DFA in particular.

Evaluation of Supercritical Extracts of Algae as Biostimulants of Plant Growth in Field Trials.

PubMed

Michalak, Izabela; Chojnacka, Katarzyna; Dmytryk, Agnieszka; Wilk, Radosław; Gramza, Mateusz; Rój, Edward

2016-01-01

The aim of the field trials was to determine the influence of supercritical algal extracts on the growth and development of winter wheat (variety Akteur ). As a raw material for the supercritical fluid extraction, the biomass of microalga Spirulina plantensis , brown seaweed - Ascophyllum nodosum and Baltic green macroalgae was used. Forthial and Asahi SL constituted the reference products. It was found that the tested biostimulants did not influence statistically significantly the plant height, length of ear, and shank length. The ear number per m 2 was the highest in the group where the Baltic macroalgae extract was applied in the dose 1.0 L/ha (statistically significant differences). Number of grains in ear (statistically significant differences) and shank length was the highest in the group treated with Spirulina at the dose 1.5 L/ha. In the group with Ascophyllum at the dose 1.0 L/ha, the highest length of ear was observed. The yield was comparable in all the experimental groups (lack of statistically significant differences). Among the tested supercritical extracts, the best results were obtained for Spirulina (1.5 L/ha). The mass of 1000 grains was the highest for extract from Baltic macroalgae and was 3.5% higher than for Asahi, 4.0% higher than for Forthial and 18.5% higher than for the control group (statistically significant differences). Future work is needed to fully characterize the chemical composition of the applied algal extracts. A special attention should be paid to the extracts obtained from Baltic algae because they are inexpensive source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, which can be used in sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

Evaluation of Supercritical Extracts of Algae as Biostimulants of Plant Growth in Field Trials

PubMed Central

Michalak, Izabela; Chojnacka, Katarzyna; Dmytryk, Agnieszka; Wilk, Radosław; Gramza, Mateusz; Rój, Edward

2016-01-01

The aim of the field trials was to determine the influence of supercritical algal extracts on the growth and development of winter wheat (variety Akteur). As a raw material for the supercritical fluid extraction, the biomass of microalga Spirulina plantensis, brown seaweed – Ascophyllum nodosum and Baltic green macroalgae was used. Forthial and Asahi SL constituted the reference products. It was found that the tested biostimulants did not influence statistically significantly the plant height, length of ear, and shank length. The ear number per m2 was the highest in the group where the Baltic macroalgae extract was applied in the dose 1.0 L/ha (statistically significant differences). Number of grains in ear (statistically significant differences) and shank length was the highest in the group treated with Spirulina at the dose 1.5 L/ha. In the group with Ascophyllum at the dose 1.0 L/ha, the highest length of ear was observed. The yield was comparable in all the experimental groups (lack of statistically significant differences). Among the tested supercritical extracts, the best results were obtained for Spirulina (1.5 L/ha). The mass of 1000 grains was the highest for extract from Baltic macroalgae and was 3.5% higher than for Asahi, 4.0% higher than for Forthial and 18.5% higher than for the control group (statistically significant differences). Future work is needed to fully characterize the chemical composition of the applied algal extracts. A special attention should be paid to the extracts obtained from Baltic algae because they are inexpensive source of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, which can be used in sustainable agriculture and horticulture. PMID:27826310

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 Gene Polymorphism in Anxiety and Depressive Disorder in Kashmiri Population

PubMed Central

Shoib, Sheikh; Shah, Tabindah; Mushtaq, Sahil

2014-01-01

Background: The gene of tryptophan hydroxylase is widely recognized as a major candidate gene in many psychiatric disorders. However, no study has been done which investigates tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene polymorphism in anxiety and depressive disorders in Kashmiri population (India). Objectives: To study tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) C 11993 A gene polymorphism in anxiety and depressive disorders. Method: Sixty patients of depression disorder, 60 patients of anxiety disorder and 40 unrelated healthy volunteers (control) were studied in a case control design. Polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis after digestion with HAP II enzyme. Genotypes and allele frequencies were compared using Chi-square tests, Fischer’s exact test, odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (C.I) and p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistical significant. Results: The mean age ± SD of anxiety, depression and control group was 32.73±10.99, 32.20±10 and 29.75±10.12 respectively and the difference was found to be statistically non significant (p=0.349).The mean HAM-A (Hamilton rating scale for anxiety) score and HAM-D (Hamilton rating scale for depression) score was high in both groups (anxiety and depression) and found to be statistically significant (p=0.001).Depression group had AA genotype (55.2%) than control (37.5%) and was found to be statistically non significant (p=0.890).Comparison of allelic frequency revealed no association of A allele in anxiety group (76.67%) compared with control (75.5%) and was found to be statistically non significant (p= 0.866), OR 1.09 (0.56-2.11). Conclusion: TPH2C 11993 A gene was not found to be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorder in Kashmiri population. PMID:25121048

Inverse statistics and information content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebadi, H.; Bolgorian, Meysam; Jafari, G. R.

2010-12-01

Inverse statistics analysis studies the distribution of investment horizons to achieve a predefined level of return. This distribution provides a maximum investment horizon which determines the most likely horizon for gaining a specific return. There exists a significant difference between inverse statistics of financial market data and a fractional Brownian motion (fBm) as an uncorrelated time-series, which is a suitable criteria to measure information content in financial data. In this paper we perform this analysis for the DJIA and S&P500 as two developed markets and Tehran price index (TEPIX) as an emerging market. We also compare these probability distributions with fBm probability, to detect when the behavior of the stocks are the same as fBm.

System and method for statistically monitoring and analyzing sensed conditions

DOEpatents

Pebay, Philippe P [Livermore, CA; Brandt, James M [Dublin, CA; Gentile, Ann C [Dublin, CA; Marzouk, Youssef M [Oakland, CA; Hale, Darrian J [San Jose, CA; Thompson, David C [Livermore, CA

2011-01-04

A system and method of monitoring and analyzing a plurality of attributes for an alarm condition is disclosed. The attributes are processed and/or unprocessed values of sensed conditions of a collection of a statistically significant number of statistically similar components subjected to varying environmental conditions. The attribute values are used to compute the normal behaviors of some of the attributes and also used to infer parameters of a set of models. Relative probabilities of some attribute values are then computed and used along with the set of models to determine whether an alarm condition is met. The alarm conditions are used to prevent or reduce the impact of impending failure.

System and method for statistically monitoring and analyzing sensed conditions

DOEpatents

Pebay, Philippe P [Livermore, CA; Brandt, James M [Dublin, CA; Gentile, Ann C [Dublin, CA; Marzouk, Youssef M [Oakland, CA; Hale, Darrian J [San Jose, CA; Thompson, David C [Livermore, CA

2011-01-25

A system and method of monitoring and analyzing a plurality of attributes for an alarm condition is disclosed. The attributes are processed and/or unprocessed values of sensed conditions of a collection of a statistically significant number of statistically similar components subjected to varying environmental conditions. The attribute values are used to compute the normal behaviors of some of the attributes and also used to infer parameters of a set of models. Relative probabilities of some attribute values are then computed and used along with the set of models to determine whether an alarm condition is met. The alarm conditions are used to prevent or reduce the impact of impending failure.

System and method for statistically monitoring and analyzing sensed conditions

DOEpatents

Pebay, Philippe P [Livermore, CA; Brandt, James M. , Gentile; Ann C. , Marzouk; Youssef M. , Hale; Darrian J. , Thompson; David, C [Livermore, CA

2010-07-13

A system and method of monitoring and analyzing a plurality of attributes for an alarm condition is disclosed. The attributes are processed and/or unprocessed values of sensed conditions of a collection of a statistically significant number of statistically similar components subjected to varying environmental conditions. The attribute values are used to compute the normal behaviors of some of the attributes and also used to infer parameters of a set of models. Relative probabilities of some attribute values are then computed and used along with the set of models to determine whether an alarm condition is met. The alarm conditions are used to prevent or reduce the impact of impending failure.

Comparison of imaging value for diabetic lower extremity arterial disease between FBI and CE-MRA.

PubMed

Yi, C-Y; Zhou, D-X; Li, H-H; Wang, Y; Chen, K; Chen, J; Huang, B-C; Xu, X-L

2016-07-01

This study adopted self-control study method to assess the efficacy of fresh blood imaging (FBI) and contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) for patients with diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (DLEAD) (Fontaine stage I to IV), and to evaluate the imaging of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in different stages of diabetes mellitus (DM). 1. This study recruited 44 diabetic patients with suspected lower extremity PAD to take both FBI and CE-MRA. 2. Two experienced cardiovascular radiologists assessed the image quality, the detection of lower extremity arterial branches, and tissue contamination (veins, arteries, and soft tissues) of FBI and CE-MRA, as well as the presence and severity of stenotic lesions. 3. Statistical differences of the quality of FBI and CE-MRA were determined using paired t-test. 4. Correlation analysis was adopted for determining the direction and strength of the relationship between the changes of the indexes of FBI and the different Fontaine stages. 1. The quality evaluation results of the image of lower extremity arteries from the 44 diabetic patients indicated no statistically significant difference between FBI and CE-MRA in the patients with Fontaine stage I-III (p >0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the patients with Fontaine stage IV (p <0.05), and the quality of FBI was slightly worse. 2. Arterial branches that observed from FBI and CE-MRA were 885 and 904, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference for the arterial branches between FBI and CE-MRA in the patients with Fontaine stage I-III (p >0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the patients with Fontaine stage IV (p <0.05), and CE-MRA indicated more artery branches than FBI. 3. There was a statistically significant difference for the evaluation of venous contamination between FBI and CE-MRA (p <0.05), and there was less venous contamination using FBI. 4. The study results indicated that with Fontaine stages going on the FBI's image quality and arterial branches reduced gradually, and the degree of tissue interference and arteriostenosis was rising gradually. The results of this study indicated that using FBI in lower extremity PAD of diabetics had good quality and high diagnostic accurancy, and the tissue contamination (veins and soft tissues of calf) was effectively avoided. Especially in Fontaine stage I-III, FBI can be used as an alternative technique of CE-MRA, and it also can be used in diabetic patients with renal impairment in Fontaine IV.

Risk factors for persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

PubMed

Kuyumcuoglu, Umur; Guzel, Ali Irfan; Erdemoglu, Mahmut; Celik, Yusuf

2011-01-01

This retrospective study evaluated the risk factors for persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (GTN) and determined their odds ratios. This study included 100 cases with GTN admitted to our clinic. Possible risk factors recorded were age, gravidity, parity, size of the neoplasia, and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels (beta-hCG) before and after the procedure. Statistical analyses consisted of the independent sample t-test and logistic regression using the statistical package SPSS ver. 15.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Twenty of the cases had persistent GTN, and the differences between these and the others cases were evaluated. The size of the neoplasia and histopathological type of GTN had no statistical relationship with persistence, whereas age, gravidity, and beta-hCG levels were significant risk factors for persistent GTN (p < 0.05). The odds ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)) for age, gravidity, and pre- and post-evacuation beta-hCG levels determined using logistic regression were 4.678 (0.97-22.44), 7.315 (1.16-46.16), 2.637 (1.41-4.94), and 2.339 (1.52-3.60), respectively. Patient age, gravidity, and beta-hCG levels were risk factors for persistent GTN, whereas the size of the neoplasia and histopathological type of GTN were not significant risk factors.

Parametric study of the swimming performance of a fish robot propelled by a flexible caudal fin.

PubMed

Low, K H; Chong, C W

2010-12-01

In this paper, we aim to study the swimming performance of fish robots by using a statistical approach. A fish robot employing a carangiform swimming mode had been used as an experimental platform for the performance study. The experiments conducted aim to investigate the effect of various design parameters on the thrust capability of the fish robot with a flexible caudal fin. The controllable parameters associated with the fin include frequency, amplitude of oscillation, aspect ratio and the rigidity of the caudal fin. The significance of these parameters was determined in the first set of experiments by using a statistical approach. A more detailed parametric experimental study was then conducted with only those significant parameters. As a result, the parametric study could be completed with a reduced number of experiments and time spent. With the obtained experimental result, we were able to understand the relationship between various parameters and a possible adjustment of parameters to obtain a higher thrust. The proposed statistical method for experimentation provides an objective and thorough analysis of the effects of individual or combinations of parameters on the swimming performance. Such an efficient experimental design helps to optimize the process and determine factors that influence variability.

PROMISE: a tool to identify genomic features with a specific biologically interesting pattern of associations with multiple endpoint variables.

PubMed

Pounds, Stan; Cheng, Cheng; Cao, Xueyuan; Crews, Kristine R; Plunkett, William; Gandhi, Varsha; Rubnitz, Jeffrey; Ribeiro, Raul C; Downing, James R; Lamba, Jatinder

2009-08-15

In some applications, prior biological knowledge can be used to define a specific pattern of association of multiple endpoint variables with a genomic variable that is biologically most interesting. However, to our knowledge, there is no statistical procedure designed to detect specific patterns of association with multiple endpoint variables. Projection onto the most interesting statistical evidence (PROMISE) is proposed as a general procedure to identify genomic variables that exhibit a specific biologically interesting pattern of association with multiple endpoint variables. Biological knowledge of the endpoint variables is used to define a vector that represents the biologically most interesting values for statistics that characterize the associations of the endpoint variables with a genomic variable. A test statistic is defined as the dot-product of the vector of the observed association statistics and the vector of the most interesting values of the association statistics. By definition, this test statistic is proportional to the length of the projection of the observed vector of correlations onto the vector of most interesting associations. Statistical significance is determined via permutation. In simulation studies and an example application, PROMISE shows greater statistical power to identify genes with the interesting pattern of associations than classical multivariate procedures, individual endpoint analyses or listing genes that have the pattern of interest and are significant in more than one individual endpoint analysis. Documented R routines are freely available from www.stjuderesearch.org/depts/biostats and will soon be available as a Bioconductor package from www.bioconductor.org.

Phosphorylated neurofilament heavy: A potential blood biomarker to evaluate the severity of acute spinal cord injuries in adults

PubMed Central

Singh, Ajai; Kumar, Vineet; Ali, Sabir; Mahdi, Abbas Ali; Srivastava, Rajeshwer Nath

2017-01-01

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the serial estimation of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNF-H) in blood plasma that would act as a potential biomarker for early prediction of the neurological severity of acute spinal cord injuries (SCI) in adults. Settings and Design: Pilot study/observational study. Subjects and Methods: A total of 40 patients (28 cases and 12 controls) of spine injury were included in this study. In the enrolled cases, plasma level of pNF-H was evaluated in blood samples and neurological evaluation was performed by the American Spinal Injury Association Injury Scale at specified period. Serial plasma neurofilament heavy values were then correlated with the neurological status of these patients during follow-up visits and were analyzed statistically. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad InStat software (version 3.05 for Windows, San Diego, CA, USA). The correlation analysis between the clinical progression and pNF-H expression was done using Spearman's correlation. Results: The mean baseline level of pNF-H in cases was 6.40 ± 2.49 ng/ml, whereas in controls it was 0.54 ± 0.27 ng/ml. On analyzing the association between the two by Mann–Whitney U–test, the difference in levels was found to be statistically significant. The association between the neurological progression and pNF-H expression was determined using correlation analysis (Spearman's correlation). At 95% confidence interval, the correlation coefficient was found to be 0.64, and the correlation was statistically significant. Conclusions: Plasma pNF-H levels were elevated in accordance with the severity of SCI. Therefore, pNF-H may be considered as a potential biomarker to determine early the severity of SCI in adult patients. PMID:29291173

Changes in the oral environment after placement of lingual and labial orthodontic appliances.

PubMed

Lombardo, Luca; Ortan, Yildiz Öztürk; Gorgun, Özge; Panza, Chiara; Scuzzo, Giuseppe; Siciliani, Giuseppe

2013-09-11

This study compared the oral hygiene and caries risk of patients treated with labial and lingual orthodontic appliances throughout a prospective evaluation of the status of the oral environment before and after bracket placement. A total of 20 orthodontic patients aged 19 to 23 years were included in the study and were divided into two groups: 10 patients wore Roth labial appliance (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, WI, USA) and 10 patients wore STb lingual appliance (Ormco Corporation, Glendora, CA, USA). Plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), salivary flow rate, saliva buffer capacity, salivary pH, and Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts in saliva were determined at three time points: before orthodontic appliance placement (T0), 4 weeks after bonding (T1), and 8 weeks after bonding (T2). After appliance placement, all patients were periodically educated to the oral hygiene procedures. Wilcoxon rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine intragroup and intergroup differences as regards qualitative data. To compare quantitative data between the groups, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were undertaken, while intragroup differences were tested with McNemar test. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Statistical analysis of the data obtained revealed a statistically significant difference between the data of T0 and T1 and the data of T0 and T2 of the PI scores and between T0 and T2 of the GBI scores in the group treated with the lingual appliance. The GBI value increased significantly between T0 and T1 but decreased significantly between T1 and T2 (p<0.01) in the group treated with labial appliance. S. mutans counts increased significantly between T0 and T2 in the saliva samples of patients treated with lingual appliance. No statistically significant differences were found between S. mutans and Lactobacillus counts at the three terms of saliva collection in patients treated with labial appliance. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at the three time points as regards the salivary flow rate and saliva buffer capacity. Lingual and labial orthodontic appliances showed a different potential in modifying the investigated clinical parameters: patients wearing STb lingual orthodontic appliance had more plaque retention 4 and 8 weeks after bonding, while there were more gingival inflammation and more S. mutans counts 8 weeks after bonding. No differences were found between the two groups as regards the Lactobacillus counts, the salivary flow rate, and saliva buffer capacity.

Approaches for estimating minimal clinically important differences in systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Rai, Sharan K; Yazdany, Jinoos; Fortin, Paul R; Aviña-Zubieta, J Antonio

2015-06-03

A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is an important concept used to determine whether a medical intervention improves perceived outcomes in patients. Prior to the introduction of the concept in 1989, studies focused primarily on statistical significance. As most recent clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have failed to show significant effects, determining a clinically relevant threshold for outcome scores (that is, the MCID) of existing instruments may be critical for conducting and interpreting meaningful clinical trials as well as for facilitating the establishment of treatment recommendations for patients. To that effect, methods to determine the MCID can be divided into two well-defined categories: distribution-based and anchor-based approaches. Distribution-based approaches are based on statistical characteristics of the obtained samples. There are various methods within the distribution-based approach, including the standard error of measurement, the standard deviation, the effect size, the minimal detectable change, the reliable change index, and the standardized response mean. Anchor-based approaches compare the change in a patient-reported outcome to a second, external measure of change (that is, one that is more clearly understood, such as a global assessment), which serves as the anchor. Finally, the Delphi technique can be applied as an adjunct to defining a clinically important difference. Despite an abundance of methods reported in the literature, little work in MCID estimation has been done in the context of SLE. As the MCID can help determine the effect of a given therapy on a patient and add meaning to statistical inferences made in clinical research, we believe there ought to be renewed focus on this area. Here, we provide an update on the use of MCIDs in clinical research, review some of the work done in this area in SLE, and propose an agenda for future research.

SU-E-T-247: Determinations of the Optimal Phase for Respiratory Gated Radiotherapy From Statistical Analysis Using a Visible Guidance System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oh, S; Yea, J; Kang, M

Purpose: Respiratory gated radiation therapy (RGRT) is used to minimize the radiation dose to normal tissue in lung cancer patients. Determination of the optimal point in the respiratory phase of a patient is important in RGRT but it is not easy. The goal of the present study was to see if a visible guidance system is helpful in determining the optimal phase in respiratory gated therapy. Methods: The breathing signals of 23 lung cancer patients were recorded with a Real-time Position Management (RPM) respiratory gating system (Varian, USA). The patients underwent breathing training with our visible guidance system, after whichmore » their breathing signals were recorded during 5 min of free breathing and 5 min of guided breathing. The breathing signals recorded between 3 and 5 min before and after training were compared. We performed statistical analysis of the breathing signals to find the optimal duty cycle in guided breathing for RGRT. Results: The breathing signals aided by the visible guidance system had more regular cycles over time and smaller variations in the positions of the marker block than the free breathing signals. Of the 23 lung cancer patients, 19 showed statistically significant differences by time when the values obtained before and after breathing were compared (p < 0.05); 30% and 40% of the duty cycle, respectively, was determined to be the most effective, and the corresponding phases were 30 60% (duty cycle, 30%; p < 0.05) and 30 70% (duty cycle, 40%; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Respiratory regularity was significantly improved with the use of the RPM with our visible guiding system; therefore, it would help improve the accuracy and efficiency of RGRT.« less

Vaginal douching practice: Frequency, associated factors and relationship with vulvovaginal symptoms.

PubMed

Yanikkerem, Emre; Yasayan, Aysegul

2016-04-01

To determine the frequency, associated factors and relationship with vulvovaginal symptoms and vaginal douching among Turkish women. The cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted at Merkez Efendi Hospital, Manisa, Turkey, from January to June 2014 using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 17. Of the total 343 women in the study, 91(26.5%) had reported vaginal douching in the preceding year. Statistically significant relationship was determined between the vaginal douching behaviour and couples who had low educationand low income levels, having unplanned pregnancy and had someone in their neighbourhood who douched (p< 0.05 each). The most common reason for using vaginal douching was reported to be cleanliness by 85(93.4%) women, prevention of genital infections 75(82.4%), cleaning after/before sexual intercourse 72(79%), during menstruation 49(54%), prevention of vaginal discharge 69(76%), decreasing of unpleasant odours 65(71.4%) and religious beliefs 46(50.5%). Self-reported history of vaginal infection was significantly more common for women who douched compared those who did not (p< 0.05). Healthcare providers should determine the reason and risky groups of women and educate the women to stop the vaginal douching behaviour and harmful effects of vaginal douching.

Consumer knowledge and attitudes toward nutritional labels.

PubMed

Cannoosamy, Komeela; Pugo-Gunsam, Prity; Jeewon, Rajesh

2014-01-01

To determine Mauritian consumers' attitudes toward nutritional labels based on the Kano model and to identify determinants of the use and understanding of nutrition labels. The researchers also used a Kano model questionnaire to determine consumers' attitudes toward nutrition labeling. Four hundred consumers residing in Mauritius. Information was elicited via a questionnaire that assessed nutritional knowledge and information about the use and understanding of nutritional labels and demographic factors. Nutritional label use and understanding, nutrition knowledge, and association of demographic factors with label use. Statistical tests performed included 1-way ANOVA and independent samples t tests. Statistically significant relationships (P < .05) were found for nutritional knowledge and nutritional label usage with demographic factors. All demographic factors with the exception of gender were significantly associated (P < .05) with nutritional label understanding. Based on the outcome of the Kano survey, calorie content, trans fat content, protein content, and cholesterol content were found to be must-be attributes: that is, attributes that, when not present, result in consumer dissatisfaction. Age, education, income, household size, and nutrition knowledge had an impact on nutritional label use. Health promoters should aim to increase the use of nutritional labels. Copyright © 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a commercial vaccine against avian poxvirus in turkeys kept in the backyard system in the state of Yucatan, Mexico.

PubMed

Estrella-Tec, J E; Gutiérrez-Ruiz, E J; Ramírez-González, S; Aranda-Cirerol, F; Santos-Ricalde, R; Puerto-Nájera, J L

2013-12-01

One hundred and sixty 1-month-old turkey poults were delivered to 40 households in four communities of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. The poults were divided into two populations, one vaccinated and the other non-vaccinated against avian pox. During three months, monthly visits were carried out in order to monitor the appearance of lesions suggesting avian pox in the birds delivered. Each turkey was clinically examined, searching for characteristic avian pox lesions that were classified according to the degree of severity observed. The true incidence rate and the cumulative incidence rate of avian pox were determined and the true incidence and cumulative incidence rates of mortality were determined and the relative risks calculated. The true incidence rates for avian pox in vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds were 1.5 and 1.47 respectively. The cumulative incidence rates were 0.94 and 0.90 for vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds, respectively. The comparison for the whole period between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups did not show a significant statistical difference for mortality. However, when mortality was compared between vaccinated and non-vaccinated turkeys for each month of the study, there was a statistically significant difference for the first month (relative risk = 0.216, confidence interval 0.069 to 0.676). In addition, when the severity of pox lesions between groups was compared, statistically significant differences were found in favour of the vaccinated birds (P < 0.0001).

A compliance assessment of midpoint formative assessments completed by APPE preceptors.

PubMed

Lea Bonner, C; Staton, April G; Naro, Patricia B; McCullough, Elizabeth; Lynn Stevenson, T; Williamson, Margaret; Sheffield, Melody C; Miller, Mindi; Fetterman, James W; Fan, Shirley; Momary, Kathryn M

Experiential pharmacy preceptors should provide formative and summative feedback during a learning experience. Preceptors are required to provide colleges and schools of pharmacy with assessments or evaluations of students' performance. Students and experiential programs value on-time completion of midpoint evaluations by preceptors. The objective of this study was to determine the number of on-time electronically documented formative midpoint evaluations completed by preceptors during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Compliance rates of on-time electronically documented formative midpoint evaluations were reviewed by the Office of Experiential Education of a five-member consortium during the two-year study period prior to the adoption of Standards 2016. Pearson chi-square test and generalized linear models were used to determine if statistically significant differences were present. Average midpoint compliance rates for the two-year research period were 40.7% and 41% respectively. No statistical significance was noted comparing compliance rates for year one versus year two. However, statistical significance was present when comparing compliance rates between schools during year two. Feedback from students and preceptors pointed to the need for brief formal midpoint evaluations that require minimal time to complete, user friendly experiential management software, and methods for documenting verbal feedback through student self-reflection. Additional education and training to both affiliate and faculty preceptors on the importance of written formative feedback at midpoint is critical to remaining in compliance with Standards 2016. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Depression, anxiety and sexual satisfaction in breast cancer patients and their partners-Izmir oncology group study.

PubMed

Alacacioglu, Ahmet; Ulger, Eda; Varol, Umut; Yildiz, Ibrahim; Salman, Tarik; Bayoglu, Vedat; Dirican, Ahmet; Demir, Lutfiye; Akyol, Murat; Yildiz, Yasar; Kucukzeybek, Yuksel; Ataman, Gorkem; Can, Huseyin; Alacacioglu, Inci; Tarhan, Mustafa Oktay

2014-01-01

We aimed to investigate anxiety, depression and sexual satisfaction levels and the effects of depression and anxiety upon the sexual satisfaction of Turkish breast cancer patients and their partners. Data were collected from one hundred breast cancer patients and their partners, using three forms: one covering information about socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). The frequencies, avoidance and touch subscores were statistically significantly high in the patients. Among those with high anxiety scores, the frequency, communication, satisfaction, touch, and anorgasmic subscale scores of GRISS were found to be significantly high. Among the partners whose anxiety scores were high, only the premature ejaculation subscale was statistically significant. It was determined that for partners with higher depression scores, the communication, satisfaction, avoidance, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction subscores of GRISS were statistically higher compared to partners with lower depression scores. Patients' quality of life may be increased by taking precautions to reduce their and their partners' psychosocial and psychosexual concerns.

The Ultrachopper tip: a wound temperature study.

PubMed

Barlow, William R; Pettey, Jeff; Olson, Randall J

2013-12-01

To determine the thermal characteristics of the Ultrachopper and its thermal properties in varied viscosurgical substances. Experimental study. Not applicable. The Ultrachopper (Alcon, Inc) tip with the Infiniti (Alcon, Inc) handpiece was attached to a thermistor and placed in a test chamber filled with either an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) or balanced salt solution (BSS). The thermistor allowed for continuous monitoring of temperature from baseline and the change that occurred over 60 seconds of continuous run time. Mean maximum temperature in each OVD exceeded 50°C over the first 25 seconds of continuous run time. The mean maximum temperature was statistically significantly higher with all OVDs (p < 0.0001) when compared with BSS. A small but statistically significant difference in mean maximum temperature was shown between Healon 5 (AMO, Inc) and Viscoat (Alcon, Inc) (p < 0.05). The linear increase in temperature was statistically significantly different with all OVDs compared with BSS (p < 0.0001). The thermal properties of the Ultrachopper tip demonstrate a heat-generating capacity that achieves published thresholds for risk for wound burn. Copyright © 2013 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exploring models for the roles of health systems’ responsiveness and social determinants in explaining universal health coverage and health outcomes

PubMed Central

Bonsel, Gouke J.

2016-01-01

Background Intersectoral perspectives of health are present in the rhetoric of the sustainable development goals. Yet its descriptions of systematic approaches for an intersectoral monitoring vision, joining determinants of health, and barriers or facilitators to accessing healthcare services are lacking. Objective To explore models of associations between health outcomes and health service coverage, and health determinants and health systems responsiveness, and thereby to contribute to monitoring, analysis, and assessment approaches informed by an intersectoral vision of health. Design The study is designed as a series of ecological, cross-country regression analyses, covering between 23 and 57 countries with dependent health variables concentrated on the years 2002–2003. Countries cover a range of development contexts. Health outcome and health service coverage dependent variables were derived from World Health Organization (WHO) information sources. Predictor variables representing determinants are derived from the WHO and World Bank databases; variables used for health systems’ responsiveness are derived from the WHO World Health Survey. Responsiveness is a measure of acceptability of health services to the population, complementing financial health protection. Results Health determinants’ indicators – access to improved drinking sources, accountability, and average years of schooling – were statistically significant in particular health outcome regressions. Statistically significant coefficients were more common for mortality rate regressions than for coverage rate regressions. Responsiveness was systematically associated with poorer health and health service coverage. With respect to levels of inequality in health, the indicator of responsiveness problems experienced by the unhealthy poor groups in the population was statistically significant for regressions on measles vaccination inequalities between rich and poor. For the broader determinants, the Gini mattered most for inequalities in child mortality; education mattered more for inequalities in births attended by skilled personnel. Conclusions This paper adds to the literature on comparative health systems research. National and international health monitoring frameworks need to incorporate indicators on trends in and impacts of other policy sectors on health. This will empower the health sector to carry out public health practices that promote health and health equity. PMID:26942516

Streaking into middle school science: The Dell Streak pilot project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, Susan Eudy

A case study is conducted implementing the Dell Streak seven-inch android device into eighth grade science classes of one teacher in a rural middle school in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The purpose of the study is to determine if the use of the Dell Streaks would increase student achievement on standardized subject testing, if the Streak could be used as an effective instructional tool, and if it could be considered an effective instructional resource for reviewing and preparing for the science assessments. A mixed method research design was used for the study to analyze both quantitative and qualitative results to determine if the Dell Streaks' utilization could achieve the following: 1. instructional strategies would change, 2. it would be an effective instructional tool, and 3. a comparison of the students' test scores and benchmark assessments' scores would provide statistically significant difference. Through the use of an ANOVA it was determined a statistically significant difference had occurred. A Post Hoc analysis was conducted to identify where the difference occurred. Finally a T-test determined was there was no statistically significance difference between the mean End-of-Grade tests and four quarterly benchmark scores of the control and the experimental groups. Qualitative research methods were used to gather results to determine if the Streaks were an effective instructional tool. Classroom observations identified that the teacher's teaching styles and new instructional strategies were implemented throughout the pilot project. Students had an opportunity to complete a questionnaire three times during the pilot project. Results revealed what the students liked about using the devices and the challenges they were facing. The teacher completed a reflective questionnaire throughout the pilot project and offered valuable reflections about the use of the devices in an educational setting. The reflection data supporting the case study was drawn from the teacher's statements regarding the change in instructional delivery as a respect of using the students' device. The results section of the study will elaborate upon these findings. The study recommendations on the use of the Dell Streak device will address whether further actions as the use of the Streak technology in the classroom and summary section.

The Perceived Effectiveness of Christian School Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hicks, Kory G.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of professional development programs in Christian schools. This study compared the perceptions of Christian school and public schoolteachers towards their professional development to determine if any statistically significant differences existed among Learning Forward's 12 standards…

Would a Higher Minimum Wage Help Poor Families Headed by Women?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martin, Linda R.; Giannaros, Demetrios

1990-01-01

Studies suggest negative employment consequences if the minimum wage is increased. This may not affect poverty among households headed by women because the unemployment rate does not seem to play a statistically significant role in determining the poverty rate for this cohort. (Author)

Participant Interaction in Asynchronous Learning Environments: Evaluating Interaction Analysis Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blanchette, Judith

2012-01-01

The purpose of this empirical study was to determine the extent to which three different objective analytical methods--sequence analysis, surface cohesion analysis, and lexical cohesion analysis--can most accurately identify specific characteristics of online interaction. Statistically significant differences were found in all points of…

Milrinone use for hemodynamic instability in patent ductus arteriosus ligation.

PubMed

Halliday, Matthew; Kavarana, Minoo; Ebeling, Myla; Kiger, James

2017-03-01

Determine if prophylactic milrinone improves cardiovascular or long-term clinical outcomes in preterm neonates who receive surgical patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. Retrospective review of 45 infants over a 4-year period that received a PDA ligation at one institution. Data were collected on morbidity and mortality outcomes for all infants as well as milrinone therapy perioperatively. Of the 45 infants that were studied 15 received milrinone in the perioperative period of PDA ligation and the remaining 30 infants did not receive milrinone. The use of milrinone showed no statistically significant improvement in acute markers of hemodynamic stability. There was also no statistically significant difference in morbidity and mortality outcomes in milrinone group compared to the non-milrinone group. Prophylactic milrinone use for premature infants following PDA ligation does not show a significant cardiovascular or long-term clinical benefit.

A comparison between corn and grain sorghum fermentation rates, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles composition, and lipid profiles.

PubMed

Johnston, David J; Moreau, Robert A

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to determine if the compositional difference between grain sorghum and corn impact ethanol yields and coproduct value when grain sorghum is incorporated into existing corn ethanol facilities. Fermentation properties of corn and grain sorghum were compared utilizing two fermentation systems (conventional thermal starch liquefaction and native starch hydrolysis). Fermentation results indicated that protease addition influenced the fermentation rate and yield for grain sorghum, improving yields by 1-2% over non-protease treated fermentations. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles produced from sorghum had a statistically significant higher yields and significantly higher protein content relative to corn. Lipid analysis of the Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles showed statistically significant differences between corn and sorghum in triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and free fatty acid levels. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluation of conventional, protaper hand and protaper rotary instrumentation system for apical extrusion of debris, irrigants and bacteria- An in vitro randomized trial.

PubMed

Kalra, Pinky; Rao, Arathi; Suman, Ethel; Shenoy, Ramya; Suprabha, Baranya-Shrikrishna

2017-02-01

Endodontic instrumentation carries the risk of over extrusion of debris and bacteria. The technique used and the type of instrumentation influences this risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the K-file, ProTaper hand and ProTaper rotary instrumentation systems for the amount of apically extruded debris, irrigant solution and intracanal bacteria. Experimental single blinded randomized type of in vitro study with sample of 30 single rooted teeth. Endodontic access cavities were prepared and the root canals were filled with the suspension of E. faecalis . Myers and Montogomery Model was used to collect apically extruded debris and irrigant. Canals were prepared using K files, Hand protapers and Protaper rotary files. Non Parametric test like Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test were applied to determine the significant differences among the group. Tests revealed statistically significant difference between the amount of debris and number of bacteria extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-files. No statistically significant difference was observed between the amounts of irrigant extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-file system. Statistically significant differences were observed between the amounts of bacteria and irrigant extruded by the ProTaper rotary and the Protaper hand. No statistically significant difference was observed between the amounts of debris extruded by the ProTaper hand and the K-file system. Amount of apical extrusion of irrigant solution, bacteria and debris are significantly greater with K File instruments and least with Protaper rotary instruments. Key words: Protaper, rotary, periapical extrusion.

A twelve-year profile of students' SAT scores, GPAs, and MCAT scores from a small university's premedical program.

PubMed

Montague, J R; Frei, J K

1993-04-01

To determine whether significant correlations existed among quantitative and qualitative predictors of students' academic success and quantitative outcomes of such success over a 12-year period in a small university's premedical program. A database was assembled from information on the 199 graduates who earned BS degrees in biology from Barry University's School of Natural and Health Sciences from 1980 through 1991. The quantitative variables were year of BS degree, total score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), various measures of undergraduate grade-point averages (GPAs), and total score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT); and the qualitative variables were minority (54% of the students) or majority status and transfer (about one-third of the students) or nontransfer status. The statistical methods were multiple analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression. Statistically significant positive correlations were found among SAT total scores, final GPAs, biology GPAs versus nonbiology GPAs, and MCAT total scores. These correlations held for transfer versus nontransfer students and for minority versus majority students. Over the 12-year period there were significant fluctuations in mean MCAT scores. The students' SAT scores and GPAs proved to be statistically reliable predictors of MCAT scores, but the minority or majority status and the transfer or nontransfer status of the students were statistically insignificant.

Volumetric MRI study of brain in children with intrauterine exposure to cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.

PubMed

Rivkin, Michael J; Davis, Peter E; Lemaster, Jennifer L; Cabral, Howard J; Warfield, Simon K; Mulkern, Robert V; Robson, Caroline D; Rose-Jacobs, Ruth; Frank, Deborah A

2008-04-01

The objective of this study was to use volumetric MRI to study brain volumes in 10- to 14-year-old children with and without intrauterine exposure to cocaine, alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana. Volumetric MRI was performed on 35 children (mean age: 12.3 years; 14 with intrauterine exposure to cocaine, 21 with no intrauterine exposure to cocaine) to determine the effect of prenatal drug exposure on volumes of cortical gray matter; white matter; subcortical gray matter; cerebrospinal fluid; and total parenchymal volume. Head circumference was also obtained. Analyses of each individual substance were adjusted for demographic characteristics and the remaining 3 prenatal substance exposures. Regression analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics showed that children with intrauterine exposure to cocaine had lower mean cortical gray matter and total parenchymal volumes and smaller mean head circumference than comparison children. After adjustment for other prenatal exposures, these volumes remained smaller but lost statistical significance. Similar analyses conducted for prenatal ethanol exposure adjusted for demographics showed significant reduction in mean cortical gray matter; total parenchymal volumes; and head circumference, which remained smaller but lost statistical significance after adjustment for the remaining 3 exposures. Notably, prenatal cigarette exposure was associated with significant reductions in cortical gray matter and total parenchymal volumes and head circumference after adjustment for demographics that retained marginal significance after adjustment for the other 3 exposures. Finally, as the number of exposures to prenatal substances grew, cortical gray matter and total parenchymal volumes and head circumference declined significantly with smallest measures found among children exposed to all 4. CONCLUSIONS; These data suggest that intrauterine exposures to cocaine, alcohol, and cigarettes are individually related to reduced head circumference; cortical gray matter; and total parenchymal volumes as measured by MRI at school age. Adjustment for other substance exposures precludes determination of statistically significant individual substance effect on brain volume in this small sample; however, these substances may act cumulatively during gestation to exert lasting effects on brain size and volume.

Retention of veneered stainless steel crowns on replicated typodont primary incisors: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Guelmann, Marcio; Gehring, Daren F; Turner, Clara

2003-01-01

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effect of crimping and cementation on retention of veneered stainless steel crowns. One hundred twenty crowns, 90 from 3 commercially available brands of veneered stainless steel crowns (Dura Crown, Kinder Krown, and NuSmile Primary Crown) and 30 (plain) Unitek stainless steel crowns were assessed for retention. An orthodontic wire was soldered perpendicular to the incisal edge of the crowns; the crowns were fitted to acrylic replicas of ideal crown preparations and were divided equally into 3 test groups: group 1--crowns were crimped only (no cement used); group 2--crowns were cemented only; and group 3--crowns were crimped and cemented to the acrylic replicas. An Instron machine recorded the amount of force necessary to dislodge the crowns and the results were statistically analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test. Group 3 was statistically more retentive than groups 1 and 2. Group 2 was statistically more retentive than group 1 (P < .001). In group 1, Unitek crowns were statistically more retentive than the veneered crowns (P < .05). In group 2, NuSmile crowns showed statistically less retention values than all other crowns (P < .05). In group 3,Kinder Krown crowns showed statistically better retention rates than all other brands (P < .05). Significantly higher retention values were obtained for all brands tested when crimping and cement were combined. The crowns with veneer facings were significantly more retentive than the nonveneered ones when cement and crimping were combined.

High-intensity laser therapy versus pulsed electromagnetic field in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

PubMed Central

Thabet, Ali Abd El-Monsif; Elsodany, Ahmed Mohamed; Battecha, Kadrya H; Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah; Refaat, Bassem

2017-01-01

[Purpose] To determine the efficacy of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. [Subjects and Methods] This was a randomized clinical trial that included 52 girls diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea and who were assigned randomly into two groups of equal numbers. The treatment was three sessions every cycle for three consecutive cycles where group (A) included those participants treated with HILT 15 min/session and group (B) those who were treated with PEMF 30 min/session. All patients were evaluated before starting the treatment as well as after the end of treatment by present pain intensity scale and the prostaglandin level in blood and pain relief scale at the end of treatment for both groups. [Results] The results showed a significant decrease in the severity of pain, statistically significant decrease in prostaglandin level in blood, and a statistically significant pain alleviation in both groups. With comparison between both groups there was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of pain, significant decrease in the blood levels of PGF2α, in group (A) than group (B). [Conclusion] Both HILT and PEMF are effective in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with HILT being superior to PEMF. PMID:29184281

A novel complete-case analysis to determine statistical significance between treatments in an intention-to-treat population of randomized clinical trials involving missing data.

PubMed

Liu, Wei; Ding, Jinhui

2018-04-01

The application of the principle of the intention-to-treat (ITT) to the analysis of clinical trials is challenged in the presence of missing outcome data. The consequences of stopping an assigned treatment in a withdrawn subject are unknown. It is difficult to make a single assumption about missing mechanisms for all clinical trials because there are complicated reactions in the human body to drugs due to the presence of complex biological networks, leading to data missing randomly or non-randomly. Currently there is no statistical method that can tell whether a difference between two treatments in the ITT population of a randomized clinical trial with missing data is significant at a pre-specified level. Making no assumptions about the missing mechanisms, we propose a generalized complete-case (GCC) analysis based on the data of completers. An evaluation of the impact of missing data on the ITT analysis reveals that a statistically significant GCC result implies a significant treatment effect in the ITT population at a pre-specified significance level unless, relative to the comparator, the test drug is poisonous to the non-completers as documented in their medical records. Applications of the GCC analysis are illustrated using literature data, and its properties and limits are discussed.

ABO blood grouping: A potential risk factor for early childhood caries - A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Govindaraju, Lavanya; Jeevanandan, Ganesh; Subramanian, E M G

2018-01-01

The paradigm of etiology of early childhood caries (ECC) is shifting toward genetics. Of various inherited factors, blood group of an individual is genetically determined. The aim of the study is to determine if blood group of an individual will serve as a potential risk factor in the development of ECC. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chennai. Blood samples were collected from a total of 500 children <71 months of age for determination of the blood group. Of which 96 children (24 per blood group) were randomly selected and were included in the study. Oral screening of the selected children was done by a pediatric dentist who was blinded to the blood group of the children. Decayed, extracted, and filling index was noted. Details on other associated factors for the development of ECC such as the socioeconomic status, oral hygiene measures, diet, and feeding practices were collected by directly interviewing the parents through a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc Tukey test with significance level set at 0.05. Intergroup analysis of the associated factors showed no significant differences between the children of different blood groups. A statistically significant relation was noted between the blood groups and development of ECC (P = 0.025). Blood group is a potential risk indicator for the development of ECC.

Selectivity of physiotherapist programs in the United States does not differ by institutional funding source or research activity level.

PubMed

Riley, Sean P; Covington, Kyle; Landry, Michel D; McCallum, Christine; Engelhard, Chalee; Cook, Chad E

2016-01-01

This study aimed to compare selectivity characteristics among institution characteristics to determine differences by institutional funding source (public vs. private) or research activity level (research vs. non-research). This study included information provided by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Data were extracted from all students who graduated in 2011 from accredited physical therapy programs in the United States. The public and private designations of the institutions were extracted directly from the classifications from the 'CAPTE annual accreditation report,' and high and low research activity was determined based on Carnegie classifications. The institutions were classified into four groups: public/research intensive, public/non-research intensive, private/research intensive, and private/non-research intensive. Descriptive and comparison analyses with post hoc testing were performed to determine whether there were statistically significant differences among the four groups. Although there were statistically significant baseline grade point average differences among the four categorized groups, there were no significant differences in licensure pass rates or for any of the selectivity variables of interest. Selectivity characteristics did not differ by institutional funding source (public vs. private) or research activity level (research vs. non-research). This suggests that the concerns about reduced selectivity among physiotherapy programs, specifically the types that are experiencing the largest proliferation, appear less warranted.

Discovery of pathologies by orthodontists on lateral cephalograms.

PubMed

Moffitt, Allen Hall

2011-01-01

To determine the frequency of significant pathologies on lateral cephalograms discovered by orthodontists during their careers. A five-statement survey was sent to the 417 active and affiliate members of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists. The survey asked orthodontists to identify any significant radiographic pathology that they had discovered on lateral cephalograms during their careers to date. The data were analyzed statistically. Of the 417 surveys, 201 were returned for a 48% response rate. Ninety-nine respondents or 49.3% of the sample had discovered at least one significant pathology. Of the 1.3 million patients observed by the orthodontists in the sample, 268 patients (0.02%) with significant pathologies had been identified. Younger orthodontists had a statistically greater potential to discover pathologies than older orthodontists. The general types of pathologies discovered were musculoskeletal (38%), glandular (28%), and dental groups (12%). About 50% of orthodontists will likely discover a significant, potentially life-affecting pathology on a lateral cephalogram.

Personal and Organizational Determinants of Enlisted Attrition

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-03-01

percentage of attrites and nonattrites within the two groups who endorsed each item alternative. The difference between percentages was used as an index of...cnmpared, significant differences (p < .01) were found on four of the five job core dimensions: skill variety, task identity, autonomy, and feedback. MPS...did "A" school personnel, group differences were not statistically significant. JDS scores for the two groups were also compared; results showed that

Mannose-binding lectin codon 54 gene polymorphism in relation to risk of nosocomial invasive fungal infection in preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PubMed

Aydemir, Cumhur; Onay, Huseyin; Oguz, Serife Suna; Ozdemir, Taha Resid; Erdeve, Omer; Ozkinay, Ferda; Dilmen, Ugur

2011-09-01

Preterm neonates are susceptible to infection due to a combination of sub-optimal immunity and increased exposure to invasive organisms. Invasive fungal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality among preterm infants cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system, which may be especially important in the neonatal setting. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of any association between MBL gene polymorphism and nosocomial invasive fungal infection in preterm neonates. Codon 54 (B allele) polymorphism in exon 1 of the MBL gene was investigated in 31 patients diagnosed as nosocomial invasive fungal infection and 30 control preterm neonates. AB genotype was determined in 26% and 30% of patient and control groups, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. AA genotype was determined in 74% of the patient group and in 67% of the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant. B allele frequency was not different significantly in the patient group (13%) compared to the control group (18%). In our study, no relationship was found between MBL codon 54 gene polymorphism and the risk of nosocomial invasive fungal infection in preterm neonates in NICU.

Diagnostic index of three-dimensional osteoarthritic changes in temporomandibular joint condylar morphology

PubMed Central

Gomes, Liliane R.; Gomes, Marcelo; Jung, Bryan; Paniagua, Beatriz; Ruellas, Antonio C.; Gonçalves, João Roberto; Styner, Martin A.; Wolford, Larry; Cevidanes, Lucia

2015-01-01

Abstract. This study aimed to investigate imaging statistical approaches for classifying three-dimensional (3-D) osteoarthritic morphological variations among 169 temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyles. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were acquired from 69 subjects with long-term TMJ osteoarthritis (OA), 15 subjects at initial diagnosis of OA, and 7 healthy controls. Three-dimensional surface models of the condyles were constructed and SPHARM-PDM established correspondent points on each model. Multivariate analysis of covariance and direction-projection-permutation (DiProPerm) were used for testing statistical significance of the differences between the groups determined by clinical and radiographic diagnoses. Unsupervised classification using hierarchical agglomerative clustering was then conducted. Compared with healthy controls, OA average condyle was significantly smaller in all dimensions except its anterior surface. Significant flattening of the lateral pole was noticed at initial diagnosis. We observed areas of 3.88-mm bone resorption at the superior surface and 3.10-mm bone apposition at the anterior aspect of the long-term OA average model. DiProPerm supported a significant difference between the healthy control and OA group (p-value=0.001). Clinically meaningful unsupervised classification of TMJ condylar morphology determined a preliminary diagnostic index of 3-D osteoarthritic changes, which may be the first step towards a more targeted diagnosis of this condition. PMID:26158119

The effect of inclusion classrooms on the science achievement of general education students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dodd, Matthew Robert

General education and Special Education students from three high schools in Rutherford County were sampled to determine the effect on their academic achievement on the Tennessee Biology I Gateway Exam in Inclusion classrooms. Each student's predicted and actual Gateway Exam scores from the academic year 2006--2007 were used to determine the effect the student's classroom had on his academic achievement. Independent variables used in the study were gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, grade point average, type of classroom (general or Inclusion), and type student (General Education or Special Education). The statistical tests used in this study were a t-test and a Mann--Whitney U Test. From this study, the effect of the Inclusion classroom on general education students was not significant statistically. Although the Inclusion classroom allows the special education student to succeed in the classroom, the effect on general education students is negligible. This study also provided statistical data that the Inclusion classroom did not improve the special education students' academic performances on the Gateway Exam. Students in a general education classroom with a GPA above 3.000 and those from a household without a low socioeconomic status performed at a statistically different level in this study.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hlond, M.; Bzowski, M.; Moebius, E.

Post-launch boresight of the IBEX-Lo instrument on board the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) is determined based on IBEX-Lo Star Sensor observations. Accurate information on the boresight of the neutral gas camera is essential for precise determination of interstellar gas flow parameters. Utilizing spin-phase information from the spacecraft attitude control system (ACS), positions of stars observed by the Star Sensor during two years of IBEX measurements were analyzed and compared with positions obtained from a star catalog. No statistically significant differences were observed beyond those expected from the pre-launch uncertainty in the Star Sensor mounting. Based on the star observations andmore » their positions in the spacecraft reference system, pointing of the IBEX satellite spin axis was determined and compared with the pointing obtained from the ACS. Again, no statistically significant deviations were observed. We conclude that no systematic correction for boresight geometry is needed in the analysis of IBEX-Lo observations to determine neutral interstellar gas flow properties. A stack-up of uncertainties in attitude knowledge shows that the instantaneous IBEX-Lo pointing is determined to within {approx}0.{sup 0}1 in both spin angle and elevation using either the Star Sensor or the ACS. Further, the Star Sensor can be used to independently determine the spacecraft spin axis. Thus, Star Sensor data can be used reliably to correct the spin phase when the Star Tracker (used by the ACS) is disabled by bright objects in its field of view. The Star Sensor can also determine the spin axis during most orbits and thus provides redundancy for the Star Tracker.« less

Determining the Statistical Power of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling Goodness-of-Fit Tests via Monte Carlo Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

KS and AD Statistical Power via Monte Carlo Simulation Statistical power is the probability of correctly rejecting the null hypothesis when the...Select a caveat DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. Determining the Statistical Power...real-world data to test the accuracy of the simulation. Statistical comparison of these metrics can be necessary when making such a determination

Brain fingerprinting classification concealed information test detects US Navy military medical information with P300

PubMed Central

Farwell, Lawrence A.; Richardson, Drew C.; Richardson, Graham M.; Furedy, John J.

2014-01-01

A classification concealed information test (CIT) used the “brain fingerprinting” method of applying P300 event-related potential (ERP) in detecting information that is (1) acquired in real life and (2) unique to US Navy experts in military medicine. Military medicine experts and non-experts were asked to push buttons in response to three types of text stimuli. Targets contain known information relevant to military medicine, are identified to subjects as relevant, and require pushing one button. Subjects are told to push another button to all other stimuli. Probes contain concealed information relevant to military medicine, and are not identified to subjects. Irrelevants contain equally plausible, but incorrect/irrelevant information. Error rate was 0%. Median and mean statistical confidences for individual determinations were 99.9% with no indeterminates (results lacking sufficiently high statistical confidence to be classified). We compared error rate and statistical confidence for determinations of both information present and information absent produced by classification CIT (Is a probe ERP more similar to a target or to an irrelevant ERP?) vs. comparison CIT (Does a probe produce a larger ERP than an irrelevant?) using P300 plus the late negative component (LNP; together, P300-MERMER). Comparison CIT produced a significantly higher error rate (20%) and lower statistical confidences: mean 67%; information-absent mean was 28.9%, less than chance (50%). We compared analysis using P300 alone with the P300 + LNP. P300 alone produced the same 0% error rate but significantly lower statistical confidences. These findings add to the evidence that the brain fingerprinting methods as described here provide sufficient conditions to produce less than 1% error rate and greater than 95% median statistical confidence in a CIT on information obtained in the course of real life that is characteristic of individuals with specific training, expertise, or organizational affiliation. PMID:25565941

The Boston Keratoprosthesis: Comparing Corneal Epithelial Cell Compatibility with Titanium and PMMA

PubMed Central

Ament, Jared D.; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra J.; Dohlman, Claes H.; Gipson, Ilene K.

2014-01-01

Purpose To determine in vitro whether titanium is superior in corneal cell compatibility to standard polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) for the Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro). Methods Human corneal-limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells were cultured 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, or 168 hours in culture plates alone (controls) or with PMMA or titanium discs. Experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated (final n = 6). To determine if a soluble, toxic factor is emitted from materials, concurrent experiments at 48 and 144 hours were performed with discs placed in Transwell Supports, with HCLE cells plated beneath. As an additional test for soluble factors, cells were incubated 24 hours with disc-conditioned media, and number of viable cells per well was quantified at each timepoint by proliferation assay. To determine if delayed cell proliferation was attributable to cell death, HCLE cell death was measured under all conditions and quantified at each timepoint by cytotoxicity assay. The effects of material on HCLE cell proliferation over time was determined by repeated measures ANOVA. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results HCLE cell proliferation was greater in wells with titanium discs compared to PMMA. Differences between the test discs and control non-disc cocultures were statistically significant over time for both cell proliferation (P = 0.001) and death (P = 0.0025). No significant difference was found using Transwells (P = 0.9836) or disc-conditioned media (P = 0.36). Conclusion This in vitro HCLE cell model demonstrates significantly increased cell proliferation and decreased cell death with cell/titanium contact compared to cell/PMMA contact. Moreover, differences are unlikely attributable to a soluble factor. Prospective in vivo analysis of the two KPro biomaterials is indicated. PMID:19574903

Sewage workers: risk of acquiring enteric virus infections including hepatitis A.

PubMed

Divizia, Maurizio; Cencioni, Barbara; Palombi, Leonardo; Panà, Augusto

2008-07-01

To determine if sewage workers have an increased risk of acquiring viral infections, 66 workers at a small wastewater plant in north-eastern Italy and 72 control subjects recruited from blood donors were enrolled in a seroprevalence study to determine whether sewage workers are at increased risk of acquiring viral infections. In order to evaluate various risk factors, a questionnaire was filled out by each worker whereas seropositivity to Hepatitis A virus, Coxsackievirus B2 - B3 - B4 - B5, and Echovirus types 1 and 9 was determined in the laboratory. Anti-HAV antibodies were present in 37.8% of sewage workers and 36.1% of subjects in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant in the two groups, whereas a significant association was observed regarding age (P < 0.3). No association was observed with the occupational age, or with number and duration of contacts per day. The lack of evident occupational risk for hepatitis A among sewage workers may be explained by the adult age of the workers (mean age 41.3 years, range 22-58 years), and thus the antibody titre against different enteroviruses was determined. No statistically significant differences were evident with the raw values, but considering the 90 degrees percentile as a dichotomic value for the antibody levels a strong and significant association was present with Coxsackievirus B3 (O.R. 22.85, C.I. 95% 2.93-178.08) and Coxsackievirus B2 (O.R. 14.25, C.I. 95% 1.78-113.87). Analysis of the data confirms a limited risk of acquiring infection and/or disease but also the evident possibility of silent exposure to the viruses. The shift in HAV epidemiology and increased morbidity and mortality in adult age suggest that active immunization against hepatitis A should be considered.

Preoperative and post-operative sleep quality evaluation in rotator cuff tear patients.

PubMed

Serbest, Sancar; Tiftikçi, Uğur; Askın, Aydogan; Yaman, Ferda; Alpua, Murat

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between subjective sleep quality and degree of pain in patients with rotator cuff repair. Thirty-one patients who underwent rotator cuff repair prospectively completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, and the Constant and Murley shoulder scores before surgery and at 6 months after surgery. Preoperative demographic, clinical, and radiologic parameters were also evaluated. The study analysed 31 patients with a median age of 61 years. There was a significant difference preoperatively versus post-operatively in terms of all PSQI global scores and subdivisions (p < 0.001). A statistically significant improvement was determined by the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Scale and the Constant and Murley shoulder scores (p ˂ 0.001). Sleep disorders are commonly seen in patients with rotator cuff tear, and after repair, there is an increase in the quality of sleep with a parallel improvement in shoulder functions. However, no statistically significant correlation was determined between arthroscopic procedures and the size of the tear and sleep quality. It is suggested that rotator cuff tear repair improves the quality of sleep and the quality of life. IV.

Microscopic hematuria and calculus-related ureteral obstruction.

PubMed

Stewart, D P; Kowalski, R; Wong, P; Krome, R

1990-01-01

The evaluation of patients with ureteral calculi in the emergency department has historically included urinalysis (UA) and intravenous pyelograms (IVP). This retrospective study was done to determine if a statistically significant relationship existed between the degree of calculus-related ureteral obstruction, proven by IVP, and the presence or absence of microscopic hematuria. Urine red blood cells were recorded as less than 3 rbc/hpf (negative) or greater than or equal to 3 rbc/hpf (positive). IVPs were recorded as nonsevere or severe. IVP criteria were based on the presence or absence of extravasation, greater than 2-hour ureteral filling times, and a numerical scoring system of 1 to 4 for ureteral or calyceal dilatation and nephrogenic effect. Eighty-nine men (72%) had non-severe obstructions and 34 (28%) had severe obstructions. Twenty-five women (68%) had nonsevere obstructions and 12 (32%) had severe obstructions. Of the 28 patients with normal UAs, 11 had severe ureteral obstructions and 17 had nonsevere ureteral obstructions. There were no statistically significant differences between the presence or absence of significant microscopic hematuria and the presence or absence of severe ureteral obstruction. Microscopic hematuria is neither sensitive nor specific in determining the degree of calculus-related ureteral obstruction.

Factors Influencing Stress, Burnout, and Retention of Secondary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Molly H.

2011-01-01

This study examines the stress, burnout, satisfaction, and preventive coping skills of nearly 400 secondary teachers to determine variables contributing to these major factors influencing teachers. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were conducted that found the burnout levels between new and experienced teachers are significantly different,…

40 CFR Appendix A to Part 63 - Test Methods

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... components by a different analyst). 3.3Surrogate Reference Materials. The analyst may use surrogate compounds... the variance of the proposed method is significantly different from that of the validated method by... variables can be determined in eight experiments rather than 128 (W.J. Youden, Statistical Manual of the...

Food Service Manager Certification: An Evaluation of Its Impact.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Jerry; Fuen, Lindson

1986-01-01

Discusses a study which sought to determine if food service management training and certification resulted in more sanitary operations. Findings from site inspections, pre/post tests, and attitude surveys indicated that the program did not produce statistically significant differences between control and study groups but that improvements in…

An Interinstitutional Analysis of Faculty Teaching Load.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahrens, Stephen W.

A two-year interinstitutional study among 15 cooperating universities was conducted to determine whether significant differences exist in teaching loads among the selected universities as measured by student credit hours produced by full-time equivalent faculty. The statistical model was a multivariate analysis of variance with fixed effects and…

Effect-Size Measures and Meta-Analytic Thinking in Counseling Psychology Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henson, Robin K.

2006-01-01

Effect sizes are critical to result interpretation and synthesis across studies. Although statistical significance testing has historically dominated the determination of result importance, modern views emphasize the role of effect sizes and confidence intervals. This article accessibly discusses how to calculate and interpret the effect sizes…

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crooks, Gavin; Sivak, David

Many interesting divergence measures between conjugate ensembles of nonequilibrium trajectories can be experimentally determined from the work distribution of the process. Herein, we review the statistical and physical significance of several of these measures, in particular the relative entropy (dissipation), Jeffreys divergence (hysteresis), Jensen-Shannon divergence (time-asymmetry), Chernoff divergence (work cumulant generating function), and Renyi divergence.

Comparison between Couple Attachment Styles, Stress Coping Styles and Self-Esteem Levels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çolakkadioglu, Oguzhan; Akbas, Turan; Uslu, Sevcan Karabulut

2017-01-01

Data were acquired from a total of 422 university students with 216 female and 206 male students via Couple Attachment Scale, Stress Coping Styles Scale and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Positive and statistically significant relationships were determined between self-confident approach, optimistic approach and social support approach…

Improving Teaching Effectiveness through the Application of SPC Methodology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cadden, David; Driscoll, Vincent; Thompson, Mark

2008-01-01

One method used extensively to aid in determining instruction effectiveness is Student Evaluations of Instruction (SEI). This paper examines the use of statistical Process Control charts as a way to correctly measure teaching effectiveness. This field studying SEIs has produced a significant literature. It is not surprising that there is…

The Impact of a Nutritional Intervention Program on Academics in Selected Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rich, Stacy

2011-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study is to examine the effectiveness of the "Healthy Kids, Smart Kids" intervention program on academics. Extant data will be used to determine if a statistically significant difference in academics exist between experimental schools implementing the "Healthy Kids, Smart…

Technology Acceptance Predictors among Student Teachers and Experienced Classroom Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smarkola, Claudia

2007-01-01

This study investigated 160 student teachers' and 158 experienced teachers' self-reported computer usage and their future intentions to use computer applications for school assignments. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used as the framework to determine computer usage and intentions. Statistically significant results showed that after…

Comparing High School Students' and Adults' Perceptions of Technological Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Henry Ladson, III

2009-01-01

This study compared high school student's perceptions of technology and technological literacy to those perceptions of the general public. Additionally, individual student groups were compared statistically to determine significant differences between the groups. The "ITEA/Gallup Poll" instrument was used to survey high school student's…

The Relationship between Study Habits, Attitudes and Orientation among Developmental Freshmen of Kean College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gersten, Susan G. Liss

A study was conducted to determine if visual linguistic numeric, auditory linguistic numeric, and tactile concrete learners have statistically significant different study habits, study attitudes, and study orientation than their low visual linguistic numeric, low auditory linguistic numeric, and low tactile concrete counterparts. Data were…

Content and Citation Analyses of "Public Relations Review."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morton, Linda P.; Lin, Li-Yun

1995-01-01

Analyzes 161 cited and 177 uncited articles published in "Public Relations Review" (1975-93) to determine if 3 independent variables--research methods, type of statistics, and topics--influenced whether or not articles were cited in other research articles. Finds significant differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods but not…

Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: Clinical versus statistical significance

PubMed Central

Ranganathan, Priya; Pramesh, C. S.; Buyse, Marc

2015-01-01

In clinical research, study results, which are statistically significant are often interpreted as being clinically important. While statistical significance indicates the reliability of the study results, clinical significance reflects its impact on clinical practice. The third article in this series exploring pitfalls in statistical analysis clarifies the importance of differentiating between statistical significance and clinical significance. PMID:26229754

The Development of Statistical Models for Predicting Surgical Site Infections in Japan: Toward a Statistical Model-Based Standardized Infection Ratio.

PubMed

Fukuda, Haruhisa; Kuroki, Manabu

2016-03-01

To develop and internally validate a surgical site infection (SSI) prediction model for Japan. Retrospective observational cohort study. We analyzed surveillance data submitted to the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system for patients who had undergone target surgical procedures from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2012. Logistic regression analyses were used to develop statistical models for predicting SSIs. An SSI prediction model was constructed for each of the procedure categories by statistically selecting the appropriate risk factors from among the collected surveillance data and determining their optimal categorization. Standard bootstrapping techniques were applied to assess potential overfitting. The C-index was used to compare the predictive performances of the new statistical models with those of models based on conventional risk index variables. The study sample comprised 349,987 cases from 428 participant hospitals throughout Japan, and the overall SSI incidence was 7.0%. The C-indices of the new statistical models were significantly higher than those of the conventional risk index models in 21 (67.7%) of the 31 procedure categories (P<.05). No significant overfitting was detected. Japan-specific SSI prediction models were shown to generally have higher accuracy than conventional risk index models. These new models may have applications in assessing hospital performance and identifying high-risk patients in specific procedure categories.

The ecological variations in thermal infrared emissivity of vegetation. [in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arp, G. K.; Phinney, D. E. (Principal Investigator)

1979-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Through a series of contrasts, the statistical significance of differences in emissivity was determined for vegegation in dry and humid deserts, montane and deciduous rain forests, and the temperate region. No significant differences were found between the two types of desert vegetation or among the types of nondesert vegetation. However, the rain forest vegetation was significantly different from that of the temperate region. On a community-wide level, there is some physiological adaptation in plants to their radiational environment.

Effect of the Oxidant-Antioxidant System in Seminal Plasma on Varicocele and Idiopathic Infertility in Male Humans.

PubMed

Yazar, Hayrullah; Halis, Fikret; Nasir, Yasemin; Guzel, Derya; Akdogan, Mehmet; Gokce, Ahmet

2017-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate seminal oxidant-antioxidant activity in idiopathic and varicocele infertility in men. Total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase (PON1), aryl esterase (ARE), and total thiol levels (TTL) were measured in seminal plasma with an autoanalyzer. The TOS/TAC ratio was determined as the oxidative stress index (OSI). A histopathological evaluation of the sperm was performed in the andrology laboratory of the hospital. Number, motility, morphology, volume, pH, and leukocytes were evaluated in all samples according to World Health Organization criteria. The three study groups were as follows: G1, males with idiopathic infertility; G2, males with varicocele infertility; and G3, normal healthy males (had fathered a child in the last 2 years). Each group was composed of 36 men (age, 25 - 40 years). The Rel Assay Diagnostics kit was used to determine the levels of the parameters. The study was conducted according to the principles of the declaration of Helsinki and was approved by Sakarya University Medicine Faculty Ethic Committee (e.n: 16214662/050.01.04/07). Statistical significance was assumed if p < 0.05. All statistical evaluations were performed using SPSS (version 20.0 for Windows; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). No differences were detected between the mean values of antioxidant parameters among the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis test). The p-values of the test parameters (TAC, TOS, PON1, ARE, TTL, OSI) are respectively: 0.494, 0.548, 0.068, 0.151, 0.202, 0.873. The antioxidant parameters of all subjects were compared using the MannWhitney U-test in both groups as fertile (G3) and infertile (G1 + G2). The PON1 levels in infertile subjects were significantly higher than those in fertile subjects. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042). The other antioxidant parameters had no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The ARE was not performed in group 3 (control) due to a methodological problem. PON1 levels in infertile subjects were significantly higher than those of fertile subjects.

Social significance of community structure: Statistical view

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hui-Jia; Daniels, Jasmine J.

2015-01-01

Community structure analysis is a powerful tool for social networks that can simplify their topological and functional analysis considerably. However, since community detection methods have random factors and real social networks obtained from complex systems always contain error edges, evaluating the significance of a partitioned community structure is an urgent and important question. In this paper, integrating the specific characteristics of real society, we present a framework to analyze the significance of a social community. The dynamics of social interactions are modeled by identifying social leaders and corresponding hierarchical structures. Instead of a direct comparison with the average outcome of a random model, we compute the similarity of a given node with the leader by the number of common neighbors. To determine the membership vector, an efficient community detection algorithm is proposed based on the position of the nodes and their corresponding leaders. Then, using a log-likelihood score, the tightness of the community can be derived. Based on the distribution of community tightness, we establish a connection between p -value theory and network analysis, and then we obtain a significance measure of statistical form . Finally, the framework is applied to both benchmark networks and real social networks. Experimental results show that our work can be used in many fields, such as determining the optimal number of communities, analyzing the social significance of a given community, comparing the performance among various algorithms, etc.

Teacher Quality Indicators as Predictors of Instructional Assessment Practices in Science Classrooms in Secondary Schools in Barbados

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogunkola, Babalola J.; Archer-Bradshaw, Ramona E.

2013-02-01

This study investigated the self-reported instructional assessment practices of a selected sample of secondary school science teachers in Barbados. The study sought to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the instructional assessment practices of teachers based on their sex and teacher quality (teaching experience, professional qualification and teacher academic qualification). It also sought to determine the extent to which each of these four selected variables individually and jointly affected the teachers' report of their instructional assessment practices. A sample of 55 science teachers from nine secondary schools in Barbados was randomly selected to participate in this study. Data was collected by means of a survey and was analyzed using the means and standard deviations of the instructional assessment practices scores and linear, multiple and binary logistic regression. The results of the study were such that the majority of the sample reported good overall instructional assessment practices while only a few participants reported moderate assessment practices. The instructional assessment practices in the area of student knowledge were mostly moderate as indicated by the sample. There were no statistically significant differences between or among the mean scores of the teachers' reported instructional assessment practices based on sex ( t = 0.10; df = 53; p = 0.992), teaching experience ( F[4,50] = 1.766; p = 0.150), the level of professional qualification (F[3,45] = 0.2117; p = 0.111) or the level of academic qualification (F[2,52] = 0.504; p = 0.607). The independent variables (teacher sex, teaching experience, teacher professional qualification or teacher academic qualification) were not significant predictors of the instructional assessment practices scores. However, teacher sex was a significant predictor of the teachers' report of good instructional assessment practices. The study also found that the joint effect of the variables teacher sex, teaching experience, teacher professional qualification and teacher academic qualification was not significant in predicting the instructional assessment practices scores of the science teachers. However, the joint effect of these variables was statistically significant ( X 2 = 18.482; df = 10; p = 0.047) in predicting the teachers' reported use of good instructional assessment practices. The best predictor of teachers' report of good instructional assessment practices, though not statistically significant, was the diploma in education professional qualification.

Tentative explanatory variable of lung dust concentration in gold miners exposed to crystalline silica.

PubMed

Dufresne, A; Loosereewanich, P; Bégin, R; Dion, C; Ecobichon, D; Muir, D C; Ritchie, A C; Perrault, G

1998-01-01

The first objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between quantitative lung mineral dust burdens, dust exposure history, and pathological fibrosis grading in silicotic workers. The second objective was to evaluate the association between particle size parameters, concentration of retained silica particles and the severity of the silicosis. Sixty-seven paraffin-embedded lung tissue samples of silicotic patients were analyzed. The cases of silicosis included 39 non-lung cancer patients and 28 patients with lung cancer. All of the cases were gold miners in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Particles, both angular and fibrous, were extracted from lung parenchyma by a bleach digestion method, mounted on copper microscopic grids by a carbon replica technique, and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Quartz concentration was also determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) on a silver membrane filter after the extraction from the lung parenchyma. Total particles, silica, clay, and quartz also increase in concentration with increased age at death, although the trends are not statistically significant. Quartz concentration has a statistically significant correlation with the silicosis severity score (r = +0.45, p < 0.001), with the geometric mean concentration increasing from 2.24 micrograms/mg in the group having silicosis severity score less than 1 to 4.80 micrograms/mg in group with highest score. Quartz concentration is the only significant explanatory variable of the silicosis severity with a regression coefficient of +0.41 (p < 0.001). Among several dust exposure variables extracted from the work history of the miners, the calendar year of first exposure was the primary significant determinant of lung retained total particles, silica, and clay minerals, except for quartz. A statistically significant linear relationship between lung quartz concentration and silicosis severity in the gold miners was observed (p < 0.001). Among the several types of lung particles detected, quartz was the only significant determinant of the silicosis severity in the gold miners in this study and vice versa, although it explained only 20% of the variation in the severity. This study suggested no significant linear relationship between the duration of dust exposure and the lung burden of any particle types in the gold miners.

Significance of blood group and social factors in carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population in India.

PubMed

Kai, Lee Jun; Raju, Kalyani; Malligere Lingaiah, Harendra Kumar; Mariyappa, Narayanaswamy

2013-01-01

To assess the significance of social factors as risk factors for carcinoma cervix and to determine the significance of blood group to prevalence of carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population of Kolar, Karnataka, India. One hundred cases of carcinoma cervix were included in the study, along with 200 females of the same ages considered as controls. Case details were collected from the hospital record section regarding social factors and blood groups and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. Blood group B showed the highest number of cases (55 cases) followed by blood group O (29 cases) in carcinoma cervix which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Age of marriage between 11 to 20 years showed highest number of carcinoma cervix cases (77 cases) and this also was statistically significant (p<0.001). Patients with rural background were 75 (p=0.112, odds ratio: 1.54), parity of more than or equal to two constituted 96 cases (p=0.006, odds ratio: 4.07) and Hindu patients were 95 in number (p=0.220, odds ratio: 1.89). Blood group B and age of marriage between 11 and 20 years were significantly associated with carcinoma cervix in our population. Region of residence, parity and religion presented with a altered risk for carcinoma cervix.

Double-blind, randomized, clinical trial of metformin as add-on treatment with clozapine in treatment of schizophrenia disorder.

PubMed

Hebrani, Paria; Manteghi, Ali Akhoundpour; Behdani, Fatemeh; Hessami, Elham; Rezayat, Kambiz Akhavan; Marvast, Majid Nabizadeh; Rezayat, Amir Akhavan

2015-04-01

One of the major causes of death in schizophrenia is a metabolic syndrome. The clozapine has the highest rate of weight gain among antipsychotics. It has been shown that metformin can promote weight loss. We aimed to investigate the effect of metformin as an adjunctive therapy with clozapine to prevent metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. A total of 37 patients consisting metformin group (19 cases) and a group of placebo consisting of 18 cases were evaluated. A brief psychiatric rating scale score (BPRS) and metabolic profiles was determined for all patients. All of the variables were also determined at 2, 8, 16, and 20 weeks after the onset of the study. The mean age of the group of metformin was 47.2 ± 10.4 compared with 45.8 ± 10.2 for the group of placebo. The difference in mean waist circumference and serum level of triglyceride at baseline compared with the end of study showed a statistically significant difference between two groups (P = 0. 000). A statistically significant difference was also observed in a comparison of mean difference of weight and body mass index at baseline compared with end of study (P = 0. 000). There was a statistically significant difference of fasting blood sugar (P = 0.011) and serum high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.000) between two groups but this difference was not significant for mean BPRS scores, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum level of triiodothyronine, thyroxin and thyroid stimulating hormone, serum low-density lipoprotein and serum cholesterol. Metformin could be considered an adjunctive therapy with clozapine to prevent metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients.

Use of cervical vertebral dimensions for assessment of children growth.

PubMed

Caldas, Maria de Paula; Ambrosano, Gláucia Maria Bovi; Haiter-Neto, Francisco

2007-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether skeletal maturation using cephalometric radiographs could be used in a Brazilian population. The study population was selected from the files of the Oral Radiological Clinic of the Dental School of Piracicaba, Brazil and consisted of 128 girls and 110 boys (7.0 to 15.9 years old) who had cephalometric and hand-wrist radiographs taken on the same day. Cervical vertebral bone age was evaluated using the method described by Mito and colleagues in 2002. Bone age was assessed by the Tanner-Whitehouse (TW3) method and was used as a gold standard to determine the reliability of cervical vertebral bone age. An analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test were used to compare cervical vertebral bone age, bone age and chronological age at 5% significance level. The analysis of the Brazilian female children data showed that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between cervical vertebral bone age and chronological age and between bone age and chronological age. However no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found between cervical vertebral bone age and bone age. Differently, the analysis of the male children data revealed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between cervical vertebral bone age and bone age and between cervical vertebral bone age and chronological age (p<0.05). The findings of the present study suggest that the method for objectively evaluating skeletal maturation on cephalometric radiographs by determination of vertebral bone age can be applied to Brazilian females only. The development of a new method to objectively evaluate cervical vertebral bone age in males is needed.

Alternative metrics for real-ear-to-coupler difference average values in children.

PubMed

Blumsack, Judith T; Clark-Lewis, Sandra; Watts, Kelli M; Wilson, Martha W; Ross, Margaret E; Soles, Lindsey; Ennis, Cydney

2014-10-01

Ideally, individual real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) measurements are obtained for pediatric hearing instrument-fitting purposes. When RECD measurements cannot be obtained, age-related average RECDs based on typically developing North American children are used. Evidence suggests that these values may not be appropriate for populations of children with retarded growth patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine if another metric, such as head circumference, height, or weight, can be used for prediction of RECDs in children. Design was a correlational study. For all participants, RECD values in both ears, head circumference, height, and weight were measured. The sample consisted of 68 North American children (ages 3-11 yr). Height, weight, head circumference, and RECDs were measured and were analyzed for both ears at 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. A backward elimination multiple-regression analysis was used to determine if age, height, weight, and/or head circumference are significant predictors of RECDs. For the left ear, head circumference was retained as the only statistically significant variable in the final model. For the right ear, head circumference was retained as the only statistically significant independent variable at all frequencies except at 2000 and 4000 Hz. At these latter frequencies, weight was retained as the only statistically significant independent variable after all other variables were eliminated. Head circumference can be considered as a metric for RECD prediction in children when individual measurements cannot be obtained. In developing countries where equipment is often unavailable and stunted growth can reduce the value of using age as a metric, head circumference can be considered as an alternative metric in the prediction of RECDs. American Academy of Audiology.

Immunohistochemical correlation of epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 with histopathologic grading of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

PubMed

Khiavi, Monir Moradzadeh; Vosoughhosseini, Sepideh; Saravani, Shirin; Halimi, Monireh

2012-01-01

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland malignancy with highly variable biologic potential that correlates with the histopathologic grade of the tumor. Therefore, identification of the histopathologic grade of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma is very important in the treatment and determination of the final prognosis. The present study was performed to survey immunohistochemically Epidermal Growth Factor ReceptorEGFR and c-erbB-2 expression in different grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This retrospective study included 46 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Based on histopathologic parameters, samples were classified into three grades. Then new sections were made and stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) method for EGFR and c-erbB-2. Finally, EGFR and c-erbB-2 expression and their correlation with histopathologic grading were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. Nineteen samples of normal salivary gland tissue were also chosen as control group. The means of EGFR and c-erbB-2 were 71%, 71%, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was found between EGFR expression and histopathologic grading of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between histopathologic grading of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma and c-erbB-2 expression (P = 0.60). There is a parallelism between an increase in EGFR expression and increase in the histopathologic grading of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Therefore, the biologic behavior of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be determined by EGFR expression and it is a useful technique for determination of tumor grades and probably their prognosis.

Antiviral activity of Quercus persica L.: High efficacy and low toxicity

PubMed Central

Karimi, Ali; Moradi, Mohammad-Taghi; Saeedi, Mojtaba; Asgari, Sedigheh; Rafieian-kopaei, Mahmoud

2013-01-01

Background: Drug-resistant strain of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-I) has increased the interest in the use of natural substances. Aims: This study was aimed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration of hydroalchoholic extract of a traditionally used herbal plant, Quercus persica L., on HSV-1 replication on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Setting: The study was conducted in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Design: This was an experimental study. Materials and Methods: BHK cells were grown in monolayer culture with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum and plated onto 48-well culture plates. Fifty percent cytotoxic concentration (CC50%) of Q. persica L. on BHK cells was determined. Subsequently, 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50%) of the extract on replication of HSV-1 both in interacellular and exteracellular cases was assessed. Statistical Analysis: Statistic Probit model was used for statistical analysis. The dose-dependent effect of antiviral activity of the extracts was determined by linear regression. Results: Q. persica L. had no cytotoxic effect on this cell line. There was significant relationship between the concentration of the extract and cell death (P<0.01). IC50s of Q. persica L. on HSV-1, before and after attachment to BHK cells were 1.02 and 0.257 μg/mL, respectively. There was significant relationship between the concentration of this extract and inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) (P<0.05). Antioxidant capacity of the extract was 67.5%. Conclusions: The hydroalchoholic extract of Q. persica L. is potentially an appropriate and promising anti herpetic herbal medicine. PMID:24516836

Population data of five genetic markers in the Turkish population: comparison with four American population groups.

PubMed

Kurtuluş-Ulküer, M; Ulküer, U; Kesici, T; Menevşe, S

2002-09-01

In this study, the phenotype and allele frequencies of five enzyme systems were determined in a total of 611 unrelated Turkish individuals and analyzed by using the exact and the chi 2 test. The following five red cell enzymes were identified by cellulose acetate electrophoresis: phosphoglucomutase (PGM), adenosine deaminase (ADA), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), adenylate kinase (AK), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD). The ADA, PGM and AK enzymes were found to be polymorphic in the Turkish population. The results of the statistical analysis showed, that the phenotype frequencies of the five enzyme under study are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Statistical analysis was performed in order to examine whether there are significant differences in the phenotype frequencies between the Turkish population and four American population groups. This analysis showed, that there are some statistically significant differences between the Turkish and the other groups. Moreover, the observed phenotype and allele frequencies were compared with those obtained in other population groups of Turkey.

The mediating effect of calling on the relationship between medical school students' academic burnout and empathy.

PubMed

Chae, Su Jin; Jeong, So Mi; Chung, Yoon-Sok

2017-09-01

This study is aimed at identifying the relationships between medical school students' academic burnout, empathy, and calling, and determining whether their calling has a mediating effect on the relationship between academic burnout and empathy. A mixed method study was conducted. One hundred twenty-seven medical students completed a survey. Scales measuring academic burnout, medical students' empathy, and calling were utilized. For statistical analysis, correlation analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. For qualitative approach, eight medical students participated in a focus group interview. The study found that empathy has a statistically significant, negative correlation with academic burnout, while having a significant, positive correlation with calling. Sense of calling proved to be an effective mediator of the relationship between academic burnout and empathy. This result demonstrates that calling is a key variable that mediates the relationship between medical students' academic burnout and empathy. As such, this study provides baseline data for an education that could improve medical students' empathy skills.

Biocompatibility of Ricinus communis polymer with addition of calcium carbonate compared to titanium. Experimental study in guinea pigs

PubMed Central

Graça, Yorgos Luiz Santos De Salles; Opolski, Ana Cristina; Barboza, Barbara Evelin Gonçalves; Erbano, Bruna Olandoski; Mazzaro, Caroline Cantalejo; Klostermann, Flávia Caroline; Sucharski, Enéas Eduardo; Kubrusly, Luiz Fernando

2014-01-01

Objective The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether the difference in inflammatory tissue reaction between the Riccinus communis (castor) polymer with calcium carbonate and the titanium implant is statistically significant. Methods Thirty-two Cavia porcellus were allocated into four groups of eight animals each. We implanted the two types of materials in the retroperitoneal space of all the animals. They were euthanized at 7, 20, 30 and 40 days after surgery, and an histological study of the samples was conducted. Results All implants showed characteristics of chronic inflammation regardless of the material and timepoint of evaluation. There was no statistically significant difference between Pm+CaCO3 and Ti with regard to the presence of granulation tissue, tissue congestion, histiocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, giant cells, and fibrosis (P> 0.05). Conclusion The castor oil polymer plus calcium carbonate implant was not statistically different from the titanium implant regarding inflammatory tissue reaction. PMID:25140479

On use of the multistage dose-response model for assessing laboratory animal carcinogenicity

PubMed Central

Nitcheva, Daniella; Piegorsch, Walter W.; West, R. Webster

2007-01-01

We explore how well a statistical multistage model describes dose-response patterns in laboratory animal carcinogenicity experiments from a large database of quantal response data. The data are collected from the U.S. EPA’s publicly available IRIS data warehouse and examined statistically to determine how often higher-order values in the multistage predictor yield significant improvements in explanatory power over lower-order values. Our results suggest that the addition of a second-order parameter to the model only improves the fit about 20% of the time, while adding even higher-order terms apparently does not contribute to the fit at all, at least with the study designs we captured in the IRIS database. Also included is an examination of statistical tests for assessing significance of higher-order terms in a multistage dose-response model. It is noted that bootstrap testing methodology appears to offer greater stability for performing the hypothesis tests than a more-common, but possibly unstable, “Wald” test. PMID:17490794

Evaluation of airborne lidar data to predict vegetation Presence/Absence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Palaseanu-Lovejoy, M.; Nayegandhi, A.; Brock, J.; Woodman, R.; Wright, C.W.

2009-01-01

This study evaluates the capabilities of the Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL) in delineating vegetation assemblages in Jean Lafitte National Park, Louisiana. Five-meter-resolution grids of bare earth, canopy height, canopy-reflection ratio, and height of median energy were derived from EAARL data acquired in September 2006. Ground-truth data were collected along transects to assess species composition, canopy cover, and ground cover. To decide which model is more accurate, comparisons of general linear models and generalized additive models were conducted using conventional evaluation methods (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, Kappa statistics, and area under the curve) and two new indexes, net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement. Generalized additive models were superior to general linear models in modeling presence/absence in training vegetation categories, but no statistically significant differences between the two models were achieved in determining the classification accuracy at validation locations using conventional evaluation methods, although statistically significant improvements in net reclassifications were observed. ?? 2009 Coastal Education and Research Foundation.

Tract-Based Spatial Statistics in Preterm-Born Neonates Predicts Cognitive and Motor Outcomes at 18 Months.

PubMed

Duerden, E G; Foong, J; Chau, V; Branson, H; Poskitt, K J; Grunau, R E; Synnes, A; Zwicker, J G; Miller, S P

2015-08-01

Adverse neurodevelopmental outcome is common in children born preterm. Early sensitive predictors of neurodevelopmental outcome such as MR imaging are needed. Tract-based spatial statistics, a diffusion MR imaging analysis method, performed at term-equivalent age (40 weeks) is a promising predictor of neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born very preterm. We sought to determine the association of tract-based spatial statistics findings before term-equivalent age with neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-months corrected age. Of 180 neonates (born at 24-32-weeks' gestation) enrolled, 153 had DTI acquired early at 32 weeks' postmenstrual age and 105 had DTI acquired later at 39.6 weeks' postmenstrual age. Voxelwise statistics were calculated by performing tract-based spatial statistics on DTI that was aligned to age-appropriate templates. At 18-month corrected age, 166 neonates underwent neurodevelopmental assessment by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd ed, and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd ed. Tract-based spatial statistics analysis applied to early-acquired scans (postmenstrual age of 30-33 weeks) indicated a limited significant positive association between motor skills and axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity values in the corpus callosum, internal and external/extreme capsules, and midbrain (P < .05, corrected). In contrast, for term scans (postmenstrual age of 37-41 weeks), tract-based spatial statistics analysis showed a significant relationship between both motor and cognitive scores with fractional anisotropy in the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts (P < .05, corrected). Tract-based spatial statistics in a limited subset of neonates (n = 22) scanned at <30 weeks did not significantly predict neurodevelopmental outcomes. The strength of the association between fractional anisotropy values and neurodevelopmental outcome scores increased from early-to-late-acquired scans in preterm-born neonates, consistent with brain dysmaturation in this population. © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

PROMISE: a tool to identify genomic features with a specific biologically interesting pattern of associations with multiple endpoint variables

PubMed Central

Pounds, Stan; Cheng, Cheng; Cao, Xueyuan; Crews, Kristine R.; Plunkett, William; Gandhi, Varsha; Rubnitz, Jeffrey; Ribeiro, Raul C.; Downing, James R.; Lamba, Jatinder

2009-01-01

Motivation: In some applications, prior biological knowledge can be used to define a specific pattern of association of multiple endpoint variables with a genomic variable that is biologically most interesting. However, to our knowledge, there is no statistical procedure designed to detect specific patterns of association with multiple endpoint variables. Results: Projection onto the most interesting statistical evidence (PROMISE) is proposed as a general procedure to identify genomic variables that exhibit a specific biologically interesting pattern of association with multiple endpoint variables. Biological knowledge of the endpoint variables is used to define a vector that represents the biologically most interesting values for statistics that characterize the associations of the endpoint variables with a genomic variable. A test statistic is defined as the dot-product of the vector of the observed association statistics and the vector of the most interesting values of the association statistics. By definition, this test statistic is proportional to the length of the projection of the observed vector of correlations onto the vector of most interesting associations. Statistical significance is determined via permutation. In simulation studies and an example application, PROMISE shows greater statistical power to identify genes with the interesting pattern of associations than classical multivariate procedures, individual endpoint analyses or listing genes that have the pattern of interest and are significant in more than one individual endpoint analysis. Availability: Documented R routines are freely available from www.stjuderesearch.org/depts/biostats and will soon be available as a Bioconductor package from www.bioconductor.org. Contact: stanley.pounds@stjude.org Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:19528086

Changes in portal blood flow and liver functions in cirrhotics during Ramadan fasting in the summer; a pilot study

PubMed Central

Mohamed, Salem Y; Emara, Mohamed H; Hussien, Hala IM; Elsadek, Hany M

2016-01-01

Aim: Assessment of short term changes in portal blood flow and long term changes in liver functions in cirrhotic patients who chose to fast during the month of Ramadan in summer. Background: During Ramadan, healthy Muslims obligated to fast from predawn to sunset. Patients and methods: Forty cirrhotic patients intended to fast during the month of Ramadan in the year 2014, were examined by Congestion index (CI) as a non-invasive indicator of short term changes in the portal blood flow, while liver function tests were determined as an indicator of long term changes in liver functions. Results: A total of 38 patients completed the whole month fasting and two patients discontinued fasting due to variceal bleeding. The complicated patients were 7. CI showed a statistically significant increase from fasting to postprandial status (P<0.001), with statistically significant increases from fasting to postprandial status in Child class A (P<0.001), and B (P<0.001). We did not find a statistical significance between patients with complications and those without complications (P=0.6). There was a statistically significant rise in the serum bilirubin after Ramadan. Deterioration noticed as advanced Child classes, development of lower limb edema, increasing ascites, increasing jaundice and overt encephalopathy. Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients showed significant short-term changes in the portal blood flow. However, these changes are not linked to complications or deterioration of liver functions and accommodated especially in patients with Child class A and B. Child class C patients should not fast. PMID:27458510

Long-term occlusal changes assessed by the American Board of Orthodontics' model grading system.

PubMed

Aszkler, Robert M; Preston, Charles B; Saltaji, Humam; Tabbaa, Sawsan

2014-02-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term posttreatment changes in all criteria of the American Board of Orthodontics' (ABO) model grading system. We used plaster models from patients' final and posttreatment records. Thirty patients treated by 1 orthodontist using 1 bracket prescription were selected. An initial discrepancy index for each subject was performed to determine the complexity of each case. The final models were then graded using the ABO's model grading system immediately at posttreatment and postretention. Statistical analysis was performed on the 8 criteria of the model grading system, including paired t tests and Pearson correlations. An alpha of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The average length of time between the posttreatment and postretention records was 12.7 ± 4.4 years. It was shown that alignment and rotations worsened by postretention (P = 0.014), and a weak statistically significant correlation at posttreatment and postretention was found (0.44; P = 0.016). Both marginal ridges and occlusal contacts scored less well at posttreatment. These criteria showed a significant decrease in scores between posttreatment and postretention (P <0.001), but the correlations were not statistically significant. The average total score showed a significant decrease between posttreatment and postretention (P <0.001), partly because of the large decrease in the previous 2 criteria. Higher scores for occlusal contacts and marginal ridges were found at the end of treatment; however, those scores and the overall scores for the 30 subjects improved in the postretention phase. Copyright © 2014. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Significance analysis of the regional differences on icing time of water onto fire protective clothing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, L. Z.; Jing, L. S.; Zhang, X. Z.; Xia, J. J.; Chen, Y.; Chen, T.; Hu, C.; Bao, Z. M.; Fu, X. C.; Wang, R. J.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y. J.

2017-09-01

The object of this work was to determine the icing temperature in icing experiment. Firstly, a questionnaire investigation was carried out on 38 fire detachments in different regions. These Statistical percentage results were divided into northern east group and northern west group. Secondly, a significance analysis between these two results was made using Mann-Whitney U test. Then the icing temperature was determined in different regions. Thirdly, the icing experiment was made in the environment of -20°C in Daxing’an Mountain. The anti-icing effect of new fire protective clothing was verified in this icing.

Inequalities in suicide mortality rates and the economic recession in the municipalities of Catalonia, Spain.

PubMed

Saurina, Carme; Marzo, Manel; Saez, Marc

2015-09-08

While previous research already exists on the impact of the current economic crisis and whether it leads to an increase in mortality by suicide, our objective in this paper is to determine if the increase in the suicide rate in Catalonia, Spain from 2010 onwards has been statistically significant and whether it is associated with rising unemployment. We used hierarchical mixed models, separately considering the crude death rate of suicides for municipalities with more than and less than 10,000 inhabitants as dependent variables both unstratified and stratified according to gender and/or age group. In municipalities with 10,000 or more inhabitants there was an increase in the relative risk of suicide from 2009 onwards. This increase was only statistically significant for working-aged women (16-64 years). In municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants the relative risk showed a decreasing trend even after 2009. In no case did we find the unemployment rate to be associated (statistically significant) with the suicide rate. The increase in the suicide rate from 2010 in Catalonia was not statistically significant as a whole, with the exception of working-aged women (16-64 years) living in municipalities with 10,000 or more inhabitants. We have not found this increase to be associated with rising unemployment in any of the cases. Future research into the effects of economic recessions on suicide mortality should take into account inequalities by age, sex and size of municipalities.

Lymph node ratio may predict relapse free survival and overall survival in patients with stage II & III colorectal carcinoma.

PubMed

Zekri, Jamal; Ahmad, Imran; Fawzy, Ehab; Elkhodary, Tawfik R; Al-Gahmi, Aboelkhair; Hassouna, Ashraf; El Sayed, Mohamed E; Ur Rehman, Jalil; Karim, Syed M; Bin Sadiq, Bakr

2015-01-01

Lymph node ratio (LNR) defined as the number of lymph nodes (LNs) involved with metastases divided by number of LNs examined, has been shown to be an independent prognostic factor in breast, stomach and various other solid tumors. Its significance as a prognostic determinant in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still under investigation. This study investigated the prognostic value of LNR in patients with resected CRC. We retrospectively ex- amined 145 patients with stage II & III CRC diagnosed and treated at a single institution during 9 years pe- riod. Patients were grouped according to LNR in three groups. Group 1; LNR < 0.05, Group 2; LNR = 0.05-0.19 & Group 3 > 0.19. Chi square, life table analysis and multivariate Cox regression were used for statistical analysis. On multivariate analysis, number of involved LNs (NILN) (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.055-1.245; P = 0.001) and pathological T stage (P = 0.002) were statistically significant predictors of relapse free survival (RFS). LNR as a continuous variable (but not as a categorical variable) was statistically significant predictor of RFS (P = 0.02). LNR was also a statistically significant predictor of overall survival (OS) (P = 0.02). LNR may predict RFS and OS in patients with resected stage II & III CRC. Studies with larger cohorts and longer follow up are needed to further examine and validate theprognostic value of LNR.

Post-operative diffusion weighted imaging as a predictor of posterior fossa syndrome permanence in paediatric medulloblastoma.

PubMed

Chua, Felicia H Z; Thien, Ady; Ng, Lee Ping; Seow, Wan Tew; Low, David C Y; Chang, Kenneth T E; Lian, Derrick W Q; Loh, Eva; Low, Sharon Y Y

2017-03-01

Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a serious complication faced by neurosurgeons and their patients, especially in paediatric medulloblastoma patients. The uncertain aetiology of PFS, myriad of cited risk factors and therapeutic challenges make this phenomenon an elusive entity. The primary objective of this study was to identify associative factors related to the development of PFS in medulloblastoma patient post-tumour resection. This is a retrospective study based at a single institution. Patient data and all related information were collected from the hospital records, in accordance to a list of possible risk factors associated with PFS. These included pre-operative tumour volume, hydrocephalus, age, gender, extent of resection, metastasis, ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion, post-operative meningitis and radiological changes in MRI. Additional variables included molecular and histological subtypes of each patient's medulloblastoma tumour. Statistical analysis was employed to determine evidence of each variable's significance in PFS permanence. A total of 19 patients with appropriately complete data was identified. Initial univariate analysis did not show any statistical significance. However, multivariate analysis for MRI-specific changes reported bilateral DWI restricted diffusion changes involving both right and left sides of the surgical cavity was of statistical significance for PFS permanence. The authors performed a clinical study that evaluated possible risk factors for permanent PFS in paediatric medulloblastoma patients. Analysis of collated results found that post-operative DWI restriction in bilateral regions within the surgical cavity demonstrated statistical significance as a predictor of PFS permanence-a novel finding in the current literature.

Increased serum urea to creatinine ratio and its negative correlation with arterial pressure in canine babesiosis.

PubMed

Zygner, Wojciech; Gójska-Zygner, Olga

2014-09-01

The increase of the serum urea to creatinine ratio (UCR) was observed in dogs infected with Babesia canis. Previous studies have suggested that decrease of blood pressure can be one of the reasons for this phenomenon. In this work statistically significant increase of the UCR was observed in dogs with babesiosis. Comparison of the UCR between 23 azotaemic dogs and 25 non-azotaemic dogs infected with Babesia canis showed statistically significantly higher mean of the UCR in azotaemic dogs. Correlations between UCR and systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP) in 48 dogs infected with B. canis were negative (UCR and SAP: r = -0.3909; UCR and DAP: r = -0.3182; UCR and MAP: r = -0.3682) and statistically significant (p < 0.05). This result may indicate contribution of hypotension in the increase of the UCR in canine babesiosis. However, the correlations were not high, and there was no statistically significant correlation between UCR and arterial pressures in azotaemic dogs. Thus, it seems that decrease of blood pressure in dogs with babesiosis explains only partially the cause of increased UCR in infected dogs. The other authors suggested hyperureagenesis and myocardial injury as a potential reason for the increased UCR in canine babesiosis. Thus, further studies are needed to determine causes of increased UCR in dogs with babesiosis, especially on the connection between UCR changes and the concentrations of plasma cardiac troponins and ammonia, and the occurrence of occult blood on fecal examination.

Cooking does not decrease hydrophilic antioxidant capacity of wild blueberries.

PubMed

Murphy, Rebecca Ree; Renfroe, Michael H; Brevard, Patricia Bowling; Lee, Robert E; Gloeckner, Janet W

2009-01-01

The present study examined the effects of domestic cooking methods on the hydrophilic antioxidant activity (HAA) of wild blueberries. Baked, microwaved, simmered, and pan-fried frozen wild blueberries, and a thawed uncooked control, were analyzed for HAA using an ABTS/H(2)O(2)/HRP decoloration method. All cooking treatments were derived from recipes using wild blueberries, and were performed in triplicate. A randomized block design was used to determine whether there were statistical differences in antioxidant content after cooking and between each of the trials. There were no statistically significant decreases after cooking the thawed berries. On both a fresh weight and a dry weight basis, pan-fried blueberries had significantly higher HAA than baked, simmered, and control blueberries (P<0.05). Antioxidants in wild blueberries appear to be heat stable since cooked berries retained significant HAA. Cooked wild blueberries can be recommended as a good source of dietary antioxidants.

Quantitative characterization of nonstructural carbohydrates of mezcal Agave (Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dick).

PubMed

Michel-Cuello, Christian; Juárez-Flores, Bertha Irene; Aguirre-Rivera, Juan Rogelio; Pinos-Rodríguez, Juan Manuel

2008-07-23

Fructans are the reserve carbohydrates in Agave spp. plants. In mezcal factories, fructans undergoes thermal hydrolysis to release fructose and glucose, which are the basis to produce this spirit. Carbohydrate content determines the yield of the final product, which depends on plant organ, ripeness stage, and thermal hydrolysis. Thus, a qualitative and quantitative characterization of nonstructural carbohydrates was conducted in raw and hydrolyzed juices extracted from Agave salmiana stems and leaves under three ripeness stages. By high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fructose, glucose, sucrose, xylose, and maltose were identified in agave juice. Only the plant fraction with hydrolysis interaction was found to be significant in the glucose concentration plant. Interactions of the fraction with hydrolysis and ripeness with hydrolysis were statistically significant in fructose concentration. Fructose concentration rose considerably with hydrolysis, but only in juice extracted from ripe agave stems (early mature and castrated). This increase was statistically significant only with acid hydrolysis.

Effects of methylphenidate on appetite and growth in children diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Gurbuz, Fatih; Gurbuz, Berrak Bilginer; Celik, Gonca Gul; Yildirim, Veli; Ucakturk, Seyit Ahmet; Seydaoglu, Gulsah; Ucakturk, Eda Mengen; Topaloglu, Ali Kemal; Yuksel, Bilgin

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of leptin, ghrelin, and nesfatin-1 to elucidate the causes of poor appetite and growth retardation in patients receiving methylphenidate therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study was performed on 89 male subjects; 48 patients and 41 healthy controls, aged 7-14 years. Following treatment, patients' leptin levels increased and ghrelin levels decreased while no significant change was found in nesfatin-1 levels. Of the 48 patients, 34 developed lack of appetite. In patients who developed lack of appetite, body weight SDS, body mass index (BMI), and BMI SDS were statistically significantly reduced; moreover, height SDS was reduced, though not to a statistically significant extent. This study attempted to elucidate the mechanisms that mediate the association between methylphenidate and appetite and growth, for which no studies have yet to be published.

Lightness, chroma, and hue distributions in natural teeth measured by a spectrophotometer.

PubMed

Pustina-Krasniqi, Teuta; Shala, Kujtim; Staka, Gloria; Bicaj, Teuta; Ahmedi, Enis; Dula, Linda

2017-01-01

The aim of the study was to analyze the distribution of color parameters, lightness (L*), chroma (C), hue (H), a* and b*, in the intercanine sector in maxilla. Patients' tooth color measurements were performed using an intraoral spectrophotometer VITA Easyshade ® (VITA Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Sackingen, Germany). The measurements were made in 255 subjects in the intercanine sector in maxilla. The mean values for the group of 255 subjects were as follows: L*, a*, b*, C, and H as 81.6, 0.67, 21.6, 21.7, and 92.7, respectively. For F=206.27 and P < 0.001 between L*, a*, b*, C, H, and central incisor/lateral incisor/canines, there were statistically significant differences. With the statistical analysis, it was determined that there are significant color differences between the teeth of the intercanine sector, which differences are clinically significant also.

Effects of vibratory stimulation on sexual response in women with spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Sipski, Marca L; Alexander, Craig J; Gomez-Marin, Orlando; Grossbard, Marissa; Rosen, Raymond

2005-01-01

Women with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) have predictable alterations in sexual responses. They commonly have a decreased ability to achieve genital sexual arousal. This study determined whether the use of vibratory stimulation would result in increased genital arousal as measured by vaginal pulse amplitude in women with SCIs. Subjects included 46 women with SCIs and 11 nondisabled control subjects. Results revealed vibratory clitoral stimulation resulted in increased vaginal pulse amplitude as compared with manual clitoral stimulation in both SCI and nondisabled subjects; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Subjective levels of arousal were also compared between SCI and nondisabled control subjects. Both vibratory and manual clitoral stimulation resulted in significantly increased arousal levels in both groups of subjects; however, statistically significant differences between the two conditions were only noted in nondisabled subjects. Further studies of the effects of repetitive vibratory stimulation are underway.

77 FR 64829 - Renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Technical Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-23

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Technical... of Labor has determined that the renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Technical Advisory... upon the Commissioner of Labor Statistics by 29 U.S.C. 1 and 2. This determination follows consultation...

Emergence of patterns in random processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newman, William I.; Turcotte, Donald L.; Malamud, Bruce D.

2012-08-01

Sixty years ago, it was observed that any independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variable would produce a pattern of peak-to-peak sequences with, on average, three events per sequence. This outcome was employed to show that randomness could yield, as a null hypothesis for animal populations, an explanation for their apparent 3-year cycles. We show how we can explicitly obtain a universal distribution of the lengths of peak-to-peak sequences in time series and that this can be employed for long data sets as a test of their i.i.d. character. We illustrate the validity of our analysis utilizing the peak-to-peak statistics of a Gaussian white noise. We also consider the nearest-neighbor cluster statistics of point processes in time. If the time intervals are random, we show that cluster size statistics are identical to the peak-to-peak sequence statistics of time series. In order to study the influence of correlations in a time series, we determine the peak-to-peak sequence statistics for the Langevin equation of kinetic theory leading to Brownian motion. To test our methodology, we consider a variety of applications. Using a global catalog of earthquakes, we obtain the peak-to-peak statistics of earthquake magnitudes and the nearest neighbor interoccurrence time statistics. In both cases, we find good agreement with the i.i.d. theory. We also consider the interval statistics of the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park. In this case, we find a significant deviation from the i.i.d. theory which we attribute to antipersistence. We consider the interval statistics using the AL index of geomagnetic substorms. We again find a significant deviation from i.i.d. behavior that we attribute to mild persistence. Finally, we examine the behavior of Standard and Poor's 500 stock index's daily returns from 1928-2011 and show that, while it is close to being i.i.d., there is, again, significant persistence. We expect that there will be many other applications of our methodology both to interoccurrence statistics and to time series.

Comparative study of millennials' (age 20-34 years) grip and lateral pinch with the norms.

PubMed

Fain, Elizabeth; Weatherford, Cara

Cross-sectional research design. Clinical practice continues to use normative data for grip and pinch measurements that were established in 1985. There is no updated norms despite different hand usage patterns in today's society. Measuring and comparing grip and pinch strengths with normative data is a valid method to determine hand function. This research was implemented to compare the grip and pinch measurements obtained from healthy millennials to the established norms and to describe hand usage patterns for millennials. Grip and lateral pinch measurements were obtained from a sample of 237 healthy millennials (ages 20-34 years). Strength scores were statistically lower that older normative data in all millennial grip strengths, with the exception of the women in the age group of 30-34 years. Specifically, this statistically significant trend was observed in all male grip strengths, as well as in women in the age group of 20-24 years (bilateral grip) and 25-29 years (right grip). However, the lateral pinch data reflected was similar to the older norms with variances of 0.5-1 kg. Current data reflect statistically significant differences from the norms for all male grip measurements, as well as for women in the age group of 20-24 years (bilateral grip) and 25-29 years (right grip). No statistical significance was observed in the independent-sample t tests for the lateral pinch in men of all age groups. Statistical significance was noted for lateral pinch for female age groups for the left hand (20-24 years) and for bilateral lateral pinches (30-34 years). IV. Copyright © 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Corrosion Analysis of an Experimental Noble Alloy on Commercially Pure Titanium Dental Implants

PubMed Central

Bortagaray, Manuel Alberto; Ibañez, Claudio Arturo Antonio; Ibañez, Maria Constanza; Ibañez, Juan Carlos

2016-01-01

Objective: To determine whether the Noble Bond® Argen® alloy was electrochemically suitable for the manufacturing of prosthetic superstructures over commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) implants. Also, the electrolytic corrosion effects over three types of materials used on prosthetic suprastructures that were coupled with titanium implants were analysed: Noble Bond® (Argen®), Argelite 76sf +® (Argen®), and commercially pure titanium. Materials and Methods: 15 samples were studied, consisting in 1 abutment and one c.p. titanium implant each. They were divided into three groups, namely: Control group: five c.p Titanium abutments (B&W®), Test group 1: five Noble Bond® (Argen®) cast abutments and, Test group 2: five Argelite 76sf +® (Argen®) abutments. In order to observe the corrosion effects, the surface topography was imaged using a confocal microscope. Thus, three metric parameters (Sa: Arithmetical mean height of the surface. Sp: Maximum height of peaks. Sv: Maximum height of valleys.), were measured at three different areas: abutment neck, implant neck and implant body. The samples were immersed in artificial saliva for 3 months, after which the procedure was repeated. The metric parameters were compared by statistical analysis. Results: The analysis of the Sa at the level of the implant neck, abutment neck and implant body, showed no statistically significant differences on combining c.p. Ti implants with the three studied alloys. The Sp showed no statistically significant differences between the three alloys. The Sv showed no statistically significant differences between the three alloys. Conclusion: The effects of electrogalvanic corrosion on each of the materials used when they were in contact with c.p. Ti showed no statistically significant differences. PMID:27733875

Large-angle correlations in the cosmic microwave background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efstathiou, George; Ma, Yin-Zhe; Hanson, Duncan

2010-10-01

It has been argued recently by Copi et al. 2009 that the lack of large angular correlations of the CMB temperature field provides strong evidence against the standard, statistically isotropic, inflationary Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology. We compare various estimators of the temperature correlation function showing how they depend on assumptions of statistical isotropy and how they perform on the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) 5-yr Internal Linear Combination (ILC) maps with and without a sky cut. We show that the low multipole harmonics that determine the large-scale features of the temperature correlation function can be reconstructed accurately from the data that lie outside the sky cuts. The reconstructions are only weakly dependent on the assumed statistical properties of the temperature field. The temperature correlation functions computed from these reconstructions are in good agreement with those computed from the ILC map over the whole sky. We conclude that the large-scale angular correlation function for our realization of the sky is well determined. A Bayesian analysis of the large-scale correlations is presented, which shows that the data cannot exclude the standard ΛCDM model. We discuss the differences between our results and those of Copi et al. Either there exists a violation of statistical isotropy as claimed by Copi et al., or these authors have overestimated the significance of the discrepancy because of a posteriori choices of estimator, statistic and sky cut.

A comparison of the technique of the football quarterback pass between high school and university athletes.

PubMed

Toffan, Adam; Alexander, Marion J L; Peeler, Jason

2017-07-28

The purpose of the study was to compare the most effective joint movements, segment velocities and body positions to perform the fastest and most accurate pass of high school and university football quarterbacks. Secondary purposes were to develop a quarterback throwing test to assess skill level, to determine which kinematic variables were different between high school and university athletes as well as to determine which variables were significant predictors of quarterback throwing test performance. Ten high school and ten university athletes were filmed for the study, performing nine passes at a target and two passes for maximum distance. Thirty variables were measured using Dartfish Team Pro 4.5.2 video analysis system, and Microsoft Excel was used for statistical analysis. University athletes scored slightly higher than the high school athletes on the throwing test, however this result was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis and forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed on both the high school players and the university players in order to determine which variables were significant predictors of throwing test score. Ball velocity was determined to have the strongest predictive effect on throwing test score (r = 0.900) for the high school athletes, however, position of the back foot at release was also determined to be important (r = 0.661) for the university group. Several significant differences in throwing technique between groups were noted during the pass, however, body position at release showed the greatest differences between the two groups. High school players could benefit from more complete weight transfer and decreased throw time to increase throwing test score. University athletes could benefit from increased throw time and greater range of motion in external shoulder rotation and trunk rotation to increase their throwing test score. Coaches and practitioners will be able to use the findings of this research to help improve these and related throwing variables in their high school and university quarterbacks.

A Synergy Cropland of China by Fusing Multiple Existing Maps and Statistics.

PubMed

Lu, Miao; Wu, Wenbin; You, Liangzhi; Chen, Di; Zhang, Li; Yang, Peng; Tang, Huajun

2017-07-12

Accurate information on cropland extent is critical for scientific research and resource management. Several cropland products from remotely sensed datasets are available. Nevertheless, significant inconsistency exists among these products and the cropland areas estimated from these products differ considerably from statistics. In this study, we propose a hierarchical optimization synergy approach (HOSA) to develop a hybrid cropland map of China, circa 2010, by fusing five existing cropland products, i.e., GlobeLand30, Climate Change Initiative Land Cover (CCI-LC), GlobCover 2009, MODIS Collection 5 (MODIS C5), and MODIS Cropland, and sub-national statistics of cropland area. HOSA simplifies the widely used method of score assignment into two steps, including determination of optimal agreement level and identification of the best product combination. The accuracy assessment indicates that the synergy map has higher accuracy of spatial locations and better consistency with statistics than the five existing datasets individually. This suggests that the synergy approach can improve the accuracy of cropland mapping and enhance consistency with statistics.

The effect of a major cigarette price change on smoking behavior in california: a zero-inflated negative binomial model.

PubMed

Sheu, Mei-Ling; Hu, Teh-Wei; Keeler, Theodore E; Ong, Michael; Sung, Hai-Yen

2004-08-01

The objective of this paper is to determine the price sensitivity of smokers in their consumption of cigarettes, using evidence from a major increase in California cigarette prices due to Proposition 10 and the Tobacco Settlement. The study sample consists of individual survey data from Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) and price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics between 1996 and 1999. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model was applied for the statistical analysis. The statistical model showed that price did not have an effect on reducing the estimated prevalence of smoking. However, it indicated that among smokers the price elasticity was at the level of -0.46 and statistically significant. Since smoking prevalence is significantly lower than it was a decade ago, price increases are becoming less effective as an inducement for hard-core smokers to quit, although they may respond by decreasing consumption. For those who only smoke occasionally (many of them being young adults) price increases alone may not be an effective inducement to quit smoking. Additional underlying behavioral factors need to be identified so that more effective anti-smoking strategies can be developed.

Analysis of Feature Intervisibility and Cumulative Visibility Using GIS, Bayesian and Spatial Statistics: A Study from the Mandara Mountains, Northern Cameroon

PubMed Central

Wright, David K.; MacEachern, Scott; Lee, Jaeyong

2014-01-01

The locations of diy-geδ-bay (DGB) sites in the Mandara Mountains, northern Cameroon are hypothesized to occur as a function of their ability to see and be seen from points on the surrounding landscape. A series of geostatistical, two-way and Bayesian logistic regression analyses were performed to test two hypotheses related to the intervisibility of the sites to one another and their visual prominence on the landscape. We determine that the intervisibility of the sites to one another is highly statistically significant when compared to 10 stratified-random permutations of DGB sites. Bayesian logistic regression additionally demonstrates that the visibility of the sites to points on the surrounding landscape is statistically significant. The location of sites appears to have also been selected on the basis of lower slope than random permutations of sites. Using statistical measures, many of which are not commonly employed in archaeological research, to evaluate aspects of visibility on the landscape, we conclude that the placement of DGB sites improved their conspicuousness for enhanced ritual, social cooperation and/or competition purposes. PMID:25383883

Rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis Under the DSM-5 Criteria Compared to DSM-IV-TR Criteria in a Hospital-Based Clinic.

PubMed

Hartley-McAndrew, Michelle; Mertz, Jana; Hoffman, Martin; Crawford, Donald

2016-04-01

We aimed to determine whether there was a decrease in the number of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum after the implementation of the new diagnostic criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders Fifth Edition published in May 2013. We reviewed 1552 charts of children evaluated at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic. A comparison was made of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (autism, Asperger disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified) from 2010 to May 2013 using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria with children diagnosed from June 2013 through June 2015 under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders Fifth Edition. Using χ(2) analysis, the 2013-2015 rate of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (39%) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than the 2010 to May 2013 sample years rate (50%). The rate of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis was significantly lower under the recently implemented Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders Fifth Edition criteria. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Cognitive predictors of balance in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Fernandes, Ângela; Mendes, Andreia; Rocha, Nuno; Tavares, João Manuel R S

2016-06-01

Postural instability is one of the most incapacitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and appears to be related to cognitive deficits. This study aims to determine the cognitive factors that can predict deficits in static and dynamic balance in individuals with PD. A sociodemographic questionnaire characterized 52 individuals with PD for this work. The Trail Making Test, Rule Shift Cards Test, and Digit Span Test assessed the executive functions. The static balance was assessed using a plantar pressure platform, and dynamic balance was based on the Timed Up and Go Test. The results were statistically analysed using SPSS Statistics software through linear regression analysis. The results show that a statistically significant model based on cognitive outcomes was able to explain the variance of motor variables. Also, the explanatory value of the model tended to increase with the addition of individual and clinical variables, although the resulting model was not statistically significant The model explained 25-29% of the variability of the Timed Up and Go Test, while for the anteroposterior displacement it was 23-34%, and for the mediolateral displacement it was 24-39%. From the findings, we conclude that the cognitive performance, especially the executive functions, is a predictor of balance deficit in individuals with PD.

An Investigation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Aged 40 and Over.

PubMed

Sever, Neziha; Oskay, Umran

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and associated risk factors in women aged 40 years and over. The study was carried out with a total of 312 women. The data were collected between 1 January 2009 and 30 July 2010. As research instruments, an interview form of 19 questions that questioned personal characteristics and was developed by researchers, and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS) Questionnaire evaluating lower urinary tract symptoms were used. Linear regression analysis was used to detect associated risk factors. The rates of urgency, urinary incontinence, nocturia, and frequency symptoms were 61.5, 52.2, 18.9, and 25%, respectively. BFLUTS total scores increased with age, but the present study has detected no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). BFLUTS scores of the women demonstrated statistically significant differences according to several risk factors including menopause status (P = 0.03), presence of chronic illness (P = 0.000), medicine use (P = 0.000), recurrent urinary tract infections (P = 0.000), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.004), delivery number (P = 0.005) and chronic constipation (P = 0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis determined that frequent urinary tract infections, presence of chronic illness, chronic constipation, BMI and number of deliveries were significantly related to LUTS development. The most common LUTS was urgency in women aged 40 years and older. Recurrent urinary tract infection was determined as the most significant risk factor for LUTS, followed by chronic illness, chronic constipation, higher BMI and parity. © 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Mental status and suicide probability of young people: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Akca, Selen Ozakar; Yuncu, Ozgur; Aydin, Zehra

2018-01-01

The most important determinant of suicide ideation, tendency and initiative is the presence of mental disorders. Since the number of those who lost their lives due to suicide in the world rose rapidly among the young population, the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of assessing young people in the high-risk age group to prevent suicidal behavior. This study aimed to determine psychological symptom levels and suicide probability in young people. The cross-sectional research consisted of 15-24 year-old individuals (N=348), who have sought a psychiatric clinic between February and June, 2015. The Research Data was collected by applying Data Collection Form, Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). SPSS 22.0 statistical package program was used for data analysis. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the mean SPS scores according to education, psychiatric treatment, self-harm, smoking and drinking status of the participants in the study. Apart from this, there was also a statistically significant correlation between anxiety, depression, negative self and hostility according to the SPS and BSI subscales (p<0.001, r=0.739; p<0.001, r=0.729; p<0.001, r=0.747; p<0.001, r=0.715; respectively). The results of our study show that suicide risk is significantly higher in young people with depression, anxiety, negative self-perception and hostility symptoms. In this regard, we suggest the relevance of assessing the suicide risk of young people seeking a psychiatric clinic, with thorough attention to those who have high potential for suicide.

Regional Exploratory Analysis Between Atomospheric Aerosols and Precipitable Water in the Lower Troposhere via Inferential Statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez, B. S.; Ye, H.; Levy, R. C.; Fetzer, E. J.; Remer, L.

2017-12-01

Atmospheric aerosols expose high levels of uncertainty in regard to Earth's changing atmospheric energy budget. Continued exploration and analysis is necessary to obtain more complete understanding in which, and to what degree, aerosols contribute within climate feedbacks and global climate change. With the advent of global satellite retrievals, along with specific aerosol optical depth (AOD) Dark Target and Deep Blue algorithms, aerosols can now be better measured and analyzed. Aerosol effect on climate depends primarily on altitude, the reflectance albedo of the underlying surface, along with the presence of clouds and the dynamics thereof. As currently known, the majority of aerosol distribution and mixing occur in the lower troposphere from the surface upwards to around 2km. Additionally, being a primary greenhouse gas contributor, water vapor is significant to climate feedbacks and Earth's radiation budget. Feedbacks are generally reported from the top of atmosphere (TOA). Therefore, little is known of the relationship between water vapor and aerosols; specifically, in regional areas of the globe known for aerosol loading such as anthropogenic biomass burning in South America and naturally occurring dust blowing off the deserts in the African and Arabian peninsulas. Statistical regression and timeseries analysis are used in determining significant probabilities suggesting trends of both regional precipitable water (PW) and AOD increase and decrease over a 13-year time period from 2003-2015. Regions with statistically significant positive or negative trends of AOD and PW are analyzed in determining correlations, or lack thereof. This initial examination helps to deduce and better understand how aerosols contribute to the radiation budget and assessing climate change.

Correlation between refraction level and retinal breaks in myopic eye.

PubMed

Alimanović-Halilović, Emina

2008-11-01

In this study we analyzed 180 myopic eyes in order to determine the refraction that is "critical" for the occurrence of retinal breaks as a main cause of retinal detachment. Detachment of retina involves separation of the neurosensory retina from the pigmented epithelium with the severe impairment of vision. After the focused ophthalmological assessment, determination of objective refraction, indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy, we compared the diagnosed retinal breaks according to the shape with the refraction. All the examined eyes were divided into six groups according to the axis length. Mean age of our patients was between 48,43 and 51,60 years with SD ranging from 13,88 to 18,45. The age differences among the groups were not statistically significant. This study included 102 (56,7%) male and 78 (43,3%) female patients and no statistically significant differences between genders was found regarding the occurrence of retinal breaks compared to refraction. The most dominant ruptures were the round ones (28,2%), followed by oval (25%), the category of multiple small holes (19,2%), horseshoe shaped (15,3%), and finally holes with operculum. In cases with myopic refraction ranging between 3,50 and 7,49 dsph, the frequency of retinal breaks statistically significantly differs from all other analyzed refractions. Also, there is positive correlation between the above mentioned myopic refraction and the frequency of retinal breaks. In order to prevent retinal detachment in a myopic eye, we suggest further thorough examinations of the eye fundus in patients with the above mentioned myopia. Diagnosing retinal breaks involves the application of adequate therapy: laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, sclera buckling and pneumatic retinopexy.

Spatio-Temporal Trends of Fire in Slash and Burn Agriculture Landscape: A Case Study from Nagaland, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padalia, H.; Mondal, P. P.

2014-11-01

Increasing incidences of fire from land conversion and residue burning in tropics is the major concern in global warming. Spatial and temporal monitoring of trends of fire incidences is, therefore, significant in order to determine contribution of carbon emissions from slash and burn agriculture. In this study, we analyzed time-series Terra / Aqua MODIS satellite hotspot products from 2001 to 2013 to derive intra- and inter-annual trends in fire incidences in Nagaland state, located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Time-series regression was applied to MODIS fire products at variable spatial scales in GIS. Significance of change in fire frequency at each grid level was tested using t statistic. Spatial clustering of higher or lower fire incidences across study area was determined using Getis-OrdGi statistic. Maximum fire incidences were encountered in moist mixed deciduous forests (46%) followed by secondary moist bamboo brakes (30%). In most parts of the study area fire incidences peaked during March while in warmer parts (e.g. Mon district dominated by indigenous people) fire activity starts as early as during November and peaks in January. Regression trend analysis captured noticeable areas with statistically significant positive (e.g. Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon, Tuensang and Kiphire districts) and negative (e.g. Kohima and north-western part of Mokokchung district) inter-annual fire frequency trends based on area-based aggregation of fire occurrences at different grid sizes. Localization of spatial clusters of high fire incidences was observed in Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon,Tuensang and Kiphire districts.

Index/Ring Finger Ratio, Hand and Foot Index: Gender Estimation Tools.

PubMed

Gupta, Sonia; Gupta, Vineeta; Tyagi, Nutan; Ettishree; Bhagat, Sinthia; Dadu, Mohit; Anthwal, Nishita; Ashraf, Tahira

2017-06-01

Gender estimation from dismembered human body parts and skeletal remains in cases of mass disasters, explosions, and assaults cases is an imperative element of any medico-legal investigations and has been a major challenge for forensic scientists. The aim of the present study was to estimate the gender by using index and ring finger length ratio, hand and foot index along with the correlation of both the hand and foot index to determine the vital role of all the indices in establishing gender identity. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 300 subjects (150 males and 150 females). Various anthropometric measurements like hand length, hand breadth and hand index, Index Finger Length (IFL), Ring Finger Length (RFL) and IFL/RFL ratio as well as foot length, foot breadth and foot index were estimated in millimeters (mm) with the help of sliding-anthropometric caliper. The data was analysed using independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient test. A probability value (p) of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The index and ring finger ratio was found to be higher in females as compared to males. The hand and foot index was more in males than in females. The index and ring finger length ratio, hand and foot index between males and females was found to be statistically significant for both hands and feet. A statistically significant correlation was determined between hand indexes versus foot index. This study can be useful to establish the gender of a dismembered hand or foot when subjected for medicolegal examination.

Development of a Cadaveric Model for Arthrocentesis.

PubMed

MacIver, Melissa A; Johnson, Matthew

2015-01-01

This article reports the development of a novel cadaveric model for future use in teaching arthrocentesis. In the clinical setting, animal safety is essential and practice is thus limited. Objectives of the study were to develop and compare a model to an unmodified cadaver by injecting one of two types of fluids to increase yield. The two fluids injected, mineral oil (MO) and hypertonic saline (HS), were compared to determine any difference on yield. Lastly, aspiration immediately after (T1) or three hours after (T2) injection were compared to determine any effect on diagnostic yield. Joints used included the stifle, elbow, and carpus in eight medium dog cadavers. Arthrocentesis was performed before injection (control) and yield measured. Test joints were injected with MO or HS and yield measured after range of motion (T1) and three hours post injection to simulate lab preparation (T2). Both models had statistically significantly higher yield compared with the unmodified cadaver in all joints at T1 and T2 (p<.05) with the exception of HST2 carpus. T2 aspiration had a statistically significant lower yield when compared to T1HS carpus, T1HS elbow, and T1MO carpus. Overall, irrespective of fluid volume or type, percent yield was lower in T2 compared to T1. No statistically significant difference was seen between HS and MO in most joints with the exception of MOT1 stifle and HST2 elbow. Within the time frame assessed, both models were acceptable. However, HS arthrocentesis models proved appropriate for student trial due to the difficult aspirations with MO.

The effect of feed supplementation with effective microorganisms (EM) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in pigs.

PubMed

Laskowska, Ewa; Jarosz, Łukasz; Grądzki, Zbigniew

2017-12-01

Effective microorganisms (EM) are used in numerous fields associated with agriculture. The beneficial effects of EM on the general health of pigs and on production parameters are also determined by the influence of these microbes on immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of feed supplementation with EM on the concentration of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and in a culture of PBMCs with and without ConA stimulation in pigs. ELISA kits were used to determine the cytokine levels in the porcine serum and the PBMC culture supernatants. Evaluation of the serum concentration of cytokines revealed statistically significantly higher concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the pigs receiving EM Bokashi. The highest concentration of TGF-β in the experimental group was noted on the final test day. Evaluation of cytokine concentrations in the PBMC cultures revealed statistically significantly higher concentrations of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 from the third day of the experiment. Statistically significantly higher concentrations of TNF-α were obtained in the unstimulated PBMC culture on the second test day and in the culture treated with ConA on the second and the third test days. The results of our study indicate that supplementation of pig feed with EM Bokashi activates the cell-mediated and humoral immune response, ensuring that Th1/Th2 balance is maintained and enhancing immune processes protecting the body against infection. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Statistical inference of dynamic resting-state functional connectivity using hierarchical observation modeling.

PubMed

Sojoudi, Alireza; Goodyear, Bradley G

2016-12-01

Spontaneous fluctuations of blood-oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) signals are highly synchronous between brain regions that serve similar functions. This provides a means to investigate functional networks; however, most analysis techniques assume functional connections are constant over time. This may be problematic in the case of neurological disease, where functional connections may be highly variable. Recently, several methods have been proposed to determine moment-to-moment changes in the strength of functional connections over an imaging session (so called dynamic connectivity). Here a novel analysis framework based on a hierarchical observation modeling approach was proposed, to permit statistical inference of the presence of dynamic connectivity. A two-level linear model composed of overlapping sliding windows of fMRI signals, incorporating the fact that overlapping windows are not independent was described. To test this approach, datasets were synthesized whereby functional connectivity was either constant (significant or insignificant) or modulated by an external input. The method successfully determines the statistical significance of a functional connection in phase with the modulation, and it exhibits greater sensitivity and specificity in detecting regions with variable connectivity, when compared with sliding-window correlation analysis. For real data, this technique possesses greater reproducibility and provides a more discriminative estimate of dynamic connectivity than sliding-window correlation analysis. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4566-4580, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A comparative assessment of the accuracy of electronic apex locator (Root ZX) in the presence of commonly used irrigating solutions

PubMed Central

Raidullah, Ebadullah; Francis, Maria L.

2014-01-01

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of Root ZX in determining working length in presence of normal saline, 0.2% chlorhexidine and 2.5% of sodium hypochlorite. Material and Methods: Sixty extracted, single rooted, single canal human teeth were used. Teeth were decoronated at CEJ and actual canal length determined. Then working length measurements were obtained with Root ZX in presence of normal saline 0.9%, 0.2% chlorhexidine and 2.5% NaOCl. The working length obtained with Root ZX were compared with actual canal length and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: No statistical significant difference was found between actual canal length and Root ZX measurements in presence of normal saline and 0.2% chlorhexidine. Highly statistical difference was found between actual canal length and Root ZX measurements in presence of 2.5% of NaOCl, however all the measurements were within the clinically acceptable range of ±0.5mm. Conclusion: The accuracy of EL measurement of Root ZX within±0.5 mm of AL was consistently high in the presence of 0.2% chlorhexidine, normal saline and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Clinical significance: This study signifies the efficacy of ROOT ZX (Third generation apex locator) as a dependable aid in endodontic working length. Key words:Electronic apex locator, working length, root ZX accuracy, intracanal irrigating solutions. PMID:24596634

Risk Factors for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Progression: A Study Ruled in Torino

PubMed Central

Actis, A.G.; Versino, E.; Brogliatti, B.; Rolle, T.

2016-01-01

Purpose: Aim of this retrospective, observational study is to describe features of a population sample, affected by primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in order to evaluate damage progression on the basis of the emerged individual risk factors. Methods: We included 190 caucasian patients (377 eyes), evaluating relationship between individual risk factors (explicative variables) and MD (Mean Deviation) of standard automated perimetry. We also considered the dependent variable NFI (Neural Fiber Index) of GDx scanning laser polarimetry. Progression has been evaluated through a statistic General Linear Model on four follow up steps (mean follow up 79 months). Results: Factors reaching statistical significance, determining a worsening of the MD variable, are: age (P<0.0001), intraocular pressure (IOP) at follow up (P < 0.0001), female gender (P<0.0001), hypertension (P< 0.0001) and familiarity (P = 0.0006). Factors reaching statistical significance, determining a worsening of the NFI variable, are only IOP at follow up (P = 0.0159) and depression (P = 0.0104). Conclusion: Results of this study confirm and enforce data coming from most recent studies: IOP remains the main risk factor for glaucoma assess and progression; age and familiarity are great risk factors as underlined in the last decades; female sex can be an important risk factors as emerged only in the last years; arterial hypertension should always be evaluated in timing of our clinic follow up. PMID:27347249

Risk factors and outcomes of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter bloodstream infection in North-eastern Malaysia

PubMed Central

Deris, Zakuan Zainy; Shafei, Mohd Nazri; Harun, Azian

2011-01-01

Objective To determine the risk factors and outcomes of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) bloodstream infection (BSI) cases, since there is very little publication on Acinetobacter baumannii infections from Malaysia. Methods A cross sectional study of 41 cases (73.2%) of imipenem-sensitive Acinetobacter baumanii (ISAB) and 15 cases (26.8%) of IRAB was conducted in a teaching hospital which was located at North-Eastern state of Malaysia. Results There was no independent risk factor for IRAB BSI identified but IRAB BSI was significantly associated with longer bacteraemic days [OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.01, 1.50)]. Although prior use of carbepenems and cephalosporin were higher among IRAB than ISAB group, statistically they were not significant. There was no significant difference in term of outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions Although statistically not significant, this analysis compliments previous publication highlighting the importance of appropriate empiric antibiotic usage in hospital especially carbepenems and need further evaluation with bigger subjects. PMID:23569782

The effect of critical thinking education on nursing students' problem-solving skills.

PubMed

Kanbay, Yalçın; Okanlı, Ayşe

2017-06-01

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of critical thinking education on nursing students' problem-solving skills. This study was conducted with 93 nursing students, 49 in the control group and 44 in the education group. The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and the Problem-solving Inventory were administered to them before and after 12 weeks of critical thinking education. The education group's mean critical thinking score was 253.61 on the pretest and 268.72 on the posttest. This increase was statistically significant (p < .001). The posttest mean score of the control group fell to 258.18 on the posttest after a pretest mean score of 260.79, and this difference was statistically significant (p < .001). According to the posttest results, the problem-solving skills of education group increased significantly (p < .001), while the control group's score fell significantly (p < .001). This study determined that critical thinking education improves problem-solving skills.

Tests of Alignment among Assessment, Standards, and Instruction Using Generalized Linear Model Regression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fulmer, Gavin W.; Polikoff, Morgan S.

2014-01-01

An essential component in school accountability efforts is for assessments to be well-aligned with the standards or curriculum they are intended to measure. However, relatively little prior research has explored methods to determine statistical significance of alignment or misalignment. This study explores analyses of alignment as a special case…

An Analysis of Mathematics Course Sequences for Low Achieving Students at a Comprehensive Technical High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edge, D. Michael

2011-01-01

This non-experimental study attempted to determine how the different prescribed mathematic tracks offered at a comprehensive technical high school influenced the mathematics performance of low-achieving students on standardized assessments of mathematics achievement. The goal was to provide an analysis of any statistically significant differences…

Frequency of urban building fires as related to daily weather conditions

Treesearch

Arthur R. Pirsko; Wallace L. Fons

1956-01-01

Daily weather elements of precipitation, wind, mean temperature, relative humidity, and dew-point temperature for selected urban areas (approximately 850,000 population) in the United States are statistically analyzed to determine their correlation with daily number of building fires. The frequency of urban building fires is found to be significantly correlated with...

Multimedia Instructional Tools and Student Learning in an Integrated Business Applications Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wells, Sandra H.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative descriptive comparative study was to investigate and explore the usage of multimedia instructional tools (MMITs) in an integrated business applications course to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in the gain scores between the pretest and posttest scores of high school students who used…

Participatory Equity and Student Outcomes in Living-Learning Programs of Differing Thematic Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soldner, Matthew Edward

2011-01-01

This study evaluated participatory equity in varying thematic types of living-learning programs and, for a subset of student group x program type combinations found to be below equity, used latent mean modeling to determine whether statistically significant mean differences existed between the outcome scores of living-learning participants and…

Student Engagement Theory: A Comparison of Jesuit, Catholic, and Christian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williamson, Robin Marie

2010-01-01

This research study analyzed the results of the Jesuit Universities Consortium in comparison with the results of the Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Council for Christian Colleges Consortia as measured by the 2005 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in order to determine and identify any statistically significant differences…

The Influence of Ability Grouping on Math Achievement in a Rural Middle School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pritchard, Robert R.

2012-01-01

The researcher examined the academic performance of low-tracked students (n = 156) using standardized math test scores to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in achievement depending on academic environment, tracked or nontracked. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was calculated, using a paired samples t-test for a…

Locus of Internship Management: Does It Matter?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elrod, Henry; Scott, Jeannie; Tiggeman, Theresa

2012-01-01

This internship study was designed to help determine the effect of different management styles and structures, by studying two programs. One, housed in the MS in Accounting program, and the other housed in the Business Internship Director's office, produced statistically different results at the 5% level of significance, in intern's site ratings,…

EFFECTS OF BURN RATE, WOOD SPECIES, MOISTURE CONTENT AND WEIGHT OF WOOD LOADED ON WOODSTOVE EMISSIONS

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of tests of four woodstove operating parameters (burn rate, wood moisture, wood load, and wood species) at two levels each using a half factorial experimental test design to determine statistically significant effects on the emission components CO, CO2, p...

Teacher Morale and Job Satisfaction in the State of New Jersey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bagolie, Rosaura

2012-01-01

This study explored factors that affect teacher morale and job satisfaction in New Jersey's reform environment. This study was conducted to determine if a statistically significant correlation exists between teacher morale and job satisfaction in the state of New Jersey and whether the proposed reforms to pension, benefits, and tenure have…

Student Attitudes to Learning Business Statistics: Comparison of Online and Traditional Methods

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suanpang, Pannee; Petocz, Peter; Kalceff, Walter

2004-01-01

Worldwide, electronic learning (E-learning) has become an important part of the education agenda in the last decade. The Suan Dusit Rajabhat University (SDRU), Thailand has made significant efforts recently to use Internet technologies to enhance learning opportunities. The results reported here are part of a pioneering study to determine the…

Multicultural Competence of Student Affairs Administrators at Member Institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Paul Lawrence

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if statistically significant relationships existed between multicultural competence and a series of independent variables among select student affairs administrators at member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Specifically, this study sought to examine personal and…

Information Measures for Statistical Orbit Determination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mashiku, Alinda K.

2013-01-01

The current Situational Space Awareness (SSA) is faced with a huge task of tracking the increasing number of space objects. The tracking of space objects requires frequent and accurate monitoring for orbit maintenance and collision avoidance using methods for statistical orbit determination. Statistical orbit determination enables us to obtain…

Statistical Analysis of the AIAA Drag Prediction Workshop CFD Solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, Joseph H.; Hemsch, Michael J.

2007-01-01

The first AIAA Drag Prediction Workshop (DPW), held in June 2001, evaluated the results from an extensive N-version test of a collection of Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes CFD codes. The code-to-code scatter was more than an order of magnitude larger than desired for design and experimental validation of cruise conditions for a subsonic transport configuration. The second AIAA Drag Prediction Workshop, held in June 2003, emphasized the determination of installed pylon-nacelle drag increments and grid refinement studies. The code-to-code scatter was significantly reduced compared to the first DPW, but still larger than desired. However, grid refinement studies showed no significant improvement in code-to-code scatter with increasing grid refinement. The third AIAA Drag Prediction Workshop, held in June 2006, focused on the determination of installed side-of-body fairing drag increments and grid refinement studies for clean attached flow on wing alone configurations and for separated flow on the DLR-F6 subsonic transport model. This report compares the transonic cruise prediction results of the second and third workshops using statistical analysis.

Risk-based Methodology for Validation of Pharmaceutical Batch Processes.

PubMed

Wiles, Frederick

2013-01-01

In January 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published new process validation guidance for pharmaceutical processes. The new guidance debunks the long-held industry notion that three consecutive validation batches or runs are all that are required to demonstrate that a process is operating in a validated state. Instead, the new guidance now emphasizes that the level of monitoring and testing performed during process performance qualification (PPQ) studies must be sufficient to demonstrate statistical confidence both within and between batches. In some cases, three qualification runs may not be enough. Nearly two years after the guidance was first published, little has been written defining a statistical methodology for determining the number of samples and qualification runs required to satisfy Stage 2 requirements of the new guidance. This article proposes using a combination of risk assessment, control charting, and capability statistics to define the monitoring and testing scheme required to show that a pharmaceutical batch process is operating in a validated state. In this methodology, an assessment of process risk is performed through application of a process failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (PFMECA). The output of PFMECA is used to select appropriate levels of statistical confidence and coverage which, in turn, are used in capability calculations to determine when significant Stage 2 (PPQ) milestones have been met. The achievement of Stage 2 milestones signals the release of batches for commercial distribution and the reduction of monitoring and testing to commercial production levels. Individuals, moving range, and range/sigma charts are used in conjunction with capability statistics to demonstrate that the commercial process is operating in a state of statistical control. The new process validation guidance published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January of 2011 indicates that the number of process validation batches or runs required to demonstrate that a pharmaceutical process is operating in a validated state should be based on sound statistical principles. The old rule of "three consecutive batches and you're done" is no longer sufficient. The guidance, however, does not provide any specific methodology for determining the number of runs required, and little has been published to augment this shortcoming. The paper titled "Risk-based Methodology for Validation of Pharmaceutical Batch Processes" describes a statistically sound methodology for determining when a statistically valid number of validation runs has been acquired based on risk assessment and calculation of process capability.

77 FR 65585 - Renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-29

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data..., the Secretary of Labor has determined that the renewal of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users... duties imposed upon the Commissioner of Labor Statistics by 29 U.S.C. 1 and 2. This determination follows...

Organizational citizenship behavior and work experience.

PubMed

Kegans, Loyd; McCamey, Randy B; Hammond, Honor

2012-01-01

The authors compared the relationship of elements of the Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) and years of work experience of registered nurses in the state of Texas. Work experience research has shown a relationship between OCB and work experience through mediating roles of various work related characteristics does exist. Work experience is described as the overall length of time in an occupation or workforce. Civic virtue was the only element of organizational citizenship behavior to have a statistically significant correlation with years of work experience in this study. Other elements were found to have no statistically significant correlation with years of work experience. Further research should be undertaken to determine if correlations between these two constructs holds up when the population under study is further refined by job classification, such as management and staff, or industry segment.

Predictors of surgeons' efficiency in the operating rooms.

PubMed

Nakata, Yoshinori; Watanabe, Yuichi; Narimatsu, Hiroto; Yoshimura, Tatsuya; Otake, Hiroshi; Sawa, Tomohiro

2017-02-01

The sustainability of the Japanese healthcare system is questionable because of a huge fiscal debt. One of the solutions is to improve the efficiency of healthcare. The purpose of this study is to determine what factors are predictive of surgeons' efficiency scores. The authors collected data from all the surgical procedures performed at Teikyo University Hospital from April 1 through September 30 in 2013-2015. Output-oriented Charnes-Cooper-Rhodes model of data envelopment analysis was employed to calculate each surgeon's efficiency score. Seven independent variables that may predict their efficiency scores were selected: experience, medical school, surgical volume, gender, academic rank, surgical specialty, and the surgical fee schedule. Multiple regression analysis using random-effects Tobit model was used for our panel data. The data from total 8722 surgical cases were obtained in 18-month study period. The authors analyzed 134 surgeons. The only statistically significant coefficients were surgical specialty and surgical fee schedule (p = 0.000 and p = 0.016, respectively). Experience had some positive association with efficiency scores but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062). The other coefficients were not statistically significant. These results demonstrated that the surgical reimbursement system, not surgeons' personal characteristics, is a significant predictor of surgeons' efficiency.

Shear Bond Strengths and Morphological Evaluation of Filled and Unfilled Adhesive Interfaces to Enamel and Dentine

PubMed Central

Mortazavi, Vajihesadat; Fathi, Mohammadhosein; Ataei, Ebrahim; Khodaeian, Niloufar; Askari, Navid

2012-01-01

In this laboratory study shear bond strengths of three filled and one unfilled adhesive systems to enamel and dentine were compared. Forty-eight extracted intact noncarious human mandibular molars were randomly assigned to two groups of 24 one for bonding to enamel and the other for bonding to dentine. Buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth were randomly assigned for application of each one of filled (Prime & Bond NT (PBNT), Optibond Solo Plus (OBSP), and Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB)) and unfilled (Single Bond (SB)) adhesive systems (n = 12). A universal resin composite was placed into the translucent plastic cylinders (3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in length) and seated against the enamel and dentine surfaces and polymerized for 40 seconds. Shear bond strength was determined using a universal testing machine, and the results were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, t-test, and Tukey HSD post hoc test with a 5% level of significance.There were no statistically significant differences in bond strength between the adhesive systems in enamel, but CSEB and SB exhibited significantly higher and lower bond strength to dentine, respectively, than the other tested adhesive systems while there were no statistically significant differences between PBNT and OBSP. PMID:23209471

Novel spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous determination of timolol and dorzolamide in their binary mixture.

PubMed

Lotfy, Hayam Mahmoud; Hegazy, Maha A; Rezk, Mamdouh R; Omran, Yasmin Rostom

2014-05-21

Two smart and novel spectrophotometric methods namely; absorbance subtraction (AS) and amplitude modulation (AM) were developed and validated for the determination of a binary mixture of timolol maleate (TIM) and dorzolamide hydrochloride (DOR) in presence of benzalkonium chloride without prior separation, using unified regression equation. Additionally, simple, specific, accurate and precise spectrophotometric methods manipulating ratio spectra were developed and validated for simultaneous determination of the binary mixture namely; simultaneous ratio subtraction (SRS), ratio difference (RD), ratio subtraction (RS) coupled with extended ratio subtraction (EXRS), constant multiplication method (CM) and mean centering of ratio spectra (MCR). The proposed spectrophotometric procedures do not require any separation steps. Accuracy, precision and linearity ranges of the proposed methods were determined and the specificity was assessed by analyzing synthetic mixtures of both drugs. They were applied to their pharmaceutical formulation and the results obtained were statistically compared to that of a reported spectrophotometric method. The statistical comparison showed that there is no significant difference between the proposed methods and the reported one regarding both accuracy and precision. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Compressor seal rub energetics study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laverty, W. F.

1978-01-01

The rub mechanics of compressor abradable blade tip seals at simulated engine conditions were investigated. Twelve statistically planned, instrumented rub tests were conducted with titanium blades and Feltmetal fibermetal rubstrips. The tests were conducted with single stationary blades rubbing against seal material bonded to rotating test disks. The instantaneous rub torque, speed, incursion rate and blade temperatures were continuously measured and recorded. Basic rub parameters (incursion rate, rub depth, abradable density, blade thickness and rub velocity) were varied to determine the effects on rub energy and heat split between the blade, rubstrip surface and rub debris. The test data was reduced, energies were determined and statistical analyses were completed to determine the primary and interactive effects. Wear surface morphology, profile measurements and metallographic analysis were used to determine wear, glazing, melting and material transfer. The rub energies for these tests were most significantly affected by the incursion rate while rub velocity and blade thickness were of secondary importance. The ratios of blade wear to seal wear were representative of those experienced in engine operation of these seal system materials.

Statistical Analysis of the Polarimetric Cloud Analysis and Seeding Test (POLCAST) Field Projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekness, Jamie Lynn

The North Dakota farming industry brings in more than $4.1 billion annually in cash receipts. Unfortunately, agriculture sales vary significantly from year to year, which is due in large part to weather events such as hail storms and droughts. One method to mitigate drought is to use hygroscopic seeding to increase the precipitation efficiency of clouds. The North Dakota Atmospheric Research Board (NDARB) sponsored the Polarimetric Cloud Analysis and Seeding Test (POLCAST) research project to determine the effectiveness of hygroscopic seeding in North Dakota. The POLCAST field projects obtained airborne and radar observations, while conducting randomized cloud seeding. The Thunderstorm Identification Tracking and Nowcasting (TITAN) program is used to analyze radar data (33 usable cases) in determining differences in the duration of the storm, rain rate and total rain amount between seeded and non-seeded clouds. The single ratio of seeded to non-seeded cases is 1.56 (0.28 mm/0.18 mm) or 56% increase for the average hourly rainfall during the first 60 minutes after target selection. A seeding effect is indicated with the lifetime of the storms increasing by 41 % between seeded and non-seeded clouds for the first 60 minutes past seeding decision. A double ratio statistic, a comparison of radar derived rain amount of the last 40 minutes of a case (seed/non-seed), compared to the first 20 minutes (seed/non-seed), is used to account for the natural variability of the cloud system and gives a double ratio of 1.85. The Mann-Whitney test on the double ratio of seeded to non-seeded cases (33 cases) gives a significance (p-value) of 0.063. Bootstrapping analysis of the POLCAST set indicates that 50 cases would provide statistically significant results based on the Mann-Whitney test of the double ratio. All the statistical analysis conducted on the POLCAST data set show that hygroscopic seeding in North Dakota does increase precipitation. While an additional POLCAST field project would be necessary to obtain standardly accepted statistically significant results (p < 0.5) for the double ratio of precipitation amount, the obtained p-value of 0.063 is close and considering the positive result from other hygroscopic seeding experiments, the North Dakota Cloud Modification Project should consider implementation of hygroscopic seeding.

Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on symptomatic adults with chronic neck pain with and without headache

PubMed Central

Erfanian, Parham; Tenzif, Siamak; Guerriero, Rocco C

2004-01-01

Objective To determine the effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on symptomatic adults with chronic neck pain (with and without headache) during a four week study. Design A randomized controlled trial. Sample size Thirty-six adults were recruited for the trial, and randomly assigned to experimental or non-experimental groups of 17 and 19 participants respectively. Subjects Adults with chronic biomechanical neck pain who were recruited from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) Walk-in Clinic. Outcome measures Subjective findings were assessed using a mail-in self-report daily pain diary, and the CMCC Neck Disability Index (NDI). Statistical analysis Using repeated measure analysis of variance weekly NDI scores, average weekly AM and PM pain scores between the experimental and non-experimental groups were compared throughout the study. Results The experimental group had statistically significant lower NDI scores (p < 0.05) than the non-experimental group. The average weekly AM scores were lower and statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. The PM scores in the experimental group were lower but not statistically significant than the other group. Conclusions The study results show that compared to conventional pillows, this experimental semi-customized cervical pillow was effective in reducing low-level neck pain intensity, especially in the morning following its use in a 4 week long study. PMID:17549216

Method of analysis of local neuronal circuits in the vertebrate central nervous system.

PubMed

Reinis, S; Weiss, D S; McGaraughty, S; Tsoukatos, J

1992-06-01

Although a considerable amount of knowledge has been accumulated about the activity of individual nerve cells in the brain, little is known about their mutual interactions at the local level. The method presented in this paper allows the reconstruction of functional relations within a group of neurons as recorded by a single microelectrode. Data are sampled at 10 or 13 kHz. Prominent spikes produced by one or more single cells are selected and sorted by K-means cluster analysis. The activities of single cells are then related to the background firing of neurons in their vicinity. Auto-correlograms of the leading cells, auto-correlograms of the background cells (mass correlograms) and cross-correlograms between these two levels of firing are computed and evaluated. The statistical probability of mutual interactions is determined, and the statistically significant, most common interspike intervals are stored and attributed to real pairs of spikes in the original record. Selected pairs of spikes, characterized by statistically significant intervals between them, are then assembled into a working model of the system. This method has revealed substantial differences between the information processing in the visual cortex, the inferior colliculus, the rostral ventromedial medulla and the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus. Even short 1-s records of the multiple neuronal activity may provide meaningful and statistically significant results.

The Influence of 16-year-old Students' Gender, Mental Abilities, and Motivation on their Reading and Drawing Submicrorepresentations Achievements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devetak, Iztok; Aleksij Glažar, Saša

2010-08-01

Submicrorepresentations (SMRs) are a powerful tool for identifying misconceptions of chemical concepts and for generating proper mental models of chemical phenomena in students' long-term memory during chemical education. The main purpose of the study was to determine which independent variables (gender, formal reasoning abilities, visualization abilities, and intrinsic motivation for learning chemistry) have the maximum influence on students' reading and drawing SMRs. A total of 386 secondary school students (aged 16.3 years) participated in the study. The instruments used in the study were: test of Chemical Knowledge, Test of Logical Thinking, two tests of visualization abilities Patterns and Rotations, and questionnaire on Intrinsic Motivation for Learning Science. The results show moderate, but statistically significant correlations between students' intrinsic motivation, formal reasoning abilities and chemical knowledge at submicroscopic level based on reading and drawing SMRs. Visualization abilities are not statistically significantly correlated with students' success on items that comprise reading or drawing SMRs. It can be also concluded that there is a statistically significant difference between male and female students in solving problems that include reading or drawing SMRs. Based on these statistical results and content analysis of the sample problems, several educational strategies can be implemented for students to develop adequate mental models of chemical concepts on all three levels of representations.

Comparing problem-based learning and lecture as methods to teach whole-systems design to engineering students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dukes, Michael Dickey

The objective of this research is to compare problem-based learning and lecture as methods to teach whole-systems design to engineering students. A case study, Appendix A, exemplifying successful whole-systems design was developed and written by the author in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute. Concepts to be tested were then determined, and a questionnaire was developed to test students' preconceptions. A control group of students was taught using traditional lecture methods, and a sample group of students was taught using problem-based learning methods. After several weeks, the students were given the same questionnaire as prior to the instruction, and the data was analyzed to determine if the teaching methods were effective in correcting misconceptions. A statistically significant change in the students' preconceptions was observed in both groups on the topic of cost related to the design process. There was no statistically significant change in the students' preconceptions concerning the design process, technical ability within five years, and the possibility of drastic efficiency gains with current technologies. However, the results were inconclusive in determining that problem-based learning is more effective than lecture as a method for teaching the concept of whole-systems design, or vice versa.

Enhancing the Career Planning Self-Determination of Young Adults with Mental Health Challenges.

PubMed

Sowers, Jo-Ann; Swank, Paul

2017-01-01

The impact of an intervention on the self-determination and career planning engagement of young adults with mental health challenges was studied. Sixty-seven young adults, 20 to 30 years of age, with mental health diagnoses (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Statistically significant greater increases were made by the intervention group versus the control group for self-determination and career planning engagement, and self-determination at least partially mediated increases in career planning engagement. With career planning self-determination interventions, young adults with mental health challenges might be able to achieve better career and life outcomes than is typical for this population.

HLA-A and -B phenotypes associated with tuberculosis in population from north-eastern Romania.

PubMed

Vasilca, Venera; Oana, Raluca; Munteanu, Dorina; Zugun, F; Constantinescu, Daniela; Carasevici, E

2004-01-01

HLA antigens are involved in inducing either susceptibility or resistance to different diseases. Many studies reported various associations between HLA antigens and tuberculosis, depending on race, ethnic group and geographic area. Our purpose was to identify HLA class I antigens inducing susceptibility to tuberculosis in population from North-Eastern Romania. The study group consisted of 50 tuberculosis patients and the control group included 90 healthy people. HLA-A and HLA-B antigens were determined using the CDC-NIH (complement-dependent-cytotoxicity-National Institute of Health) assay. A comparison was made between the frequency of HLA antigens expression in the two studied groups. HLA-B18 and HLA-A29(19) were expressed more frequently in tuberculosis patients. The difference was statistically significant only for HLA-B18 antigen. HLA-B7 and -B61(40) antigens were expressed with statistically significant higher frequency in controls compared to tuberculosis patients. The frequency of other HLA-A and HLA-B antigens was either comparable in the two groups or without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS We found a positive association between HLA-B18 antigen and tuberculosis, while HLA-B7 and HLA-B61(40) antigens seem to protect against the disease.

Cognitive Stimulation of Elderly Residents in Social Protection Centers in Cartagena, 2014.

PubMed

Melguizo Herrera, Estela; Bertel De La Hoz, Anyel; Paternina Osorio, Diego; Felfle Fuentes, Yurani; Porto Osorio, Leidy

To determine the effectiveness of a program of cognitive stimulation of the elderly residents in Social Protection Centers in Cartagena, 2014. Quasi-experimental study with pre and post tests in control and experimental groups. A sample of 37 elderly residents in Social Protection Centers participated: 23 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group. A survey and a mental evaluation test (Pfeiffer) were applied. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of cognitive stimulation. The paired t-test showed statistically significant differences in the Pfeiffer test, pre and post intervention, compared to the experimental group (P=.0005). The unpaired t-test showed statistically significant differences in Pfeiffer test results to the experimental and control groups (P=.0450). The analysis of the main components showed that more interrelated variables were: age, diseases, number of errors and test results; which were grouped around the disease variable, with a negative association. The intervention demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in cognitive functionality of the elderly. Nursing can lead this type of intervention. It should be studied further to strengthen and clarify these results. Copyright © 2016 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Dermatoglyphic features in patients with multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Sabanciogullari, Vedat; Cevik, Seyda; Karacan, Kezban; Bolayir, Ertugrul; Cimen, Mehmet

2014-01-01

Objective: To examine dermatoglyphic features to clarify implicated genetic predisposition in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The study was conducted between January and December 2013 in the Departments of Anatomy, and Neurology, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey. The dermatoglyphic data of 61 patients, and a control group consisting of 62 healthy adults obtained with a digital scanner were transferred to a computer environment. The ImageJ program was used, and atd, dat, adt angles, a-b ridge count, sample types of all fingers, and ridge counts were calculated. Results: In both hands of the patients with MS, the a-b ridge count and ridge counts in all fingers increased, and the differences in these values were statistically significant. There was also a statistically significant increase in the dat angle in both hands of the MS patients. On the contrary, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of dermal ridge samples, and the most frequent sample in both groups was the ulnar loop. Conclusions: Aberrations in the distribution of dermatoglyphic samples support the genetic predisposition in MS etiology. Multiple sclerosis susceptible individuals may be determined by analyzing dermatoglyphic samples. PMID:25274586

Inactivation disinfection property of Moringa Oleifera seed extract: optimization and kinetic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idris, M. A.; Jami, M. S.; Hammed, A. M.

2017-05-01

This paper presents the statistical optimization study of disinfection inactivation parameters of defatted Moringa oleifera seed extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial cells. Three level factorial design was used to estimate the optimum range and the kinetics of the inactivation process was also carried. The inactivation process involved comparing different disinfection models of Chicks-Watson, Collins-Selleck and Homs models. The results from analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the statistical optimization process revealed that only contact time was significant. The optimum disinfection range of the seed extract was 125 mg/L, 30 minutes and 120rpm agitation. At the optimum dose, the inactivation kinetics followed the Collin-Selleck model with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.6320. This study is the first of its kind in determining the inactivation kinetics of pseudomonas aeruginosa using the defatted seed extract.

Characterizing chaotic melodies in automatic music composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coca, Andrés E.; Tost, Gerard O.; Zhao, Liang

2010-09-01

In this paper, we initially present an algorithm for automatic composition of melodies using chaotic dynamical systems. Afterward, we characterize chaotic music in a comprehensive way as comprising three perspectives: musical discrimination, dynamical influence on musical features, and musical perception. With respect to the first perspective, the coherence between generated chaotic melodies (continuous as well as discrete chaotic melodies) and a set of classical reference melodies is characterized by statistical descriptors and melodic measures. The significant differences among the three types of melodies are determined by discriminant analysis. Regarding the second perspective, the influence of dynamical features of chaotic attractors, e.g., Lyapunov exponent, Hurst coefficient, and correlation dimension, on melodic features is determined by canonical correlation analysis. The last perspective is related to perception of originality, complexity, and degree of melodiousness (Euler's gradus suavitatis) of chaotic and classical melodies by nonparametric statistical tests.

Determination of breath alcohol value after using mouthwashes containing ethanol in healthy young adults.

PubMed

Foglio-Bonda, P L; Poggia, F; Foglio-Bonda, A; Mantovani, C; Pattarino, F; Giglietta, A

2015-01-01

To evaluate breath alcohol value and blood alcohol concentration after using mouthwashes containing ethanol in a panel of healthy young adults. To determine zeroing time of these values and if subjects' body mass index or gender influenced it. Breathalyzer test is a practice performed to detect alcohol-impaired-drivers that can be penalized. Sometimes Italian judges revoke the penalty justifying that the presence of residual ethanol in the oral cavity can cause false positive values. Our study involved 40 young adult volunteers; the cohort was composed of University students aged between 21 and 30 years. They underwent a medical examination to evaluate BMI. We selected four alcoholic mouthwashes available on the market with a different ethanol amount and an ethanol/ water (10/90) mixture as a reference. Breath alcohol concentration values were collected using a portable breathalyzer immediately after the rinse (T0), after 10 and 20 minutes (T10 and T20). We evaluated blood alcohol concentration 5 minutes after the rinse. All T10 values are lower than 0.5 g/L (Italian BAC driving limit). Differences between average values at T0-T10 are statistically significant (p < 0.05). Correlations between BAV and BMI are not statistically significant respectively at T0 (A: p = 0.54. B: p = 0.96. C: p = 0.93. D: p = 0.53) and T10 (A: p = 0.42. C: p = 0.99. D: p = 0.66). Differences between male and female groups aren't statistically significant (A: p = 0.49; B: p = 0.79; C: p = 0.97; D: p = 0.06). High BAV values determined at T-0 are a consequence of residual ethanol present in the oral cavity, the zeroing time of these ones (oppure thereof) is very swift. Our study shows that rinsing with an alcoholic mouthwash before undergoing the breathalyzer test does not realistically influence the result.

Bayesian estimation of the transmissivity spatial structure from pumping test data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demir, Mehmet Taner; Copty, Nadim K.; Trinchero, Paolo; Sanchez-Vila, Xavier

2017-06-01

Estimating the statistical parameters (mean, variance, and integral scale) that define the spatial structure of the transmissivity or hydraulic conductivity fields is a fundamental step for the accurate prediction of subsurface flow and contaminant transport. In practice, the determination of the spatial structure is a challenge because of spatial heterogeneity and data scarcity. In this paper, we describe a novel approach that uses time drawdown data from multiple pumping tests to determine the transmissivity statistical spatial structure. The method builds on the pumping test interpretation procedure of Copty et al. (2011) (Continuous Derivation method, CD), which uses the time-drawdown data and its time derivative to estimate apparent transmissivity values as a function of radial distance from the pumping well. A Bayesian approach is then used to infer the statistical parameters of the transmissivity field by combining prior information about the parameters and the likelihood function expressed in terms of radially-dependent apparent transmissivities determined from pumping tests. A major advantage of the proposed Bayesian approach is that the likelihood function is readily determined from randomly generated multiple realizations of the transmissivity field, without the need to solve the groundwater flow equation. Applying the method to synthetically-generated pumping test data, we demonstrate that, through a relatively simple procedure, information on the spatial structure of the transmissivity may be inferred from pumping tests data. It is also shown that the prior parameter distribution has a significant influence on the estimation procedure, given the non-uniqueness of the estimation procedure. Results also indicate that the reliability of the estimated transmissivity statistical parameters increases with the number of available pumping tests.

The relationship between chiropractor required and current level of business knowledge.

PubMed

Ciolfi, Michael Anthony; Kasen, Patsy Anne

2017-01-01

Chiropractors frequently practice within health care systems requiring the business acumen of an entrepreneur. However, some chiropractors do not know the relationship between the level of business knowledge required for practice success and their current level of business knowledge. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between chiropractors' perceived level of business knowledge required and their perceived level of current business knowledge. Two hundred and seventy-four participants completed an online survey (Health Care Training and Education Needs Survey) which included eight key business items. Participants rated the level of perceived business knowledge required (Part I) and their current perceived level of knowledge (Part II) for the same eight items. Data was collected from November 27, 2013 to December 18, 2013. Data were analyzed using Spearman's ranked correlation to determine the statistically significant relationships for the perceived level of knowledge required and the perceived current level of knowledge for each of the paired eight items from Parts I and II of the survey. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were performed to determine the statistical difference between the paired items. The results of Spearman's correlation testing indicated a statistically significant ( p < 0.01) positive correlation for the perceived level of knowledge required and perceived current level of knowledge for six variables: (a) organizational behavior, (b) strategic management, (c) marketing, (d) legal and ethical, (e) managerial decisions, and (f) operations. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks testing indicated a significant difference for three paired items: strategic management; marketing and; legal and ethical. The results suggest that relationships exist for the majority of business items (6 of 8) however a statistically difference was demonstrated in only three of the paired business items. The implications of this study for social change include the potential to improve chiropractors' business knowledge and skills, enable practice success, enhance health services delivery and positively influence the profession as a viable career.

The sumLINK statistic for genetic linkage analysis in the presence of heterogeneity.

PubMed

Christensen, G B; Knight, S; Camp, N J

2009-11-01

We present the "sumLINK" statistic--the sum of multipoint LOD scores for the subset of pedigrees with nominally significant linkage evidence at a given locus--as an alternative to common methods to identify susceptibility loci in the presence of heterogeneity. We also suggest the "sumLOD" statistic (the sum of positive multipoint LOD scores) as a companion to the sumLINK. sumLINK analysis identifies genetic regions of extreme consistency across pedigrees without regard to negative evidence from unlinked or uninformative pedigrees. Significance is determined by an innovative permutation procedure based on genome shuffling that randomizes linkage information across pedigrees. This procedure for generating the empirical null distribution may be useful for other linkage-based statistics as well. Using 500 genome-wide analyses of simulated null data, we show that the genome shuffling procedure results in the correct type 1 error rates for both the sumLINK and sumLOD. The power of the statistics was tested using 100 sets of simulated genome-wide data from the alternative hypothesis from GAW13. Finally, we illustrate the statistics in an analysis of 190 aggressive prostate cancer pedigrees from the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics, where we identified a new susceptibility locus. We propose that the sumLINK and sumLOD are ideal for collaborative projects and meta-analyses, as they do not require any sharing of identifiable data between contributing institutions. Further, loci identified with the sumLINK have good potential for gene localization via statistical recombinant mapping, as, by definition, several linked pedigrees contribute to each peak.

Estimating Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930-2002 in West Virginia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wiley, Jeffrey B.

2008-01-01

Regional equations and procedures were developed for estimating 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day 2-year; 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day 5-year; and 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day 10-year hydrologically based low-flow frequency values for unregulated streams in West Virginia. Regional equations and procedures also were developed for estimating the 1-day, 3-year and 4-day, 3-year biologically based low-flow frequency values; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency harmonic-mean flows; and the 10-, 25-, 50-, 75-, and 90-percent flow-duration values. Regional equations were developed using ordinary least-squares regression using statistics from 117 U.S. Geological Survey continuous streamflow-gaging stations as dependent variables and basin characteristics as independent variables. Equations for three regions in West Virginia - North, South-Central, and Eastern Panhandle - were determined. Drainage area, precipitation, and longitude of the basin centroid are significant independent variables in one or more of the equations. Estimating procedures are presented for determining statistics at a gaging station, a partial-record station, and an ungaged location. Examples of some estimating procedures are presented.

Statistically derived factors of varied importance to audiologists when making a hearing aid brand preference decision.

PubMed

Johnson, Earl E; Mueller, H Gustav; Ricketts, Todd A

2009-01-01

To determine the amount of importance audiologists place on various items related to their selection of a preferred hearing aid brand manufacturer. Three hundred forty-three hearing aid-dispensing audiologists rated a total of 32 randomized items by survey methodology. Principle component analysis identified seven orthogonal statistical factors of importance. In rank order, these factors were Aptitude of the Brand, Image, Cost, Sales and Speed of Delivery, Exposure, Colleague Recommendations, and Contracts and Incentives. While it was hypothesized that differences among audiologists in the importance ratings of these factors would dictate their preference for a given brand, that was not our finding. Specifically, mean ratings for the six most important factors did not differ among audiologists preferring different brands. A statistically significant difference among audiologists preferring different brands was present, however, for one factor: Contracts and Incentives. Its assigned importance, though, was always lower than that for the other six factors. Although most audiologists have a preferred hearing aid brand, differences in the perceived importance of common factors attributed to brands do not largely determine preference for a particular brand.

Automated thematic mapping and change detection of ERTS-A images. [digital interpretation of Arizona imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gramenopoulos, N. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. For the recognition of terrain types, spatial signatures are developed from the diffraction patterns of small areas of ERTS-1 images. This knowledge is exploited for the measurements of a small number of meaningful spatial features from the digital Fourier transforms of ERTS-1 image cells containing 32 x 32 picture elements. Using these spatial features and a heuristic algorithm, the terrain types in the vicinity of Phoenix, Arizona were recognized by the computer with a high accuracy. Then, the spatial features were combined with spectral features and using the maximum likelihood criterion the recognition accuracy of terrain types increased substantially. It was determined that the recognition accuracy with the maximum likelihood criterion depends on the statistics of the feature vectors. Nonlinear transformations of the feature vectors are required so that the terrain class statistics become approximately Gaussian. It was also determined that for a given geographic area the statistics of the classes remain invariable for a period of a month but vary substantially between seasons.

Statistical Determination of the Gating Windows for Respiratory-Gated Radiotherapy Using a Visible Guiding System.

PubMed

Oh, Se An; Yea, Ji Woon; Kim, Sung Kyu

2016-01-01

Respiratory-gated radiation therapy (RGRT) is used to minimize the radiation dose to normal tissue in lung-cancer patients. Although determining the gating window in the respiratory phase of patients is important in RGRT, it is not easy. Our aim was to determine the optimal gating window when using a visible guiding system for RGRT. Between April and October 2014, the breathing signals of 23 lung-cancer patients were recorded with a real-time position management (RPM) respiratory gating system (Varian, USA). We performed statistical analysis with breathing signals to find the optimal gating window for guided breathing in RGRT. When we compared breathing signals before and after the breathing training, 19 of the 23 patients showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The standard deviation of the respiration signals after breathing training was lowest for phases of 30%-70%. The results showed that the optimal gating window in RGRT is 40% (30%-70%) with respect to repeatability for breathing after respiration training with the visible guiding system. RGRT was performed with the RPM system to confirm the usefulness of the visible guiding system. The RPM system and our visible guiding system improve the respiratory regularity, which in turn should improve the accuracy and efficiency of RGRT.

Memory and Trend of Precipitation in China during 1966-2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, M.; Sun, F.; Liu, W.

2017-12-01

As climate change has had a significant impact on water cycle, the characteristic and variation of precipitation under climate change turned into a hotspot in hydrology. This study aims to analyze the trend and memory (both short-term and long-term) of precipitation in China. To do that, we apply statistical tests (including Mann-Kendall test, Ljung-Box test and Hurst exponent) to annual precipitation (P), frequency of rainy day (λ) and mean daily rainfall in days when precipitation occurs (α) in China (1966-2013). We also use a resampling approach to determine the field significance. From there, we evaluate the spatial distribution and percentages of stations with significant memory or trend. We find that the percentages of significant downtrends for λ and significant uptrends for α are significantly larger than the critical values at 95% field significance level, probably caused by the global warming. From these results, we conclude that extra care is necessary when significant results are obtained using statistical tests. This is because the null hypothesis could be rejected by chance and this situation is more likely to occur if spatial correlation is ignored according to the results of the resampling approach.

The determination of antibody to Streptococcus mutans serotypes in saliva for children ages 3 to 7 years.

PubMed

Everhart, D L; Rothenberg, K; Carter, W H; Klapper, B

1978-04-01

The saliva of 29 children ages 3 to 7 years was followed by indirect immunoflourescence to determine the antibody reacting with the 5 different serotypes of S mutans. Fluorescent antisera specific for alpha chain and gamma chain were used. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrated a significant negative correlation between antibody of immunoglobin class (IgA) to S mutans type b and the decayed, extracted and filled surfaces of deciduous teeth.

XCOM intrinsic dimensionality for low-Z elements at diagnostic energies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bornefalk, Hans

2012-02-15

Purpose: To determine the intrinsic dimensionality of linear attenuation coefficients (LACs) from XCOM for elements with low atomic number (Z = 1-20) at diagnostic x-ray energies (25-120 keV). H{sub 0}{sup q}, the hypothesis that the space of LACs is spanned by q bases, is tested for various q-values. Methods: Principal component analysis is first applied and the LACs are projected onto the first q principal component bases. The residuals of the model values vs XCOM data are determined for all energies and atomic numbers. Heteroscedasticity invalidates the prerequisite of i.i.d. errors necessary for bootstrapping residuals. Instead wild bootstrap is applied,more » which, by not mixing residuals, allows the effect of the non-i.i.d residuals to be reflected in the result. Credible regions for the eigenvalues of the correlation matrix for the bootstrapped LAC data are determined. If subsequent credible regions for the eigenvalues overlap, the corresponding principal component is not considered to represent true data structure but noise. If this happens for eigenvalues l and l + 1, for any l{<=}q, H{sub 0}{sup q} is rejected. Results: The largest value of q for which H{sub 0}{sup q} is nonrejectable at the 5%-level is q = 4. This indicates that the statistically significant intrinsic dimensionality of low-Z XCOM data at diagnostic energies is four. Conclusions: The method presented allows determination of the statistically significant dimensionality of any noisy linear subspace. Knowledge of such significant dimensionality is of interest for any method making assumptions on intrinsic dimensionality and evaluating results on noisy reference data. For LACs, knowledge of the low-Z dimensionality might be relevant when parametrization schemes are tuned to XCOM data. For x-ray imaging techniques based on the basis decomposition method (Alvarez and Macovski, Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733-744, 1976), an underlying dimensionality of two is commonly assigned to the LAC of human tissue at diagnostic energies. The finding of a higher statistically significant dimensionality thus raises the question whether a higher assumed model dimensionality (now feasible with the advent of multibin x-ray systems) might also be practically relevant, i.e., if better tissue characterization results can be obtained.« less

Method for Real-Time Model Based Structural Anomaly Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Urnes, James M., Sr. (Inventor); Smith, Timothy A. (Inventor); Reichenbach, Eric Y. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A system and methods for real-time model based vehicle structural anomaly detection are disclosed. A real-time measurement corresponding to a location on a vehicle structure during an operation of the vehicle is received, and the real-time measurement is compared to expected operation data for the location to provide a modeling error signal. A statistical significance of the modeling error signal to provide an error significance is calculated, and a persistence of the error significance is determined. A structural anomaly is indicated, if the persistence exceeds a persistence threshold value.

Postoperative pain after foraminal enlargement in anterior teeth with necrosis and apical periodontitis: a prospective and randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Silva, Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal; Menaged, Karyne; Ajuz, Natasha; Monteiro, Maria Rachel Figueiredo Penalva; Coutinho-Filho, Tauby de Souza

2013-02-01

The aim of this randomized, controlled, prospective clinical study was to determine if foraminal enlargement instrumentation during endodontic treatment is associated with more postoperative pain compared with standard nonenlargement instrumentation. Forty volunteers with a single root canal were diagnosed with asymptomatic necrosis with apical periodontitis and randomized into 2 experimental groups (ie, the control group and the foraminal enlargement group). Endodontic treatment was performed in a single visit, and volunteers were instructed to record pain intensity (ie, none, slight, moderate, and severe). Scores from 1 to 4 were attributed to each kind of pain after 12, 24, and 48 hours. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Student's t tests were used to determine significant differences at P < .05. No statistically significant age difference was found between the groups (P > .05, Student's t test). Postoperative pain showed no statistically significant difference between the groups at any observation period (P > .05). Also, no significant difference was observed in the mean number of analgesic tablets used between the groups (P > .05). The foraminal enlargement and nonenlargement techniques resulted in the same postoperative pain and necessity for analgesic medication. This may suggest that the use of foraminal enlargement should be performed for endodontic treatment previsibility without increasing postoperative pain. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reliability of unstable periodic orbit based control strategies in biological systems.

PubMed

Mishra, Nagender; Hasse, Maria; Biswal, B; Singh, Harinder P

2015-04-01

Presence of recurrent and statistically significant unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) in time series obtained from biological systems is now routinely used as evidence for low dimensional chaos. Extracting accurate dynamical information from the detected UPO trajectories is vital for successful control strategies that either aim to stabilize the system near the fixed point or steer the system away from the periodic orbits. A hybrid UPO detection method from return maps that combines topological recurrence criterion, matrix fit algorithm, and stringent criterion for fixed point location gives accurate and statistically significant UPOs even in the presence of significant noise. Geometry of the return map, frequency of UPOs visiting the same trajectory, length of the data set, strength of the noise, and degree of nonstationarity affect the efficacy of the proposed method. Results suggest that establishing determinism from unambiguous UPO detection is often possible in short data sets with significant noise, but derived dynamical properties are rarely accurate and adequate for controlling the dynamics around these UPOs. A repeat chaos control experiment on epileptic hippocampal slices through more stringent control strategy and adaptive UPO tracking is reinterpreted in this context through simulation of similar control experiments on an analogous but stochastic computer model of epileptic brain slices. Reproduction of equivalent results suggests that far more stringent criteria are needed for linking apparent success of control in such experiments with possible determinism in the underlying dynamics.

Effect of Amblyopia Treatment on Macular Thickness in Eyes With Myopic Anisometropic Amblyopia.

PubMed

Pang, Yi; Frantz, Kelly A; Block, Sandra; Goodfellow, Geoffrey W; Allison, Christine

2015-04-01

To determine whether abnormal macular thickness in myopic anisometropic amblyopia differed after amblyopia treatment. Furthermore, to investigate whether effect of treatment on macular thickness was associated with subject age or improvement in stereoacuity. Seventeen children (mean age: 9.0 [±3.0] years, ranging from 5.7-13.9 years) with myopic anisometropic amblyopia (visual acuity [VA] in amblyopic eyes: 20/80-20/400) were recruited and treated with 16-week refractive correction, followed by an additional 16-week refractive correction and patching. Macular thickness, best-corrected VA, and stereoacuity were measured both before and after amblyopia treatment. Factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to determine whether macular thickness in amblyopic eyes changed after amblyopia treatment. Mean baseline VA in the amblyopic eye was 1.0 ± 0.3 logMAR and improved to 0.7 ± 0.3 after amblyopia treatment (P < 0.0001). The interaction between eye and amblyopia treatment was statistically significant for average foveal thickness (P = 0.040). There was no treatment effect on fellow eyes (P = 0.245); however, the average foveal thickness in the amblyopic eye was significantly reduced after amblyopia treatment (P = 0.049). No statistically significant interactions were found for the other macular thickness parameters (P > 0.05). Abnormal central macula associated with myopic anisometropic amblyopia tended to be thinner following amblyopia treatment with no significant changes in peripheral macular thickness.

Results of Propellant Mixing Variable Study Using Precise Pressure-Based Burn Rate Calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stefanski, Philip L.

2014-01-01

A designed experiment was conducted in which three mix processing variables (pre-curative addition mix temperature, pre-curative addition mixing time, and mixer speed) were varied to estimate their effects on within-mix propellant burn rate variability. The chosen discriminator for the experiment was the 2-inch diameter by 4-inch long (2x4) Center-Perforated (CP) ballistic evaluation motor. Motor nozzle throat diameters were sized to produce a common targeted chamber pressure. Initial data analysis did not show a statistically significant effect. Because propellant burn rate must be directly related to chamber pressure, a method was developed that showed statistically significant effects on chamber pressure (either maximum or average) by adjustments to the process settings. Burn rates were calculated from chamber pressures and these were then normalized to a common pressure for comparative purposes. The pressure-based method of burn rate determination showed significant reduction in error when compared to results obtained from the Brooks' modification of the propellant web-bisector burn rate determination method. Analysis of effects using burn rates calculated by the pressure-based method showed a significant correlation of within-mix burn rate dispersion to mixing duration and the quadratic of mixing duration. The findings were confirmed in a series of mixes that examined the effects of mixing time on burn rate variation, which yielded the same results.

Reliability of unstable periodic orbit based control strategies in biological systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Nagender; Hasse, Maria; Biswal, B.; Singh, Harinder P.

2015-04-01

Presence of recurrent and statistically significant unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) in time series obtained from biological systems is now routinely used as evidence for low dimensional chaos. Extracting accurate dynamical information from the detected UPO trajectories is vital for successful control strategies that either aim to stabilize the system near the fixed point or steer the system away from the periodic orbits. A hybrid UPO detection method from return maps that combines topological recurrence criterion, matrix fit algorithm, and stringent criterion for fixed point location gives accurate and statistically significant UPOs even in the presence of significant noise. Geometry of the return map, frequency of UPOs visiting the same trajectory, length of the data set, strength of the noise, and degree of nonstationarity affect the efficacy of the proposed method. Results suggest that establishing determinism from unambiguous UPO detection is often possible in short data sets with significant noise, but derived dynamical properties are rarely accurate and adequate for controlling the dynamics around these UPOs. A repeat chaos control experiment on epileptic hippocampal slices through more stringent control strategy and adaptive UPO tracking is reinterpreted in this context through simulation of similar control experiments on an analogous but stochastic computer model of epileptic brain slices. Reproduction of equivalent results suggests that far more stringent criteria are needed for linking apparent success of control in such experiments with possible determinism in the underlying dynamics.

Non-contrast MDCT for Ureteral Calculi and Alternative Diagnoses: Yield in Adult Women vs in Adult Men.

PubMed

Fani, Parisa; Patlas, Michael N; Monteiro, Sandra; Katz, Douglas S

2018-02-02

To determine the yield of non-contrast multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) of the abdomen and pelvis in diagnosing ureteral calculi as well as other alternative acute conditions in male vs in female adult patients presenting to the emergency department with new onset of symptoms. Our institutional review board approved a retrospective review of the official reports of the non-contrast MDCT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis performed on adults (18 years and older) presenting to our emergency department with a suspected ureteral calculus from October 1, 2011 to October 30, 2013. Patients with recently documented ureteral calculi, known urinary tract infection, malignancy, and trauma were excluded from the study. From a total of 1097 non-contrast MDCT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis over the 2-year period, 400 randomly selected examinations were reviewed (approximately one-third of all the examinations). We compared the prevalence of ureteral calculi between the male and female population. P values and confidence intervals were determined using software Stata 14. Other acute intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic findings amenable to prompt medical care were also documented and analyzed separately. The mean patient age was 55.2 years, with a range of 19-90 years. This included 170 female (mean age 56.8 years) and 230 male patients (mean age 54.2 years). Ureteral calculi were detected in 170 (42.5%) of the patients [111 males (48%) and 59 females (34.7%)] with a prevalence which was statistically significantly higher in the male patients compared to in the female patients (P < 0.01, confidence level of 95% and CI of 13.2-13.4). An alternative diagnosis was made based on the MDCT findings in 49 patient cases (12.25 %), including 26 females (15.29%) and 23 males (10.00%). There was no statistically significant difference in alternative acute findings in male compared to in female patients (P > 0.05). This was with the exception of acute pyelonephritis, which was statistically significantly higher in the female patients (P < 0.01). The likelihood of making the diagnosis of a ureteral calculus on non-contrast MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis was statistically significantly higher in male patients compared with female patients presenting to our emergency department. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the alternative diagnoses, with the exception of pyelonephritis, which was more common in women. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PTEN Loss as Determined by Clinical-grade Immunohistochemistry Assay Is Associated with Worse Recurrence-free Survival in Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Lotan, Tamara L.; Wei, Wei; Morais, Carlos L.; Hawley, Sarah T.; Fazli, Ladan; Hurtado-Coll, Antonio; Troyer, Dean; McKenney, Jesse K.; Simko, Jeffrey; Carroll, Peter R.; Gleave, Martin; Lance, Raymond; Lin, Daniel W.; Nelson, Peter S.; Thompson, Ian M.; True, Lawrence D.; Feng, Ziding; Brooks, James D.

2015-01-01

Background PTEN is the most commonly deleted tumor suppressor gene in primary prostate cancer (PCa) and its loss is associated with poor clinical outcomes and ERG gene rearrangement. Objective We tested whether PTEN loss is associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) in surgically treated PCa patients with known ERG status. Design, setting, and participants A genetically validated, automated PTEN immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocol was used for 1275 primary prostate tumors from the Canary Foundation retrospective PCa tissue microarray cohort to assess homogeneous (in all tumor tissue sampled) or heterogeneous (in a subset of tumor tissue sampled) PTEN loss. ERG status as determined by a genetically validated IHC assay was available for a subset of 938 tumors. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Associations between PTEN and ERG status were assessed using Fisher’s exact test. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate weighted Cox proportional models for RFS were constructed. Results and limitations When compared to intact PTEN, homogeneous (hazard ratio [HR] 1.66, p = 0.001) but not heterogeneous (HR 1.24, p = 0.14) PTEN loss was significantly associated with shorter RFS in multivariate models. Among ERG-positive tumors, homogeneous (HR 3.07, p < 0.0001) but not heterogeneous (HR 1.46, p = 0.10) PTEN loss was significantly associated with shorter RFS. Among ERG-negative tumors, PTEN did not reach significance for inclusion in the final multivariate models. The interaction term for PTEN and ERG status with respect to RFS did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11) for the current sample size. Conclusions These data suggest that PTEN is a useful prognostic biomarker and that there is no statistically significant interaction between PTEN and ERG status for RFS. Patient summary We found that loss of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in prostate tumors as assessed by tissue staining is correlated with shorter time to prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. PMID:27617307

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios of our pediatric patients with Bell's palsy.

PubMed

Eryilmaz, Aylin; Basal, Yesim; Tosun, Ayse; Kurt Omurlu, Imran; Basak, Sema

2015-12-01

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is considered to be a reliable indicator in etiological investigation and identification of the disease severity in inflammatory disorders. There are numerous observations or evidences suggesting that Bell's palsy is an inflammatory disorder. Our aim was to investigate the presence of any clue which might suggest inflammatory etiology and also the presence of compliance between NLR elevation and inflammation severity in children. Patients younger than 18 years with Bell's palsy and who had not another inflammatory disorder in addition to Bell's palsy were included. A total of 25 patients and 25 healthy individuals were taken. The patient group and the control group were compared in terms of NLR, neutrophil and lymphocytes. The relationship of NLR with pre-treatment House-Brackmann classification was evaluated. The mean age was 9.86±5.07 in the patient group and 9.14±5.94 in the control group. In all members of the patient group, oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/d) was administered for 7 days. The post-treatment House-Brackmann classification of all patients was determined as grade 1. The average neutrophil values were significantly higher in the patient group. In terms of average lymphocyte values, no statistically significant difference was found. The average NLR value was 1.78 (0.93-4.58) in the pediatric patient group and 1.1 (0.6-2.05) in the control group. NLR was significantly higher in the patient group. NLR and pre-treatment House-Brackmann classification showed no statistically significant correlation (r=0.173, p>0.05). When cut-off value was taken as 3 for NLR, no statistically significant difference was found between groups. High NLR values determined in pediatric patients with Bell's palsy support the inflammatory feature of this disease. NLR is recommended as a supportive parameter in the diagnosis of pediatric patients with Bell's palsy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Overcoming the effects of false positives and threshold bias in graph theoretical analyses of neuroimaging data.

PubMed

Drakesmith, M; Caeyenberghs, K; Dutt, A; Lewis, G; David, A S; Jones, D K

2015-09-01

Graph theory (GT) is a powerful framework for quantifying topological features of neuroimaging-derived functional and structural networks. However, false positive (FP) connections arise frequently and influence the inferred topology of networks. Thresholding is often used to overcome this problem, but an appropriate threshold often relies on a priori assumptions, which will alter inferred network topologies. Four common network metrics (global efficiency, mean clustering coefficient, mean betweenness and smallworldness) were tested using a model tractography dataset. It was found that all four network metrics were significantly affected even by just one FP. Results also show that thresholding effectively dampens the impact of FPs, but at the expense of adding significant bias to network metrics. In a larger number (n=248) of tractography datasets, statistics were computed across random group permutations for a range of thresholds, revealing that statistics for network metrics varied significantly more than for non-network metrics (i.e., number of streamlines and number of edges). Varying degrees of network atrophy were introduced artificially to half the datasets, to test sensitivity to genuine group differences. For some network metrics, this atrophy was detected as significant (p<0.05, determined using permutation testing) only across a limited range of thresholds. We propose a multi-threshold permutation correction (MTPC) method, based on the cluster-enhanced permutation correction approach, to identify sustained significant effects across clusters of thresholds. This approach minimises requirements to determine a single threshold a priori. We demonstrate improved sensitivity of MTPC-corrected metrics to genuine group effects compared to an existing approach and demonstrate the use of MTPC on a previously published network analysis of tractography data derived from a clinical population. In conclusion, we show that there are large biases and instability induced by thresholding, making statistical comparisons of network metrics difficult. However, by testing for effects across multiple thresholds using MTPC, true group differences can be robustly identified. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Salivary Levels of IL-6 and IL-17 Could Be an Indicator of Disease Severity in Patients with Calculus Associated Chronic Periodontitis

PubMed Central

Batool, Husniah; Nadeem, Ahmed; Tahir, Romeeza

2018-01-01

Background/Purpose. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of gums that causes loss of supporting structures of teeth, that is, gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Levels of various cytokines in the serum, gingival tissues, and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis have been studied, but limited data are available on the level of cytokines in saliva. Therefore, a study was designed to determine levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 in patients with calculus associated chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods. It was a comparative, cross-sectional study that is comprised of 41 healthy controls and 41 calculus associated chronic periodontitis patients (CP patients). According to the degree of attachment loss, CP patients were subcategorized as mild (CAL 1-2 mm), moderate (CAL 3-4 mm), and severe (CAL > 5 mm) forms of periodontitis. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results. Between healthy controls and CP patients (moderate and severe disease), a statistically significant difference was observed in the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17. In CP patients, the highest mean ± SD of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 was observed in severe CP, followed by moderate and mild CP. Regarding level of IL-6, a statistically significant difference was observed between mild and severe disease and between moderate and severe subcategories of CP patients. Similarly, statistically significant difference was observed in the level of IL-17 between mild and moderate, mild and severe disease, and moderate and severe disease. Conclusion. The levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 were increased significantly in calculus associated CP patients as compared to healthy controls and these levels increased with the progression of CP. Clinical Significance. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 may help in the subcategorization of CP. PMID:29670909

Influence of keeping pheasants in captivity vs. nature on the biological value of meat and its use in human nutrition.

PubMed

Tucak, Zvonimir; Skrivanko, Mario; Posavcević, Stefica; Periskić, Marin; Bosković, Ivica; Jumić, Vlado

2008-09-01

The life of game birds (pheasants) in nature is coupled with a number of difficulties in all seasons of the year. This refers to finding food, breeding, laying eggs, raising the young, fleeing from their natural enemies and lack of protection from unfavorable climatic conditions. The pheasants that live in captivity--aviaries for pheasants--do not have such difficulties--they are fed regularly by quality feed for pheasants, they are protected from bad weather and natural enemies. Our research was aimed at determining the biological value of meat of pheasants grown in the two different settings--in captivity and in nature. The highest weight achieved wild pheasant males (1232.4 +/- 147.36 g). The differences between tested pheasant groups were statistically very high significant (P < 0.001). The differences between groups related to breast weight and tights with drumsticks weight were statistically very high significant (P < 0.001). Between breast parts (%) and legs parts (%) were notified very high (P < 0.001) i.e. high (P = 0.002) differences. The highest weight breast muscles and tights with drumsticks had wild pheasants (282.6 +/- 63.53 g i.e. 206.2 +/- 37.88g). Wilde pheasants had lower part (%) and lighter (g) skin with subcutaneous fatty tissue on breasts. Female pheasants cultivated on both ways had higher skin part (%) and subcutaneous fatty tissue in tights with drumsticks. Related to chemical composition of breast muscles is established statistically significant differences (P < 0.001 i.s. P = 0.040)) in part of Ca (%) and P (%). In wild pheasant tights with drumsticks muscles established statistically very significant (P < 0.001) higher part of moisture, protein and Ca, i.e. statistically very high significant (P < 0.001) lower part of fat and energetic value. Research results indicate that the quality of meat of pheasants grown in nature has higher biological value than the meat of pheasants kept in aviaries, which means it has advantages in human nutrition.

Effects of music on patients undergoing a C-clamp procedure after percutaneous coronary interventions.

PubMed

Chan, Moon Fai; Wong, Oi Chi; Chan, Hoi Lam; Fong, Mei Chu; Lai, Suet Yan; Lo, Ching Wah; Ho, Siu Mei; Ng, Suk Ying; Leung, Suk Kit

2006-03-01

This paper reports a study to determine the effect of music on physiological parameters and level of pain in patients undergoing application of a C-clamp after percutaneous coronary interventions. Most percutaneous coronary interventions are performed through the femoral artery. In order to stop bleeding and achieve homeostasis, a C-clamp is used after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, the experience is painful for patients and they inevitably suffer discomfort. Pain may lead to stress responses and may affect the physical and mental health of patients. One potential beneficial practice is having the patient listen to relaxing music, which might have the effect of reducing situational discomfort and pain. A randomized controlled study was conducted during the period September 2004 to March 2005. Forty-three people (20 experimental and 23 control) were recruited from the intensive care units of two acute care hospitals in Hong Kong. Physiological and psychological variables were collected at baseline and at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. In the music group, there were statistically significant reductions (P=0.001) in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation than the control participants at 45 minutes. In the music group, statistically significant reductions (P=0.001) in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were found at the four time points, but not in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found at baseline comparison of the two groups, but statistically significant differences in pain scores were found at 45 minutes for participants in the music group compared with the control group (P=0.003). Participants in the control group showed statistically significant increases in pain at 45 minutes compared with baseline (P<0.001). The benefits of preventing physiological reactions to pain were demonstrated. Music is a simple, safe and effective method of reducing potentially harmful physiological and psychological responses arising from pain.

Arthroscopic Debridement for Primary Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Elbow Leads to Significant Improvement in Range of Motion and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Sochacki, Kyle R; Jack, Robert A; Hirase, Takashi; McCulloch, Patrick C; Lintner, David M; Liberman, Shari R; Harris, Joshua D

2017-12-01

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether arthroscopic debridement of primary elbow osteoarthritis results in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in (1) elbow range of motion and (2) clinical outcomes with (3) low complication and reoperation rates. A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched for studies that investigated the outcomes of arthroscopic debridement for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis of the elbow in adult human patients. Study methodological quality was analyzed. Studies that included post-traumatic arthritis were excluded. Elbow motion and all elbow-specific patient-reported outcome scores were eligible for analysis. Comparisons between preoperative and postoperative values from each study were made using 2-sample Z-tests (http://in-silico.net/tools/statistics/ztest) using a P value < .05. Nine articles (209 subjects, 213 elbows, 187 males, 22 females, mean age 45.7 ± 7.1 years, mean follow-up 41.7 ± 16.3. months; 75% right, 25% left; 79% dominant elbow, 21% nondominant) were analyzed. Elbow extension (23.4°-10.7°, Δ 12.7°), flexion (115.9°-128.7°, Δ 12.8°), and global arc of motion (94.5°-117.6°, Δ 23.1°) had statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement following arthroscopic debridement (P < .0001 for all). There was also a statistically significant (P < .0001) and clinically relevant improvement in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (60.7-84.6, Δ 23.9) postoperatively. Six patients (2.8%) had postoperative complications. Nine (4.2%) underwent reoperation. Elbow arthroscopic debridement for primary degenerative osteoarthritis results in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in elbow range of motion and clinical outcomes with low complication and reoperation rates. Systematic review of level IV studies. Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular detection of canine parvovirus in flies (Diptera) at open and closed canine facilities in the eastern United States.

PubMed

Bagshaw, Clarence; Isdell, Allen E; Thiruvaiyaru, Dharma S; Brisbin, I Lehr; Sanchez, Susan

2014-06-01

More than thirty years have passed since canine parvovirus (CPV) emerged as a significant pathogen and it continues to pose a severe threat to world canine populations. Published information suggests that flies (Diptera) may play a role in spreading this virus; however, they have not been studied extensively and the degree of their involvement is not known. This investigation was directed toward evaluating the vector capacity of such flies and determining their potential role in the transmission and ecology of CPV. Molecular diagnostic methods were used in this cross-sectional study to detect the presence of CPV in flies trapped at thirty-eight canine facilities. The flies involved were identified as belonging to the house fly (Mucidae), flesh fly (Sarcophagidae) and blow/bottle fly (Calliphoridae) families. A primary surveillance location (PSL) was established at a canine facility in south-central South Carolina, USA, to identify fly-virus interaction within the canine facility environment. Flies trapped at this location were pooled monthly and assayed for CPV using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. These insects were found to be positive for CPV every month from February through the end of November 2011. Fly vector behavior and seasonality were documented and potential environmental risk factors were evaluated. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the mean numbers of each of the three fly families captured, and after determining fly CPV status (positive or negative), it was determined whether there were significant relationships between numbers of flies captured, seasonal numbers of CPV cases, temperature and rainfall. Flies were also sampled at thirty-seven additional canine facility surveillance locations (ASL) and at four non-canine animal industry locations serving as negative field controls. Canine facility risk factors were identified and evaluated. Statistical analyses were conducted on the number of CPV cases reported within the past year to determine the correlation of fly CPV status (positive or negative) for each facility, facility design (open or closed), mean number of dogs present monthly and number of flies captured. Significant differences occurred between fly CPV positive vs. negative sites with regard to their CPV case numbers, fly numbers captured, and number of dogs present. At the ASL, a statistically significant relationship was found between PCR-determined fly CPV status (positive or negative) and facility design (open vs. closed). Open-facility designs were likely to have more CPV outbreaks and more likely to have flies testing positive for CPV DNA. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Health-related Quality of Life and Mental Health in the Process of Active and Passive Ageing.

PubMed

Dajak, Lidija; Mastilica, Miroslav; Orešković, Stjepan; Vuletić, Gorka

2016-12-01

To analyse the differences in the self-estimate of life quality depending on the ageing type - passive, active. Life-quality linked to health was measured with an SF-36 survey, which gives multi-dimensional criteria of health and life-quality. SF-36 survey represents a theoretically based and empirically proven operationalization of two overal health concepts, which are body and mental health, and its two general manifestations, functioning, and welfare. 200 examinees in total, aged from 55 to 92, were included in the research. Divided by sex, in the research participated 148 women and 52 men. Depending on the ageing way, the examinees were divided into 2 categories: passive ageing (n=100), active ageing (n=100), and for these groups a detailed result analysis was done. Statistical analysis includes descriptive statistics, Hi-square test, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and Mann-Whitney U test. In all dimensions of health, examinees from the category Active ageing achieve higher scores, which indicates better health and better functioning. Between the groups, a statistically significant difference was determined, on the following dimensions: Overall health, Pains, Energy and vitality, Social operations, and Limits due to emotional difficulties. With the Hi-square test, it was determined that there are differences between the groups. The biggest difference can be seen in the reply categories related to health deterioration (χ 2 =10.391; df=4; p=0.034). Examinees from the Active ageing group mention significantly less that their health has gotten worse compared to the previous year (26% of the active ones state that their health is somewhat worse, and only 2% that their health is significantly worse, compared to the passive ones where 36% state that their health is worse, and 9% that it's much worse compared to the year before). Tested was the difference between arithmetic middles on the issue of mental health based on the ageing type (p>0.05), and the results show that it's not statistically significant. On all dimensions, examinees from the category Active ageing achieve higher scores, which indicates a better health and better functioning.

Safety of Microsurgery Under Loupes Versus Microscope: A Head-to-Head Comparison of 2 Surgeons With Similar Experiences.

PubMed

Ehanire, Tosan; Singhal, Dhruv; Mast, Bruce; Leyngold, Mark

2018-01-24

Microsurgery is performed using either the operating microscope or loupe magnification. Use of the operating microscope is considered the "criterion standard"; however, loupes are emerging as a safe and reliable technique to perform microsurgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety of microsurgery under loupe magnification compared with the microscope. Previous studies discussing the safety of loupe magnification during microsurgery have been published; however, this is the first study to compare free flap outcomes from 2 surgeons at the same institution, each using their respective technique. The outcomes were compared by retrospective chart review of 116 patients, and 148 microvascular free tissue transfers were performed between January 1, 2013, and July 15, 2016, by 2 surgeons (D.S.) and (M.L.). Patients' demographics, free flap failure rate, and other surgical complications were analyzed. Statistical significance was determined by unpaired t test, and χ analysis was used to determine statistical significance in proportions between groups. Thirty-eight percent of flaps were performed under ×3.5 loupe magnification and 62% under the operating microscope. Most free flaps used were deep inferior epigastric perforator or muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis flaps (52%) for breast reconstruction, remainder of free flaps included ALT, radial forearm, and latissimus dorsi for a variety of reconstructive applications. There was no significant difference between the loupes and microscope groups in intraoperative anastomotic revision rate (27% vs 17%), postoperative arterial or venous thrombosis (4.4% vs 2.6%, 5.4% vs 2.2%), flap loss (3.6% vs 2.2%), or median length of stay (6 days vs 6.5 days). The loupe magnification group had statistically significant shorter setup time (20 minutes, P < 0.01). Consistent with previously reported studies, we found no statistical difference in free flap outcomes and safety under loupe magnification compared with the operating microscope. This is the first study to demonstrate these findings with 2 microsurgeons both in their first 3 years in practice, with similar training and experience, operating at the same institution and given the same resources, each using either microscopes or loupes for microsurgery.

Macular Thickness Assessment in Patients with Glaucoma and Its Correlation with Visual Fields

PubMed Central

Vaz, Fernando T; Ramalho, Mário; Pedrosa, Catarina; Lisboa, Maria; Kaku, Paulo; Esperancinha, Florindo

2016-01-01

Aim To determine the relationship between macular thickness (MT) and visual field (VF) parameters, as well as with changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH). Materials and methods Cross-sectional statistical analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) compared with several VF parameters (mean defect - MD and loss variance - LV), in a nonrandom sample of 70 eyes from patients with glaucoma or OH. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences®. The correlation coefficient used was determined by Spearman correlation and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A significant correlation was seen between VF parameters and decrease in MT (MD: r = –0.363, p = 0.002; LV: r=–0.378, p = 0.001). The results were more significant when we compared the LV in the group with average MT 270 to 300 μm (r = –0.413, p = 0.015). Asymmetry between the superior macula and inferior macula correlated with LV (r = 0.432, p = 0.019) in the group with MT < 270 μm. There was also a significant correlation between thinning of superior-temporal and inferior-temporal RNFL and the decrease of the superior and inferior MT respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion Spectral domain optical coherence tomography measurements of retinal thickness in the macula correlate with VF parameters and RNFL parameters in glaucoma patients. This relationship was first demonstrated with static computerized perimetry made with Octopus 101®. These results can be a valuable aid for evaluating and monitoring of glaucoma patients, establishing a correlation between structure and function. Measurements of retinal thickness in the macula may be an additional instrument for early detection of structural changes and its correlation with functional defects. How to cite this article Mota M, Vaz FT, Ramalho M, Pedrosa C, Lisboa M, Kaku P, Esperancinha F. Macular Thickness Assessment in Patients with Glaucoma and Its Correlation with Visual Fields. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2016;10(3):85-90. PMID:27857487

Statistical analysis of subjective preferences for video enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woods, Russell L.; Satgunam, PremNandhini; Bronstad, P. Matthew; Peli, Eli

2010-02-01

Measuring preferences for moving video quality is harder than for static images due to the fleeting and variable nature of moving video. Subjective preferences for image quality can be tested by observers indicating their preference for one image over another. Such pairwise comparisons can be analyzed using Thurstone scaling (Farrell, 1999). Thurstone (1927) scaling is widely used in applied psychology, marketing, food tasting and advertising research. Thurstone analysis constructs an arbitrary perceptual scale for the items that are compared (e.g. enhancement levels). However, Thurstone scaling does not determine the statistical significance of the differences between items on that perceptual scale. Recent papers have provided inferential statistical methods that produce an outcome similar to Thurstone scaling (Lipovetsky and Conklin, 2004). Here, we demonstrate that binary logistic regression can analyze preferences for enhanced video.

Gender Trends in Radiology Authorship: A 35-Year Analysis.

PubMed

Piper, Crystal L; Scheel, John R; Lee, Christoph I; Forman, Howard P

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to describe trends over time in female authorship in the radiology literature and to investigate the tendency of female first authors to publish with female senior authors. Data on the gender of academic physician authors based in the United States for all major articles published in three general radiology journals--Radiology, AJR, and Academic Radiology--were collected and analyzed for the years 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008, and 2013. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify significant trends over time, and a chi-square test of independence was performed to determine significant relations between the genders of first and senior authors. The gender of 4182 of 4217 (99.17%) authors with MD degrees was determined. The proportion of original research articles published by women as first authors increased from 8.33% in 1978 to 32.35% in 2013 (p < 0.001). The proportion of original research articles with women as senior authors increased from 6.75% in 1978 to 21.90% in 2013 (p < 0.001). Female first and senior authorship increased significantly over time (first author, p < 0.001; senior author, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relation between the genders of first and senior authors of original research articles and guest editorials (p < 0.001). Over 35 years, there was a statistically significant upward linear trend of female physician participation in authorship of academic radiology literature. Female first authors were more likely to publish with female senior authors.

The impact of length of stay on recovery measures in faith-based addiction treatment.

PubMed

Lashley, Mary

2018-03-30

To determine the impact of length of stay among homeless men in faith-based residential addictions recovery on physical activity, depression, self-esteem, and nicotine dependence. A time series design was utilized to measure changes in the four quality measures at program entry and at 3, 6, and 9 months following admission. The sample consisted of 175 homeless residents enrolled in a faith-based residential recovery program. Paired t tests were used to determine the change in average instrument response from admission to each follow-up period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey posthoc tests were used to assess for differences in length of stay between demographic variables. Statistically significant improvements were noted in self-esteem and depressive symptomatology at 3 and 6 months following admission and in physical activity levels at 3 months following admission. Nicotine dependence scores declined at 3 and 6 months but were not statistically significant. Time spent in this faith-based spiritual recovery program had a significant impact on depression, self-esteem, and physical activity. Recommendations for future study include conducting research to analyze the relationship between distinct program elements and quality indicators and comparing faith-based programs to other similar programs and to publicly funded secular recovery programs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Value of Ki-67 and computed tomography in the assessment of peripheral lung adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Chen, Cheng; Zhu, Wei-Dong; Zhang, Xiao-Hui; Zhu, Ye-Han; Huang, Jian-An

2016-01-01

This study was designed to determine whether proliferation antigen Ki-67 and/or a computed tomography (CT) value could be used to evaluate the clinical-pathological features of peripheral lung adenocarcinoma. A total of 116 eligible lung cancer patients were enrolled. Nodule size, lymph node metastasis, differentiation, Ki-67 expression and CT findings were assessed. The relationship between clinic parameters and the CT feature was analysed statistically. The percentage of lesions that had ground-glass opacity or localised air bronchogram was significantly greater in low CT value group (<30, p < 0.05). No significant association was observed between CT value and size in the subgroup with CT value > 0 (p = 0.66). As a proliferative marker of lung cancer, Ki-67 was present in a total of 115 (99.9%) of the 116 evaluable primary lung cancers. There was a statistically significant correlation between the Ki-67 index and CT value (p < 0.05). Compared to CT value, Ki-67 index possessed higher sensitivity to predict the differentiation and lymph node metastasis of peripheral lung adenocarcinoma, adding of CT value would enhance its specificity. Combination of Ki-67 expression and CT value determination was useful for the classification of differentiation and metastatic or proliferative potential of peripheral lung adenocarcinoma.

The effect of 1% chlorhexidine varnish and 40% xylitol solution on Streptococcus mutans and plaque accumulation in children.

PubMed

Simões Moraes, Renata; Modesto, Adriana; Regina Netto Dos Santos, Kátia; Drake, David

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the association of 1% chlorhexidine varnish (CHX) and 40% xylitol solution (XYL) on Streptococcus mutans (SM) counts and plaque indices in 2- to 5-year-olds. Sixty-eight children were selected with medium levels (1 x 10³) to very high levels (>1 x 10⁵) of SM in the saliva. Subjects were divided into 4 groups of 17 children each: (1) CHX; (2) CHX+XYL; (3) XYL; and(4) 0.05% sodium fluoride (F). An assessment of SM levels and plaque indices was done on all children at baseline, 15 days, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. SM levels were determined by the spatula method. Although the reduction in SM counts in all groups was statistically significant, differences among groups were not observed, and the CHX and F groups seemed to show the greatest effect. Plaque reduction was observed in all groups, whereas statistically significant decreases among groups were not observed. One percent chlorhexidine varnish associated with 40% xylitol solution tested in the present study does not provide significant suppression of Streptococcus mutans counts and reduction of plaque accumulation at any follow-up time points.

Impact of dual-polarization radar technology and Twitter on the Hattiesburg, Mississippi tornado.

PubMed

Cates, Alexis L; Arnold, Brent W; Cooper, Guy Paul; Yeager, Violet; Stake, Josh; Ali, Mohammed; Calderone, Richard C; Wilkinson, James; Hsu, Edbert; Parrillo, Steven; Piper, Steven; Subbarao, Italo

2013-12-01

Dual-Polarization Radar and Twitter were analyzed to determine the impact on injuries sustained by the Hattiesburg EF-4 tornado. Tracking data provided from the Dual-Pol radar systems in National Weather Service Jackson were reviewed. Twitter data from four local Twitter handles were obtained. The change in tweets and followers for the day of the storm were compared to historical averages. A Student t-test was utilized in determining statistical significance (p<0.05). Medical records from two local emergency departments were reviewed for patients treated up to 24 hours after the tornado. An Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated for trauma records related to the tornado. Radar detection of the tornado gave approximately 30 minutes of advanced warning time. Statistical significance in follower growth was seen in all four Twitter handles. Out of 50 patients, the average ISS was 3.9 with a range of 1 to 29. There were zero fatalities. An ISS average of 3.9 was significantly less than two previous tornadoes of similar strength that occurred prior to increased usage of Dual-pol radar and Twitter as a means for communicating severe weather information. Early detection from Dual-pol radar improved warning time. Tweets informed citizens to seek appropriate shelter. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:585-592).

Randomized clinical study of wear of enamel antagonists against polished monolithic zirconia crowns

PubMed Central

Esquivel-Upshaw, J.F.; Kim, M.J.; Hsu, S.M.; Abdulhameed, N.; Jenkins, R.; Neal, D.; Ren, F.; Clark, A.E.

2018-01-01

Objectives To test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the in vivo maximum wear of enamel opposing monolithic zirconia crowns, enamel opposing porcelain fused to metal crowns and enamel opposing enamel. Methods Thirty patients needing single crowns were randomized to receive either a monolithic zirconia or metal-ceramic crown. Two non-restored opposing teeth in the same quadrants were identified to serve as enamel controls. After cementation, quadrants were scanned for baseline data. Polyvinylsiloxane impressions were obtained and poured in white stone. Patients were recalled at six-months and one-year for re-impression. Stone models were scanned using a tabletop laserscanner to determine maximum wear. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U to determine any significant differences between the wear of enamel against zirconia and metal-ceramic crowns. Results Sixteen zirconia and 14 metal-ceramic crowns were delivered. There were no statistical differences in mean wear of crown types (p = 0.165); enamel antagonists (p = 0.235) and enamel controls (p = 0.843) after one year. Conclusion Monolithic zirconia exhibited comparable wear of enamel compared with metal-ceramic crowns and control enamel after one year. Significance This study is clinically significant because the use of polished monolithic zirconia demonstrated comparable wear of opposing enamel to metal-ceramic and enamel antagonists. PMID:29042241

['Clinical auditing', a novel tool for quality assessment in surgical oncology].

PubMed

van Leersum, Nicoline J; Kolfschoten, Nikki E; Klinkenbijl, Jean H G; Tollenaar, Rob A E M; Wouters, Michel W J M

2011-01-01

To determine whether systematic audit and feedback of information about the process and outcomes improve the quality of surgical care. Systematic literature review. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for publications on 'quality assessment' and 'surgery'. The references of the publications found were examined as well. Publications were included in the review if the effect of auditing on the quality of surgical care had been investigated. In the databases 2415 publications were found. After selection, 28 publications describing the effect of auditing, whether or not combined with a quality improvement project, on guideline adherence or indications of outcomes of care were included. In 21 studies, a statistically significant positive effect of auditing was reported. In 5 studies a positive effect was found, but this was either not significant or statistical significance was not determined. In 2 studies no effect was observed. 5 studies compared the combination of auditing with a quality improvement project with auditing alone; 4 of these reported an additional effect of the quality improvement project. Audit and feedback of quality information seem to have a positive effect on the quality of surgical care. The use of quality information from audits for the purpose of a quality improvement project can enhance the positive effect of the audit.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in human pulp cells of teeth with complete and incomplete root development.

PubMed

Caviedes-Bucheli, J; Canales-Sánchez, P; Castrillón-Sarria, N; Jovel-Garcia, J; Alvarez-Vásquez, J; Rivero, C; Azuero-Holguín, M M; Diaz, E; Munoz, H R

2009-08-01

To quantify the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human pulp cells of teeth with complete or incomplete root development, to support the specific role of IGF-1 in cell proliferation during tooth development and pulp reparative processes. Twenty six pulp samples were obtained from freshly extracted human third molars, equally divided in two groups according to root development stage (complete or incomplete root development). All samples were processed and immunostained to determine the expression of IGF-1 and PCNA in pulp cells. Sections were observed with a light microscope at 80x and morphometric analyses were performed to calculate the area of PCNA and IGF-1 immunostaining using digital image software. Mann-Whitney's test was used to determine statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05) for each peptide and the co-expression of both. Expression of IGF-1 and PCNA was observed in all human pulp samples with a statistically significant higher expression in cells of pulps having complete root development (P = 0.0009). Insulin-like growth factor-1 and PCNA are expressed in human pulp cells, with a significant greater expression in pulp cells of teeth having complete root development.

Porcelain surface conditioning protocols and shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets.

PubMed

Lestrade, Ashley M; Ballard, Richard W; Xu, Xiaoming; Yu, Qingzhao; Kee, Edwin L; Armbruster, Paul C

2016-05-01

The objective of the present study was to determine which of six bonding protocols yielded a clinically acceptable shear bond strength (SBS) of metal orthodontic brackets to CAD/CAM lithium disilicate porcelain restorations. A secondary aim was to determine which bonding protocol produced the least surface damage at debond. Sixty lithium disilicate samples were fabricated to replicate the facial surface of a mandibular first molar using a CEREC CAD/CAM machine. The samples were split into six test groups, each of which received different mechanical/chemical pretreatment protocols to roughen the porcelain surface prior to bonding a molar orthodontic attachment. Shear bond strength testing was conducted using an Instron machine. The mean, maximum, minimal, and standard deviation SBS values for each sample group including an enamel control were calculated. A t-test was used to evaluate the statistical significance between the groups. No significant differences were found in SBS values, with the exception of surface roughening with a green stone prior to HFA and silane treatment. This protocol yielded slightly higher bond strength which was statistically significant. Chemical treatment alone with HFA/silane yielded SBS values within an acceptable clinical range to withstand forces applied by orthodontic treatment and potentially eliminates the need to mechanically roughen the ceramic surface.

Dynamic association rules for gene expression data analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Shu-Chuan; Tsai, Tsung-Hsien; Chung, Cheng-Han; Li, Wen-Hsiung

2015-10-14

The purpose of gene expression analysis is to look for the association between regulation of gene expression levels and phenotypic variations. This association based on gene expression profile has been used to determine whether the induction/repression of genes correspond to phenotypic variations including cell regulations, clinical diagnoses and drug development. Statistical analyses on microarray data have been developed to resolve gene selection issue. However, these methods do not inform us of causality between genes and phenotypes. In this paper, we propose the dynamic association rule algorithm (DAR algorithm) which helps ones to efficiently select a subset of significant genes for subsequent analysis. The DAR algorithm is based on association rules from market basket analysis in marketing. We first propose a statistical way, based on constructing a one-sided confidence interval and hypothesis testing, to determine if an association rule is meaningful. Based on the proposed statistical method, we then developed the DAR algorithm for gene expression data analysis. The method was applied to analyze four microarray datasets and one Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) dataset: the Mice Apo A1 dataset, the whole genome expression dataset of mouse embryonic stem cells, expression profiling of the bone marrow of Leukemia patients, Microarray Quality Control (MAQC) data set and the RNA-seq dataset of a mouse genomic imprinting study. A comparison of the proposed method with the t-test on the expression profiling of the bone marrow of Leukemia patients was conducted. We developed a statistical way, based on the concept of confidence interval, to determine the minimum support and minimum confidence for mining association relationships among items. With the minimum support and minimum confidence, one can find significant rules in one single step. The DAR algorithm was then developed for gene expression data analysis. Four gene expression datasets showed that the proposed DAR algorithm not only was able to identify a set of differentially expressed genes that largely agreed with that of other methods, but also provided an efficient and accurate way to find influential genes of a disease. In the paper, the well-established association rule mining technique from marketing has been successfully modified to determine the minimum support and minimum confidence based on the concept of confidence interval and hypothesis testing. It can be applied to gene expression data to mine significant association rules between gene regulation and phenotype. The proposed DAR algorithm provides an efficient way to find influential genes that underlie the phenotypic variance.

Evaluation of Solid Rocket Motor Component Data Using a Commercially Available Statistical Software Package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stefanski, Philip L.

2015-01-01

Commercially available software packages today allow users to quickly perform the routine evaluations of (1) descriptive statistics to numerically and graphically summarize both sample and population data, (2) inferential statistics that draws conclusions about a given population from samples taken of it, (3) probability determinations that can be used to generate estimates of reliability allowables, and finally (4) the setup of designed experiments and analysis of their data to identify significant material and process characteristics for application in both product manufacturing and performance enhancement. This paper presents examples of analysis and experimental design work that has been conducted using Statgraphics®(Registered Trademark) statistical software to obtain useful information with regard to solid rocket motor propellants and internal insulation material. Data were obtained from a number of programs (Shuttle, Constellation, and Space Launch System) and sources that include solid propellant burn rate strands, tensile specimens, sub-scale test motors, full-scale operational motors, rubber insulation specimens, and sub-scale rubber insulation analog samples. Besides facilitating the experimental design process to yield meaningful results, statistical software has demonstrated its ability to quickly perform complex data analyses and yield significant findings that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. One caveat to these successes is that useful results not only derive from the inherent power of the software package, but also from the skill and understanding of the data analyst.

Plant selection for ethnobotanical uses on the Amalfi Coast (Southern Italy).

PubMed

Savo, V; Joy, R; Caneva, G; McClatchey, W C

2015-07-15

Many ethnobotanical studies have investigated selection criteria for medicinal and non-medicinal plants. In this paper we test several statistical methods using different ethnobotanical datasets in order to 1) define to which extent the nature of the datasets can affect the interpretation of results; 2) determine if the selection for different plant uses is based on phylogeny, or other selection criteria. We considered three different ethnobotanical datasets: two datasets of medicinal plants and a dataset of non-medicinal plants (handicraft production, domestic and agro-pastoral practices) and two floras of the Amalfi Coast. We performed residual analysis from linear regression, the binomial test and the Bayesian approach for calculating under-used and over-used plant families within ethnobotanical datasets. Percentages of agreement were calculated to compare the results of the analyses. We also analyzed the relationship between plant selection and phylogeny, chorology, life form and habitat using the chi-square test. Pearson's residuals for each of the significant chi-square analyses were examined for investigating alternative hypotheses of plant selection criteria. The three statistical analysis methods differed within the same dataset, and between different datasets and floras, but with some similarities. In the two medicinal datasets, only Lamiaceae was identified in both floras as an over-used family by all three statistical methods. All statistical methods in one flora agreed that Malvaceae was over-used and Poaceae under-used, but this was not found to be consistent with results of the second flora in which one statistical result was non-significant. All other families had some discrepancy in significance across methods, or floras. Significant over- or under-use was observed in only a minority of cases. The chi-square analyses were significant for phylogeny, life form and habitat. Pearson's residuals indicated a non-random selection of woody species for non-medicinal uses and an under-use of plants of temperate forests for medicinal uses. Our study showed that selection criteria for plant uses (including medicinal) are not always based on phylogeny. The comparison of different statistical methods (regression, binomial and Bayesian) under different conditions led to the conclusion that the most conservative results are obtained using regression analysis.

Antimicrobial and anti-adherence activity of various combinations of coffee-chicory solutions on Streptococcus mutans: An in-vitro study

PubMed Central

Sharma, Rama; Reddy, Vamsi Krishna L; Prashant, GM; Ojha, Vivek; Kumar, Naveen PG

2014-01-01

Context: Several studies have demonstrated the activity of natural plants on the dental biofilm and caries development. But few studies on the antimicrobial activity of coffee-based solutions were found in the literature. Further there was no study available to check the antimicrobial effect of coffee solutions with different percentages of chicory in it. Aims: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different combinations of coffee-chicory solutions and their anti-adherence effect on Streptococcus mutans to glass surface. Materials and Methods: Test solutions were prepared. For antimicrobial activity testing, tubes containing test solution and culture medium were inoculated with a suspension of S. mutans followed by plating on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar. S. mutans adherence to glass in presence of the different test solutions was also tested. The number of adhered bacteria (CFU/mL) was determined by plating method. Statistical Analysis: Statistical significance was measured using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Pure chicory had shown significantly less bacterial count compared to all other groups. Groups IV and V had shown significant reduction in bacterial counts over the period of 4 hrs. Regarding anti-adherence effect, group I-IV had shown significantly less adherence of bacteria to glass surface. Conclusions: Chicory exerted antibacterial effect against S. mutans while coffee reduced significantly the adherence of S. mutans to the glass surface. PMID:25328299

Analysis and Long-Term Follow-Up of the Surgical Treatment of Children With Craniopharyngioma.

PubMed

Cheng, Jing; Shao, Qiang; Pan, Zhiyong; You, Jin

2016-11-01

To investigate the relationship between the operative approach, clinical pathological factors, and curative effect of the surgical treatment in the patients with craniopharyngioma; to provide a theoretical basis for determining the prognosis and reducing the recurrence rate during the long-term postoperative follow-up in children. This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 92 children who underwent surgical treatment in our department from May 2011 to January 2005. Long-term follow-up was performed from 12 months to 8 years. The pterional approach was used in 49 patients, the interhemispheric approach in 20 patients, the corpus callosum approach in 16 patients, and the butterfly approach in 7 patients. Pathological classification was performed by hematoxylin and eosin stain staining of the pathological tissues and evaluated according to the different surgical approaches, MRI calcification status, calcification type, pathological type, whether radiotherapy was performed, postoperative recurrence, and death. For the pterion approach resection, there was near total resection in 46 patients (93.9%) with the lowest recurrence rate. The operative approach and postoperative recurrence rates were compared; the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). For comparison of the operative approach and postoperative mortality, the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). There was not a significant difference between the MRI classification and postoperative recurrence rate (P >0.05). Comparing the degree of tumor calcification with the recurrence rate after operation and the mortality rate, the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The recurrence rate and mortality rate of adamantimous craniopharyngioma and squamous papillary craniopharyngioma in 2 groups following operation were compared, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was compared with the postoperative recurrence rate and mortality; the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). The main effects on tumor recurrence include the choice of surgical approach and degree of calcification. The adamantimous craniopharyngioma relapse rate is higher, which could be because invasion of craniopharyngioma only occurs with adamantimous craniopharyngioma. Postoperative radiotherapy can significantly prolong the recurrence time and reduce the mortality rate of patients with craniopharyngioma.

Statistical analysis of aerosol species, trace gasses, and meteorology in Chicago.

PubMed

Binaku, Katrina; O'Brien, Timothy; Schmeling, Martina; Fosco, Tinamarie

2013-09-01

Both canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to atmospheric aerosol and trace gas concentrations and meteorological data collected in Chicago during the summer months of 2002, 2003, and 2004. Concentrations of ammonium, calcium, nitrate, sulfate, and oxalate particulate matter, as well as, meteorological parameters temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and humidity were subjected to CCA and PCA. Ozone and nitrogen oxide mixing ratios were also included in the data set. The purpose of statistical analysis was to determine the extent of existing linear relationship(s), or lack thereof, between meteorological parameters and pollutant concentrations in addition to reducing dimensionality of the original data to determine sources of pollutants. In CCA, the first three canonical variate pairs derived were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Canonical correlation between the first canonical variate pair was 0.821, while correlations of the second and third canonical variate pairs were 0.562 and 0.461, respectively. The first canonical variate pair indicated that increasing temperatures resulted in high ozone mixing ratios, while the second canonical variate pair showed wind speed and humidity's influence on local ammonium concentrations. No new information was uncovered in the third variate pair. Canonical loadings were also interpreted for information regarding relationships between data sets. Four principal components (PCs), expressing 77.0 % of original data variance, were derived in PCA. Interpretation of PCs suggested significant production and/or transport of secondary aerosols in the region (PC1). Furthermore, photochemical production of ozone and wind speed's influence on pollutants were expressed (PC2) along with overall measure of local meteorology (PC3). In summary, CCA and PCA results combined were successful in uncovering linear relationships between meteorology and air pollutants in Chicago and aided in determining possible pollutant sources.

Determination the validity of the new developed Sport Experts® hand grip dynamometer, measuring continuity of force, and comparison with current Takei and Baseline® dynamometers.

PubMed

Güçlüöver, A; Kutlu, M; Ciğerci, A E; Esen, H T; Demirkan, E; Erdoğdu, M

2015-11-01

In this study the Sport Experts ™ brand of hand grip dynamometer, measuring the continuity of force with the new developed load cell technology, was compared with Takei and Baseline® dynamometers, the current in use. It was tried to determine the correlation between them. In a study with provides use of clinical, orthopedic and rehabilitative purposes in the athletes and patient populations, this developed dynamometer can provide useful data by observing the continuity of force. The sample of the study included 60 badminton players in 2010-2011; consisting of Turkish Junior National male players (N.=16, age: 16.8±1.5), Junior National female players (N.=14, age: 16.9±1.6), amateur level male players (N.=15, age: 16.3±0.8) and amateur level female players (N.=15, age: 16.1±0.6). ANOVA was used in the statistical methods in order to compare the hand grip strength made by different brands; Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship level between dynamometers. Furthermore, test-retest reliability analysis was completed the new developed expert dynamometer. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of the dynamometers (P>0.05). Besides, a highly significant relationship (r=0.95 to 0.96) was found among all three dynamometers. However, the reliability coefficient was found (Chronbachs α: 0.989, ICC:0.97, r=0.97), (P<0.01) for the new developed expert dynamometer. Comparison between the dynamometers and the statistical results obtained from the correlation relationships shows interchangeability of dynamometers. As a result, our observation of force continuity (progression) of the athlete and patient populations is thought to be important.

[Correlation of adverse childhood experiences with psychiatric disorders and aggressiveness in adulthood].

PubMed

Samardzić, Ljiljana; Nikolić, Gordana; Grbesa, Grozdanko; Simonović, Maja; Milenković, Tatjana

2010-08-01

Consequences of individual adverse childhood experiences for adult mental health have been precisely studied during past decades. The focus of past research was mainly on childhood maltreatment and neglect. The aim of this paper was to determine association between multiple adverse childhood experiences and psychiatric disorders, as well as their correlation to the degree and type of aggressiveness in adult psychiatric patients. One hundred and thirteen psychiatric outpatients were divided into three diagnostic groups: psychotics, non-psychotics and alcoholics and compared with fourty healthy individuals. Adverse childhood experiences data were gathered retrospectively, using the Adverse childhood experiences questionnaire and explanatory interview. Aggressiveness was assessed using Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. The Student's t test, ANOVA and correlational analysis were used for evaluation of statistical significance of differences among the groups. A value p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Our results showed that the mean number of adverse childhood experiences in each group of psychiatric patients, as well as in the whole group of patients, was statistically significantly higher than in the group of healthy individuals (p < 0.001); there was a statistically significant difference in score of physical aggressiveness between the patients exposed to adverse childhood experiences and those who were not exposed to them (p < 0.05); scores of physical aggressiveness were in positive correlation with the number of adverse childhood experiences (p < 0.05). The highest mean score of adverse childhood experiences was evidenced in the group of patients with psychotic disorders. Multiple adverse childhood experiences are significantly associated with psychotic disorders, nonpsychotic disorders and alcohol dependence in adulthood and their presence is important morbidity risk factor for psychiatric disorders. They are in positive correlation with physical aggressiveness of the patients from these diagnostic groups.

A novel measure and significance testing in data analysis of cell image segmentation.

PubMed

Wu, Jin Chu; Halter, Michael; Kacker, Raghu N; Elliott, John T; Plant, Anne L

2017-03-14

Cell image segmentation (CIS) is an essential part of quantitative imaging of biological cells. Designing a performance measure and conducting significance testing are critical for evaluating and comparing the CIS algorithms for image-based cell assays in cytometry. Many measures and methods have been proposed and implemented to evaluate segmentation methods. However, computing the standard errors (SE) of the measures and their correlation coefficient is not described, and thus the statistical significance of performance differences between CIS algorithms cannot be assessed. We propose the total error rate (TER), a novel performance measure for segmenting all cells in the supervised evaluation. The TER statistically aggregates all misclassification error rates (MER) by taking cell sizes as weights. The MERs are for segmenting each single cell in the population. The TER is fully supported by the pairwise comparisons of MERs using 106 manually segmented ground-truth cells with different sizes and seven CIS algorithms taken from ImageJ. Further, the SE and 95% confidence interval (CI) of TER are computed based on the SE of MER that is calculated using the bootstrap method. An algorithm for computing the correlation coefficient of TERs between two CIS algorithms is also provided. Hence, the 95% CI error bars can be used to classify CIS algorithms. The SEs of TERs and their correlation coefficient can be employed to conduct the hypothesis testing, while the CIs overlap, to determine the statistical significance of the performance differences between CIS algorithms. A novel measure TER of CIS is proposed. The TER's SEs and correlation coefficient are computed. Thereafter, CIS algorithms can be evaluated and compared statistically by conducting the significance testing.

Statistical interpretation of machine learning-based feature importance scores for biomarker discovery.

PubMed

Huynh-Thu, Vân Anh; Saeys, Yvan; Wehenkel, Louis; Geurts, Pierre

2012-07-01

Univariate statistical tests are widely used for biomarker discovery in bioinformatics. These procedures are simple, fast and their output is easily interpretable by biologists but they can only identify variables that provide a significant amount of information in isolation from the other variables. As biological processes are expected to involve complex interactions between variables, univariate methods thus potentially miss some informative biomarkers. Variable relevance scores provided by machine learning techniques, however, are potentially able to highlight multivariate interacting effects, but unlike the p-values returned by univariate tests, these relevance scores are usually not statistically interpretable. This lack of interpretability hampers the determination of a relevance threshold for extracting a feature subset from the rankings and also prevents the wide adoption of these methods by practicians. We evaluated several, existing and novel, procedures that extract relevant features from rankings derived from machine learning approaches. These procedures replace the relevance scores with measures that can be interpreted in a statistical way, such as p-values, false discovery rates, or family wise error rates, for which it is easier to determine a significance level. Experiments were performed on several artificial problems as well as on real microarray datasets. Although the methods differ in terms of computing times and the tradeoff, they achieve in terms of false positives and false negatives, some of them greatly help in the extraction of truly relevant biomarkers and should thus be of great practical interest for biologists and physicians. As a side conclusion, our experiments also clearly highlight that using model performance as a criterion for feature selection is often counter-productive. Python source codes of all tested methods, as well as the MATLAB scripts used for data simulation, can be found in the Supplementary Material.

Spatio-temporal trends in monthly pan evaporation in Aguascalientes, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz-Alvarez, Osias; Singh, Vijay P.; Medina, Juan Enciso; Munster, Clyde; Kaiser, Ronald; Ontiveros-Capurata, Ronald Ernesto; Diaz-Garcia, Luis Antonio; dos Santos, Carlos Antonio Costa

2018-05-01

Emission of greenhouse gases is being alleged to be causing climate change in different regions of the world. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatio-temporal trends of monthly evaporation at 52 weather stations in the state of Aguascalientes (Mexico) which have hydrometeorological records of long periods. The autocorrelation was eliminated with an auto-regressive model, and the trend was determined using the Spearman (S) and Kendall (K) tests. The statistical significance of the trend was determined with the Spearman correlation coefficient (r s) and the Z statistic (the test statistic of the normal distribution) both indicated that that there were statistically significant trends in 107 time series, of these 88 series had negative trends and 19 series had positive trends. Negative trends were present in all months of the year, while positive trends occurred from February to May and from October to December only. The reduction of evaporation from - 4.10 to - 20.50 mm/month/year from June to September showed a hopeful future scenario for rainfed agriculture. Irrigated agriculture during dry months could have a reduction of irrigation requirements as a consequence of the reduction in reference and crop evapotranspiration. The evaporation increase during dry months could increase irrigation requirements and pumping, mainly in March, April, and November when there are trends with increases of about 26.90, 24.60, and 23.90 mm/month/year, respectively. The spatial variability of evaporation trend means that other effects of climate change could vary in different parts of the state. Results of this study will be useful for farmers and institutions in charge of the administration of water resources for developing adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change.

Death Certification Errors and the Effect on Mortality Statistics.

PubMed

McGivern, Lauri; Shulman, Leanne; Carney, Jan K; Shapiro, Steven; Bundock, Elizabeth

Errors in cause and manner of death on death certificates are common and affect families, mortality statistics, and public health research. The primary objective of this study was to characterize errors in the cause and manner of death on death certificates completed by non-Medical Examiners. A secondary objective was to determine the effects of errors on national mortality statistics. We retrospectively compared 601 death certificates completed between July 1, 2015, and January 31, 2016, from the Vermont Electronic Death Registration System with clinical summaries from medical records. Medical Examiners, blinded to original certificates, reviewed summaries, generated mock certificates, and compared mock certificates with original certificates. They then graded errors using a scale from 1 to 4 (higher numbers indicated increased impact on interpretation of the cause) to determine the prevalence of minor and major errors. They also compared International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes on original certificates with those on mock certificates. Of 601 original death certificates, 319 (53%) had errors; 305 (51%) had major errors; and 59 (10%) had minor errors. We found no significant differences by certifier type (physician vs nonphysician). We did find significant differences in major errors in place of death ( P < .001). Certificates for deaths occurring in hospitals were more likely to have major errors than certificates for deaths occurring at a private residence (59% vs 39%, P < .001). A total of 580 (93%) death certificates had a change in ICD-10 codes between the original and mock certificates, of which 348 (60%) had a change in the underlying cause-of-death code. Error rates on death certificates in Vermont are high and extend to ICD-10 coding, thereby affecting national mortality statistics. Surveillance and certifier education must expand beyond local and state efforts. Simplifying and standardizing underlying literal text for cause of death may improve accuracy, decrease coding errors, and improve national mortality statistics.

Investigating the cognitive structure of stereotypes: Generic beliefs about groups predict social judgments better than statistical beliefs.

PubMed

Hammond, Matthew D; Cimpian, Andrei

2017-05-01

Stereotypes are typically defined as beliefs about groups, but this definition is underspecified. Beliefs about groups can be generic or statistical. Generic beliefs attribute features to entire groups (e.g., men are strong), whereas statistical beliefs encode the perceived prevalence of features (e.g., how common it is for men to be strong). In the present research, we sought to determine which beliefs-generic or statistical-are more central to the cognitive structure of stereotypes. Specifically, we tested whether generic or statistical beliefs are more influential in people's social judgments, on the assumption that greater functional importance indicates greater centrality in stereotype structure. Relative to statistical beliefs, generic beliefs about social groups were significantly stronger predictors of expectations (Studies 1-3) and explanations (Study 4) for unfamiliar individuals' traits. In addition, consistent with prior evidence that generic beliefs are cognitively simpler than statistical beliefs, generic beliefs were particularly predictive of social judgments for participants with more intuitive (vs. analytic) cognitive styles and for participants higher (vs. lower) in authoritarianism, who tend to view outgroups in simplistic, all-or-none terms. The present studies suggest that generic beliefs about groups are more central than statistical beliefs to the cognitive structure of stereotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of the Afterschool Program on Student Achievement of Students with Disabilities in a Rural Georgia Middle School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Franklin, Constance

2017-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental causal comparative research study is to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in reading and math achievement as measured by the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students with disabilities (SWD) who attended the…

Scores on the 16 Personality Factor Test and Success in College Calculus 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaughnessy, Michael F.; And Others

This study explored personality variables measured by the 16 Personality Factor (16PF) test and their relevance to success, as defined by the final course grade, in college calculus courses with 94 students. Two personality variables were significant predictors of success as determined by the final course grade. A Statistical Analysis System…

Modifying Open-Campus Lunch Policy to Reduce Discipline Violations: An Action Research Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkes, James S., III

2016-01-01

An intervention was implemented to address the high number of discipline violations due to an unconditional open-campus lunch policy at a senior high school. The intent of the intervention was to statistically measure discipline violations among voluntary participants and to determine whether or not a significant change occurred. The research…

The Effects of Various High School Scheduling Models on Student Achievement in Michigan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pickell, Russell E.

2017-01-01

This study reviews research and data to determine whether student achievement is affected by the high school scheduling model, and whether changes in scheduling models result in statistically significant changes in student achievement, as measured by the ACT Composite, ACT English Language Arts, and ACT Math scores. The high school scheduling…

Comparison of Oral Language Usage among English Language Learners Diagnosed with a Learning Disability and Those in General Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pray, Lisa

2009-01-01

The investigator compared the linguistic characteristics of Spanish and English language samples taken from English language learners (ELLs) diagnosed with an academic learning disability (LD) and ELLs in general education to determine if the errors and characteristics of their language use differ. There was a statistically significant difference…

An Investigation on Value Orientations, Attitudes and Concern towards the Environment: The Case of Turkish Elementary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Onur, Arzu; Sahin, Elvan; Tekkaya, Ceren

2012-01-01

Environmental attitudes depend on the relative importance that individuals attach to themselves, other people, or all living things. These distinct bases have been found to predict environmental concern, and may act as statistically significant determinants of pro-environmental behaviours. We claim that examining the complex nature of value…

Strengthening the Validity of Population-Based Suicide Rate Comparisons: An Illustration Using U.S. Military and Civilian Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eaton, Karen M.; Messer, Stephen C.; Garvey Wilson, Abigail L.; Hoge, Charles W.

2006-01-01

The objectives of this study were to generate precise estimates of suicide rates in the military while controlling for factors contributing to rate variability such as demographic differences and classification bias, and to develop a simple methodology for the determination of statistically derived thresholds for detecting significant rate…

Predictors of Working Alliance Efficacy among State VR Counselors as a Function of Ex-Offender Status

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bates, Julie K.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if statistically significant relationships existed between burnout, stigma, flourishing, caseload size, experience, and working alliance self-efficacy and to assess the predictive power of these variables on levels of working alliance self-efficacy with clients with disabilities alone and clients with…

A Study Comparing Fifth Grade Student Achievement in Mathematics in Departmentalized and Non-Departmentalized Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Karen Ann

2014-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine the application of the teaching and learning theory of social constructivism in order to determine if mathematics instruction provided in a departmentalized classroom setting at the fifth grade level resulted in a statistically significant difference in student achievement…

Exploring the Relationship between the Ventures for Excellence Teacher StyleProfile Data and Teacher Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Barry

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if a commercial teacher selection tool, the Ventures for Excellence Teacher StyleProfile, had a statistically significant relationship with teacher evaluation and performance feedback data gathered during a teacher's first year of teaching in the Midwest School District. A review of the literature…

Teacher Quality Indicators as Predictors of Instructional Assessment Practices in Science Classrooms in Secondary Schools in Barbados

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogunkola, Babalola J.; Archer-Bradshaw, Ramona E.

2013-01-01

This study investigated the self-reported instructional assessment practices of a selected sample of secondary school science teachers in Barbados. The study sought to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the instructional assessment practices of teachers based on their sex and teacher quality (teaching experience,…

Inclusion and Student Learning: A Quantitative Comparison of Special and General Education Student Performance Using Team and Solo-Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jamison, Joseph A.

2013-01-01

This quantitative study sought to determine whether there were significant statistical differences between the performance scores of special education and general education students' scores when in team or solo-teaching environments as may occur in inclusively taught classrooms. The investigated problem occurs because despite education's stated…

How Variances in Business School Rankings Affect Enrollment Trends and Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Veyga, Guillermo A.

2016-01-01

This study examined the effect that variances in the"U.S. News & World Report" rankings have on enrollment trends and practices in both top and non-top 25 business schools. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mobility in the rankings was met with a statistically significant response to the research questions presented.…

Corneal biomechanical properties in floppy eyelid syndrome.

PubMed

Muniesa, MaJesús; Muniesa Royo, MaJesús; March, Ana; March de Ribot, Ana; Sánchez-de-la-Torre, Manuel; Huerva, Valetín; Huerva Escanilla, Valetín; Jurjo, Carmen; Jurjo Campo, Carmen; Barbé, Ferran; Barbé Illa, Ferran

2015-05-01

To determine corneal biomechanical properties in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) and to compare them with eyes of controls. This case-control study included 208 eyes (72 eyes with FES and 136 without FES) of 107 patients (37 patients with FES and 70 without FES). Patients underwent a complete clinical eye examination that included corneal biomechanical evaluation carried out with the Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), central corneal thickness (CCT), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were evaluated. Mean CH was significantly lower in patients with FES than in those without FES (9.51 ± 1.56 vs. 11.66 ± 9.11; P < 0.001). These results remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and apnea-hypoapnea index (AHI) (P = 0.028). Mean CRF was 10.02 ± 2.08 in the group of patients with FES and 11.21 ± 5.36 in the group of patients without FES (P = 0.001). Mean IOPcc was 17.7 ± 4.8 in patients with FES and 16.3 ± 4.4 in those without FES (P = 0.036). After adjusting for age and AHI, these differences in CRF and IOPcc were not statistically significant (P = 0.26 and P = 0.87, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between patients with and without FES for Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure or CCT. Patients with FES had statistically lower CH values. Our findings suggest that corneal biomechanical properties could be changed in patients with FES, reflecting additional structural changes in FES.

Discrepancy between results and abstract conclusions in industry- vs nonindustry-funded studies comparing topical prostaglandins.

PubMed

Alasbali, Tariq; Smith, Michael; Geffen, Noa; Trope, Graham E; Flanagan, John G; Jin, Yaping; Buys, Yvonne M

2009-01-01

To investigate the relationship between industry- vs nonindustry-funded publications comparing the efficacy of topical prostaglandin analogs by evaluating the correspondence between the statistical significance of the publication's main outcome measure and its abstract conclusions. Retrospective, observational cohort study. English publications comparing the ocular hypotensive efficacy between any or all of latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost were searched from the MEDLINE database. Each article was reviewed by three independent observers and was evaluated for source of funding, study quality, statistically significant main outcome measure, correspondence between results of main outcome measure and abstract conclusion, number of intraocular pressure outcomes compared, and journal impact factor. Funding was determined by published disclosure or, in cases of no documented disclosure, the corresponding author was contacted directly to confirm industry funding. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The main outcome measure was correspondence between abstract conclusion and reported statistical significance of the publications' main outcome measure. Thirty-nine publications were included, of which 29 were industry funded and 10 were nonindustry funded. The published abstract conclusion was not consistent with the results of the main outcome measure in 18 (62%) of 29 of the industry-funded studies compared with zero (0%) of 10 of the nonindustry-funded studies (P = .0006). Twenty-six (90%) of the industry-funded studies had proindustry abstract conclusions. Twenty-four percent of the industry-funded publications had a statistically significant main outcome measure; however, 90% of the industry-funded studies had proindustry abstract conclusions. Both readers and reviewers should scrutinize publications carefully to ensure that data support the authors' conclusions.

The effect of laserpuncture at the LI4 Hegu point on the plasma levels of β-endorphin in healthy subjects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihardja, H.; Srilestari, A.; Budianto, S. A.

2017-08-01

Laserpuncture is an acupuncture method for pain management. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of laserpuncture at the LI4 Hegu point on the plasma levels of β-endorphin in healthy subjects. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with placebo controls was conducted on 29 healthy subjects. Subjects were allocated into the laserpuncture group (n = 15) and the laserpuncture placebo group (n = 14). The plasma levels of β-endorphin were used to measure the output of the study assessed both before treatment and posttreatment. There are statistically significant differences in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin before and after treatment in the laserpuncture group: changes in mean value from 0.22±0.06 ng/ml to 0.29±0.07 ng/ml with a p value = 0.005 (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin before and after treatment in the laserpuncture placebo group: changes in mean value from 0.22±0.06 ng/ml to 0.26±0.09 ng/ml with p value = 0.195 (p > 0.05). Between groups, there was not a statistically significant difference in the baseline mean plasma levels of β-endorphin (p = 0.183, p > 0.05). The conclusion of this study is that laserpuncture can affect the plasma levels of β-endorphin in healthy subjects when there is no statistically significant difference in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin between groups.

Qualitative Literature Review of the Prevalence of Depression in Medical Students Compared to Students in Non-medical Degrees.

PubMed

Bacchi, Stephen; Licinio, Julio

2015-06-01

The purpose of this study is to review studies published in English between 1 January 2000 and 16 June 2014, in peer-reviewed journals, that have assessed the prevalence of depression, comparing medical students and non-medical students with a single evaluation method. The databases PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for eligible articles. Searches used combinations of the Medical Subject Headings medical student and depression. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine eligibility before full-text articles were retrieved, which were then also reviewed. Twelve studies met eligibility criteria. Non-medical groups surveyed included dentistry, business, humanities, nursing, pharmacy, and architecture students. One study found statistically significant results suggesting that medical students had a higher prevalence of depression than groups of non-medical students; five studies found statistically significant results indicating that the prevalence of depression in medical students was less than that in groups of non-medical students; four studies found no statistically significant difference, and two studies did not report on the statistical significance of their findings. One study was longitudinal, and 11 studies were cross-sectional. While there are limitations to these comparisons, in the main, the reviewed literature suggests that medical students have similar or lower rates of depression compared to certain groups of non-medical students. A lack of longitudinal studies meant that potential common underlying causes could not be discerned, highlighting the need for further research in this area. The high rates of depression among medical students indicate the continuing need for interventions to reduce depression.

Overweight, but not obesity, paradox on mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting.

PubMed

Takagi, Hisato; Umemoto, Takuya

2016-09-01

To determine whether an "obesity paradox" on post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mortality exists, we abstracted exclusively adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and/or hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality from each study, and then combined them in a meta-analysis. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through April 2015 using PubMed and OVID, to identify comparative studies, of overweight or obese versus normal weight patients undergoing CABG, reporting adjusted relative risk estimates for short-term (30-day or in-hospital) and/or mid-to-long-term all-cause mortality. Our search identified 14 eligible studies. In total our meta-analysis included data on 79,140 patients undergoing CABG. Pooled analyses in short-term mortality demonstrated that overweight was associated with a statistically significant 15% reduction relative to normal weight (OR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.98; p=0.03) and no statistically significant differences between mild obesity, moderate/severe obesity, or overall obesity and normal weight. Pooled analyses in mid-to-long-term mortality demonstrated that overweight was associated with a statistically significant 10% reduction relative to normal weight (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.96; p=0.001); and no statistically significant differences between mild obesity, moderate/severe obesity, or overall obesity and normal weight. Overweight, but not obesity, may be associated with better short-term and mid-to-long-term post-CABG survival relative to normal weight. An overweight, but not obesity, paradox on post-CABG mortality appears to exist. Copyright © 2015 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the educational environment of postgraduate surgical teaching.

PubMed

Khan, Junaid Sarfraz

2008-01-01

Medical Education is becoming increasingly community-oriented, student-centred, self-learning and self & peer-assessing process especially in the undergraduate years. This is happening because of increasing patient awareness of their rights in our new healthcare world of increased consultant responsibility; and implementation in the U.K. health institutions of the 'European Working Time Directive' and 'Modernization of Medical Careers'. The study was conducted to determine the change if any in the education environment of postgraduate surgical teaching in a leading teaching hospital in London when a teacher-centred, old-fashioned postgraduate teaching approach was replaced with a student-centred, self-assessment, portfolio-based approach. Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM). Twenty postgraduate trainees filled in the questionnaire before and after the change in their learning/teaching pattern. The response rate was 100%. No statistically significant difference in the overall score for the two teaching environments (p = 0.8024, 95% CI = -5.549273 to 4.349273) was found, because the loss of on-call rooms, trainee's mess and catering services statistically significantly deteriorated the social support subscale of the PHEEM scale (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = 6.66752 to 13.03248) to counteract any statistically significant improvement in the teaching role perception subscale of the instrument (p = 0.001, 95% CI= -12.443896 to -4.856104). There was no statistically significant difference in the role autonomy perception subscale in the two methods (p = 0.3663, 95% CI = -5.870437 to 2.270437). A student-centred approach to postgraduate teaching is better than a teacher-centred approach. However, further studies will be needed to evaluate both postgraduate teaching and training environment.

A retrospective analysis of eye conditions among children attending St. John Eye Hospital, Hebron, Palestine.

PubMed

Banayot, Riyad G

2016-04-05

Eye diseases are important causes of medical consultations, with the spectrum varying in different regions. This hospital-based descriptive study aimed to determine the profile of childhood eye conditions at St. John tertiary Eye hospital serving in Hebron, Palestine. Files of all new patients less than 16 years old who presented to St. John Eye Hospital-Hebron, Palestine between January 2013 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Age at presentation, sex, and clinical diagnosis were extracted from medical records. Data were stored and analyzed using Wizard data analysis version 1.6.0 by Evan Miller. The Chi square test was used to compare variables and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We evaluated the records of 1102 patients, with a female: male ratio of 1:1.1. Patients aged 0-5 years old were the largest group (40.2%). Refractive errors were the most common ocular disorders seen (31.6%), followed by conjunctival diseases (23.7%) and strabismus and amblyopia (13.8%). Refractive errors were recorded more frequently and statistically significant (p < 0.001) among (11-15) age group. Within the conjunctival diseases category, conjunctivitis and dry eyes was more prominent and statistically significant (p < 0.001) among the 6-10 year old age group. Within the strabismus and amblyopia category, convergent strabismus was more common and statistically significant among the youngest age group (0-5 years old). The most common causes of ocular morbidity are largely treatable or preventable. These results suggest the need for awareness campaigns and early intervention programs.

Trajectory of social isolation following hip fracture: an analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort.

PubMed

Smith, Toby O; Dainty, Jack R; MacGregor, Alex

2018-01-01

social isolation is defined as a lack of meaningful and sustained communication or interactions with social networks. There is limited understanding on the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness in people following hip fracture and no previous understanding of how this changes over time. to determine the prevalence and trajectory of social isolation and loneliness before a hip fracture, during the recovery phase and a minimum of 2 years post-hip fracture in an English population. data were from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort (2004/5-2014/15). The sample comprised of 215 participants who had sustained a hip fracture. Measures of social isolation and loneliness were analysed through multilevel modelling to determine their trajectories during three-time intervals (pre-fracture; interval at hip fracture and recovery; minimum 2 years post-fracture). The prevalence of social isolation and loneliness were determined pre- and post-fracture. prevalence of social isolation was 19% post-hip fracture and loneliness 13% post-hip fracture. There was no statistically significant change in social isolation pre-fracture compared to a minimum of 2 years post-fracture (P = 0.78). Similarly, there was no statistically significant change in loneliness pre-fracture compared to a minimum of 2 years post-fracture (P = 0.12). this analysis has determined that whilst social isolation and loneliness do not change over time following hip fracture, these remain a significant problem for this population. Interventions are required to address these physical and psychological health needs. This is important as they may have short and longer term health benefits for people post-hip fracture. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society.All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Statistical Significance Testing from Three Perspectives and Interpreting Statistical Significance and Nonsignificance and the Role of Statistics in Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levin, Joel R.; And Others

1993-01-01

Journal editors respond to criticisms of reliance on statistical significance in research reporting. Joel R. Levin ("Journal of Educational Psychology") defends its use, whereas William D. Schafer ("Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development") emphasizes the distinction between statistically significant and important. William Asher…

What Is the Methodologic Quality of Human Therapy Studies in ISI Surgical Publications?

PubMed Central

Manterola, Carlos; Pineda, Viviana; Vial, Manuel; Losada, Héctor

2006-01-01

Objective: To determine the methodologic quality of therapy articles about humans published in ISI surgical journals, and to explore the association between methodologic quality, origin, and subject matter. Summary Background Data: It is supposed that ISI journals contain the best methodologic articles. Methods: This is a bibliometric study. All journals listed in the 2002 ISI under the subject heading of “Surgery” were included. A simple randomized sampling was conducted for selected journals (Annals of Surgery, The American Surgeon, Archives of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, European Journal of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Surgery, and World Journal of Surgery). Published articles related to therapy on humans of the selected journals were reviewed and analyzed. All kinds of clinical designs were considered, excluding editorials, review articles, letters to the editor, and experimental studies. The variables considered were: place of origin, design, and the methodologic quality of articles, which was determined by applying a valid and reliable scale. The review was performed interchangeably and independently by 2 research teams. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Statistical significance was defined as P values less than 1%. Results: A total of 653 articles were studied. Studies came predominantly from the United States and Europe (43.6% and 36.8%, respectively). The subject areas most frequently found were digestive and hepatobiliopancreatic surgery (29.1% and 24.5%, respectively). Average and median methodologic quality scores of the entire series were 11.6 ± 4.9 points and 11 points, respectively. The association between methodologic quality and journals was determined. Also, the association between methodologic quality and origin was observed, but no association with subject area was verified. Conclusions: The methodologic quality of therapy articles published in the journals analyzed is low; however, statistical significance was determined between them. Association was observed between methodologic quality and origin, but not with subject matter. PMID:17060778

Factors determining access to oral health services among children aged less than 12 years in Peru.

PubMed

Azañedo, Diego; Hernández-Vásquez, Akram; Casas-Bendezú, Mixsi; Gutiérrez, César; Agudelo-Suárez, Andrés A; Cortés, Sandra

2017-01-01

Background: Understanding problems of access to oral health services requires knowledge of factors that determine access. This study aimed to evaluate factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru between 2014 and 2015. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of 71,614 Peruvian children aged <12 years and their caregivers. Data were obtained from the Survey on Demography and Family Health 2014-2015 (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar - ENDES). Children's access to oral health services within the previous 6 months was used as the dependent variable (i.e. Yes/No), and the Andersen and col model was used to select independent variables. Predisposing (e.g., language spoken by  tutor or guardian, wealth level, caregivers' educational level, area of residence, natural region of residence, age, and sex) and enabling factors (e.g. type of health insurance) were considered. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed using generalized linear models (Poisson family). Results: Of all the children, 51% were males, 56% were aged <5 years, and 62.6% lived in urban areas. The most common type of health insurance was Integral Health Insurance (57.8%), and most respondents were in the first quintile of wealth (31.6%). Regarding caregivers, the most common educational level was high school (43.02%) and the most frequently spoken language was Spanish (88.4%). Univariate analysis revealed that all variables, except sex and primary educational level, were statistically significant. After adjustment, sex, area of residence, and language were insignificant, whereas the remaining variables were statistically significant. Conclusions: Wealth index, caregivers' education level, natural region of residence, age, and type of health insurance are factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru. These factors should be considered when devising strategies to mitigate against inequities in access to oral health services.

Factors determining access to oral health services among children aged less than 12 years in Peru

PubMed Central

Azañedo, Diego; Hernández-Vásquez, Akram; Casas-Bendezú, Mixsi; Gutiérrez, César; Agudelo-Suárez, Andrés A.; Cortés, Sandra

2017-01-01

Background: Understanding problems of access to oral health services requires knowledge of factors that determine access. This study aimed to evaluate factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru between 2014 and 2015. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of 71,614 Peruvian children aged <12 years and their caregivers. Data were obtained from the Survey on Demography and Family Health 2014-2015 (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar - ENDES). Children’s access to oral health services within the previous 6 months was used as the dependent variable (i.e. Yes/No), and the Andersen and col model was used to select independent variables. Predisposing (e.g., language spoken by  tutor or guardian, wealth level, caregivers’ educational level, area of residence, natural region of residence, age, and sex) and enabling factors (e.g. type of health insurance) were considered. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed using generalized linear models (Poisson family). Results: Of all the children, 51% were males, 56% were aged <5 years, and 62.6% lived in urban areas. The most common type of health insurance was Integral Health Insurance (57.8%), and most respondents were in the first quintile of wealth (31.6%). Regarding caregivers, the most common educational level was high school (43.02%) and the most frequently spoken language was Spanish (88.4%). Univariate analysis revealed that all variables, except sex and primary educational level, were statistically significant. After adjustment, sex, area of residence, and language were insignificant, whereas the remaining variables were statistically significant. Conclusions: Wealth index, caregivers’ education level, natural region of residence, age, and type of health insurance are factors that determine access to oral health services among children aged <12 years in Peru. These factors should be considered when devising strategies to mitigate against inequities in access to oral health services. PMID:29527289

Jointly determining significance levels of primary and replication studies by controlling the false discovery rate in two-stage genome-wide association studies.

PubMed

Jiang, Wei; Yu, Weichuan

2017-01-01

In genome-wide association studies, we normally discover associations between genetic variants and diseases/traits in primary studies, and validate the findings in replication studies. We consider the associations identified in both primary and replication studies as true findings. An important question under this two-stage setting is how to determine significance levels in both studies. In traditional methods, significance levels of the primary and replication studies are determined separately. We argue that the separate determination strategy reduces the power in the overall two-stage study. Therefore, we propose a novel method to determine significance levels jointly. Our method is a reanalysis method that needs summary statistics from both studies. We find the most powerful significance levels when controlling the false discovery rate in the two-stage study. To enjoy the power improvement from the joint determination method, we need to select single nucleotide polymorphisms for replication at a less stringent significance level. This is a common practice in studies designed for discovery purpose. We suggest this practice is also suitable in studies with validation purpose in order to identify more true findings. Simulation experiments show that our method can provide more power than traditional methods and that the false discovery rate is well-controlled. Empirical experiments on datasets of five diseases/traits demonstrate that our method can help identify more associations. The R-package is available at: http://bioinformatics.ust.hk/RFdr.html .

Evaluation of Non-Ozone-Depleting-Chemical Cleaning Methods for Space Mechanisms Using a Vacuum Spiral Orbit Rolling Contact Tribometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jansen, Mark J.; Jones, William R., Jr.; Wheeler, Donald R.; Keller, Dennis J.

2000-01-01

Because CFC 113, an ozone depleting chemical (ODC), can no longer be produced, alternative bearing cleaning methods must be studied. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the new cleaning methods on lubricant lifetime using a vacuum bearing simulator (spiral orbit rolling contact tribometer). Four alternative cleaning methods were studied: ultra-violet (UV) ozone, aqueous levigated alumina slurry (ALAS), super critical fluid (SCF) CO2 and aqueous Brulin 815GD. Baseline tests were done using CFC 113. Test conditions were the following: a vacuum of at least 1.3 x 10(exp -6) Pa, 440C steel components, a rotational speed of 10 RPM, a lubricant charge of between 60-75 micrograms, a perfluoropolyalkylether lubricant (Z-25), and a load of 200N (44.6 lbs., a mean Hertzian stress of 1.5 GPa). Normalized lubricant lifetime was determined by dividing the total number of ball orbits by the amount of lubricant. The failure condition was a friction coefficient of 0.38. Post-test XPS analysis was also performed, showing slight variations in post-cleaning surface chemistry. Statistical analysis of the resultant data was conducted and it was determined that the data sets were most directly comparable when subjected to a natural log transformation. The natural log life (NL-Life) data for each cleaning method were reasonably normally (statistically) distributed and yielded standard deviations that were not significantly different among the five cleaning methods investigated. This made comparison of their NL-Life means very straightforward using a Bonferroni multiple comparison of means procedure. This procedure showed that the ALAS, UV-ozone and CFC 113 methods were not statistically significantly different from one another with respect to mean NL-Life. It also found that the SCF CO2 method yielded a significantly higher mean NL-Life than the mean NL-Lives of the ALAS, UV-ozone and CFC 113 methods. It also determined that the aqueous Brulin 815GD method yielded a mean NL-Life that was statistically significantly higher than the mean NL-Lives of each of the other four methods. Baseline tests using CFC 113 cleaned parts yielded a mean NL-Life 3.62 orbits/micro-g. ALAS and UV-ozone yielded similar mean NL-Life (3.31 orbits/mg and 3.33 orbits/micro-g, respectively). SCF CO2, gave a mean NL-Life of 4.08 orbits/mg and aqueous Brulin 8l5GD data yielded the longest mean NL-Life (4.66 orbits/micro-g).

Factors related to rural young adolescents' participation in outdoor, noncompetitive physical activity.

PubMed

Christiana, Richard W; Davis, Marsha; Wilson, Mark G; McCarty, Frances A; Green, Gary T

2014-12-01

Young adolescents who have little interest in participating in competitive team sports are at an increased risk for physical inactivity. Noncompetitive outdoor physical activity can provide young adolescents with increased opportunities to participate in physical activities that appeal to them and have positive health effects. The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to rural young adolescents' participation in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity to inform intervention design. Young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old (N = 1,032) from 1 rural county completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing constructs from self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) related to noncompetitive outdoor physical activity. Structural equation modeling was used to examine an integrated conceptual model of hypothesized relationships among constructs. The hypothesized conceptual model provided a good fit to the data with greater perceptions of autonomy support and self-determined motivation having statistically significant positive indirect effects on participation in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity mediated by the constructs of the TPB. All direct paths in the model were statistically significant; however, the direct effect of attitudes on intention was weak (.08) and self-determined motivation had no indirect effect on intention through attitudes (.03). Constructs of SDT and TPB should be accounted for by interventions targeting noncompetitive outdoor physical activity among young adolescents. More research is needed to determine young adolescents' preferences for noncompetitive and competitive physical activity and the potential influence that noncompetitive outdoor physical activity may have on total daily physical activity.

Complex patterns of response to oral hygiene instructions: longitudinal evaluation of periodontal patients.

PubMed

Amoo-Achampong, Felice; Vitunac, David E; Deeley, Kathleen; Modesto, Adriana; Vieira, Alexandre R

2018-05-02

Oral hygiene instruction is an intervention widely practiced but increased knowledge about oral health does not necessarily dramatically impact oral disease prevalence in populations. We aimed to measure plaque and bleeding in periodontal patients over time to determine patterns of patient response to oral hygiene instructions. Longitudinal plaque and bleeding index data were evaluated in 227 periodontal patients to determine the impact of oral hygiene instructions. Over multiple visits, we determined relative plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding for each patient. Subsequently, we grouped them in three types of oral hygiene status in response to initial instructions, using the longitudinal data over the period they were treated and followed for their periodontal needs. These patterns of oral hygiene based on the plaque and gingival bleeding indexes were evaluated based on age, sex, ethnic background, interleukin 1 alpha and beta genotypes, diabetes status, smoking habits, and other concomitant diseases. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine if any differences between these variables were statistically significant with alpha set at 0.05. Three patterns in response to oral hygiene instructions emerged. Plaque and gingival bleeding indexes improved, worsened, or fluctuated over time in the periodontal patients studied. Out of all the confounders considered, only ethnic background showed statistically significant differences. White individuals more often than other ethnic groups fluctuated in regards to oral hygiene quality after instructions. There are different responses to professional oral hygiene instructions. These responses may be related to ethnicity.

Normal values for segmental bioimpedance spectroscopy in pediatric patients.

PubMed

Avila, Maria Laura; Ward, Leigh C; Feldman, Brian M; Montoya, Madeline I; Stinson, Jennifer; Kiss, Alex; Brandão, Leonardo R

2015-01-01

Localized limb edema is a clinically relevant sign in diseases such as post-thrombotic syndrome and lymphedema. Quantitative evaluation of localized edema in children is mainly done by measuring the absolute difference in limb circumference, which includes fat and fat-free mass. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) provides information on the fluid volume of a body segment. Our objective was to determine normal ranges for segmental (arm and leg) BIS measurements in healthy children. Additionally, we determined the normal ranges for the difference in arm and ankle circumference and explored the influence of handedness and the correlation between techniques. Healthy children aged 1-18 years were recruited. The ratio of extracellular fluid content between contralateral limbs (estimated as the inter-arm and inter-leg extracellular impedance ratio), and the ratio of extracellular to intracellular fluid content for each limb (estimated as the intracellular to extracellular impedance ratio) were determined with a bioimpedance spectrometer. Arm and ankle circumference was determined with a Gulick II tape. We recruited 223 healthy children (48 infants, 54 preschoolers, 66 school-aged children, and 55 teenagers). Normal values for arm and leg BIS measurements, and for the difference in arm and ankle circumference were estimated for each age category. No influence of handedness was found. We found a statistically significant correlation between extracellular impedance ratio and circumference difference for arms among teenagers. We determined normal BIS ranges for arms and legs and for the difference in circumference between arms and between ankles in children. There was no statistically significant correlation between extracellular impedance ratio and difference in circumference, except in the case of arms in adolescents. This may indicate that limb circumference measures quantities other than fluid, challenging the adequacy of this technique to determine the presence of localized edema in most age groups.

[Functional impairment and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery].

PubMed

Mora, Laura; Zarate, Alba; Serra-Aracil, Xavier; Pallisera, Anna; Serra, Sheila; Navarro-Soto, Salvador

2018-01-01

This study determines the quality of life and the anorectal function of these patients. Observational study of two cohorts comparing patients undergoing rectal tumor surgery using TaETM or conventional ETM after a minimum of six months of intestinal transit reconstruction. EORTC-30, EORTC-29 quality of life questionnaires and the anorectal function assessment questionnaire (LARS score) are applied. General variables are also collected. 31 patients between 2011 and 2014: 15 ETM group and 16 TaETM. We do not find statistically significant differences in quality of life questionnaires or in anorectal function. Statistically significant general variables: longer surgical time in the TaETM group. Nosocomial infection and minor suture failure in the TaETM group. The performance of TaETM achieves the same results in terms of quality of life and anorectal function as conventional ETM. Copyright: © 2018 Permanyer.

Efficacy of Curcuma for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

PubMed Central

Perkins, Kimberly; Sahy, William; Beckett, Robert D.

2016-01-01

The objective of this review is to identify, summarize, and evaluate clinical trials to determine the efficacy of curcuma in the treatment of osteoarthritis. A literature search for interventional studies assessing efficacy of curcuma was performed, resulting in 8 clinical trials. Studies have investigated the effect of curcuma on pain, stiffness, and functionality in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Curcuma-containing products consistently demonstrated statistically significant improvement in osteoarthritis-related endpoints compared with placebo, with one exception. When compared with active control, curcuma-containing products were similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and potentially to glucosamine. While statistical significant differences in outcomes were reported in a majority of studies, the small magnitude of effect and presence of major study limitations hinder application of these results. Further rigorous studies are needed prior to recommending curcuma as an effective alternative therapy for knee osteoarthritis. PMID:26976085

Autonomous motivation mediates the relation between goals for physical activity and physical activity behavior in adolescents.

PubMed

Duncan, Michael J; Eyre, Emma Lj; Bryant, Elizabeth; Seghers, Jan; Galbraith, Niall; Nevill, Alan M

2017-04-01

Overall, 544 children (mean age ± standard deviation = 14.2 ± .94 years) completed self-report measures of physical activity goal content, behavioral regulations, and physical activity behavior. Body mass index was determined from height and mass. The indirect effect of intrinsic goal content on physical activity was statistically significant via autonomous ( b = 162.27; 95% confidence interval [89.73, 244.70]), but not controlled motivation ( b = 5.30; 95% confidence interval [-39.05, 45.16]). The indirect effect of extrinsic goal content on physical activity was statistically significant via autonomous ( b = 106.25; 95% confidence interval [63.74, 159.13]) but not controlled motivation ( b = 17.28; 95% confidence interval [-31.76, 70.21]). Weight status did not alter these findings.

A statistical experiment design approach for optimizing biodegradation of weathered crude oil in coastal sediments.

PubMed

Mohajeri, Leila; Aziz, Hamidi Abdul; Isa, Mohamed Hasnain; Zahed, Mohammad Ali

2010-02-01

This work studied the bioremediation of weathered crude oil (WCO) in coastal sediment samples using central composite face centered design (CCFD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Initial oil concentration, biomass, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were used as independent variables (factors) and oil removal as dependent variable (response) in a 60 days trial. A statistically significant model for WCO removal was obtained. The coefficient of determination (R(2)=0.9732) and probability value (P<0.0001) demonstrated significance for the regression model. Numerical optimization based on desirability function were carried out for initial oil concentration of 2, 16 and 30 g per kg sediment and 83.13, 78.06 and 69.92 per cent removal were observed respectively, compare to 77.13, 74.17 and 69.87 per cent removal for un-optimized results.

Application of one-way ANOVA in completely randomized experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahid, Zaharah; Izwan Latiff, Ahmad; Ahmad, Kartini

2017-12-01

This paper describes an application of a statistical technique one-way ANOVA in completely randomized experiments with three replicates. This technique was employed to a single factor with four levels and multiple observations at each level. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chemical oxygen demand index and location on-sites. Two different approaches are employed for the analyses; critical value and p-value. It also presents key assumptions of the technique to be satisfied by the data in order to obtain valid results. Pairwise comparisons by Turkey method are also considered and discussed to determine where the significant differences among the means is after the ANOVA has been performed. The results revealed that there are statistically significant relationship exist between the chemical oxygen demand index and the location on-sites.

Publication bias in animal research presented at the 2008 Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference.

PubMed

Conradi, Una; Joffe, Ari R

2017-07-07

To determine a direct measure of publication bias by determining subsequent full-paper publication (P) of studies reported in animal research abstracts presented at an international conference (A). We selected 100 random (using a random-number generator) A from the 2008 Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference. Using a data collection form and study manual, we recorded methodology and result variables from A. We searched PubMed and EMBASE to June 2015, and DOAJ and Google Scholar to May 2017 to screen for subsequent P. Methodology and result variables were recorded from P to determine changes in reporting from A. Predictors of P were examined using Fisher's Exact Test. 62% (95% CI 52-71%) of studies described in A were subsequently P after a median 19 [IQR 9-33.3] months from conference presentation. Reporting of studies in A was of low quality: randomized 27% (the method of randomization and allocation concealment not described), blinded 0%, sample-size calculation stated 0%, specifying the primary outcome 26%, numbers given with denominators 6%, and stating number of animals used 47%. Only being an orally presented (vs. poster presented) A (14/16 vs. 48/84, p = 0.025) predicted P. Reporting of studies in P was of poor quality: randomized 39% (the method of randomization and allocation concealment not described), likely blinded 6%, primary outcome specified 5%, sample size calculation stated 0%, numbers given with denominators 34%, and number of animals used stated 56%. Changes in reporting from A to P occurred: from non-randomized to randomized 19%, from non-blinded to blinded 6%, from negative to positive outcomes 8%, from having to not having a stated primary outcome 16%, and from non-statistically to statistically significant findings 37%. Post-hoc, using publication data, P was predicted by having positive outcomes (published 62/62, unpublished 33/38; p = 0.003), or statistically significant results (published 58/62, unpublished 20/38; p < 0.001). Only 62% (95% CI 52-71%) of animal research A are subsequently P; this was predicted by oral presentation of the A, finally having positive outcomes, and finally having statistically significant results. Publication bias is prevalent in critical care animal research.

Activation of Methane by FeO+: Determining Reaction Pathways through Temperature-Dependent Kinetics and Statistical Modeling (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-25

benchmarks for the reaction surface. ■ INTRODUCTION There is significant interest in procuring and employing natural gas as a viable alternative to...petroleum for both energy and chemical feed stocks.1,2 One of the primary impediments to natural gas utilization is that methane (∼90% of natural gas ...is significant, which typically limits its use to areas where large natural gas deposits are in very close proximity, neglecting the many smaller

Serum levels of copeptin, C-reactive protein and cortisol in different severity groups of sickle cell anaemia.

PubMed

Akinlade, K S; Atere, A D; Rahamon, S K; Olaniyi, J A

2013-12-20

It is well known that individuals with SCA undergo constant physiological stress even, in steady state. However, there is little information on the relationship between the severity of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and serum levels of biomarkers of stress. This study therefore determined the serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP in adults with SCA in different severity groups. Sixty adults with sickle cell anaemia in steady state (27.1±6.3 years) and in vaso-occlusive crisis (24.9±4.9 years) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Degree of severity (mild, moderate or severe) was determined using a scoring system incorporating annual number of blood transfusions, crisis and presence of anaemia, vaso-occlusive pain and organ complications. Standard methods were used for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV), total white blood cell count (WBC), blood pressure measurements and anthropometric indices. Serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP were determined using ELISA with the ratios calculated accordingly. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test, Mann Whitney U and Chi-square test as appropriate. P<0.05 was considered significant. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and copeptin level were significantly higher in subjects with moderate SCA compared with those with mild SCA. Similarly SBP, pulse, WBC, copeptin and cortisol were significantly higher while body weight was significantly lower in subjects with severe SCA compared with subjects with mild SCA. However, WBC and cortisol-to-copeptin ratio were significantly higher in subjects with severe SCA compared with subjects with moderate SCA. There was progressive rise in serum levels of CRP from mild SCA through severe SCA but the differences were not statistically significant. Also, proportions of subjects with elevated SBP and WBC were higher than the proportion of subjects with lower SBP and WBC in the severe SCA group. Serum levels of cortisol, copeptin, and their ratio could differentiate severe SCA from mild or moderate SCA. Also, elevated systolic blood pressure and total white blood cell count are associated with severe sickle cell anaemia.

Using basic statistics on the individual patient's own numeric data.

PubMed

Hart, John

2012-12-01

This theoretical report gives an example for how coefficient of variation (CV) and quartile analysis (QA) to assess outliers might be able to be used to analyze numeric data in practice for an individual patient. A patient was examined for 8 visits using infrared instrumentation for measurement of mastoid fossa temperature differential (MFTD) readings. The CV and QA were applied to the readings. The participant also completed the Short Form-12 health perception survey on each visit, and these findings were correlated with CV to determine if CV had outcomes support (clinical significance). An outlier MFTD reading was observed on the eighth visit according to QA that coincided with the largest CV value for the MFTDs. Correlations between the Short Form-12 and CV were low to negligible, positive, and statistically nonsignificant. This case provides an example of how basic statistical analyses could possibly be applied to numerical data in chiropractic practice for an individual patient. This might add objectivity to analyzing an individual patient's data in practice, particularly if clinical significance of a clinical numerical finding is unknown.

The mediating effect of calling on the relationship between medical school students’ academic burnout and empathy

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Purpose This study is aimed at identifying the relationships between medical school students’ academic burnout, empathy, and calling, and determining whether their calling has a mediating effect on the relationship between academic burnout and empathy. Methods A mixed method study was conducted. One hundred twenty-seven medical students completed a survey. Scales measuring academic burnout, medical students’ empathy, and calling were utilized. For statistical analysis, correlation analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. For qualitative approach, eight medical students participated in a focus group interview. Results The study found that empathy has a statistically significant, negative correlation with academic burnout, while having a significant, positive correlation with calling. Sense of calling proved to be an effective mediator of the relationship between academic burnout and empathy. Conclusion This result demonstrates that calling is a key variable that mediates the relationship between medical students’ academic burnout and empathy. As such, this study provides baseline data for an education that could improve medical students’ empathy skills. PMID:28870019

Visual classification of very fine-grained sediments: Evaluation through univariate and multivariate statistics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hohn, M. Ed; Nuhfer, E.B.; Vinopal, R.J.; Klanderman, D.S.

1980-01-01

Classifying very fine-grained rocks through fabric elements provides information about depositional environments, but is subject to the biases of visual taxonomy. To evaluate the statistical significance of an empirical classification of very fine-grained rocks, samples from Devonian shales in four cored wells in West Virginia and Virginia were measured for 15 variables: quartz, illite, pyrite and expandable clays determined by X-ray diffraction; total sulfur, organic content, inorganic carbon, matrix density, bulk density, porosity, silt, as well as density, sonic travel time, resistivity, and ??-ray response measured from well logs. The four lithologic types comprised: (1) sharply banded shale, (2) thinly laminated shale, (3) lenticularly laminated shale, and (4) nonbanded shale. Univariate and multivariate analyses of variance showed that the lithologic classification reflects significant differences for the variables measured, difference that can be detected independently of stratigraphic effects. Little-known statistical methods found useful in this work included: the multivariate analysis of variance with more than one effect, simultaneous plotting of samples and variables on canonical variates, and the use of parametric ANOVA and MANOVA on ranked data. ?? 1980 Plenum Publishing Corporation.

Statistical Tests of System Linearity Based on the Method of Surrogate Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hunter, N.; Paez, T.; Red-Horse, J.

When dealing with measured data from dynamic systems we often make the tacit assumption that the data are generated by linear dynamics. While some systematic tests for linearity and determinism are available - for example the coherence fimction, the probability density fimction, and the bispectrum - fi,u-ther tests that quanti$ the existence and the degree of nonlinearity are clearly needed. In this paper we demonstrate a statistical test for the nonlinearity exhibited by a dynamic system excited by Gaussian random noise. We perform the usual division of the input and response time series data into blocks as required by themore » Welch method of spectrum estimation and search for significant relationships between a given input fkequency and response at harmonics of the selected input frequency. We argue that systematic tests based on the recently developed statistical method of surrogate data readily detect significant nonlinear relationships. The paper elucidates the method of surrogate data. Typical results are illustrated for a linear single degree-of-freedom system and for a system with polynomial stiffness nonlinearity.« less

Selecting a Classification Ensemble and Detecting Process Drift in an Evolving Data Stream

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heredia-Langner, Alejandro; Rodriguez, Luke R.; Lin, Andy

2015-09-30

We characterize the commercial behavior of a group of companies in a common line of business using a small ensemble of classifiers on a stream of records containing commercial activity information. This approach is able to effectively find a subset of classifiers that can be used to predict company labels with reasonable accuracy. Performance of the ensemble, its error rate under stable conditions, can be characterized using an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) statistic. The behavior of the EWMA statistic can be used to monitor a record stream from the commercial network and determine when significant changes have occurred. Resultsmore » indicate that larger classification ensembles may not necessarily be optimal, pointing to the need to search the combinatorial classifier space in a systematic way. Results also show that current and past performance of an ensemble can be used to detect when statistically significant changes in the activity of the network have occurred. The dataset used in this work contains tens of thousands of high level commercial activity records with continuous and categorical variables and hundreds of labels, making classification challenging.« less

Effects of perceived parental attitudes on children's views of smoking.

PubMed

Ozturk, Candan; Kahraman, Seniha; Bektas, Murat

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of perceived parental attitudes on children's discernment of cigarettes. The study sample consisted of 250 children attending grades 6, 7 and 8. Data were collected via a socio-demographic survey questionnaire, the Parental Attitude Scale (PAS) and the Decisional Balance Scale (DBS). Data analysis covered percentages, medians, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests using a statistical package. There were 250 participants; 117 were male, 133 were female. The mean age was 13.1 ± 0.98 for the females and 13.3 ± 0.88 for the males. A statistically significant difference was found in the children's mean scores for 'pros' subscale on the Decisional Balance Scale (DBS) according to perceived parental attitudes (F=3.172, p=0.025). There were no statistically significant differences in the DBS 'cons' subscale scores by perceived parental attitudes. It was determined that while perceived parental attitudes affect children's views on advantages of smoking, they have no effect on children's views on its disadvantages.

Integrating the ACR Appropriateness Criteria Into the Radiology Clerkship: Comparison of Didactic Format and Group-Based Learning.

PubMed

Stein, Marjorie W; Frank, Susan J; Roberts, Jeffrey H; Finkelstein, Malka; Heo, Moonseong

2016-05-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether group-based or didactic teaching is more effective to teach ACR Appropriateness Criteria to medical students. An identical pretest, posttest, and delayed multiple-choice test was used to evaluate the efficacy of the two teaching methods. Descriptive statistics comparing test scores were obtained. On the posttest, the didactic group gained 12.5 points (P < .0001), and the group-based learning students gained 16.3 points (P < .0001). On the delayed test, the didactic group gained 14.4 points (P < .0001), and the group-based learning students gained 11.8 points (P < .001). The gains in scores on both tests were statistically significant for both groups. However, the differences in scores were not statistically significant comparing the two educational methods. Compared with didactic lectures, group-based learning is more enjoyable, time efficient, and equally efficacious. The choice of educational method can be individualized for each institution on the basis of group size, time constraints, and faculty availability. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.