Category: Statistics

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 6;15(1):28802. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-13041-z.

ABSTRACT

Due to the uncertainty ​​of geomechanical parameters, it is necessary to investigate the risks arising from geotechnical hazards in tunnel design from a statistical perspective. In this study, a hybrid quantitative approach incorporating uncertainty in geomechanical parameters, the finite element method (FEM), and the variation coefficient method (VCM) was employed to investigate geotechnical hazards in the Alborz tunnel. At first, by considering five statistical intervals [µ, µ + 0.5(SD), µ-0.5(SD), µ + SD, and µ-SD], different values ​​of geomechanical parameters including uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock, density, depth, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of rock mass, cohesion, friction angle, and in situ stress ratio were generated for three formations of the tunnel. Next, five numerical simulations were performed for each formation using the finite element method. The outputs of the FEM analysis, including the maximum displacement, the maximum axial force in the support systems, and the major principal stress around the tunnel, were used to calculate the three geotechnical hazards namely squeezing potential, seismic activity effects, and stress concentration around the tunnel. The results showed that the vulnerability index for squeezing potential has the highest value in each geological formation. The results of this study and the presented approach can be used as a hybrid model for investigating and predicting hazards in rock tunnels. Additionally, this approach reduces the negative impact of uncertainty in geomechanical parameters on safe and economical design in underground spaces.

PMID:40770202 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-13041-z

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 6;15(1):28693. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10837-x.

ABSTRACT

In the current industrial scenario, permanent magnet synchronous motors are widely employed for drive based applications and many other robotics and machine tool applications. With a simple structure and high torque-to-inertia ratio, PMSM are able to be operated even in medical industry and laboratory experimentation set ups. The main limitation of PMSM is the presence of inherent coupled flux and torque which makes it very difficult to control. This paper focuses on fuzzy based PI controllers along with novel neural based controller for speed control of PMSM. A novel slime mould algorithm based Elman spiking neural network (ESNN) model hybridized with fuzzy inference proportional-integral controller is designed in this paper to regulate the speed and torque of permanent magnet synchronous motor drive. Due to the existence of randomness in the proposed soft computing controller, it is tested for its validity and suitability by performing statistical analysis and is observed to be valid to act as a controller model for PMSM drive mechanism. In this paper, this soft computing controller possess randomness during first phase of weight update and during optimal gain value determination Simulation process for the designed new soft computing controller was done in MATLAB.

PMID:40770200 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-10837-x

NPJ Breast Cancer. 2025 Aug 6;11(1):85. doi: 10.1038/s41523-025-00804-0.

ABSTRACT

U.S. Black women have disproportionately high breast cancer mortality, partly due to later-stage diagnoses. We examined how social drivers of health (SDOH) relate to stage at diagnosis by analyzing data from 4,995 breast cancer survivors in the Black Women’s Health Study, Carolina Breast Cancer Study, and Women’s Circle of Health Studies. SDOH were self-reported and stage was ascertained from medical records. We used polytomous logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for diagnosis at stages III/IV or II versus stage I (referent), adjusting for age, insurance status, and income. Meta-analyzed results indicated that underutilization of screening mammography (OR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.90-5.43) and income below the federal poverty line (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.17-3.10) were significantly associated with later stage diagnosis (III/IV). ORs for lack of insurance and lower education were above 1.0, but not consistently statistically significant. These findings substantiate the importance of the affordability and utilization of breast cancer screening.

PMID:40770199 | DOI:10.1038/s41523-025-00804-0

Neuropsychol Rev. 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s11065-025-09671-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) methods could shift understandings about brain-behavior relationships. Information processing speed (IPS) may be of particular interest to dFC analyses as dFC is able to capture time-sensitive FC changes. The present systematic review aims to explore the association between IPS and dFC of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data in healthy individuals. Included papers were published through July 24, 2023. Searches conducted on ProQuest and ScienceDirect used the search terms processing speed AND fMRI AND resting state AND dynamic functional connectivity OR dynamic functional network connectivity. Studies were eligible based on the following inclusion criteria: empirical research, published in English, use of a well-characterized healthy population (n > 30), use of rsfMRI, calculation of dFC, measurement of IPS, and a statistical test between dFC and IPS. Results reveal mixed findings. Five studies report no relationship between dFC and IPS, whereas eight report mixed or positive findings. We noted several trends in findings that may be driving inconsistencies. Over half of the reviewed studies used the Human Connectome Project data. Second, IPS was more likely to be related to dFC if images were acquired using an eyes open procedure with fixation on a crosshair. As all included IPS measures involved a visual component, IPS and dFC measurement might both be capturing information about visuoperceptual connections. Future work that addresses these biases and trends may illuminate the nature of the relationship between dFC and IPS.

PMID:40770165 | DOI:10.1007/s11065-025-09671-9

J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2025 Aug 6;15(1):103. doi: 10.1007/s44197-025-00446-2.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) human cases since the first reported case in 2012.

METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis of all laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV human cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2012 to May 2025. Cumulative cases globally, along with their demographics, comorbidities, epidemiological exposure, symptoms, hospital admissions, and mortality, were included. Descriptive analysis was used for the data.

RESULTS: Between March 2012 and May 2025, a total of 2,626 laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV human cases were reported to the WHO, with 947 (36.1%) resulting in deaths. The majority of cases occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with 2,217 (84.4%) human cases and 866 (39.1%) deaths. Twenty-six other countries reported human cases, with the highest number occurring in South Korea, which reported 186 cases (7.1%). The highest number of cases occurred in 2014, with 662 (29.9%) cases, followed by 2015, with 453 (20.4%) cases. Almost half of the cases in KSA (44.7%) were secondary infections, and most (83%) required hospital admission, with 39.7% requiring admission to intensive care unit. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, chronic heart disease, and chronic renal failure. Between 2020 and the end of May 2025, 113 new human cases of MERS-CoV infection (4.3%) were reported, with the majority occurring in KSA. In 2025 alone, 10 new cases were reported, with two deaths. Secondary transmission occurred in 60% of these cases. Seven of the 10 cases were reported in April 2025 alone.

CONCLUSION: Between 2012 and May 2025, the majority of MERS-CoV infections occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and had a high mortality, reaching 40%. Although most cases were reported between 2014 and 2015, new human cases are still ongoing and are increasing in 2025. Continued epidemiological investigation and surveillance are needed.

PMID:40770164 | DOI:10.1007/s44197-025-00446-2

J Appl Genet. 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s13353-025-00998-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The analysis of genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environmental trials (METs) represents a crucial component of breeding programs prior to the release of new commercial cultivars tailored for specific regions or diverse environmental conditions. Moreover, emphasizing individual traits during selection can yield misleading conclusions. Consequently, the implementation of robust selection models is essential for identifying superior genotypes based on multiple traits. The present dataset demonstrates the utility of the multi-trait stability index (MTSI) in identifying high-yielding and stable barley genotypes across ten diverse environments. The evaluated phenological and agronomic traits included days to heading, days to physiological maturity, grain-filling period, plant height, thousand-kernel weight, and grain yield. A combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant effects attributable to environments (E), genotypes (G), and their interaction (GEI) across all assessed traits. Correlation analysis further indicated positive associations between all measured traits and grain yield. In the MTSI model, three first factors accounted for 75% of the total phenotypic variation observed across the test environments. The highest selection gain percentages were recorded for thousand-kernel weight and grain yield. Among the genotypes evaluated, G3, G10, and G14, characterized by the lowest values of the MTSI index, were identified as superior in terms of grain yield, stability, and desirable agronomic attributes. In conclusion, the findings highlight the efficacy of the MTSI in reliably identifying superior genotypes in METs. The results demonstrate that the MTSI index not only enhances the efficiency of the selection process but also improves the accuracy of genotype evaluation and ranking across heterogeneous environmental conditions. This underscores the potential of the MTSI index to support informed breeding decisions, ultimately facilitating the development of high-performing plant varieties that exhibit both yield stability and adaptability across diverse environments.

PMID:40770158 | DOI:10.1007/s13353-025-00998-w

Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Aug 7;184(8):535. doi: 10.1007/s00431-025-06326-y.

ABSTRACT

Since its delayed re-emergence after non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mycoplasma pneumoniae has caused community-acquired pneumonia outbreaks worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the clinical characteristics and severity of M. pneumoniae infections have changed after COVID-19 pandemic restriction, in order to enable adequate interpretation of clinical features and response to future M. pneumoniae epidemics. This retrospective, comparative cohort study compared clinical features and severity of children with M. pneumoniae detection by PCR during the periods April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2020 (pre-NPI); April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022 (NPI); and April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025 (post-NPI). Clinical features were compared between periods by Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Moreover, we compared hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission using generalized linear models. In total, 321 patients were included in the study. Since the first detection of M. pneumoniae after the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2023, the re-emergence has shown a bimodal curve with two distinct peaks (post-NPI first-year and second-year). The median age of patients was higher in the post-NPI than the pre-NPI period (9.05 vs 8.20 years), particularly during the first-year peak (11.00 years). Obstructive diseases were observed more frequently post-NPI compared to pre-NPI (18.6% vs 9.6%). Moreover, more patients presented with chest pain (8.9% vs 2.4%) and pleural effusions (45.7% vs 28.9%) post-NPI than pre-NPI. Conversely, extrapulmonary manifestations were less frequent post-NPI (18.6% vs 30.1%), particularly dermatological (15.7% vs 25.3%) and neurological (1.3% vs 4.8%) manifestations. Hospitalization rate (38.6% post-NPI vs 43.9% pre-NPI) and length of stay (median, 4 [IQR, 2-5] vs 4 [IQR, 3-6] days) were similar, while generalized linear models showed a trend toward fewer hospitalizations post-NPI (odds ratio [OR], 0.72 [95% CI, 0.42-1.23]; P = 0.22). The same applied to ICU admission rate (5.1% post-NPI vs 4.9% pre-NPI), with a trend toward fewer ICU admissions post-NPI (OR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.29-3.34]; P = 0.86).

CONCLUSION: We observed notable changes in the clinical presentation of re-emerging M. pneumoniae infections compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, particularly an increase in obstructive phenotypes and pleural effusions. However, overall disease severity appeared to remain largely unchanged.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • The delayed re-emergence of M. pneumoniae in late 2023 was substantial in terms of case numbers across many geographical locations. • No statistically increased proportion of severe or worse outcomes of re-emerging M. pneumoniae infections could be observed globally compared with pre-COVID-19 pandemic epidemics.

WHAT IS NEW: • Clinical features of M. pneumoniae infections in children partly changed following COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, with new signs like obstructive phenotypes and pleural effusions. • The findings suggest that there has been no overall increase in disease severity; in fact, extrapulmonary manifestations were fewer, with trends toward reduced hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

PMID:40770147 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-025-06326-y

Neurochirurgie. 2025 Aug 5;71(5):101709. doi: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2025.101709. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a well-documented imaging finding in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and is often managed conservatively. While large hematomas identified on imaging traditionally prompt early surgical intervention, this approach still seems unclear. This study aims to clarify optimal management strategies by reviewing our clinical experience.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 14 consecutive cases of CSDH associated with SIH treated at our institution between 2010 and 2024. Patient demographics, clinical symptoms, and imaging findings were extracted from medical records and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Seven patients with persistent headaches underwent hematoma drainage in addition to SIH treatment, whereas seven patients with positional headaches were successfully managed with SIH treatment alone. The persistent headache group had a larger median hematoma volume than the positional headache group (88.9 cm³ vs. 38.9 cm³). However, the persistent headache group had a significantly lower median Glasgow Coma Scale score than the positional headache group (13 vs. 15, p = 0.011). Papilledema was observed in five of the seven patients in the persistent headache group, but was absent in the positional headache group (p = 0.079).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that clinical indicators-particularly papilledema, altered consciousness, and headache characteristics-are essential for guiding the need for hematoma drainage in CSDH associated with SIH. Radiological features such as hematoma volume were not sufficient predictors of surgical need.

PMID:40768803 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuchi.2025.101709

J Gastrointest Surg. 2025 Aug 5;29(10):102161. doi: 10.1016/j.gassur.2025.102161. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) and abdominal wall surgical procedures are core components of general surgery. Increasingly, residents are pursuing fellowship after completing general surgery residency for reasons, including desired subspecialty and/or perceived readiness for practice. This study aimed to determine what proportion of graduating general surgery residents pursue fellowships related to the GI tract and abdominal wall.

METHODS: Publicly available data from the American Board of Surgery (ABS) were used to quantify the rates of ABS-certified surgeons with fellowship training. Data were categorized by the degree of fellowship-level GI-specific training: (i) no fellowship, (ii) all GI (advanced GI, bariatric, colon and rectal, endoscopy, hepatobiliary, and minimally invasive), (iii) most GI (acute care, complex general surgical oncology, and oncology), (iv) some GI (pediatric, thoracic, and transplantation), and (v) non-GI (breast, critical care, endocrine, hand, other, plastic, trauma burns, and vascular). Trends were statistically analyzed using Mann-Kendall tests and 2-sample proportion t tests.

RESULTS: In 1980, 5.8% of applicants for initial ABS fellowship certification were made up of GI-related surgeons (ie, all GI + most GI + some GI), whereas 84.5% of surgeons did not pursue any fellowship training. By 2023, the number of surgeons applying for initial ABS fellowship certification had substantially increased to 39.6%, whereas the number of surgeons pursuing no fellowship had fallen to a mere 18.2%. There were statistically significant increasing trends over time for each fellowship, and a significant decreasing trend for no fellowship (P <.0001). When comparing all, most, and some GI training, all GI training demonstrated the largest increase of fellowships between 1980-1980 (3.2%) and 2014-2023 (20.3%) (P <.0001). The largest increases in enrollment in individual GI fellowships between 1980-1989 and 2014-2023 were in colon and rectal surgery (CRS: 1.7% in 1980-1989 vs 7.5% in 2014-2023; P <.0001) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS: 0.3% in 1980-1989 vs 7.4% in 2014-2023; P <.0001) fellowships.

CONCLUSION: Over time, there has been a significant increase in surgeons pursuing additional training in GI-related fields, especially CRS and MIS. Additional investigation is necessary to determine whether this is secondary to exposure in residency and/or increasing complexity of operations. However, our data suggest that even with the increase in fellowships, general surgery residents continue to seek careers focused on the GI tract, which remains at the core of the surgical field.

PMID:40768792 | DOI:10.1016/j.gassur.2025.102161

Gait Posture. 2025 Jul 23;122:279-285. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.07.327. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Foot structure and function may change over time. Different foot types have been associated with a higher incidence of certain foot pathologies. Injury prevalence in the military can affect readiness for deployment and effectiveness in combat. It is currently unknown if measures of foot structure and function change in response to intensive exercise or aggressive military training in young adults.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does foot structure and function change longitudinally from baseline (onset of intensive basic military training) to 8-week follow-up on a sample of United States Military Academy (USMA) cadets?

METHODS: Measures of foot structure (arch height index (AHI), arch height flexibility (AHF)) and function (center of pressure excursion index (CPEI), peak pressure (PP), maximum force (MF), pressure time-integral (PTI), force-time integral (FTI), and contact area (CA)) were obtained at baseline and after 8-weeks in 106 USMA cadets. Foot function variables were measured with a plantar pressure measuring device using a 12-region masking algorithm. Generalized estimation equation (GEE) models were used for statistical analysis to account for potential dependence in bilateral foot data.

RESULTS: AHI for sitting and standing significantly increased. PP significantly reduced beneath the overall foot, hallux, and 2nd metatarsal head. MF significantly increased beneath the 3rd metatarsal head and decreased beneath the lateral heel. PTI significantly increased beneath the overall foot and the 1st-5th metatarsal heads, medial heel, and medial arch. FTI significantly increased beneath the overall foot, 1st-5th metatarsal heads, and the medial heel. After co-varying for body weight, all these findings remained, suggesting changes in weight had no effect on foot structure and function.

SIGNIFICANCE: Foot structure changed to a higher arch while foot function demonstrated less over-pronation. Future research should investigate changes in foot structure and function over larger time frames and examine the risk for subsequent musculoskeletal injuries.

PMID:40768790 | DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.07.327