Category: Statistics

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Jan 16;136(2):021804. doi: 10.1103/fsj9-89jt.

ABSTRACT

Searches are presented for B_{c}^{+}→Dh^{+}h^{-} decays, where D is a charmed meson and h^{±} is a charged pion or kaon, using pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb^{-1}. The decays B_{c}^{+}→D^{+}K^{+}π^{-}, B_{c}^{+}→D^{*+}K^{+}π^{-}, and B_{c}^{+}→D_{s}^{+}K^{+}K^{-} are observed for the first time. Their branching fractions, expressed as ratios relative to that of the B_{c}^{+}→B_{s}^{0}π^{+} decay, are determined to be R(B_{c}^{+}→D^{+}K^{+}π^{-})=(1.96±0.23±0.08±0.10)×10^{-3}, R(B_{c}^{+}→D^{*+}K^{+}π^{-})=(3.67±0.55±0.24±0.20)×10^{-3}, R(B_{c}^{+}→D_{s}^{+}K^{+}K^{-})=(1.61±0.35±0.13±0.07)×10^{-3}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the limited precision on the D-meson branching fractions. The decay channels proceed primarily through excited K^{0} or D^{0} resonances or ϕ mesons, and open a new avenue for studies of charge-parity violation in beauty mesons.

PMID:41616350 | DOI:10.1103/fsj9-89jt

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Jan 16;136(2):021901. doi: 10.1103/rvgc-sgv7.

ABSTRACT

We propose a novel strategy to systematically isolate the nucleon’s intrinsic nonperturbative three-dimensional structure by employing zero jettiness to suppress initial-state radiation in transverse-momentum-dependent observables. Applying this method to transverse single spin asymmetries (SSAs) in W^{±} and Z^{0} boson production at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), we demonstrate a substantial enhancement of the asymmetry signal (e.g., by 115% for W^{-} SSA at q_{⊥}=5 GeV). We show that this enhancement yields a substantial net gain in experimental sensitivity-even after accounting for the statistical cost of the veto-facilitating a more definitive test of the predicted Sivers function sign change. We further explore its applicability to spin-dependent measurements at the Electron-Ion Collider. Our analysis is formulated within a joint resummation framework that systematically resums large logarithms associated with both the veto scale and the gauge boson’s transverse momentum.

PMID:41616349 | DOI:10.1103/rvgc-sgv7

Phys Rev Lett. 2026 Jan 16;136(2):026201. doi: 10.1103/ppc1-ntn6.

ABSTRACT

Zero- and two-dimensional crystal defects form in open statistical ensembles, such as the grand canonical, that are usually inaccessible with conventional simulation techniques. This longstanding challenge is overcome with a new Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method that samples energy-biased gradual transformations. The method enables free energy calculations for nonideal point defects and the direct prediction of finite-temperature interface structures.

PMID:41616326 | DOI:10.1103/ppc1-ntn6

J Neurosurg Spine. 2026 Jan 30:1-6. doi: 10.3171/2025.9.SPINE25745. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is complex and may lead to postoperative cervical deformity (CD) and/or proximal junctional kyphosis. The Roussouly classification describes four types of baseline thoracolumbar (TL) morphology, which differentially influence surgical outcomes. However, their role in predicting CD remains underexplored. This study aimed to stratify TL-ASD patients by Roussouly types and examine postoperative CD development patterns.

METHODS: The authors included operative ASD patients with no prior fusion and complete radiographic data at baseline, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years. Patients were categorized into Roussouly types 1-4 using baseline pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis apex. CD was assessed using a point system: cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) of 40-80 mm = 1 point, T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TSCL) of 15°-20° = 1 point, cSVA > 80 mm = 2 points, and TSCL > 20° = 2 points. CD was defined as a score ≥ 2. Statistical comparisons and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess CD risk across Roussouly types.

RESULTS: A total of 546 patients (77% female, mean age 60.9 ± 14.3 years, mean BMI 27.3 ± 5.7 kg/m2, mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score 1.7 ± 1.7) were included. The mean number of fused posterior levels was 10.6 ± 4.5, with a mean estimated blood loss of 1548 ± 1450 mL, mean operative time of 438 ± 180 minutes, and mean length of stay of 7.7 ± 4.2 days. At baseline, 239 (43.8%) patients met CD criteria. The Roussouly distribution was as follows: type 1 (8.4%), type 2 (12.6%), type 3 (47.3%), and type 4 (31.7%). Among 307 patients without baseline CD, 174 (31.9%) developed CD within 2 years: 99 (32.2%) at 6 weeks, 44 (14.3%) at 1 year, and 31 (10.1%) at 2 years. Type 2 patients had higher odds of developing CD at 2 years compared to type 3 patients (OR 2.15, p = 0.019). Type 4 patients had lower odds of developing CD (OR 0.22, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS: Roussouly type influences the timing and likelihood of CD following ASD correction. Type 1 patients tended to develop CD earlier, while type 2 patients showed delayed onset. Type 4 morphology may be protective against CD.

PMID:41616324 | DOI:10.3171/2025.9.SPINE25745

J Med Internet Res. 2026 Jan 30;28:e80958. doi: 10.2196/80958.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Social media platforms such as Reddit have become important spaces where individuals articulate their distress, seek support, and explore alternative ways of understanding mental health outside traditional institutional frameworks. These environments provide an opportunity to examine mental health discourse at scale, offering perspectives that extend beyond traditional clinical and research settings.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the structure of mental health communities on Reddit by identifying patterns of association between mental disorders reflected in user activity and assessing how these relationships align with established diagnostic categories in the ICD (International Classification of Diseases).

METHODS: We manually curated 114 Reddit communities focused on specific mental health conditions from the 20,000 most active subreddits in 2022. Each community was labeled into 49 disorders and categorized under 9 ICD diagnostic categories within the group of mental and behavioral disorders, collectively known as the F codes. We constructed a disorder association network by identifying statistically significant user overlaps based on coposting across subreddit pairs using a bipartite configuration model, with Bonferroni-corrected significance (P<.001). We analyzed the connectivity of the network within and across diagnostic categories, examining inter- and intracategory links. Finally, we compared the structure of disorder associations inferred from Reddit with the ICD classification derived from diagnostic criteria using hierarchical clustering.

RESULTS: The inferred Reddit network of psychopathology revealed an interconnected structure (density=0.135), with all but 6 disorders forming a single giant component that spans across all 9 diagnostic categories. The most prominent disorders by number of users included hyperkinetic disorders (85,000), depressive episodes and recurrent depressive disorders (73,000), habit and impulse disorders (69,000), pervasive developmental disorders (52,000), and generalized anxiety disorder (44,000). In terms of connectivity, posttraumatic stress disorder (17/48 of all possible connections), obsessive-compulsive disorder (16/48), and depersonalization-derealization disorder (15/48) emerged as the most central in the network of positive disorder associations, while schizotypal disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and agoraphobia were the most central when accounting for the association strength. At the level of disorder categories, several disorders, such as bipolar disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, displayed high intercategory associations but weak intracategory ties, indicating blurred diagnostic boundaries. The network of negative coposting associations revealed a divergence from the expectations of past research; for instance, addiction-related communities (eg, alcohol and opioids) were negatively associated with much of the broader mental health discourse. Finally, hierarchical comparisons showed moderate overlap between the Reddit network of disorder associations and the ICD network of diagnostic criteria, both in pairwise edge similarity (13% of edges present in both networks) and overall clustering (Adjusted Rand Index=0.295).

CONCLUSIONS: Reddit-based mental health communities reveal a complementary structure of disorder associations shaped by lived experience, often diverging from formal diagnostic criteria and exhibiting patterns of association that do not align with established diagnostic boundaries.

PMID:41616321 | DOI:10.2196/80958

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2026 Jan 30:1-6. doi: 10.3171/2025.9.PEDS25140. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Up to 30% of children with focal epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy and may be candidates for epilepsy surgery. Intraoperative electrocorticography (iECoG) is a method to acutely delineate the epileptogenic zone during epilepsy resections, but its effectiveness is debated. The authors assessed the association between iECoG findings and seizure outcomes in pediatric epilepsy patients undergoing resective epilepsy surgery.

METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 115 patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who underwent resective epilepsy surgery for focal epilepsy. They assigned patients to subgroups based on the extent of resection in concordance with iECoG findings. Patients in group A had postresection iECoG without epileptiform activity at the margins. Patients in group B had persistent epileptiform activity on postresection iECoG and underwent an extended resection. Patients in group C had persistent epileptiform activity on postresection iECoG, but further resection was contraindicated due to involvement of eloquent cortex.

RESULTS: The primary outcome was seizure freedom at 1 year (Engel class I), which was achieved in 64% (n = 74) of all patients; however, there was no statistically significant difference in seizure freedom or antiseizure medication reduction between the three groups. Notably, there was also no significant relationship between patient group and transient or long-term postoperative complications, such as unexpected postoperative deficits, infection, or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors found no statistically significant difference between groups A, B, and C regarding postoperative seizure reduction and freedom. While iECoG provides a biomarker for the purposes of resection, in this cohort, iECoG findings were not associated with postoperative seizure freedom.

PMID:41616320 | DOI:10.3171/2025.9.PEDS25140

JMIR Serious Games. 2026 Jan 30;14:e86290. doi: 10.2196/86290.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the context of global aging, cognitive decline among older adults has become a prevalent issue, significantly impacting their daily lives. Serious games have demonstrated potential in enhancing cognitive abilities in this population. However, most existing serious games designed for older adults rely heavily on visual interfaces, which are often potentially detrimental for those with pre-existing visual impairments.

OBJECTIVE: This study had two primary objectives: (1) to design a theoretical prototype for a haptic-driven serious game for older adults based on the Design-Play-Experience (DPE) framework, aiming to enhance cognitive abilities, including attention, logical reasoning, and decision-making while simultaneously mitigating challenges associated with visual impairment, and (2) to conduct a pilot study evaluating the prototype’s usability, accessibility, and user experience within the target population.

METHODS: We used a cross-sectional, mixed methods pilot study with a single-group observational design, comprising a theoretical design and a pilot user study. First, the DPE framework was systematically applied to develop a game prototype by integrating haptic feedback technology (using built-in smartphone vibration motors) across its 3 core dimensions: design (haptic symbol system, accessible interface), play (dynamic difficulty adjustment), and experience (emotional engagement). Subsequently, a pilot study was conducted with 10 older adults recruited via convenience sampling (mean age 62.9, SD 3.35 years; 5 male, 5 female; all with self-reported mild visual impairments, such as presbyopia). Following interaction with the prototype, data were collected remotely using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semistructured interviews administered via videoconferencing. Quantitative data from the SUS were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data from the interviews were processed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Pilot user studies showed that the game prototype had good usability, with an average SUS score of 89.5 (SD 2.72; 95% CI 87.6-91.4), which is considered “excellent.” Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three significant themes. The first theme was intuitive haptic feedback, which reflected that participants were able to quickly grasp and value the vibrational cues used to identify cards. The second theme was based on reduced eye strain, in which the combination of large fonts, high-contrast interfaces, and haptic feedback was praised for its effectiveness in relieving eye strain. The third theme was simplicity, where the simplified card game mechanics were considered both fun and challenging.

CONCLUSIONS: This study developed and validated a haptic, serious game for older adults. Its innovation lies in the systematic application of the DPE framework to achieve “haptic substitution for vision,” which differs from previous research that focused on general immersive experiences. The main contribution of this study is providing a reusable design blueprint for creating easy-to-use cognitive training tools. These findings have practical implications in the real world, providing a feasible approach for deploying low visual load interventions in communities and care facilities.

PMID:41616308 | DOI:10.2196/86290

J Med Internet Res. 2026 Jan 30;28:e71363. doi: 10.2196/71363.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) apps target diverse health behaviors, but engagement may vary by purpose.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence, usage patterns, and user characteristics of mHealth apps among Czech adults with internet access, focusing on sociodemographics, digital knowledge and use, and health indicators predicting wellness- and illness-related app use.

METHODS: Overall, 4775 Czech adults (2365/4775, 49.53% women) aged 18-95 (mean 45.37, SD 16.40) years completed an online survey. Sociodemographic factors included age, gender, education, and income. Digital knowledge and use were measured using the eHealth Literacy Scale and the passive/active use of social networking sites (SNS) for health information. Health indicators covered symptom severity, physical activity, BMI, and eating disorder-related risk propensity (body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and weight/shape overvaluation). Participants reported app use for sports, number of steps, nutrition, vitals, sleep, diagnosed conditions, reproductive health, diagnosis assistance, mood and mental well-being, and emergency care guidance. Multivariate hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis identified characteristics of app users. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) clustered apps into “promoting wellness” and “managing illness” and examined the predictors of frequency of use.

RESULTS: Of 4440 respondents, 2172 (48.92%) used mHealth apps. Users were younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, P<.001), had a monthly income more than 50,000 CZK (1 CZK=US $0.048; vs ≤20,000 CZK: OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.41-0.7, P<.001; 20,001-35,000 CZK: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.93, P=.006; 35,001-50,000 CZK: OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.7-0.99, P=.03), were more eHealth literate (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.3, P=.003), used SNS passively for health information (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21-1.51, P<.001), and had higher eating disorder risk (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12-1.25, P<.001) and physical activity (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13-1.23, P<.001) than nonusers. Step-counting apps were most common; 65.99% (1430/2167) used them daily or several times a day, followed by apps for sleep (691/2163, 31.95%), vitals (611/2165, 28.22%), and sports (407/2158, 18.86%). ESEM confirmed a 2-factor structure (“promoting wellness” and “managing illness”; χ²₂₆=71.9, comparative fit index=0.99, Tucker-Lewis index=0.99, root-mean-square error of approximation=0.03, and standardized root-mean-square residual=0.03). Frequent use of wellness apps was associated with younger age (standardized β=-0.22, P<.001), higher eHealth literacy (standardized β=0.10, P<.001), and physical activity (standardized β=0.15, P<.001). Illness-management app use was associated with active use of SNS for health information (standardized β=0.62, P<.001) and eating disorder risk (standardized β=0.11, P<.001). Digital knowledge, digital use, and health indicators mediated the association between age and mHealth app use.

CONCLUSIONS: mHealth app engagement reflects broader social, digital, and psychological inequalities rather than individual preferences alone. Encouraging digital inclusion and addressing body image- and diet-related use may help ensure that mHealth technologies do not exacerbate existing health inequalities across age and user groups.

PMID:41616306 | DOI:10.2196/71363

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2026 Jan 30;14:e68737. doi: 10.2196/68737.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mobile apps are being increasingly used to foster healthy lifestyles. There is a growing need for clear, standardized guidelines to help users select safe and effective health apps.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to highlight the importance of establishing a structured framework for quality evaluation in mobile health (mHealth) through a case study of mobile apps promoting healthy eating.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of apps promoting healthy eating that had already been evaluated by one or more of 28 recognized health app certification bodies. Three rounds of app evaluations were conducted by experts in nutrition and behavior change. The first two rounds focused on the quality of the content of the recommendations and were performed pairwise using the Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST), which has not been previously used by the certification bodies. In addition, in the second and third rounds, each reviewer answered the question “How probable is it that you would recommend this app?” using a subjective scale score from 0 to 10. In the third round, this score was weighed by usability (30%), content quality (40%), and promotion of behavior change (30%). Discussions were held to resolve scoring discrepancies and to identify the top-quality apps. We also assessed correlations among QUEST, Google Play Store, and certification body scores.

RESULTS: Of the 41 apps identified by five certification bodies, 19 (46.3%) met the inclusion criteria and were examined. Only 16 (84.2%) of these remained accessible for the second round. Eight of these surpassed 20 points (out of a maximum of 28) on the QUEST scale and were evaluated by all six experts in the third round, and the top 5 (62.5%) apps were selected. No correlations were found among QUEST, Google Play Store, and certification body scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous evaluations by various certification bodies, only 5 (12.2%) of the 41 apps met the quality standards set by our experts. Our results mark the importance of rigorous, transparent, and standardized app evaluation processes to guide users toward making informed decisions about health apps. Guidelines for developers for the design of evidence-based, unbiased, high-quality apps, as well as technological solutions for real-time monitoring of the health apps, would address these challenges and improve reliability.

PMID:41616297 | DOI:10.2196/68737

JMIR Dermatol. 2026 Jan 30;9:e83922. doi: 10.2196/83922.

ABSTRACT

In this analysis of dermatology e-consults at a large academic health system, advanced practice providers had nearly threefold higher conversion rates to in-person visits compared to board-certified dermatologists, with potential implications for access and resource utilization.

PMID:41616275 | DOI:10.2196/83922