Category: Statistics

Comput Brain Behav. 2024 Dec 11;8(2):249-261. doi: 10.1007/s42113-024-00231-7. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Processing fluency, which describes the subjective sensation of ease with which information is processed by the sensory systems and the brain, has become one of the most popular explanations of aesthetic appreciation and beauty. Two metrics have recently been proposed to model fluency: the sparsity of neuronal activation, which describes the concentration of activity in a subset of neurons, and the statistical typicality of activations, which describes how well the encoding of a stimulus matches a reference representation of stimuli of the category to which it belongs. Using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as a model for the human visual system, this study compares the ability of these metrics to explain variation in facial attractiveness. Our findings show that the sparsity of neuronal activations is a more robust predictor of facial attractiveness than statistical typicality. Refining the reference representation to a single ethnicity or gender does not increase the explanatory power of statistical typicality. However, statistical typicality and sparsity predict facial beauty based on different layers of the CNNs, suggesting that they describe different neural mechanisms underlying fluency.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42113-024-00231-7.

PMID:42460408 | PMC:PMC13298650 | DOI:10.1007/s42113-024-00231-7

Comput Brain Behav. 2024 Dec 5;8(2):211-232. doi: 10.1007/s42113-024-00230-8. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Firing across populations of neurons in many regions of the mammalian brain maintains a temporal memory, a neural timeline of the recent past. Behavioral results demonstrate that people can both remember the past and anticipate the future over an analogous internal timeline. This paper presents a mathematical framework for building this timeline of the future. We assume that the input to the system is a time series of symbols-sparse tokenized representations of the present-in continuous time. The goal is to record pairwise temporal relationships between symbols over a wide range of time scales. We assume that the brain has access to a temporal memory in the form of the real Laplace transform. Hebbian associations with a diversity of synaptic time scales are formed between the past timeline and the present symbol. The associative memory stores the convolution between the past and the present. Knowing the temporal relationship between the past and the present allows one to infer relationships between the present and the future. With appropriate normalization, this Hebbian associative matrix can store a Laplace successor representation and a Laplace predecessor representation from which measures of temporal contingency can be evaluated. The diversity of synaptic time constants allows for the learning of non-stationary statistics as well as joint statistics between triplets of symbols. This framework synthesizes a number of recent neuroscientific findings including results from dopamine neurons in the mesolimbic forebrain.

PMID:42460404 | PMC:PMC13298686 | DOI:10.1007/s42113-024-00230-8

Front Bioinform. 2026 Jul 1;6:1859473. doi: 10.3389/fbinf.2026.1859473. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) provide detailed representations of metabolic networks. Flux Coupling Analysis (FCA) is widely used for analyzing dependencies between reaction fluxes in GEMs.

RESULTS: We introduce Metabolite Coupling Analysis (MCA) and Metabolite-flux Coupling Analysis (MetFCA), two methods that extend FCA concepts from reactions to metabolites and metabolite-reaction pairs, enabling the identification of condition-specific modules for omics (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) data analysis.

CONCLUSION: MCA and MetFCA, together with FCA, provide a unified framework for generating condition-specific modules in GEMs. These modules exhibit clearer biological functions than those generated by statistical, data-driven approaches. A case study demonstrates the use of gene modules to analyze transcriptomics data in the influenza-infected Calu-3 cell line.

PMID:42460396 | PMC:PMC13370160 | DOI:10.3389/fbinf.2026.1859473

Commun Sustain. 2026;1(1):111. doi: 10.1038/s44458-026-00113-y. Epub 2026 Jul 14.

ABSTRACT

Despite scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change, political orientation is often associated with climate beliefs, and such polarization may hinder mitigation efforts. Yet, few studies directly compare politicians’ climate beliefs with those of citizens. Here, we used a large cross-national sample of politicians (N = 714) and citizens (N = 18,281) to explore how political orientation predicts climate beliefs and policy support in Australia, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), the Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway. Our results show that right-leaning politicians and citizens express weaker beliefs in anthropogenic climate change than left-leaning individuals. Ideological polarization is substantially stronger among politicians. Notably, right-leaning politicians are even less convinced about climate change than their own voters. These ideological divides are reflected in policy preferences: in both groups, belief in anthropogenic climate change statistically mediates the association between political orientation and support for mitigation policies, with markedly stronger mediation among politicians. Together, the results suggest that ideological gaps in climate beliefs, especially among politicians, may contribute to polarization in support for mitigation measures.

PMID:42460384 | PMC:PMC13368580 | DOI:10.1038/s44458-026-00113-y

Vet Rec Open. 2026 Jul 15;13(2):e70044. doi: 10.1002/vro2.70044. eCollection 2026 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea in newborn calves, which occurs in the first month of life and is caused by various pathogens, poses a significant threat to livestock industries. Therefore, timely diagnosis of enteritis in calves can be advantageous.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of faecal calprotectin as a biomarker indicating gastrointestinal inflammation and a method to distinguish diarrhoeic calves from healthy calves. Additionally, the applicability of a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for measuring faecal calprotectin in bovine samples was evaluated. The relationship between calprotectin and faecal score as an index of diarrhoea severity, and the correlation between calprotectin levels, albumin, albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and serum electrolytes has also been investigated.

METHODS: This study enrolled 34 Holstein neonatal calves, including 12 with diarrhoea and 22 healthy controls. A clinical assessment of faecal consistency was performed, and faecal samples were collected for ELISA measurement of calprotectin. Blood samples were taken to determine serum albumin and globulin concentrations, from which the AGR was calculated. The serum sodium (Na) and potassium (K) concentrations were also measured. Using SPSS (version 21) and appropriate statistical tests, associations between faecal calprotectin, albumin, AGR, Na, K and faecal scores were investigated.

RESULTS: Compared with healthy calves, diarrhoeic calves had higher calprotectin levels and lower AGR levels. The serum K levels in diarrhoeic calves were higher, while the serum Na levels were lower. Faecal calprotectin concentration and serum Na levels were negatively correlated. Calves with faecal score 3, which indicated severe watery diarrhoea, had significantly higher calprotectin levels than those with lower scores.

CONCLUSION: Faecal calprotectin could represent a potential inflammatory biomarker for the diagnosis of neonatal calf diarrhoea, along with serum indicators.

PMID:42460383 | PMC:PMC13371091 | DOI:10.1002/vro2.70044

BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Jul 15. doi: 10.1186/s12913-026-15126-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence has emerged as a global problem that affects all nations, workplaces, and occupational categories. The health sector accounts for more than one-third of all workplace violence worldwide. There is very little information available in Ethiopia about workplace violence affecting healthcare professionals. This study aims to identify key associated factors of workplace violence to inform future evidence-based interventions and policy development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of workplace violence and associated factors among healthcare professionals working in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2023, among 599 randomly selected healthcare professionals working at four referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia via a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected via a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from a standard questionnaire. The data were coded and entered into EPI Information version 7 and exported to SPSS V.20.0 software for analysis. A frequency table was used to summarize the data. To identify factors associated with workplace violence, a binary logistic regression model in which the degree of association for variables was assessed via adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CIs and p values ≤ 0.05 was used.

RESULT: The prevalence of experiencing at least one type of workplace violence (physical, verbal, bullying, or sexual) in the previous year was 59.4% (95% CI = 55.6-63.1). The study revealed a statistically significant relationship between workplace violence and female sex (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.04-2.34, p = 0.033), pharmacist profession (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.15-7.33, p = 0.025), routine direct physical contact with patients (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.12-4.29, p = 0.022), emergency work starting (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.02-6.15, p = 0.045), and witnessing incidents of physical violence (AOR = 10.1, 95% CI = 5.75-17.59, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high prevalence of workplace violence among health care professionals working in government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Healthcare facilities should prioritize the establishment of comprehensive health and safety programs focused on the prevention and management of workplace violence, with particular attention given to the most vulnerable groups.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:42458501 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-026-15126-5

Cost Eff Resour Alloc. 2026 Jul 15. doi: 10.1186/s12962-026-00798-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with reduced fecundability in women. To address the limited accessibility and diagnostic sensitivity of current preconception BV screening in China, this study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of BV Blue, an accessible, self-administered rapid test.

METHODS: A decision tree model was constructed from a societal perspective to compare five screening strategies: No screening, Amsel criteria, BV Blue testing alone, sequential BV Blue-Nugent testing, and Nugent scoring alone. Effectiveness was defined as the number of pregnancies per 100,000 women over one year. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), referenced against a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold based on China’s per capita GDP. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess model robustness.

RESULTS: In a simulated cohort of 100,000 women, BV Blue testing yielded 842 additional pregnancies compared with no screening (ICER: CNY 2,827 per pregnancy), well below the WTP threshold of CNY 99,665. The sequential and Amsel strategies were absolutely dominated by BV Blue testing. Compared with BV Blue testing, Nugent strategy yielded 171 additional pregnancies (ICER: CNY 198,051 per pregnancy), remaining below the three-fold per capita GDP threshold (CNY 298,995). However, sensitivity analyses indicated that the cost-effectiveness of Nugent strategy was not robust, being highly sensitive to BV Blue testing’s diagnostic sensitivity and pregnancy rates. On the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve, BV Blue testing consistently demonstrated the highest probability of being the optimal strategy.

CONCLUSION: In the preconception period, all screening strategies yielded more pregnancies than no screening. Both BV Blue testing and Nugent scoring were cost-effective, whereas the Amsel and sequential strategies were not. BV Blue testing is a promising screening tool for preconception BV management. These findings may inform the selection of diagnostic pathways in China’s national preconception screening program.

PMID:42458496 | DOI:10.1186/s12962-026-00798-x

Respir Res. 2026 Jul 15. doi: 10.1186/s12931-026-03809-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In a phase 2 trial (NCT04308681), treatment with admilparant (BMS-986278), an oral lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA₁) antagonist, reduced lung function decline in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). In this exploratory analysis, we evaluated post-treatment changes in circulating biomarkers of lung fibrosis to elucidate mechanisms of admilparant action.

METHODS: Patients with IPF or PPF were randomized 1:1:1 to receive twice-daily admilparant (30 or 60 mg) or placebo for 26 weeks; background antifibrotics were allowed. The IPF and PPF cohorts were analyzed separately. Changes from baseline (CfB) in serum proteins associated with epithelial injury, inflammation, and fibrosis were measured by quantitative immunoassays at 4, 12, and 26 weeks, and compared between patients who received admilparant versus placebo. Pharmacodynamic biomarker changes were evaluated by clinical response status at week 26. Plasma samples from patients with IPF were assessed post hoc by SomaScan v4.1 proteomics assay. Statistical evaluations used linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS: In the IPF cohort (n=276), nine serum proteins showed significant CfB (p<0.05) at week 26 in patients treated with 60-mg admilparant versus placebo, including increased adiponectin, MMIF, CD163, CEA, and ENRAGE, and decreased markers of epithelial injury and fibrosis (CA-125/MUC16, MMP-7, TN-C, PRO-FIB). In the PPF cohort (n=116), significant differences at week 26 (p<0.05) were observed for 11 serum proteins, including increased CEA and decreased periostin, IL6Rβ, CD163, KIM-1, multiple inflammatory markers (YKL-40, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, ferritin), and collagen degradation markers (C3M and C4M). Two serum proteins, CA-125 and TN-C, showed significantly greater CfB (p<0.05) in responders compared with non-responders in the IPF cohort. Plasma proteomic analysis identified differential expression (adjusted p<0.1) of adiponectin, CKMT1A, ANGPTL3, PDCD1LG2, and IGFBP6 at week 26 in patients with IPF treated with 60-mg admilparant versus placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 60-mg admilparant improved circulating biomarkers associated with epithelial injury and fibrosis in IPF, and with inflammation, fibrosis, and collagen degradation in PPF. Proteomic analysis identified additional biomarkers associated with mitochondrial and metabolic pathways in IPF. These findings expand our understanding of potential mechanisms of LPA₁ antagonism with admilparant and identify biomarkers that may help evaluate treatment response and disease activity.

PMID:42458495 | DOI:10.1186/s12931-026-03809-w

Harm Reduct J. 2026 Jul 15. doi: 10.1186/s12954-026-01425-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Attendance in substance-use-disorder group-treatment is challenging with only 32% of patients attending at least one session (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 2023 admissions to and discharges from substance use treatment services reported by single state agencies, Bethesda, 2025). The present study tested a set of strategies to increase group session attendance in Community Wise, an innovative evidence-based group-intervention delivered in harm-reduction-community-based agencies and designed to reduce alcohol and substance use among people with substance-use-disorders living in predominantly Black and disinvested communities. We examined: (1) if strategies to increase attendance stratified by surveillance status (participation in mandatory programs that use urine screens regularly) would result in a clinically and statistically significant increase in intervention session attendance, with a goal of at least 50% of participants attending at least half of sessions; (2) the effects of group session attendance and strategies to increase attendance on alcohol and substance use frequency in the past 30 days at three-months-follow-up.

METHODS: We conducted a 2² stratified full factorial experiment with 164 adults with substance-use-disorder in East St. Louis, IL. Participants were randomized to combinations of two strategies to increase attendance: Financial incentives (receiving $20 to attend group sessions) and group type (open versus closed groups). Surveillance status was treated as a fixed factor in the analytical model. Logistic and multiple regression models, using effect coding, tested main and interaction effects on number of sessions attended and alcohol and substance use. Analyses followed an intent-to-treat approach, adjusting for demographic covariates, using SAS 9.4.

RESULTS: Of 164 participants, 29% attended ≥ 50% of Community Wise sessions. Paying participants increased odds of attending at least 50% of sessions (OR = 1.97, p = 0.004), while being under surveillance reduced odds by 39% (OR = 0.61, p = 0.036). No main effects were found for group type. Yet, a significant interaction showed financial incentives were more effective in closed versus open groups (OR = 0.58, p = 0.021). Higher attendance predicted reduced percent alcohol and substance use at follow-up (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS: Financial incentives effectively improved intervention attendance, while being under surveillance reduced participation. Higher attendance was associated with decreased alcohol and substance use. The Community Wise intervention should be further tested for effectiveness in harm reduction community-based-organizations among people who are disengaged from treatment and experiencing vulnerabilities such as poverty and houselessness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials: NCT05934591.

PMID:42458493 | DOI:10.1186/s12954-026-01425-x

Diagn Pathol. 2026 Jul 16. doi: 10.1186/s13000-026-01804-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is a common malignancy. Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDCP) is associated with poor prognosis, but is underreported in certain geographic regions. The presence of IDCP is recently recognized as an independent prognosticatior of poor prognosis. We aim to identify factors associated with IDCP on radical prostatectomy specimens to aid in more accurate diagnosis of IDCP.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on specimens from Showa Medical University Hospital (Japan) and Queen’s Medical Center (Hawaii) from April 2020 to March 2024. Clinical data included age, PSA, and race; pathological data included GS, GG, and factors indicated the extent of cancer (EPE, RM, LVI, PNI, SVI). IDCP was diagnosed morphologically; equivocal lesions underwent basal cell IHC. Statistical analyses identified factors associated with IDCP.

RESULTS: Among 279 cases, IDCP was found in 70 (25.1%). The IDCP-positive group had higher PSA levels (14.2 vs. 10.7 ng/ml, p = 0.048). Univariate and Multivariate analyses identified GS (OR: 16.41, p < 0.001), EPE (OR: 2.36, p = 0.02), and PNI(OR: 2.57, p = 0.02) remained independently associated.

CONCLUSION: High grade (GS ≥ 8), EPE, and PNI serve as practical pathological triggers to scrutinize ducts and apply basal-cell IHC, which may reduce under-recognition of IDCP in RP specimens.

PMID:42458491 | DOI:10.1186/s13000-026-01804-9