Tag: statistics

PLoS One. 2025 Sep 12;20(9):e0331122. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331122. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Proper design and periodic evaluation of center pivot irrigation systems are essential for ensuring uniform water distribution and improving water use efficiency in irrigated agriculture. This study assessed the impact of collector spacing and sampling methods, including a single-level collector line and combinations of multiple lines at different irrigated locations, on water distribution uniformity. Additionally, strategies for selecting emitter nozzles were analyzed. Uniformity assessments were conducted on two center pivots (P180 and P360) using collectors spaced at 1 m, with simulated spacings of up to 12 m by omitting intermediate readings. Collector lines were placed perpendicular to the pivot’s movement at 50% regulation and were evaluated three times. Data were analyzed individually for each line position and in groups, following layout recommendations from the literature. The mean water depth (LM), weighted mean depth (LW), and modified Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient (CUCHH) were used as evaluation metrics. Flow rate measurements were performed, with three repetitions per nozzle number. Nozzle selection considered the required flow rate and nozzle diameter for both constant and doubled spacing between emitters in the first two spans. Measured flow rates resulted in higher simulated water depths and lower CUCHH values compared to simulated reference flow rates. However, the average field CUCHH exceeded 90% for both pivots, being classified as excellent. Evaluation methods combining different collector line positions showed no significant differences between means, nor did the combined effect of collector spacing and single-line positioning. No significant differences were found between collector spacings alone. However, collector line positioning influenced results, with P180 showing differences in LW and P360 in LM, LW, and CUCHH. Estimated evaporation and wind drift losses were 14.21% for P360 and 13.49% for P180. The evaluated nozzle selection combinations showed a theoretical CUCHH higher than the simulated values based on the original nozzle listing for both pivots.

PMID:40938957 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0331122

PLoS One. 2025 Sep 12;20(9):e0330788. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330788. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of opaque porcelain (OP) on color parameters and aesthetic outcomes of all-ceramic implant restorations with varying abutment types and restoration thicknesses.

METHODS: Four types of zirconia discs were fabricated:(A) 1.5 mm zirconia; (B) 1.4 mm zirconia + 0.1 mm OP; (C) 2.0 mm zirconia; (D) 1.9 mm zirconia + 0.1 mm OP. These discs were bonded to titanium (t) or all-ceramic (c) backgrounds to form At, Ac, Bt, Bc, Ct, Cc, Dt, and Dc specimens,to simulate the aesthetic results of implant restorations with or without OP on titanium or all-ceramic abutments. The assembled specimens were placed at the center of a dark backboard in a specialized constructed photography platform, and a professional camera was used to acquire images of the specimens. Eight regions of interest on the image were selected, and color parameters in the form of L*, a*, and b* values and variations determined via the CIELAB color measurement system were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop software.Color differences (ΔE) between samples were quantified. Statistical comparisons of color parameters were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test and Welch’s t-test.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in L*, a*, and b* between all-ceramic and titanium backgrounds in all types of zirconia specimens (p < 0.001). The application of OP influenced the brightness and chroma of zirconia restorations on titanium backgrounds. ΔE values between restorations with metal substrate and OP, and those with all-ceramic substrate but without OP, (△E (Ac/Bt)= 1.99 ± 0.86; △E(Cc/Dt)= 1.31 ± 0.83) indicated that OP effectively mitigated the color compromise caused by metallic implant abutments. The greater the thickness of the restoration, the smaller the color difference caused by the titanium background.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed that titanium abutments can affect the color of implant-supported restorations. The application of OP on restorations reduces the titanium abutment’s color impact, and this effect improves with increased zirconia thickness.

PMID:40938956 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0330788

Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2025 Sep 12;0(0):1-31. doi: 10.11607/jomi.11539. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present study was aimed to evaluate the findings of Laser-Lok® (LL) dental implants in various clinical indications, inserted in a private practice setting and monitored for more than 20 years, statistically analyzing the associate failure risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients receiving LL dental implants and whose prosthetic reconstruction in the period 2000-2005 in a private practice clinic were retrospectively evaluated and statistically analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to determine the cumulative survival rate (CSR), and a binary generalized estimating equation model (GEE) was used to evaluate the influence of various factors on CSR.

RESULTS: Between January of 2000 and December of 2005, 730 LL implants were placed in 312 patients for a variety of clinical indications. Following implant placement, patients were checked at follow-up visits every six months for an average of 16.8 years. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival rate (CSR) at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 98.2%, 97.1%, 95.8%, and 95.3% respectively. Seven factors were identified associated with late implant failures: male, smoking, maxillary posterior area, immediate dental implant placement and immediate loading protocol, (D4) bone quality, and ≥ 35 Ncm insertion torque.

CONCLUSION: LL dental implants monitored for up to 20 years showed high CSRs and low rates of marginal bone loss.

PMID:40938951 | DOI:10.11607/jomi.11539

Transcult Psychiatry. 2025 Sep 12:13634615251371010. doi: 10.1177/13634615251371010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The term “dual pandemics” refers to the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing systemic racism faced by Black Americans, highlighted by police killings during COVID-19. This study aimed to understand how these dual pandemics impacted Black college students’ mental health. Data from 102 participants over 18 years of age was collected via an open-ended qualitative question on Qualtrics and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: 1) Cognitive, emotional, and physiological reactions to the killings, 2) Increased awareness of racial insensitivity and cruelty, and 3) Increased distrust of systems. The findings provide insight into how the dual pandemics exacerbate existing disparities, systemic trauma, and stress for Black college students, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change. We advocate for racial trauma-informed mental health support in response to police violence.

PMID:40938635 | DOI:10.1177/13634615251371010

J Neuromuscul Dis. 2025 Sep 12:22143602251370577. doi: 10.1177/22143602251370577. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background and objectivesThe severity of the phenotype of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is highly variable, yet little is known about the phenotypic variation among siblings. We systematically investigated the phenotypic variability of therapy-naïve 5q-SMA siblings leveraging a large multicentre cohort from the SMArtCARE registry.ResultsClinical information was available from 132 siblings of 65 families. There were 24 (18.2%) type 1, 38 (28.7%) type 2, 54 (40.9%) type 3 patients, and 16 (12.1%) presymptomatic individuals. In 17 families (32.1%), there was discordance in the type of SMA among symptomatic siblings. We found no influence of gender on discordance in SMA type among siblings (p = 0.528). The median age at disease onset within all sibships varied by 6 months (interquartile range (IQR) = 1-30). There was no correlation in age of onset among siblings (r = 0.405; p = 0.052). Among siblings who lost ambulation, the median interval between the start of wheelchair use was 12 months, but the maximal interval was 18 years. In one pair of siblings, one sibling lost the ability to walk at the age of 13, whereas the other sibling was still ambulatory at the age of 54. In 6 sibling pairs (9.5%), only one of both siblings had a history of scoliosis surgery. Analysing SMN2 copy numbers, in one sibling pair (1.8%) 1 SMN2 gene copy was detected, while 10 (17.5%) had 2 copies, 23 (40.4%) had 3 copies, and 17 (29.8%) had 4 copies. Concordance in SMN2 copy numbers across siblings was observed in 90% of families. With increasing SMN2 copy number, the median differences in age of onset among siblings increased without reaching statistical significance.ConclusionThis study reports considerable phenotypic variability in therapy-naïve SMA sibships that cannot solely be explained by differences in SMN2 copy numbers.

PMID:40938628 | DOI:10.1177/22143602251370577

Am J Audiol. 2025 Sep 12:1-10. doi: 10.1044/2025_AJA-24-00265. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the most common management strategies for vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis (VNL) by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) providers and identify sociodemographic variations in vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) referral rates and VNL patient performance on baseline VRT assessments.

METHOD: A retrospective study of all adult patients with a single diagnosis of VNL who visited a multiprovider tertiary ENT clinic (n = 168) was conducted. Demographic information, treatment recommendations, and baseline vestibular rehabilitation performance information were extracted from ENT clinical notes and initial VRT notes. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed to evaluate sociodemographic differences, and p ≤ .003 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: VRT was the most popular treatment recommendation made by ENT providers, and VRT referral rates did not vary according to sociodemographic factors. 68.8% of referred patients initiated VRT. The number of patients with abnormal baseline VRT assessments did not differ by sex or race. More public insurance holders had abnormal Dynamic Gait Index assessment scores (p = .001) and gait speeds than did private insurance holders (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: VRT was the most frequent clinical management strategy recommended to VNL patients by ENT providers, and referral rates did not vary by sex, race, or insurance status. Most VRT patients had vestibular dysfunction on baseline assessments, suggesting appropriate referral of VRT by ENT. VNL patients’ baseline vestibular function did not vary by sex or race but did vary by insurance status. Further work is needed to investigate study generalizability and elucidate the impact of insurance type on fall risk.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.30053206.

PMID:40938624 | DOI:10.1044/2025_AJA-24-00265

JAMA Health Forum. 2025 Sep 5;6(9):e253045. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.3045.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: It is important to monitor changes in the biomedical literature and its funding. China has surpassed the US in publications and, in some analyses, in some impact indicators.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes over time in the profiles of the most highly cited biomedical publications.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study assessed 100 top-cited biomedical articles (based on Scopus) published in each of 3 time periods (2003-2004, 2013-2014, and 2023-2024) for corresponding authors, types of publications represented, and funding sources, with an emphasis on funding from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has been traditionally considered the major funder of biomedical research.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcomes of interest are descriptive and include provenance (country of corresponding author), type of publication, type of funding, overall NIH funding, and NIH funding as the sole funding source.

RESULTS: Among 100 top-cited biomedical publications, corresponding authors from the US decreased over time (59 of 100 articles in 2003-2004, 58 of 100 in 2013-2014, 45 of 100 in 2023-2024). Corresponding authors from China represented 0 top-cited publications in 2003-2004, 1 in 2013-2014, and 4 in 2023-2024. There was an increase in consensus articles (10 in 2003-2004 vs 24 in 2023-2024) and in reference statistics articles (1 in 2003-2004, 10 in 2013-2014, and 11 in 2023-2024). Reviews remained common among top-cited articles, but almost always were nonsystematic. NIH funding was listed in 45 publications in 2003-2004, 50 in 2013-2014, and 23 in 2023-2024. All other countries combined surpassed US public funding in 2023-2024. Funding by NIH in combination with other funders increased from 13 articles in 2003-2204 to 22 and 21, respectively, in 2013-2014 and 2023-2024, but funding by NIH alone decreased in the last decade (32 of 100 in 2002-2003, 28 of 100 in 2013-2014, and 2 of 100 in 2023-2024). More commonly listed funding from nonprofit organizations, societies, and institutions complemented the NIH funding decline. The first authors of 7 of 45 and the corresponding authors of 14 of 45 top-cited US-based articles of 2023-2024 were listed as leaders of active NIH grants in RePORTER as of February 2025. Citation gaming became more obvious in 2023-2024 with the advent of some atypical highly cited papers and a larger share of nonsystematic reviews and consensus documents.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggest that, overall, the US remains a world leader regarding the most highly cited biomedical research and NIH funding retains a substantial presence among top-cited articles. However, NIH influence had decreased overall, and top-cited articles funded exclusively by NIH have almost disappeared. Strengthening public funding is essential to secure research that serves the common good.

PMID:40938617 | DOI:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.3045

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Sep 2;8(9):e2531378. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31378.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Maturational imbalance between the expression of heightened socioemotional drivers and immature executive control creates a period of vulnerability to risk-taking behaviors during adolescence. Developmental imbalance of the brain functional activity coupled with these behaviors may explain the propensity to develop heavy drinking.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the longitudinal trajectories of socioemotion and executive control in non-heavy drinkers with those of heavy drinkers before and after drinking onset.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study was conducted from January 13, 2013, to January 15, 2022, among participants from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence cohort with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment data. All participants were individuals who abstained from drinking or drank very little at the baseline visit. The statistical analysis was conducted between October 11, 2024, and July 3, 2025.

EXPOSURES: Categorical drinking levels that summarized self-reported alcohol consumption in the past year.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Brain-behavioral system z scores that reflected the association of selective brain connectivity patterns with selected behaviors were calculated. Higher scores indicated higher reactivity strength of socioemotion or executive control.

RESULTS: A total of 3076 visits among 633 participants (mean [SD] age at baseline, 15.7 [2.6] years; 318 female [50.2%]) were analyzed. A total of 238 participants (37.6%) who initiated heavy drinking during the study showed significantly elevated brain-behavior scores (score increase, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.08-0.28) in the socioemotional system prior to drinking onset, in contrast to their developmental trajectories of the executive control deviation occurring in both systems (score increase, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.33-0.54), with the effect size in the socioemotional system significantly greater (z = 3.51; P < .001) compared with before initiating drinking.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that asynchronized maturation of socioemotion- and executive function-coupled brain connectivity in adolescence may be a risk factor for heavy drinking onset in emerging adulthood. In turn, drinking was associated with deficits in the executive control system and exacerbated alteration in the socioemotional system. Recognition of these early-age developmental discrepancies could aid in averting alcohol use disorder in adulthood.

PMID:40938600 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31378

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Sep 2;8(9):e2531442. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31442.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Suicide and suicidal behavior among US adolescents has increased dramatically over the past 2 decades, without a clear explanation. Deaths of despair in midlife adults, due to suicide, alcohol-related disease, or drug overdose, have doubled in the past decade, with parallel increases in corresponding diseases of despair (DoD), indicating that there could be an association between these 2 epidemics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess associations of parental DoD with suicidal events (SE) in their offspring.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan commercial claims and encounter database, encompassing 164 million individuals, with claims data from 2010 to 2020. Prelinked parents aged 30 to 50 years and their children aged 8 to 15 years were included. Data were analyzed from November 2023 to May 2025.

EXPOSURE: Parent with or without a DoD, defined as a suicide attempt, alcohol-related disease, or substance use disorder according to diagnostic codes.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was child SE, either a suicide attempt or self-harm, adjusted for age and sex. Children were followed until their SE, disenrollment from commercial health insurance, or 730 days after the parental DoD index diagnosis. Data were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model, with families with and without DoD balanced in terms of potential confounders through inverse probability weighting.

RESULTS: The study included 561 837 families with at least 1 parent diagnosed with a DoD (291 463 male [51.9%]; 244 943 [43.6%] aged 30-39 years) and 1 180 546 control families (591 976 male [50.1%]; 498 778 [42.2%] aged 30-39 years), from which 817 133 children from families with DoD (417 770 male [51.1%]; 383 810 [47.0%] aged 8 to 11 years) and 1 744 182 children from control families (889 308 male [51.0%]; 884 749 [50.7%] aged 8-11 years) were identified. Exposure to parental DoD was associated with an increased hazard for an SE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.54-1.82). Youths with 2 parents with DoD had a larger hazard for an SE than those with 1 affected parent (interaction HR, 1.95, 95% CI, 1.58-2.39). There was a significant age by sex interaction in girls aged 8 to 11 years (HR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.05-4.74) but not boys (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63-1.54). Maternal DoD was associated with a higher risk for a child SE than paternal DoD (interaction HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13-1.84).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study found an association of parental DoD with youth SE; this finding may be underlying the increase in adolescent suicidal behavior observed in the US over the past 2 decades. Improved access to care for parents with DoD and systematic screening and referral of their offspring could help to reduce the adolescent suicide rate.

PMID:40938599 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31442

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Sep 2;8(9):e2531493. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31493.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Adult loneliness has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk, but the long-term implications of childhood loneliness remain underexplored.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether childhood loneliness is associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk and whether adult loneliness mediates or modifies these associations.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative cohort study conducted between June 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018, with a maximum follow-up of 7 years. Data analyses were performed from October 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025.

EXPOSURE: Childhood loneliness was defined as self-reported frequent feelings of loneliness and the absence of close friendships before age 17 years. Adult loneliness was measured by a single item from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Cognitive function was assessed through measures of episodic memory and executive function. Dementia was identified as the coexistence of cognitive and functional impairments or a self- or caregiver-reported physician diagnosis of dementia. Associations between childhood loneliness and cognitive decline were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models, and dementia risk was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS: Among 13 592 participants (mean [SD] age, 58.34 [9.39] years; 7175 [52.8%] female), 6525 (48.0%) experienced possible childhood loneliness, and 565 (4.2%) reported childhood loneliness. Compared with no childhood loneliness, childhood loneliness was associated with significantly faster cognitive decline (β, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.05 to -0.02] SD per year), as was possible childhood loneliness (β, -0.02 [95% CI, -0.02 to -0.01] SD per year). Moreover, childhood loneliness was associated with an increased risk of dementia (hazard ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.93]). These associations remained significant when adjusted for adult loneliness and restricted to participants without adult loneliness. Adult loneliness mediated 8.5% (95% CI, 2.9% to 14.1%) of the association of childhood loneliness with cognitive decline and 17.2% (95% CI, 4.9%-29.5%) of the association with dementia risk but did not significantly modify these associations.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, childhood loneliness was associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk in middle and later adulthood, even in the absence of adult loneliness. Early interventions aimed at reducing childhood loneliness may help promote lifelong cognitive health and reducing dementia risk.

PMID:40938598 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31493