Tag: statistics

Phys Rev Lett. 2025 Dec 5;135(23):230601. doi: 10.1103/dpgy-rtxr.

ABSTRACT

Accurate and robust quantum process tomography (QPT) is crucial for verifying quantum gates and diagnosing implementation faults in experiments aimed at building universal quantum computers. However, the reliability of QPT protocols is often compromised by faulty probes, particularly state preparation and measurement (SPAM) errors, which introduce fundamental inconsistencies in traditional QPT algorithms. We propose and investigate enhanced QPT for multiqubit systems by integrating the error matrix in a digital twin of the identity process matrix, enabling statistical refinement of SPAM error learning and improving QPT precision. Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate that our approach enables highly accurate and faithful process characterization. We further validate our method experimentally in superconducting quantum processors, achieving at least an order-of-magnitude fidelity improvement over standard QPT. Our results provide a practical and precise method for assessing quantum gate fidelity and enhancing QPT on a given hardware.

PMID:41418174 | DOI:10.1103/dpgy-rtxr

J Pak Med Assoc. 2025 Nov;75(11):1785-1789. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.23297.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the spatial dimension of place, alongside time and personal characteristics, is essential in epidemiology. The current narrative review was planned to analyse articles from all three Medline-indexed general medical journals in Pakistan that reported on the use of Geographic Information System or the Global Positioning System. From 2011 till October 2024, a total of 20 studies were published; 18(90%) of them in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, including the first article in July 2011. Most studies focussed on health risk assessment 12(60%), while 3(15%) examined health disparities and 2(10%) analysed spatial distribution and hospital accessibility. Geographic Information Systems facilitate spatial visualisation and analysis of health data, enabling a more nuanced understanding of disease patterns, hotspots and trends. This spatial intelligence is important for Pakistan, where geographical diversity, population density and socioeconomic disparities create complex health challenges.

PMID:41418122 | DOI:10.47391/JPMA.23297

J Pak Med Assoc. 2025 Nov;75(11):1772-1776. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.20025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine awareness score regarding the involvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) among the HealthCare Workers of the South and Central Punjab, Pakistan by structured questionnaire to provide actionable educational initiatives and policy recommendations.

METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was done among the HealthCare Workers of South and Central Punjab, Pakistan, between August 01, 2022 and January 31, 2023. The study was limited to Multan and Lahore cities of South and central Punjab, Pakistan was approved by the institutional ethics review board of Nishtar Medical University Multan. A selfcreated questionnaire was used for collecting data. Version VII of GraphPad Prism was used for the analytical analysis. An independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to verify significance among different parameters of study. A p-value of less than 0.05 was utilized to validate statistical significance.

RESULTS: During the study, 401 participants completed the online survey. The data findings indicate that women 275 (68.6%) was majority of the respondents between the age group range 21 – 40. Most of the HealthCare Workers 200 (49.9%) had done post graduation and fall among the category of Certified Professional Doctors and Researchers. Moreover, majority of the partakers 225 (56.1%) lived in Lahore city. The significant correlation of Total Awareness Score (TAS) among Sociodemographic parameters was analyzed. Post graduate HealthCare Workers (p=0.0001) and cer tified professional doctors/researchers (p=0.0001) had higher awareness score. In comparison to two different cities, HealthCare Workers of City Lahore (p=0.0324) was observed higher awareness level.

CONCLUSION: Overall, majority of the HealthCare Workers have higher general awareness regarding the involvement of AI in combating antimicrobial resistance and also their implementation of that awareness is negligible.

PMID:41418120 | DOI:10.47391/JPMA.20025

J Pak Med Assoc. 2025 Nov;75(11):1768-1771. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.23012.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the distribution and characteristics of accidents during the Arba’een pilgrimage.

METHODS: The retrospective, descriptive study was conducted at the Ministry of Health, Baghdad and Karbala and comprised data from July 26 to August 26, 2024 related to accidents during the Arba’een pilgrimage in Karbala, Iraq. The data was obtained from health directorates across Iraq. The incidents were categorised by type, health depar tment, and pilgrim nationality (Iraqi or foreign). The distribution of injuries and fatalities was assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26.

RESULTS: Of the 728 injuries recorded, 681(93.54%) involved Iraqi nationals and 47(6.46%) involved foreign pilgrims (p=0.0051). Of the 19 fatalities reported, Iraqi pilgrims accounted for 12(63.2%) and foreign pilgrims 7(36.8%) (p=0.00018). Falls, fractures, and road traffic accidents were the most common injury types. High-risk regions, such as Karbala and Najaf, received significant resource allocation, including medical personnel and emergency response services.

CONCLUSION: Different types of injuries and fatalities during the Arba’een pilgrim mostly affected Iraqis, and the most common type of incidents was road traffic accidents.

PMID:41418119 | DOI:10.47391/JPMA.23012

Oral Health Prev Dent. 2025 Dec 19;23:887-898. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2444.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is a minimally invasive approach aimed at preserving pulp vitality in cases of caries or trauma. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools and bioactive materials, clinical practices vary significantly. This study explored the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative practices of dental professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding VPT, with a focus on diagnostic tools, rubber dam isolation, and material selection. The aim was to identify practice variability and evidence-based gaps and propose strategies to standardise care.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 dental professionals using a validated online questionnaire. Data collection spanned December 2024 to early March 2025. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were employed to compare practices across groups, while binary logistic regression identified predictors of good knowledge (≥70%). A P value 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Preoperative practices highlighted frequent use of pulp sensibility testing (79.1%) and periapical radiographs (50%), with cold testing as the preferred method (52.6%). However, advanced tools like CBCT were underutilised. Intraoperatively, 67.2% consistently used rubber dam isolation, while calcium hydroxide (22.5%) was the most commonly used pulp capping material, despite increasing adoption of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and biodentine. Postoperatively, 46% adhered to a 3-6 month follow-up interval, relying on cold testing and percussion for assessment. Logistic regression revealed postgraduate education, specialisation, and frequency of VPT procedures as significant predictors of evidence-based practices.

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight significant variability in VPT practices among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia, emphasising the need for targeted training programmes and standardised guidelines to bridge evidence-based gaps, improve clinical consistency, and optimise patient outcomes.

PMID:41416458 | DOI:10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2444

J Glob Health. 2025 Dec 19;15:04346. doi: 10.7189/jogh.15.04346.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological studies indicated a potential correlation between air pollution and anaemia, particularly in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. However, evidence is insufficient for workers exposed to air pollution while working in environments with other occupational hazards. Based on data from a substantial population of workers in southern China, we aimed to examine the relationships between different air pollutants and both haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the prevalence of anaemia.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis, we recruited 372 290 workers from the National Occupational Disease Surveillance Platform and utilised a mixed-effects model to explore the association of various air pollutants (including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, PM_coarse, O₃, and NO₂) with Hb concentration and the prevalence of anaemia. We ran stratified analyses by various demographic characteristics and occupational variabels.

RESULTS: Each 5 μg/m³ increase in the concentration of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, PM_coarse, O₃, and NO₂ corresponds to a 2.037 g/L (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.938, 2.137), 1.096 g/L (95% CI = 1.040, 1.152), 1.412 g/L (95% CI = 1.313, 1.510), 0.518 g/L (95% CI = 0.489, 0.547), and 0.250 g/L (95% CI = 0.219, 0.281) decrease in Hb concentration, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia increased by 11.3% (95% CI = 7.3, 15.5), 5.0% (95% CI = 2.8, 7.3), and 4.5% (95% CI = 6, 8.5) for a 5 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and PM_coarse, respectively, with the impact being more pronounced in the non-benzene-exposed population. Subgroup analyses suggested potential variations in susceptibility to the same air pollutant across different demographics and occupational variables.

CONCLUSIONS: The Hb levels among the workers in our sample were associated with various atmospheric pollutants, with certain demographic and occupational subgroups being particularly vulnerable. These results highlight the need for targeted air pollution control and occupational health interventions, particularly for vulnerable demographic and occupational subgroups.

PMID:41416451 | DOI:10.7189/jogh.15.04346

Mycoses. 2025 Dec;68(12):e70136. doi: 10.1111/myc.70136.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent literature indicates a decline in rates of candidemia in the general population.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse temporal trends in candidemia among patients with solid tumours and haematological malignancies admitted to a dedicated cancer centre.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all episodes of candidemia from July 2008 to June 2020 (12-year period). The incidence of candidemia was estimated as the number of new cases per 1000 patient days of hospital admission quarterly. A linear regression model was used to analyse changes in incidence rates.

RESULTS: Over a 12-year period a total of 212 episodes of candidemia were identified with 90 (42.5%) occurring in patients with haematological malignancies and 122 (57.5%) in patients with solid tumours. The overall incidence of candidemia was 0.49 episodes per 1000 patient-days of admission per quarter. There was a significant decline in the incidence of candidemia overtime for the overall cohort (from 0.81 to 0.21 patient days per quarter, p < 0.001). This decline was statistically significant in patients with solid tumours (from 0.91 to 0.18 patient days per quarter, p < 0.001) with only a downward trend noted in patients with haematological malignancies (from 0.65 to 0.25 patient days per quarter, p = 0.052).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed a global decline in episodes of candidemia in patients with malignancies mainly driven by a decrease in patients with solid tumours. Patients with haematological malignancies continue to experience considerable rates of candidemia.

PMID:41416406 | DOI:10.1111/myc.70136

Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.4274/mirt.galenos.2025.75768. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The increasing use of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) imaging has led to the frequent detection of incidentalomas. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, locations, malignancy rates, and clinical evaluations of incidentalomas detected during preoperative staging with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with surgically relevant primary tumors.

METHODS: A total of 251 patients who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Incidental uptake sites were classified into six anatomical regions: thyroid, colon, rectum, prostate, cervix/uterus, and breast. Data regarding maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) values, biopsy status, imaging follow-up, and histopathological outcomes were recorded and compared with population-based incidence data from the literature.

RESULTS: The most frequent incidentalomas were detected in the thyroid (11.6%), followed by cervix/uterus (9.6%), colon (7.6%), prostate (4.4%), breast (2.4%), and rectum (2.0%). Malignancy was confirmed in incidentalomas of the thyroid (85.7%), prostate (83.3%), colon (71.4%), rectum (50.0%), and breast (33.3%). Malignancy rates for the thyroid, breast, colorectal, and prostate groups were significantly higher than population-based estimates (p<0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between SUV_max and malignancy status across localization groups.

CONCLUSION: Incidental findings on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging are common and carry a considerable risk of malignancy, particularly in thyroid, prostate, and colorectal sites. Given the observed diagnostic yield, further clinical evaluation, including tissue diagnosis, should be considered in cases with focal uptake, especially when located in high-risk anatomical regions. Awareness of these findings is essential for timely management and appropriate therapeutic decision-making.

PMID:41416397 | DOI:10.4274/mirt.galenos.2025.75768

Health Expect. 2025 Dec;28(6):e70531. doi: 10.1111/hex.70531.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Working directly with young people to understand vaping use is necessary for developing meaningful strategies to support them to quit. We explored a range of aspects about the use of e-cigarettes among young people in regional Tasmania, Australia, to inform local approaches to mitigate vaping.

SETTING: Tasmania is an island state with about two-thirds of its population living in inner-regional areas, and one-third in outer-regional, remote, or very remote areas. There are three regions: North, Northwest, and South.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen- to twenty-four-year-old Tasmanians who had tried vaping.

DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. Recruitment per region employed purposive snowball sampling. Data collection (2021-2022) included demographics, tobacco and e-cigarette usage, participants’ knowledge, beliefs, and access to e-cigarettes. One-on-one interviews and group discussions were conducted using semi-structured questions. Analysis used a combination of summative and conventional content analysis approaches to develop themes.

RESULTS: Twenty-three qualitative interviews and group discussions were analysed, including 29 participants in the analysis sample, 13 females and 16 males (62% South, 24% North, and 14% Northwest). Six themes were developed: ‘switch, not quit’: smokers are not switching to e-cigarettes to quit nicotine; ‘curiosity and social influence are key reasons why young people tried vaping’; ‘vaping is convenient- easy to get, easy to use and easy to hide’, ‘short-term effects of vaping are experienced’, ‘knowledge about vaping is varied’; and ‘suggestion for actions from young people to address the issue of vaping’. The acceptability of vaping was high, and it was seen as safe.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the recently implemented vaping reforms for Australia and suggest that such reforms will be relevant in regional and rural areas. However, it is crucial to continue working with young people to ensure strategies are locally developed and meaningful.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Young people of Tasmania with lived experience were actively engaged throughout this research, to help us understand the underlying drivers of vaping in their communities. They have advised that if adults want to change the behaviour of young people, then we need to co-design solutions with young people. More co-design research is needed to incorporate the voices of young people and their ideas about prevention and cessation need to be considered alongside the implementation of regulatory changes.

PMID:41416393 | DOI:10.1111/hex.70531

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.1111/ics.70047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The physicochemical stability of cosmetic emulsions is crucial for successful commercialization and consumer satisfaction. This study presents an innovative protocol that combines rheology, turbidimetry and granulometry to predict emulsion stability more efficiently.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Industrial emulsions, including some commercial products, were selected to compare stable and unstable samples with minimal formulation differences. Granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology assessments were used to evaluate physical and structural properties. The collected data were subjected to advanced statistical analysis using experimental design methods.

RESULTS: Granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology each effectively distinguished stable from unstable emulsions. Stable emulsions maintained a constant median particle size, while unstable samples exhibited significant increases. Viscosity changes were observed only in unstable emulsions. Turbidimetry showed a Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) >3 for unstable emulsions and <3 for stable ones. Notably, this combined protocol identified instability as early as 8 days-much faster than standard ISO methods, which require up to 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Integrating granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology with advanced data analysis enables a rapid, reliable and sensitive prediction of cosmetic emulsion stability. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional testing by allowing earlier detection of instability, improving formulation development, quality control and time-to-market. Future work will assess the protocol’s applicability to a wider range of emulsion types.

PMID:41416386 | DOI:10.1111/ics.70047