Tag: statistics

Sch Psychol. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1037/spq0000573. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study explored the relationship between 391 third-grade students’ writing productivity and the amount of intervention dosage received over a 6-week period. In addition, the association between gender and the amount of intervention dosage received was examined. Results indicated that intervention dosage had a statistically significant relationship with students’ writing productivity at the conclusion of intervention implementation. In addition, there was not a statistically significant difference in the amount of intervention dose received between female and male students. Notably, less intervention dosage may be indicative of higher rates of school absenteeism, which is associated with adverse academic outcomes. Implications and future research directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:37561428 | DOI:10.1037/spq0000573

J Travel Med. 2023 Aug 10:taad107. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taad107. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Giardiasis is a common gastrointestinal illness in travellers. Data on the actual giardiasis risk of travellers to different travel destinations is scarce. We aim to estimate the risk of giardiasis in travellers from Germany by destination country and region.

METHODS: We analysed travel-related giardiasis cases, their countries and regions of exposure and the age and sex distribution of cases reported in 2014-2019 in Germany. We defined a travel-related giardiasis case as a laboratory-confirmed (i.e. positive microscopy, antigen test or nucleic acid test) symptomatic individual with outbound travel abroad within 3-25 days before symptom onset. Based on the number of reported cases per exposure country and UNWTO travel data for Germany, we calculated the number of travel-related giardiasis cases per 100 000 travellers and compared the incidence in 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 to identify potential trends.

RESULTS: In 2014-2019, 21 172 giardiasis cases were reported in Germany, corresponding to an overall incidence of 4.3 per 100 000 population. Of all cases, 6879 (32%) were travel-related with a median age of 34 (interquartile range (IQR): 25-50), 51% were male. Southern Asia was the most frequently reported exposure region and had the highest incidence in travellers (64.1 per 100 000 returning travellers) in 2017-2019, followed by Latin America (19.2) and Sub-Saharan Africa (12.9). We observed statistically significant decreasing trends for Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Latin America was the only region with a statistically significant increasing trend.

CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-third of recent giardiasis cases in Germany were travel-related. Giardiasis incidence in travellers differs greatly depending on the destination region. Decreasing trends in many regions might be due to improvements in food hygiene or travel conditions. Our results may inform medical consultation pre and post patient’s travel.

PMID:37561417 | DOI:10.1093/jtm/taad107

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2023 Aug 10:1-15. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2240437. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, direct analysis in real time high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS) was used to investigate the accurate characterisation of feed additive formulations containing coccidiostats or carotenoids. The study demonstrates the efficacy of DART-HRMS in identifying the active substances in these formulations and distinguishing between feed additives with the same active substance. The protocol for this method involves two simple steps that are extracting samples with organic solvents and measuring the extracts with DART-HRMS. The study also employs various statistical tools, including a factorial design approach, to optimise the DART-HRMS settings, and multivariate statistics, to establish classification models for feed additive formulations using nominal mass spectra. Our study demonstrates the potential of DART-HRMS in ensuring the correct identification of feed additives containing various coccidiostats or carotenoids and proposes this tool as an additional means for compliance checks with EU regulations.

PMID:37561415 | DOI:10.1080/19440049.2023.2240437

J Anim Sci. 2023 Aug 10:skad269. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad269. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Technology that facilitates estimations of individual animal dry matter intake rates in group-housed settings will improve production and management efficiencies. Estimating dry matter intake in pasture settings or facilities where feed intake cannot be monitored may benefit from predictive algorithms that use other variables as proxies. This study examined the relationships between dry matter intake (DMI), animal performance, and environmental variables. Here we determined whether a machine learning approach can predict DMI from measured water intake variables, age, sex, full body weight, and average daily gain (ADG). Two hundred and five animals were studied in a drylot setting (152 bulls for 88 days and 53 steers for 50 days). Collected data included daily DMI, water intake, daily predicted full body weights, and average daily gain using In-Pen-Weighing Positions and Feed Intake Nodes. After exclusion of 26 bulls of low-frequency breeds and one severe (greater than 3 standard deviations) outlier, the final number of animals used for modeling were 178 (125 bulls, 53 steers). Climate data were recorded at 30-minute intervals throughout the study period. Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Repeated Measures Random Forest (RMRF) were used as a machine learning approaches to develop a predictive algorithm. Repeated Measures ANOVA (RMANOVA)was used as the traditional approach. Using the RMRF method, an algorithm was constructed that predicts an animal’s DMI within 0.75 kg. Evaluation and refining of algorithms used to predict DMI in drylot by adding more representative data will allow for future extrapolation to controlled small plot grazing and, ultimately, more extensive group field settings.

PMID:37561392 | DOI:10.1093/jas/skad269

Sports Med. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01880-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The literature on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) contains claims that, if true, could revolutionize the science and practice of exercise. This critical analysis examines two varieties of claims: (i) HIIT is effective in improving various indices of fitness and health, and (ii) HIIT is as effective as more time-consuming moderate-intensity continuous exercise. Using data from two recent systematic reviews as working examples, we show that studies in both categories exhibit considerable weaknesses when judged through the prism of fundamental statistical principles. Predominantly, small-to-medium effects are investigated in severely underpowered studies, thus greatly increasing the risk of both type I and type II errors of statistical inference. Studies in the first category combine the volatility of estimates associated with small samples with numerous dependent variables analyzed without consideration of the inflation of the type I error rate. Studies in the second category inappropriately use the p > 0.05 criterion from small studies to support claims of ‘similar’ or ‘comparable’ effects. It is concluded that the situation in the HIIT literature is reminiscent of the research climate that led to the replication crisis in psychology. As in psychology, this could be an opportunity to reform statistical practices in exercise science.

PMID:37561389 | DOI:10.1007/s40279-023-01880-7

Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11845-023-03485-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Early neurological deterioration (END) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), patients is defined as clinical worsening or recurrence during first 72 h after onset of AIS. We have conducted this study to determine the association between END and functional outcome at 3 months of onset of AIS along with associated risk factors of END in AIS cases.

METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted after approval of Institute Ethics Committee. Two hundred three consecutive patients were admitted from September 2020 to January 2022 at a tertiary care hospital. One hundred ninety patients were included in the study; patients were divided into two groups: (1) early neurological deterioration (END) and (2) non-early neurological deterioration (non-END). Patients were followed-up either telephonically or in person at approximately 3 months using modified Rankin Scale 0-6. All the clinically significant prognostic markers and p < 0.10 variables were considered significant in univariate analysis; P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant for the multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: Out of 190 cases included in the cohort 34/190 (17.8%) cases showed END with mean age (56.56 (± 16.6)) and males (20/34 (58.8%)). END was independently associated with high blood glucose at admission (OR = 1.015; P = 0.002; 95%CI = 1.005-1.024) and low serum albumin (OR = 0.208; P = 0.002; 95%CI = 0.077-0.562). Patients with END showed poor functional outcome (mRS > 2) at end of 3 months (32 (94.1%); P < 0.001) and death was also statistically significant (22 (64.7%); P < 0.001) as compared to AIS cases having non-END.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed END may be associated with poor functional outcome in AIS patients. Higher blood glucose at admission and low serum albumin may be statistically significant causing END. Future prospective cohort with larger sample size may confirm the findings.

PMID:37561387 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-023-03485-5

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s10517-023-05876-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We studied the possibility of conductometric measurement of myelokaryocyte content in the red bone marrow of mice using a hematological Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer (Diatron). Statistical, correlation, and regression analyses were performed to assess of the results of myelokaryocyte counting in the suspensions of mouse red bone marrow by a direct method in cytometers and by using Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer. It was shown that in both intact mice and animals with modelled red bone marrow hypoplasia, irrespectively of the state of hematopoiesis in representative samples, conductometric measurements of myelokaryocyte content on the Abacus analyzer with high confidence reproduced direct counting results (in different tests p=0.64-0.82, p=0.83-0.98). This indicates that myelokaryocyte counting on the Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer can be an acceptable alternative to counting chamber measurements in mouse samplings. However, the variability of single measurements with the Abacus Junior 5 Vet in red bone marrow suspensions is high (5%) and this has to be considered in small samples.

PMID:37561375 | DOI:10.1007/s10517-023-05876-1

Int J Clin Pharm. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11096-023-01625-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medication safety is important to limit adverse events for nursing home residents. Several factors, such as interprofessional collaboration with pharmacists and medication reviews, have been shown in the literature to influence medication safety processes.

AIM: This study had three main objectives: (1) To assess how facility- and unit-level organization and infrastructure are related to medication use processes; (2) To determine the extent of medication safety-relevant processes; and (3) To explore pharmacies’ and pharmacists’ involvement in nursing homes’ medication-related processes.

METHOD: Cross-sectional multicenter survey data (2018-2019) from a convenience sample of 118 Swiss nursing homes were used. Data were collected on facility and unit characteristics, pharmacy services, as well as medication safety-related structures and processes. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS: Most of the participating nursing homes (93.2%) had electronic resident health record systems that supported medication safety in various ways (e.g., medication lists, interaction checks). Electronic data exchanges with outside partners such as pharmacies or physicians were available for fewer than half (10.2-46.3%, depending on the partner). Pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes were mainly involved in logistical support. Medication reviews were reportedly conducted regularly in two-thirds of facilities.

CONCLUSION: A high proportion of Swiss nursing homes have implemented diverse processes and structures that support medication use and safety for residents; however, their collaboration with pharmacists remains relatively limited.

PMID:37561370 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-023-01625-6

Cardiol Young. 2023 Aug 10:1-7. doi: 10.1017/S1047951123002962. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although COVID-19 is known to have cardiac effects in children, seen primarily in severe disease, more information is needed about the cardiac effects following COVID-19 in non-hospitalised children and adolescents during recovery. This study aims to compare echocardiographic markers of cardiac size and function of children following acute COVID-19 with those of healthy controls.

METHODS: This single-centre retrospective case-control study compared 71 cases seen in cardiology clinic following acute COVID-19 with 33 healthy controls. Apical left ventricle, apical right ventricle, and parasternal short axis at the level of the papillary muscles were analysed to measure ventricular size and systolic function. Strain was analysed on vendor-independent software. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum, and regression modelling as appropriate (p < 0.05 significant).

RESULTS: Compared to controls, COVID-19 cases had slightly higher left ventricular volumes and lower left ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular fractional area change that remained within normal range. There were no differences in right or left ventricular longitudinal strain between the two groups. Neither initial severity nor persistence of symptoms after diagnosis predicted these differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic findings in children and adolescents 6 weeks to 3 months following acute COVID-19 not requiring hospitalisation were overall reassuring. Compared to healthy controls, the COVID-19 group demonstrated mildly larger left ventricular size and lower conventional measures of biventricular systolic function that remained within the normal range, with no differences in biventricular longitudinal strain. Future studies focusing on longitudinal echocardiographic assessment of patients following acute COVID-19 are needed to better understand these subtle differences in ventricular size and function.

PMID:37560822 | DOI:10.1017/S1047951123002962

Adv Physiol Educ. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1152/advan.00181.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral demonstration of knowledge is an effective learning and assessment strategy. It has been shown that generating explanations to oneself, or self-explaining, can improve student understanding of information. This can be achieved via student-generated videos. The quantitative effects of student-generated videos on learning and assessment in postsecondary education is unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the effects asynchronous student-generated videos have on student learning and assessment in a large-enrollment (~400 students), undergraduate physiology course. Students were charged with self-generating videos discussing major physiological concepts and uploading these videos to Flip for assessment. Flip is an online, social education platform for asynchronous video-based discussion. In the present study, we combined four semesters (n = 1,100 students) of Flip data and analyzed the effects it had on student examination performance. Specifically, we first analyzed how students performed on exam questions corresponding to their Flip prompts in comparison to students not assigned those prompts (25/44 (57%) were statistically significantly different). Second, we analyzed the association between Flip prompt score and performance on corresponding exam questions (39/44 (89%) were statistically significantly different). Third, we analyzed the association between cumulative Flip score and performance on all corresponding, and non-corresponding exam questions. Finally, we analyzed the association between cumulative Flip score and averaged exam performance. There was a positive association (r = 0.54). Taken together, our data suggest that asynchronous student-generated Flip videos can facilitate student learning and assessment in a large-enrollment, undergraduate physiology course.

PMID:37560782 | DOI:10.1152/advan.00181.2022