Tag: statistics

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 30;16(3):e0249027. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249027. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

The estimation of the entropy of a random system or process is of interest in many scientific applications. The aim of this article is the analysis of the entropy of the famous Kumaraswamy distribution, an aspect which has not been the subject of particular attention previously as surprising as it may seem. With this in mind, six different entropy measures are considered and expressed analytically via the beta function. A numerical study is performed to discuss the behavior of these measures. Subsequently, we investigate their estimation through a semi-parametric approach combining the obtained expressions and the maximum likelihood estimation approach. Maximum likelihood estimates for the considered entropy measures are thus derived. The convergence properties of these estimates are proved through a simulated data, showing their numerical efficiency. Concrete applications to two real data sets are provided.

PMID:33784310 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0249027

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 30;16(3):e0249082. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249082. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Wildlife-related accidents, especially deer-vehicle accidents, pose a serious problem for road safety and animal protection in many countries. Knowledge of spatial and temporal patterns of deer-vehicle accidents is inevitable for accident analysis and mitigation efforts with temporal deer-vehicle accident data being much more difficult to obtain in sufficient data quality. We described the temporal patterns of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) roadkills occurring in the period 2002-2006 in southeastern Austria. Using a comprehensive dataset, consisting of 11.771 data points, we examined the influence of different time units (i.e. season, month, day of week, day of year), illumination categories (coarse and fine temporal resolution) and lunar phases on deer-vehicle accidents by performing linear and generalized additive models. Thereby, we identified peak accident periods within the analyzed time units. Highest frequencies of deer-vehicle accidents occurred in November, May and October, on Fridays, and during nights. Relationships between lunar phases and roe deer-vehicle accidents were analysed, providing evidence for high frequencies of deer-vehicle accidents during full moon phases. We suggest that deer-vehicle accidents are dependent both on human activity in traffic and wildlife activity, which is in turn affected by phenology, intra- and interspecific competition, climatic and astronomical events. Our results highlight, that short-term mitigation measures (e.g. traffic controls and speed limits) can be highly effective to reduce deer-vehicle accidents, but should be flexibly adapted to specific temporal periods.

PMID:33784325 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0249082

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2021 Mar 30:1-15. doi: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00471. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose Generalized linear mixed-model (GLMM) and Bayesian methods together provide a framework capable of handling a wide variety of complex data commonly encountered across the communication sciences. Using language sample analysis, we demonstrate the utility of these methods in answering specific questions regarding the differences between discourse patterns of children who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as compared to those with typical development. Method Language samples were collected from 55 adolescents ages 13-18 years, five of whom had experienced a TBI. We describe parameters relating to the productivity, syntactic complexity, and lexical diversity of language samples. A Bayesian GLMM is developed for each parameter of interest, relating these parameters to age, sex, prior history (TBI or typical development), and socioeconomic status, as well as the type of discourse sample (compare-contrast, cause-effect, or narrative). Statistical models are thoroughly described. Results Comparing the discourse of adolescents with TBI to those with typical development, substantial differences are detected in productivity and lexical diversity, while differences in syntactic complexity are more moderate. Female adolescents exhibited greater syntactic complexity, while male adolescents exhibited greater productivity and lexical diversity. Generally, our models suggest more advanced discourse among adolescents who are older or who have indicators of higher socioeconomic status. Differences relating to lecture type were also detected. Conclusions Bayesian and GLMM methods yield more informative and intuitive results than traditional statistical analyses, with a greater degree of confidence in model assumptions. We recommend that these methods be used more widely in language sample analysis. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14226959.

PMID:33784201 | DOI:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00471

Platelets. 2021 Mar 30:1-7. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2021.1902967. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Our objective was to analyze if there was a significant relationship between platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PDW, P-LCR, PCT) among dengue, its serological subgroups and controls. Serologically proven adult patients with dengue {(n = 238) (NS1 positive = 218, IgM positive = 14, NS1 & IgM positive = 6)} and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 254) were included. The MPV, PDW and P-LCR were significantly higher, and PLT and PCT were significantly lower in cases compared with controls. Cases as well as controls showed a positive correlation between PLT and PCT, both parameters individually showed negative correlation with MPV, PDW, P-LCR. MPV, PDW and P-LCR showed positive correlation with each other. The results were similar in the serological subgroups. Comparison of our results with other studies points toward an overall hyperdestructive etiology for thrombocytopenia in dengue. There were two subgroups of cases based on the severity of thrombocytopenia. The mean/median value of all the platelet parameters was lesser in the ≤20k group than the >20k group, except for PDW, which was high although not statistically significant. Suppression of megakaryopoiesis with concomitant immune destruction of platelets in severe dengue could explain low MPV and P-LCR with a high PDW in view of the presence of microthrombocytes as a result of immune destruction. Although an overall hyperdestructive mechanism contributes to thrombocytopenia in dengue, regular monitoring of the platelet indices could reflect the status of megakaryopoiesis and thrombokinetic axis, thus aiding easy determination of pathophysiology and treatment.

PMID:33784226 | DOI:10.1080/09537104.2021.1902967

J Chin Med Assoc. 2021 Apr 1;84(4):418-422. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000498.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bladder instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) is an acceptable treatment for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). The treatment is limited by a high proportion of non-responders (~30%-40%). Here, we aimed to evaluate predisposing factors associated with treatment outcomes.

METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter study. We enrolled a total of 137 (out of 140) women with refractory IC. They all underwent a standard protocol of 6-month intravesical HA therapy (initial 4 weeks, once weekly, followed by once monthly). To assess the outcomes, we used the pain Visual Analog Scale (Pain-VAS), Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Index (ICSI & ICPI), and a scaled Global Response Assessment (GRA).

RESULTS: The age of patients was 47.6 ± 27.5 (range 24-77) years. We found statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the Pain-VAS and the ICSI & ICPI scores both after the initial 4-weekly instillations and at the end of 6-month treatment. Those who reported moderate/marked improvement on GRA at the 2 follow-up visits were considered responders: 39.4% (n = 54) at the first follow-up, and 59.9% (n = 82) at the second follow-up. No remarkable side effect was noted. After statistical analyses, treatment outcomes on GRA were positively associated with baseline functional bladder capacity and with Pain-VAS scores. The initial treatment responses optimally (p < 0.001) predicted final treatment outcomes (McNemar).

CONCLUSION: Intravesical HA therapy is safe and effective for most (~60%) of our patients with refractory IC. Functional bladder capacity and Pain-VAS scores before treatment, and the early treatment responses are helpful predictors of treatment outcomes.

PMID:33784267 | DOI:10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000498

Cir Cir. 2021;89(2):170-182. doi: 10.24875/CIRU.20000022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Liver cancer (LC) is a public health problem in the world, since is the second leading cause of death and Mexico is no exception, in 2013 the LC ranked fourth of mortality among malignancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of mortality associated to LC for the period 2000-2013 were obtained from National Institute of Statistics and Geography. National mortality rates were calculated by state and by socioeconomic region. The strength of association of the states of residency and educational level with mortality from LC was determined.

RESULTS: In 2000-2013, the crude death rate per 100,000 people increased from 4.2 to 4.9. Individuals with no schooling or incomplete elementary school the relative risk (RR) of dying from LC was the highest (RR 8.61, 95% CI 8.35-8.89), while in individuals with senior in high school or equivalent the RR decreased (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.71-0.77). Chihuahua had the highest risk of dying [RR 30.3, 95% CI 19.6-46.8 (2000) and RR 22.3, 95% CI 15.1-33 (2013)]. Region 2 had the highest mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico in the study period, the crude death rate increased from LC. Individuals with no schooling or with incomplete elementary school the RR of dying from LC was the highest. Chihuahua had the highest mortality rate and the highest risk of dying. Region 2 had the highest mortality rate.

ANTECEDENTES: El cáncer de hígado es un problema de salud pública en el mundo, ya que es la segunda causa de muerte, y México no es la excepción; en 2013, dicho cáncer ocupó el cuarto lugar en mortalidad entre las neoplasias malignas.

MÉTODO: Se obtuvieron los registros de mortalidad asociada al cáncer de hígado correspondientes al periodo 2000-2013 del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. Se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad nacional, por Estados y por región socioeconómica. Se determinó la fuerza de la asociación de los Estados donde residían los individuos y el nivel de estudios con la mortalidad por cáncer de hígado.

RESULTADOS: En 2000-2013, la tasa cruda de mortalidad por 100,000 individuos se incrementó de 4.2 a 4.9. En individuos sin escolaridad o con primaria incompleta, el riesgo relativo (RR) de morir por cáncer de hígado fue el mayor (RR: 8.61; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 8.35-8.89), mientras que en aquellos con preparatoria disminuyó (RR: 0.74; IC95%: 0.71-0.77). El Estado que tuvo el mayor riesgo de morir fue Chihuahua (RR: 30.3, IC95%: 19.6-46.8 en 2000 y RR: 22.3, IC95%: 15.1-33 en 2013). La región socioeconómica con la mayor tasa de mortalidad fue la región 2.

CONCLUSIONES: En México, en el periodo de estudio, la tasa cruda de mortalidad por cáncer de hígado se incrementó. En individuos sin escolaridad o con primaria incompleta, el RR de morir por cáncer de hígado fue el mayor. El Estado que tuvo la mayor tasa de mortalidad y el mayor riesgo de morir fue Chihuahua. La región socioeconómica con la mayor tasa de mortalidad fue la región 2.

PMID:33784273 | DOI:10.24875/CIRU.20000022

Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021 Mar 30:1-14. doi: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00110. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in cognitive-communication performance using Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests (WJIV) from pre-injury baseline to post sport-related concussion. It was hypothesized that individual subtest performances would decrease postinjury in symptomatic individuals. Method This prospective longitudinal observational nested cohort study of collegiate athletes assessed cognitive-communicative performance at preseason baseline and postinjury. Three hundred and forty-two male and female undergraduates at high risk for sport-related concussion participated in preseason assessments, and 18 individuals met criteria post injury. WJIV subtest domains included Word Finding, Speeded Reading Comprehension, Auditory Comprehension, Verbal Working Memory, Story Retell, and Visual Processing (letter and number). The power calculation was not met, and therefore data were conservatively analyzed with descriptive statistics and a planned subgroup analysis based on symptomatology. Results Individual changes from baseline to postinjury were evaluated using differences in standard score performance. For symptomatic individuals, mean negative decreases in performance were found for Retrieval Fluency, Sentence Reading Fluency, Pattern Matchings, and all cluster scores postinjury. Individual performance declines also included decreases in story retell, verbal working memory, and visual processing. Conclusions This study identified within-subject WJIV performance decline in communication domains post sport-related concussion and reinforces that cognitive-communication dysfunction should be considered in mild traumatic brain injury. Key cognitive-communication areas included speeded naming, reading, and verbal memory, though oral comprehension was not sensitive to change. Future clinical research across diverse populations is needed to expand these preliminary findings.

PMID:33784181 | DOI:10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00110

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2021 Mar 30:1-12. doi: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00561. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose Analysis of connected speech in the field of adult neurogenic communication disorders is essential for research and clinical purposes, yet time and expertise are often cited as limiting factors. The purpose of this project was to create and evaluate an automated program to score and compute the measures from the Quantitative Production Analysis (QPA), an objective and systematic approach for measuring morphological and structural features of connected speech. Method The QPA was used to analyze transcripts of Cinderella stories from 109 individuals with acute-subacute left hemisphere stroke. Regression slopes and residuals were used to compare the results of manual scoring and automated scoring using the newly developed C-QPA command in CLAN, a set of programs for automatic analysis of language samples. Results The C-QPA command produced two spreadsheet outputs: an analysis spreadsheet with scores for each utterance in the language sample, and a summary spreadsheet with 18 score totals from the analysis spreadsheet and an additional 15 measures derived from those totals. Linear regression analysis revealed that 32 of the 33 measures had good agreement; auxiliary complexity index was the one score that did not have good agreement. Conclusions The C-QPA command can be used to perform automated analyses of language transcripts, saving time and training and providing reliable and valid quantification of connected speech. Transcribing in CHAT, the CLAN editor, also streamlined the process of transcript preparation for QPA and allowed for precise linking of media files to language transcripts for temporal analyses.

PMID:33784197 | DOI:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00561

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Mar 12;126(10):102001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.102001.

ABSTRACT

We report a study of the processes of e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}D_{s}^{-}D^{*0} and K^{+}D_{s}^{*-}D^{0} based on e^{+}e^{-} annihilation samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at BEPCII at five center-of-mass energies ranging from 4.628 to 4.698 GeV with a total integrated luminosity of 3.7 fb^{-1}. An excess of events over the known contributions of the conventional charmed mesons is observed near the D_{s}^{-}D^{*0} and D_{s}^{*-}D^{0} mass thresholds in the K^{+} recoil-mass spectrum for events collected at sqrt[s]=4.681 GeV. The structure matches a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, whose pole mass and width are determined as (3982.5_{-2.6}^{+1.8}±2.1) MeV/c^{2} and (12.8_{-4.4}^{+5.3}±3.0) MeV, respectively. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The significance of the resonance hypothesis is estimated to be 5.3 σ over the contributions only from the conventional charmed mesons. This is the first candidate for a charged hidden-charm tetraquark with strangeness, decaying into D_{s}^{-}D^{*0} and D_{s}^{*-}D^{0}. However, the properties of the excess need further exploration with more statistics.

PMID:33784133 | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.102001

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Mar 12;126(10):101601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.101601.

ABSTRACT

We study the holographic complexity conjectures for rotating black holes, uncovering a relationship between the complexity of formation and the thermodynamic volume of the black hole. We suggest that it is the thermodynamic volume and not the entropy that controls the complexity of formation of large black holes in both the complexity equals action and complexity equals volume proposals in general. Our proposal reduces to known results involving the entropy in settings where the thermodynamic volume and entropy are not independent, but has broader scope. Assuming a conjectured inequality is obeyed by the thermodynamic volume, we establish that the complexity of formation is bounded from below by the entropy for large black holes.

PMID:33784155 | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.101601