Conventional Early Infant Diagnosis In Lesotho From Specimen Collection To Results Usage To Manage Patients: Where Are The Bottlenecks?,
2017
George Washington University
Conventional Early Infant Diagnosis In Lesotho From Specimen Collection To Results Usage To Manage Patients: Where Are The Bottlenecks?, Appolinaire Tiam, Michelle M Gill, Heather J Hoffman, Anthony Isavwa, Mafusi Mokone, Matokelo Foso, Jeffrey T Safrit, Lynne M Mofenson, Thorkild Tylleskär, Laura Guay
Epidemiology Faculty Publications
Introduction
Early infant diagnosis is an important step in identifying children infected with HIV during the perinatal period or in utero. Multiple factors contribute to delayed antiretroviral treatment initiation for HIV-infected children, including delays in the early infant HIV diagnosis cascade.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate early infant diagnosis turnaround times in Lesotho. Trained staff reviewed records of HIV-exposed infants (aged-6-8 weeks) who received an HIV test during 2011. Study sites were drawn from Highlands, Foothills and Lowlands regions of Lesotho. Central laboratory database data were linked to facility and laboratory register information. Turnaround time geometric means …
Perennial Warm-Season Grasses For Producing Biofuel And Enhancing Soil Properties: An Alternative To Corn Residue Removal,
2017
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Perennial Warm-Season Grasses For Producing Biofuel And Enhancing Soil Properties: An Alternative To Corn Residue Removal, Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Robert B. Mitchell, Virginia L. Jin, Marty R. Schmer, Kent M. Eskridge
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
Removal of corn (Zea mays L.) residues at high rates for biofuel and other off-farm uses may negatively impact soil and the environment in the long term. Biomass removal from perennial warm-season grasses (WSGs) grown in marginally-productive lands could be an alternative to corn residue removal as biofuel feedstocks while controlling water and wind erosion, sequestering carbon (C), cycling water and nutrients, and enhancing other soil ecosystem services. We compared wind and water erosion potential, soil compaction, soil hydraulic properties, soil organic C (SOC), and soil fertility between biomass removal from WSGs and corn residue removal from rainfed no-till …
Impact Of Menthol Smoking On Nicotine Dependence
For Diverse Racial/Ethnic Groups Of Daily Smokers,
2017
University of Central Florida
Impact Of Menthol Smoking On Nicotine Dependence For Diverse Racial/Ethnic Groups Of Daily Smokers, Julia N. Soulakova, Ryan R. Danczak
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
Introduction: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether menthol smoking and race/ethnicity are associated with nicotine dependence in daily smokers. Methods: The study used two subsamples of U.S. daily smokers who responded to the 2010–2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The larger subsample consisted of 18,849 non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), and Hispanic (HISP) smokers. The smaller subsample consisted of 1112 non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), non-Hispanic Asian (ASIAN), non-Hispanic Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (HPI), and non-Hispanic Multiracial (MULT) smokers. Results: For larger (smaller) groups the rates were 45% (33%) for heavy smoking (16+ cig/day), 59% …
Evaluating Current Practices In Shelf Life Estimation,
2017
Merck & Co. Inc.
Evaluating Current Practices In Shelf Life Estimation, Robert Capen, David Christopher, Patrick Forenzo, Kim Huynh-Ba, David Leblond, Oscar Liu, John O'Neill, Nate Patterson, Michelle Quinlan, Radhika Rajagopalan, James Schwenke, Walter W. Stroup
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
The current International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) methods for determining the supported shelf life of a drug product, described in ICH guidance documents Q1A and Q1E, are evaluated in this paper. To support this evaluation, an industry data set is used which is comprised of 26 individual stability batches of a common drug product where most batches are measured over a 24 month storage period. Using randomly sampled sets of 3 or 6 batches from the industry data set, the current ICH methods are assessed from three perspectives. First, the distributional properties …
Generalized Confidence Intervals Compatible With The Min Test For Simultaneous Comparisons Of One Subpopulation To Several Other Subpopulations,
2017
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Generalized Confidence Intervals Compatible With The Min Test For Simultaneous Comparisons Of One Subpopulation To Several Other Subpopulations, Julia N. Soulakova
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
A problem where one subpopulation is compared to several other subpopulations in terms of means with the goal of estimating the smallest difference between the means commonly arises in biology, medicine, and many other scientific fields. A generalization of Strassburger, Bretz and Hochberg (2004) approach for two comparisons is presented for cases with three and more comparisons. The method allows constructing an interval-estimator for the smallest mean difference, which is compatible with the Min test. An application to a fluency-disorder study is illustrated. Simulations confirmed adequate probability coverage for normally distributed outcomes for a number of designs.
Increasing Genomic-Enabled Prediction Accuracy
By Modeling Genotype X Environment Interactions
In Kansas Wheat,
2017
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Increasing Genomic-Enabled Prediction Accuracy By Modeling Genotype X Environment Interactions In Kansas Wheat, Diego Jarquin, Cristiano Lemas Da Silva, R. Chris Gaynor, Jesse Poland, Allan Fritz, Reka Howard, Sarah Battenfield, José Crossa
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding programs test experimental lines in multiple locations over multiple years to get an accurate assessment of grain yield and yield stability. Selections in early generations of the breeding pipeline are based on information from only one or few locations and thus materials are advanced with little knowledge of the genotype × environment interaction (G × E) effects. Later, large trials are conducted in several locations to assess the performance of more advanced lines across environments. Genomic selection (GS) models that include G × E covariates allow us to borrow information not only from related …
Application Of Response Surface Methods To
Determine Conditions For Optimal
Genomic Prediction,
2017
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Of Response Surface Methods To Determine Conditions For Optimal Genomic Prediction, Reka Howard, Alicia L. Carriquiry, William D. Beavis
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
An epistatic genetic architecture can have a significant impact on prediction accuracies of genomic prediction (GP) methods. Machine learning methods predict traits comprised of epistatic genetic architectures more accurately than statistical methods based on additive mixed linear models. The differences between these types of GP methods suggest a diagnostic for revealing genetic architectures underlying traits of interest. In addition to genetic architecture, the performance of GP methods may be influenced by the sample size of the training population, the number of QTL, and the proportion of phenotypic variability due to genotypic variability (heritability). Possible values for these factors and the …
Trans-Ancestry Fine Mapping And Molecular Assays
Identify Regulatory Variants At The Angptl8
Hdl-C Gwas Locus,
2017
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Trans-Ancestry Fine Mapping And Molecular Assays Identify Regulatory Variants At The Angptl8 Hdl-C Gwas Locus, Maren E. Cannon, Qing Duan, Ying Wu, Monica Zeynalzadeh, Zheng Xu, Antti J. Kangas, Pasi Soininen, Mika Ala-Korpela, Mete Civelek, Aldons J. Lusis, Johanna Kuusisto, Francis S. Collins, Michael Boehnke, Hua Tang, Markku Laakso, Yun Li, Karen L. Mohlke
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified variants associated with highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) located in or near the ANGPTL8 gene. Given the extensive sharing of GWAS loci across populations, we hypothesized that at least one shared variant at this locus affects HDL-C. The HDL-C–associated variants are coincident with expression quantitative trait loci for ANGPTL8 and DOCK6 in subcutaneous adipose tissue; however, only ANGPTL8 expression levels are associated with HDL-C levels. We identified a 400-bp promoter region of ANGPTL8 and enhancer regions within 5 kb that contribute to regulating expression in liver and adipose. To identify variants functionally responsible for …
A Bayes Interpretation Of Stacking For M-Complete And M-Open Settings,
2017
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A Bayes Interpretation Of Stacking For M-Complete And M-Open Settings, Tri Le, Bertrand S. Clarke
Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications
In M-open problems where no true model can be conceptualized, it is common to back off from modeling and merely seek good prediction. Even in M-complete problems, taking a predictive approach can be very useful. Stacking is a model averaging procedure that gives a composite predictor by combining individual predictors from a list of models using weights that optimize a cross validation criterion. We show that the stacking weights also asymptotically minimize a posterior expected loss. Hence we formally provide a Bayesian justification for cross-validation. Often the weights are constrained to be positive and sum to one. For greater generality, …
Analyzing Electricity Use Of Low Income Weatherization Program Participants Using Propensity Score Analysis And A Hierarchical Linear Growth Model,
2017
University of Denver
Analyzing Electricity Use Of Low Income Weatherization Program Participants Using Propensity Score Analysis And A Hierarchical Linear Growth Model, Ksenia Polson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This evaluation utilized propensity score matching methods and a longitudinal hierarchical linear growth model to determine the effect of residential energy efficiency upgrade(s) on household electricity use for the low-income community over the course of a year in the City and County of Denver, Colorado. Propensity score analysis with risk set matching was performed at each month under analysis applying nearest neighbor and nearest neighbor with caliper approaches by balancing covariates across the treatment and control groups. Following the completion of propensity score analysis, the data were aggregated to form a data set that was used in a hierarchical linear …
An Evaluation Of Critical Realignment Theory: Comparing Bayesian And Frequentist Approaches,
2017
University of Denver
An Evaluation Of Critical Realignment Theory: Comparing Bayesian And Frequentist Approaches, Tara A. Rhodes
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Prior to this study, critical realignment theory, which presupposes eras of substantial and sustained swings in American political party dominance, had only been evaluated using the classical, frequentist approach to modeling. However, potential for more information concerning these electoral phenomena exists given a shift in the design and approach to realigning elections. This study sought to explore those options through one particular alternative to the classical approach to statistics--in this particular case, the Bayesian approach to statistics. Bayesian methods differ from the frequentist approach in three main ways: the treatment of probability, the treatment of parameters, and the treatment of …
Consumers' Perceptions Of Voluntary And Involuntary Deconsumption: An Exploratory Sequential Scale Development Study,
2017
University of Denver
Consumers' Perceptions Of Voluntary And Involuntary Deconsumption: An Exploratory Sequential Scale Development Study, Kranti K. Dugar
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This exploratory sequential mixed methods study of scale development was conducted among baby boomers in the United States to render conceptual clarity to the concepts of voluntary and involuntary deconsumption, to explore deconsumption behavior under the tenets of the attribution theory of motivation, and to examine the components, structures, uses, and measurement properties of scales of voluntary and involuntary deconsumption. It was also an attempt to reiterate the importance of the baby boomer segment(s) for marketing practitioners based on growth, economic viability, and the power of influence, and to establish a deep understanding of the deconsumption processes, which could enable …
Statistical Modeling Of The Default Mode Brain Network Reveals A Segregated Highway Structure,
2017
University of San Francisco
Statistical Modeling Of The Default Mode Brain Network Reveals A Segregated Highway Structure, P. E. Stillman, James D. Wilson, M. J. Denny, B. A. Desmarais, Shankar Bhamidi, S. J. Cranmer, Zhong-Lin Lu
Mathematics
We investigate the functional organization of the Default Mode Network (DMN) – an important subnetwork within the brain associated with a wide range of higher-order cognitive functions. While past work has shown the whole-brain network of functional connectivity follows small-world organizational principles, subnetwork structure is less well understood. Current statistical tools, however, are not suited to quantifying the operating characteristics of functional networks as they often require threshold censoring of information and do not allow for inferential testing of the role that local processes play in determining network structure. Here, we develop the correlation Generalized Exponential Random Graph Model (cGERGM) …
The In Vivo Effect Of Oil Palm Phenolics (Opp) In Atherogenic Diet Induced Rats Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease (Ad),
2017
Wayne State University
The In Vivo Effect Of Oil Palm Phenolics (Opp) In Atherogenic Diet Induced Rats Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease (Ad), Yan Wu
Wayne State University Dissertations
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the aging population. It is characterized by cognitive decline and deposition of ß-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus. It has been shown that hypercholesterolemia induced by high cholesterol diet is associated with AD development. Increased level of oxidative stress has also been observed in AD patients. An important strategy to treat or delay the impairment is based on dietary modification, using food supplements. OPP, a water soluble fraction from oil palm fruit, rich in phenolics has been found to possess significant antioxidant activities. Its beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes …
Quantum Foundations With Astronomical Photons,
2017
Claremont Colleges
Quantum Foundations With Astronomical Photons, Calvin Leung
HMC Senior Theses
Bell's inequalities impose an upper limit on correlations between measurements of two-photon states under the assumption that the photons play by a set of local rules rather than by quantum mechanics. Quantum theory and decades of experiments both violate this limit.
Recent theoretical work in quantum foundations has demonstrated that a local realist model can explain the non-local correlations observed in experimental tests of Bell's inequality if the underlying probability distribution of the local hidden variable depends on the choice of measurement basis, or ``setting choice''. By using setting choices determined by astrophysical events in the distant past, it is …
Assessing Very Early Infant Diagnosis Turnaround Times: Findings From A Birth Testing Pilot In Lesotho,
2017
George Washington University
Assessing Very Early Infant Diagnosis Turnaround Times: Findings From A Birth Testing Pilot In Lesotho, Michelle Gill, Heather J. Hoffman, Majoalane Mokone, Vincent Tukei, Matsepeli Nchephe, +Several Additional Authors
Epidemiology Faculty Publications
Very early infant diagnosis (VEID) (testing within two weeks of life), combined with rapid treatment initiation, could reduce early infant mortality. Our study evaluated turnaround time (TAT) to receipt of infants’ HIV test results and ART initiation if HIV-infected, with and without birth testing availability. Data from facility records and national databases were collected for 12 facilities offering VEID, as part of an observational prospective cohort study, and 10 noncohort facilities. HIV-exposed infants born in January–June 2016 and any cohort infant diagnosed as HIV-infected at birth or six weeks were included. The median TAT from blood draw to caregiver result …
Risk Of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Among Dabigatran Users – A Self Controlled Case Series Analysis,
2017
George Washington University
Risk Of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Among Dabigatran Users – A Self Controlled Case Series Analysis, Wenze Tang, Hsien-Yen Chang, Meijia Zhou, Sonal Singh
Epidemiology Faculty Publications
This article aims to evaluate the real world risk of gastrointestinal bleeding among users naïve to dabigatran. We adopted a self-controlled case series design. We sampled 1215 eligible adult participants who were continuous insured users between July 1, 2010 and March 31, 2012 with use of dabigatran and at least one gastrointestinal bleeding episode. We used a conditional Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios. The population consisted of 64.69% of male and 60.25% patients equal to or greater than age 65 at start of observation. After adjustment for time-variant confounders, the incidence rate of gastrointestinal bleeding was similar during …
Post-Diagnosis Body Mass Index And Mortality Among Women Diagnosed With Endometrial Cancer: Results From The Women's Health Initiative.,
2017
George Washington University
Post-Diagnosis Body Mass Index And Mortality Among Women Diagnosed With Endometrial Cancer: Results From The Women's Health Initiative., Hannah Arem, Ruth M Pfeiffer, Steven C Moore, Melinda L Irwin, Michael J Lamonte, Gloria E Sarto, Rami Nassir, Juhua Luo, Rowan T Chlebowski, Louise A Brinton, Charles E Matthews
Epidemiology Faculty Publications
Higher body mass index (BMI) measured before endometrial cancer diagnosis has been associated with greater risk of developing endometrial cancer and higher mortality, but the association between BMI measured after diagnosis and mortality risk is unclear. We identified 467 women (91 deaths) in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) with information on BMI measured after diagnosis and used Cox proportional hazards regression to generate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortality. Comparing BMI 35+ with/m2, we observed no association with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.55-1.91). Our study does not support the hypothesis that higher …
Meta-Analyses Of The Relationship Between Depression And Nine Dimensions Of Perfectionism,
2017
University of Denver
Meta-Analyses Of The Relationship Between Depression And Nine Dimensions Of Perfectionism, Gabriel Lynn Hottinger
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Perfectionism has been shown to be related to depression, but perfectionism is multidimensional. Some dimensions are related to positive psychological characteristics and outcomes and other dimensions are related to negative psychological characteristics and outcomes. This study reports results of nine meta-analyses performed to investigate the association between each of nine subscales of perfectionism and depression to determine which dimensions of perfectionism are most strongly associated with depression. The two subscales that were used from the Hewitt and Flett (1991b) Multidimensional Perfectionism scale were Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP) and Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP). The five subscales that were used from the Frost et …
Case Study For Guided Project In Stochastic Hydrology,
2017
Oregon State University
Case Study For Guided Project In Stochastic Hydrology, Meghna Babbar-Sebens
All ECSTATIC Materials
Attached are two guided project activities for hydrology and climate data of Eagle Creek Watershed, Indiana, USA. The zip files have flow and precipitation datasets at daily, monthly, and annual time scales.
