Evaluation of Negative Binomial and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Models for the Analysis of Zero-Inflated Count Data: Application to the Telemedicine for Children With Medical Complexity Trial

BACKGROUND: Two characteristics of commonly used outcomes in medical research are zero inflation and non-negative integers; examples include the number of hospital admissions or emergency department visits, where the majority of patients will have zero counts. Zero-inflated regression models were devised to analyze this type of data. However, the performance of zero-inflated regression models or the properties of data best suited for these analyses have not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: We conducted a simulation study to evaluate the performance of two generalized linear models, negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial, for analyzing zero-inflated count data. Simulation scenarios assumed a randomized controlled trial design and varied the true underlying distribution, sample size, and rate of zero inflation. We compared the models in terms of bias, mean squared error, and coverage. Additionally, we used logistic regression to determine which data properties are most important for predicting the best-fitting model. RESULTS: We first found that, regardless of the rate of zero inflation, there was little difference between the conventional negative binomial and its zero-inflated counterpart in terms of bias of the marginal treatment group coefficient. Second, even when the outcome was simulated from a zero-inflated distribution, a negative binomial model was favored above its ZI counterpart in terms of the Akaike Information Criterion. Third, the mean and skewness of the non-zero part of the data were stronger predictors of model preference than the percentage of zero counts. These results were not affected by the sample size, which ranged from 60 to 800. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that the rate of zero inflation and overdispersion in the outcome should not be the sole and main justification for choosing zero-inflated regression models. Investigators should also consider other data characteristics when choosing a model for count data. In addition, if the performance of the NB and ZINB regression models is reasonably comparable even with ZI outcomes, we advocate the use of the NB regression model due to its clear and straightforward interpretation of the results

Floating stones off El Hierro, Canary Islands: xenoliths of pre-island sedimentary origin in the early products of the October 2011 eruption

The eruption that started off the south coast of El Hierro, Canary Islands, in October 2011 has emitted intriguing eruption products found floating in the sea. These specimens appeared as floating volcanic "bombs" that have in the meantime been termed "restingolites" (after the close-by village of La Restinga) and exhibit cores of white and porous pumice-like material. Currently the nature and origin of these "floating stones" is vigorously debated among researchers, with important implications for the interpretation of the hazard potential of the ongoing eruption. The "restingolites" have been proposed to be either (i) juvenile high-silica magma (e.g. rhyolite), (ii) remelted magmatic material (trachyte), (iii) altered volcanic rock, or (iv) reheated hyaloclastites or zeolite from the submarine slopes of El Hierro. Here, we provide evidence that supports yet a different conclusion. We have collected and analysed the structure and composition of samples and compared the results to previous work on similar rocks found in the archipelago. Based on their high silica content, the lack of igneous trace element signatures, and the presence of remnant quartz crystals, jasper fragments and carbonate relicts, we conclude that "restingolites" are in fact xenoliths from pre-island sedimentary rocks that were picked up and heated by the ascending magma causing them to partially melt and vesiculate. They hence represent messengers from depth that help us to understand the interaction between ascending magma and crustal lithologies in the Canary Islands as well as in similar Atlantic islands that rest on sediment/covered ocean crust (e.g. Cape Verdes, Azores). The occurrence of these "restingolites" does therefore not indicate the presence of an explosive high-silica magma that is involved in the ongoing eruption

Separation of the Exchange-Correlation Potential into Exchange plus Correlation: an Optimized Effective Potential Approach

Most approximate exchange-correlation functionals used within density functional theory are constructed as the sum of two distinct contributions for exchange and correlation. Separating the exchange component from the entire functional is useful since, for exchange, exact relations exist under uniform density scaling and spin scaling. In the past, accurate exchange-correlation potentials have been generated from essentially exact densities constructed using information from either quantum chemistry or quantum Monte Carlo calculations but they have not been correctly decomposed into their separate exchange and correlation components, except for two-electron systems. exchange and correlation components (except for two-electron systems). Using a recently proposed method, equivalent to the solution of an optimized effective potential problem with the corresponding orbitals replaced by the exact Kohn-Sham orbitals, we obtain the separation according to the density functional theory definition. We compare the results for the Ne and Be atoms with those obtained by the previously used approximate separation scheme

Tratamiento de agua residual de microbiología usando películas delgadas de TiO2

(Eng) Microbiology cell-staining wastewater was treated by UV/TiO 2 thin films photocatalysis. A simple method of applying gravity sedimentation over grass-type substrate was used for the preparation of the films. The use of Na4 P2 O7, microwaves, and ultrasounds were studied for decreasing the TiO2 grain sizes on the films. It was established that the best method for reducing grain size resulted from a combination of Na4P2O7 (0.01M) and microwave radiation (700 W, 20 min). The Films were characterized by several microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Anatase phase (gap energy of 3.2 eV) and grain sizes averaging 83 nm were achieved. Photocatalysis tests using TiO2-film showed 99.5 % of decolorization, 79 % TOC abatement, and total microbial inactivation after 14 h of treatment. No bacteria re–growth was found 48 h after the treatment was completed.(Spa) La fotocatálisis con UV/TiO2usando películas delgadas fue empleada para el tratamiento de agua residual de microbiología. Se empleó un método simple de sedimentación por gravedad sobre sustrato de vidrio para la preparación de las películas. El uso de Na4P2O7, microondas y ultrasonido fue estudiado para la disminución de los granos de TiO2 en las películas. Se estableció que el mejor método para disminuir los agregados resultó de una combinación de Na4P2O7(0.01M) y radiación de microondas (700 W, 20 min). Las películas fueron caracterizadas por métodos microscópicos y espectroscópicos. Se obtuvo la fase anatasa (brecha de energía de 3.2 e.V) y tamaños de grano de 83nm. Los ensayos fotocatalíticos utilizando las películas de TiO2generaron un 99.5% de decoloración, 79% de remoción de COT y una inactivación microbiana total luego de 14 h de tratamiento. No se encontró reactivación microbiana luego de 48 h de finalizado el tratamiento

Iscas artificiais de baixo custo para as redes de emalhe da pesca artesanal, rio Araguaia,Tocantins.

Este comunicado tem como objetivo ainda divulgar e orientar, de maneira prática, pescadores e multiplicadores sobre a aplicação correta das iscas artificiais

Precision measurement of the half-life and the decay branches of 62Ga

In an experiment performed at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla, the beta-decay half-life of 62Ga has been studied with high precision using the IGISOL technique. A half-life of T1/2 = 116.09(17)ms was measured. Using beta-gamma coincidences, the gamma intensity of the 954keV transition and an upper limit of the beta-decay feeding of the 0+_2 state have been extracted. The present experimental results are compared to previous measurements and their impact on our understanding of the weak interaction is discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, submitted to EPJ

Breast cancer instructs dendritic cells to prime interleukin 13–secreting CD4+ T cells that facilitate tumor development

We previously reported (Bell, D., P. Chomarat, D. Broyles, G. Netto, G.M. Harb, S. Lebecque, J. Valladeau, J. Davoust, K.A. Palucka, and J. Banchereau. 1999. J. Exp. Med. 190: 1417–1426) that breast cancer tumors are infiltrated with mature dendritic cells (DCs), which cluster with CD4+ T cells. We now show that CD4+ T cells infiltrating breast cancer tumors secrete type 1 (interferon γ) as well as high levels of type 2 (interleukin [IL] 4 and IL-13) cytokines. Immunofluorescence staining of tissue sections revealed intense IL-13 staining on breast cancer cells. The expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 in breast cancer cells suggests that IL-13 actually delivers signals to cancer cells. To determine the link between breast cancer, DCs, and CD4+ T cells, we implanted human breast cancer cell lines in nonobese diabetic/LtSz-scid/scid β2 microglobulin–deficient mice engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and autologous T cells. There, CD4+ T cells promote early tumor development. This is dependent on DCs and can be partially prevented by administration of IL-13 antagonists. Thus, breast cancer targets DCs to facilitate its development

Identifying the White Matter Pathways Involved in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Tremor Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Background Tremor affects up to 45% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Current understanding is based on insights from other neurological disorders, thus, not fully addressing the distinctive aspects of MS pathology. Objective To characterize the brain white matter (WM) correlates of MS-related tremor using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods In a prospective case-control study, PwMS with tremor were assessed for tremor severity and underwent MRI scans including DTI. PwMS without tremor served as matched controls. After tract selection and segmentation, the resulting diffusivity measures were used to calculate group differences and correlations with tremor severity. Results This study included 72 PwMS. The tremor group (n = 36) exhibited significant changes in several pathways, notably in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (Cohen\u27s d = 1.53, q \u3c 0.001) and left corticospinal tract (d = 1.32, q \u3c 0.001), compared to controls (n = 36). Furthermore, specific tracts showed a significant correlation with tremor severity, notably in the left medial lemniscus (Spearman\u27s coefficient [rsp] = −0.56, p \u3c 0.001), and forceps minor of corpus callosum (rsp = -0.45, p \u3c 0.01). Conclusion MS-related tremor is associated with widespread diffusivity changes in WM pathways and its severity correlates with commissural and sensory projection pathways, which suggests a role for proprioception or involvement of the dentato-rubro-olivary circuit

VP2 potentiates the proteccion induced by VP6 against the rotavirus infection in a DNA vaccine model

Viruses like particles (VLPs) composed of VP2/VP6 are very effective in inducing protection against the rotavirus infection in animal models. Individually, VP6 also can induce protection against the infection; however, there is no information about the immunogenicity of VP2. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of DNA vaccines that codify for VP2 and VP6 alone or combined to induce protection against the rotavirus infection. Murine rotavirus VP2 and VP6 genes were cloned into the pCDNA-3 vector. Adult BALB/c mice were inoculated 3 times by intramuscular injections with 100 or 200 mg of pCDNA-3VP2 and pCDNA-3VP6, alone or combined. Two weeks after the last inoculation, mice were challenged with the murine rotavirus EDIM. We found that both plasmids pCDNA-3VP2 and pCDNA-3VP6 were able to induce rotavirus-specific serum antibodies, but not intestinal rotavirus-specific IgA. Only pCDNA-3VP6 at 200 mg could induce 30 % protection against the infection. Co-administration of 100 mg of pCDNA-3VP2 with 100 mg of pCDNA-3VP6 induced 35 % protection. When different ratios of pCDNA-3VP2/pCDNA-3VP6 were used, it was found that the co-administration of 10 µg pCDNA-3VP2/ 100 µg pCDNA-3VP6 gave the best result with up to 55 % protection. These results indicate that the DNA plasmid expressing VP6 is a better vaccine candidate that the one expressing VP2 but co-administration of both plasmids is a good alternative to potentiate the protection induced by VP6, probably by the formation of VLPs VP2/VP6 in vivo