38 research outputs found
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Improved estimators for the shape parameter in gamma regression
A regression model is considered in which the response variables
have gamma distributions with a common shape parameter. A review is
given of existing estimators for the shape parameter. Bias expressions
for the maximum likelihood estimates of the regression coe f f i c i ent s
and the shape parameter are developed. A new estima t o r f o r t h e shape
parameter based on bias correction for the maximum likelihood estimator
is shown to have markedly better variance and mean square error properties
in small to moderate sized samples. Approximations to the low
order moments of the Pearson statistic are derived for gamma regression
models with general link functions. These are used for the case of a
logarithmic link to develop new estimators for the shape parameter which
have better moment properties than the estimators based on the Pearson
statistic which have been used previously. Finally, the small sample
variance and mean square error efficiencies of the estimators relative
to the maximum likelihood estimator are evaluated by simulation for the
case of a single explanatory variable and a logarithmic link, for a
range of sample sizes less than or equal to 100
AIDS knowledge and attitudes in a Turkish population: an epidemiological study
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and present some pertinent comments concerning Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions among the general population in a city of west Turkey. This study was deemed important and relevant due to the increasing importance of AIDS in Turkey and the other countries. METHODS: Using a multistage area sampling method, a random sample of individuals aged 11–83 years, living in 65 different quarters in the city of Eskisehir, Turkey during September, October and November 2004 were interviewed. RESULTS: In all, 1048 respondents completed the survey. In most items, respondents displayed a fairly good to excellent degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Individuals with higher degrees of education indicated more correct responses in all items relating to knowledge of HIV/AIDS. In general, the respondents' attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS were found to be tolerant and positive, with one answer choice showing that the majority of the respondents agreed with the statement that those with HIV/AIDS must be supported, treated and helped (90.7%). Moreover, the proportions of the respondents' misconceptions were found to be significantly low for all the items. However, nearly one fourth of the respondents agreed with the misconceptions 'AIDS is a punishment by God' and 'One is not infected with HIV/AIDS if engaged in sport and well nourished'. CONCLUSION: In general HIV/AIDS related knowledge was high and people showed positive attitudes. However, people continue to hold misconceptions about AIDS and these need to be addressed by health education programs targeting those at higher risk
sodC-Based Real-Time PCR for Detection of Neisseria meningitidis
Real-time PCR (rt-PCR) is a widely used molecular method for detection of
Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). Several rt-PCR assays for Nm
target the capsule transport gene, ctrA. However, over
16% of meningococcal carriage isolates lack ctrA,
rendering this target gene ineffective at identification of this sub-population
of meningococcal isolates. The Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase gene,
sodC, is found in Nm but not in other
Neisseria species. To better identify Nm, regardless of
capsule genotype or expression status, a sodC-based TaqMan
rt-PCR assay was developed and validated. Standard curves revealed an average
lower limit of detection of 73 genomes per reaction at cycle threshold
(Ct) value of 35, with 100% average reaction efficiency
and an average R2 of 0.9925. 99.7% (624/626) of Nm isolates
tested were sodC-positive, with a range of average
Ct values from 13.0 to 29.5. The mean sodC
Ct value of these Nm isolates was 17.6±2.2 (±SD).
Of the 626 Nm tested, 178 were nongroupable (NG) ctrA-negative
Nm isolates, and 98.9% (176/178) of these were detected by
sodC rt-PCR. The assay was 100% specific, with all
244 non-Nm isolates testing negative. Of 157 clinical specimens tested,
sodC detected 25/157 Nm or 4 additional specimens compared
to ctrA and 24 more than culture. Among 582 carriage specimens,
sodC detected Nm in 1 more than ctrA and
in 4 more than culture. This sodC rt-PCR assay is a highly
sensitive and specific method for detection of Nm, especially in carriage
studies where many meningococcal isolates lack capsule genes
CUMIN charts
Statistical process control, Phase II control limits, Order statistics, CUSUM-chart,
A Class of Distribution-Free Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Schemes for Joint Monitoring of Location and Scale Parameters
In this chapter, we investigate and compare six distribution-free exponentially
weighted moving average (EWMA) schemes for simultaneously monitoring the lo-
cation and scale parameters of a univariate continuous process. More precisely, we
consider a well-known distribution-free EWMA scheme based on the Lepage statis-
tic, and we propose ve new EWMA schemes for the same purpose. One of the ve
new schemes is based on the maximum of EWMA of two individual components,
one for the location parameter and the other for the scale parameter, of the Lepage
statistic. Such a component-wise combined EWMA is referred to as the cEWMA.
Further, we consider an EWMA scheme based on the Cucconi test statistic. We
show that it is possible to express the Cucconi statistic as a quadratic combina-
tion of two orthogonal statistics, one of which is useful for monitoring the location
parameter and the other for monitoring the scale parameter. Such decomposition
of the Cucconi statistic is not unique, and one can split it in three dierent ways.
Therefore, we design three more cEWMA schemes corresponding to the decompo-
sitions of the Cucconi statistic. We discuss the implementation steps along with
an illustration. We perform a detailed comparative study based on Monte-Carlo
simulation. We observe that the three cEWMA-Cucconi schemes perform very well
for various location-scale models