Statistical Methods Useful in Clinical Simulation and Medical Education Scholarship

The objective of this paper is to introduce selected statistical and epidemiologic topics that are of interest to interdisciplinary teams of healthcare quality professionals, educators, technical staff, and researchers who participate in clinical simulation scholarship. Four research vignettes in the setting of a hypothetical clinical simulation training workshop are presented. The first vignette illustrates the utility of exact logistic regression when analyzing a small dataset. The second underscores the importance of using an appropriate method to account for the repeated measurement of an outcome. The third illustrates the use of the intraclass correlation coefficient to measure inter-rater reliability. The final vignette demonstrates the benefits of creating a causal diagram known as a directed acyclic graph

Impact of a Faculty Development Course on Promotion at a Health Sciences Center

Background: The objective of this study was to quantify the association between graduation from our annual comprehensive Institutional Faculty Development Course (IFDC) and being promoted from assistant professor to associate professor at our health sciences center. Methods: A retrospective cohort study (October 2008-October 2019) was conducted using publicly-available faculty data. A total of 148 IFDC graduates were compared to 87 non-graduates. Subjects were full-time assistant professors at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso at the start of follow-up. The binary outcome was promotion to associate professor. The outcome was measured annually from 2008 to 2019. Follow-up ended when the faculty member left our institution, was promoted to associate professor, or the study ended, whichever came first. A longitudinal data analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression with an independent working correlation structure. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for promotion were calculated from the GEE logistic regression model. Results: The 235 faculty members contributed a total of 1015 records. The average ages (standard deviation) of IFDC graduates and non-graduates were 40.7 (8.6) and 40.3 (7.4) years, respectively. More than half of the IFDC graduates were female (54.1%) and 44.8% of the non-graduates were female. A positive association was detected between IFDC status (graduates vs. non-graduates) and being promoted to associate professor after controlling for time, age, sex, race and Hispanic ethnicity, discipline/specialty, and tenure track status in a GEE logistic regression model: adjusted OR=11.68, 95% confidence interval: 2.72 – 50.21, P=0.001. Conclusions: Completion of the IFDC was strongly correlated with promotion to associate professor at our health sciences center

Linkage of cystic fibrosis to the proα2(I) collagen gene, COL1A2, on chromosome 7

A linkage has been detected between the locus for cystic fibrosis (CF) and the proα2(I) collagen gene (COL1A2) which is located in the region q21.3→q22.1 of chromosome 7. Based on the combined linkage data derived from 50 informative two-generation nuclear families collected in Canada and Denmark, the distance between COL1A2 and CF is estimated to be 19 centiMorgans. Close lilnkage has also been detected between COL1A2 and the DNA market D7S15 (formerly D0CRI-917) and the serum enzyme activity marker paraoxonase (PON), both of which have previously been found linked to CF. The results of the two-oint and three-point linkage analyses indicate that the most probable order of these four genetic loci is COL1A2-D7S15-PON-CF.published_or_final_versio

Production and reproduction characteristics of Simmental and Holstein Friesian cows in Semberija area

Investigation of production and reproduction characteristics two breeds of cows, Simmental and Holstein Friesian in bad conditions of feeding and rearing was done and their results were compared. In the milk production Holstein Friesian breed had average production: 4795 kg in the first 5334 kg in the second 5417 kg in the third standard lactation. Simmental breed had average production in the first 4084 kg in the second 4440 kg and in the third 4483 kg milk. In the milk production Holstein Friesian breed, like we expected, had better results than Simmental. In the reproductive characteristics, Simmental was dominant when we compare with Holstein Friesian. These results are same like the other investigations for these two breeds of cows until now, because Simmental is two purpose breed and Holstein Friesian is breed for milk production. From this result, we can see that in very bad conditions of feeding and rearing we have genetic potential and the possibility of more efficient utilization and to get better production of milk and the good reproductive parameters.</jats:p

Inefficiency of storm water inlets as a source of urban floods

The paper attempts to explain sources of surplus storm water runoff in urban areas, particularly in relation with functioning of inlets. Inlet capacity (quantity of captured water) and inlet efficiency (portion of the approaching flow rate) have been defined and their relationship with relevant parameters (approaching flow, longitudinal and lateral street slopes) was established through laboratory measurements. Effects of clogging of inlets on inlet capacity were also investigated in laboratory conditions. As a consequence of decreased inlet efficiency, there is a portion of approaching flow that is not captured by the inlet (pass-over flow). If the pass-over flow is considered along a street having numerous inlets, it is easy to estimate the quantity of flow that would accumulate on the pavement. Inlet inefficiency can be significant when overestimation of inlet capacity results in increased distance between consecutive inlets, and when clogging of grates or inadequate placing of inlets causes significant decrease in inlet capacity.</jats:p

Effect of post - milking teat dipping on hygienic quality of cow's milk

The study aimed to investigate the effects of teat disinfection (dipping treatment) after milking on hygienic quality of row milk. The research was conducted on the farm with 30 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Animals were kept in a tied housing system. Milking is done by a bucket milking units using vacuum line. The research was carried out during the period of 2 months from 26.11.2012 till 25.01.2013. Results showed that milk immediately after leaving the udder was minimally contaminated with microorganisms (average of both groups with 8,933 CFU/ml). Experimental group had an average 2.668 (133,000 SCC/ml) and control group 3.524 (about 257,000 SCC/ml) (p&lt;0.05). The average value of CFU in experimental group was 5,816 (729,000 CFU/ml) and in the control 5.833 (805,000 CFU/ml), (p&lt;0.05). During the study period, the average value of SCC in the experimental group decreased to 2.67 (133.020/ml) and the average value of CFU to 5.82 (729.064/ml), (p&lt;0.05). Treatment of teat dipping after milking is justifiable and has positive impact on row milk quality.</jats:p