Comparing Distributions with the Probability of Agreement

In this thesis we adapt the probability of agreement (PoA) methodology for the comparison of distributions. Most of the commonly used methods for comparing distributions are rooted in hypothesis testing where decisions are made using p-values. The proposed methodology, however, provides a more context-driven comparison by accounting for practically important differences. Two situations are considered: first, the one-sample comparison problem in which we have observed one sample and interest lies in determining whether the sample comes from a given known distribution. Second, we consider the two-sample comparison of distributions in which we have observed two independent samples and interest lies in determining whether these samples have the same distribution. The Horvitz-Thompson estimator is used to estimate the cumulative distribution function(s) corresponding the sample(s) under comparison and the asymptotic normality of the Horvitz-Thompson estimator is used to estimate the PoA. Confidence intervals (CIs) are also determined for the estimated PoA so as to quantify estimation uncertainty. We develop two methods for calculating CIs: one based on asymptotic normality and the delta-method and the other based on the bootstrap. To illustrate the application and interpretation of the methodology, we consider both real world and simulated examples. We also conduct a simulation study that evaluates the bias and variance of the PoA estimator as well as the coverage of the associated CIs. Finally we propose the relative density methodology as a graphical supplement that provides further information about the similarities and differences between the distributions under comparison. In summary, the contributions of this thesis are (1), the generalization of the PoA methodology to the one- and two-sample comparison of distributions, and (2), the suggestion of using the relative density and the PoA methodologies in tandem to gain more thorough information about the similarities and differences between the distributions under comparison

Effect of Mitomycin-C on Endothelial Cell Density and Polymegathism in Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal endothelial cell density and Polymegathism after laser assisted keratomileusis with mitomycin C.Patients and Methods: One hundred and three eyes from 52 patients undergoing laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis using mitomycin-C 0.02% for 30 seconds entered this study. Specular microscopy was utilized to study the corneal endothelial cells before and one year after the surgery to evaluate the endothelial cell density and polymegathism. The corneal thickness was measured before and one year after the surgery.Results: The mean endothelial cell density before surgery was 2870±368/mm2, which changed to 2828±300/mm2 one year after the surgery (P=0.182). Endothelial cell size variation coefficient was 24±7 before the surgery, which changed to 25±7 one year after the surgery (P=0.039). The average stromal ablation dept was 65 micron (22 to 131 micron) and the remaining corneal thickness one year after the surgery was 488±42 micron (405 to 567 micron) (p<0.001).Conclusion: Using mitomycin C (0, 02% for 30 seconds) during the laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis did not significantly change the corneal endothelial cell density one year after the surgery but the change in polymegathism was significant

Wettability and osteoblast cell response modulation through UV laser processing of nylon 6,6

With an ageing population the demand for cheap, efficient implants is ever increasing. Laser surface treatment offers a unique means of varying biomimetic properties to determine generic parameters to predict cell responses. This paper details how a KrF excimer laser can be employed for both laser-induced patterning and whole area irradiative processing to modulate the wettability characteristics and osteoblast cell response following 24 hour and 4 day incubation. Through white light interferometry (WLI) it was found that the surface roughness had considerably increased by up to 1.5 µm for the laser-induced patterned samples and remained somewhat constant at around 0.1 µm for the whole area irradiative processed samples. A sessile drop device determined that the wettability characteristics differed between the surface treatments. For the patterned samples the contact angle, θ, increased by up to 25° which can be attributed to a mixed-state wetting regime. For the whole area irradiative processed samples θ decreased owed to an increase in polar component, γP. For all samples θ was a decreasing function of the surface energy. The laser whole area irradiative processed samples gave rise to a distinct correlative trend between the cell response, θ and γP. However, no strong relationship was determined for the laser-induced patterned samples due to the mixed-state wetting regime. As a result, owed to the relationships and evidence of cell differentiation one can deduce that laser whole area irradiative processing is an attractive technology for employment within regenerative medicine to meet the demands of an ageing population

Estimation of the hybrid lens parameters through rigid gas permeable lens fitting

Purpose To estimate the fitting parameters of the hybrid contact lens in patients with corneal ectasia using the rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens. Methods Thirty-four eyes with corneal ectasia were evaluated in this study. The patients were examined once with the RGP lens and once with the hybrid contact lens. The relationship between the base curvature of the RGP and the vault of the hybrid lens and the correlation between their powers were analyzed. Results We found a linear relationship between the base curvature of the RGP lens and the vault of the hybrid lens (P < 0.001) (R2 = 0.45). Moreover, we found a correlation between the power of the RGP and hybrid lens (P < 0.001) (R2 = 0.4). However, a 0.5 mm decrease in the base curvature radius of the RGP lens increased the vault of the hybrid lens by 72 μ. Conclusion The results of this study could be used for better and faster selection of the first hybrid contact lens. © 2016 Iranian Society of Ophthalmolog

Estimation of the hybrid lens parameters through rigid gas permeable lens fitting

Purpose To estimate the fitting parameters of the hybrid contact lens in patients with corneal ectasia using the rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens. Methods Thirty-four eyes with corneal ectasia were evaluated in this study. The patients were examined once with the RGP lens and once with the hybrid contact lens. The relationship between the base curvature of the RGP and the vault of the hybrid lens and the correlation between their powers were analyzed. Results We found a linear relationship between the base curvature of the RGP lens and the vault of the hybrid lens (P < 0.001) (R2 = 0.45). Moreover, we found a correlation between the power of the RGP and hybrid lens (P < 0.001) (R2 = 0.4). However, a 0.5 mm decrease in the base curvature radius of the RGP lens increased the vault of the hybrid lens by 72 μ. Conclusion The results of this study could be used for better and faster selection of the first hybrid contact lens. © 2016 Iranian Society of Ophthalmolog

Therapeutic Potential of Ralimetinib, a p38/MAPK14 Inhibitor, in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

View full abstracthttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/leading-edge/1028/thumbnail.jp

Characterization of Altered immunity in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

View full abstracthttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/leading-edge/1033/thumbnail.jp

Peinture et droit

International audienceA partir de contraintes littéraires, les participants à l’Oudropo,, créent par un travail collaboratif et international (supports : articles de codes, décisions de justice, lois) du droit potentiel et pensent les transformations et les trajectoires juridiques à venir. Ils contribuent, dans une co-construction, par une approche créative et prospective du droit, à éveiller les consciences des juristes sur des concepts juridiques émergents, par l’interaction avec d’autres champs disciplinaires comme les neurosciences (les émotions), les arts (la littérature, la peinture, la musique), le numérique (l’intelligence artificielle), etc

Electron beam irradiation of low-density polyethylene filled with metal hydroxides for wire and cable applications

The effects of electron beam irradiation for crosslinking of polymers used for wire and cable insulations are still being researched. In this research, the influence of electron beam irradiation on the different blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with aluminum trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide (ATH, MH) were studied. It was revealed by melt flow index, tensile strength, and elongation at break tests that addition of MH to LDPE increases the adhesion forces inside polymer matrices more efficient than similar ATH/LDPE compounds. Field emission scanning electron microscopy test showed that MH is platy in structure and more homogenous mixed than ATH with LDPE. The results on thermogravimetric analysis and limiting oxygen index tests revealed that the thermal stability and incombustibility properties of MH blends are more efficient than similar ATH blends. Meanwhile, it was observed by smoke density test that MH blends produce the lowest smoke density compared with virgin LDPE and similar ATH blends. It was also observed that increasing irradiation by electron beam had impressive affections on the density, gel content, and mechanical properties for all the polymeric samples in this study