Interferon-γ Level in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis is an itchy, inflammatory skin condition with a predilection for the skin flexures. Studies have found the expression of IL-4 and decreased IFN-γ expression was more pronounced in allergen-specific T cells stimulated by various allergens. A comparative descriptive study cover 21 case of AD and 16 control individuals. The mean level of INF-γ was higher among the control than the cases of AD but there was no significant difference between the mean INF-γ level (P = 0.261). There was no significant difference in age between cases and control (P = 0.053). Keywords: Atopic dermatitis, INF- γ, Family history, Children DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/64-01 Publication date:July 31st 201

Inferential Survival Analysis for Type II Censored Truncated Exponential Topp Leone Exponential Distribution with Application to Engineering Data

This study focuses on estimating the unknown parameters of the truncated exponential Topp-Leon distribution using a type II scheme. We estimate the unknown parameters, survival, and hazard functions using maximum likelihood estimation methods. Additionally, we derive the approximate variance covariance matrix and asymptotic confidence intervals. Furthermore, we compute Bayesian estimates of the unknown parameters under squared error and linear loss functions. To generate samples from the posterior density functions, we use the Metropolies-Hastings algorithm. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distribution by applying it to two data sets: Monte Carlo simulation and real data set. Our results show that the proposed distribution provides accurate estimates of the unknown parameters and performs well in fitting the data. Our findings also indicate that Bayesian estimation can provide more precise estimates with narrower confidence intervals compared to maximum likelihood estimation method. In summary, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the estimation of the unknown parameters for the truncated exponential Topp-Leone distribution using a type II scheme. Also, the results demonstrate the potential of this distribution in modeling real data and the usefulness of both maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methods in obtaining accurate parameter estimates

Analysis of Generalized Inverted Exponential Distribution under Adaptive Type-I Progressive Hybrid Censored Competing Risks Data

The estimation of the unknown parameters of generalized inverted exponential distribution under adaptive type-I progressive hybrid censored scheme (AT-I PHCS) with competing risks data will be discussed. The reason why AT-I PHCS has exceeded other failure censored types; Time censored types enable analysts to accomplish their trials and experiments in a shorter time and with higher efficiency. In this regards, we obtain the maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters and the asymptotic confidence intervals for the unknown parameters. Further, Bayes estimates of the parameters which obtained based on squared error and LINEX loss functions under the assumptions of independent gamma priors of the scale parameters. For Bayesian estimation, we take advantage of Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques to derive Bayesian estimators and the credible intervals. Finally, two data sets with Monte Carlo simulation study and a real data set are analyzed for illustrative purposes

Parameters and Reliability Estimation of Left Truncated Gumbel Distribution under Progressive Type II Censored with Repairable Mechanical Equipment Data

The estimation of two parameters of the left truncated Gumbel distribution using the progressive type II censoring scheme is discussed. We first derived the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters. The approximate asymptotic variance-covariance matrix and approximate confidence intervals based on the asymptotic normality of the classical estimators are calculated. Also, the survival and hazard functions are derived. Further, the delta method is used to construct approximate confidence intervals for survival and hazard functions. Using the left truncated normal prior for the location parameter and an inverted gamma prior for the scale parameter, several Bayes estimates based on squared error and general entropy loss functions are computed. Bayes estimators of the unknown parameters cannot be calculated in closed forms. Markov chain Monte Carlo method, namely Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, has been used to derive the approximate Bayes estimates. Also, the credible intervals are constructed by using Markov chain Monte Carlo samples. Finally, The Monte Carlo simulation study compares the performances among various estimates in terms of their root mean squared errors, mean absolute biased, average confidence lengths, and coverage probabilities under different sets of values of sample sizes, number of failures and censoring schemes. Moreover, a numerical example with a real data set and Markov chain Monte Carlo data sets are tackled to highlight the importance of the proposed methods. Bayes Markov chain Monte Carlo estimates have performed better than those obtained based on the likelihood function

Analysis of Two Generalized Exponential Populations Under Joint Type-I Progressive Hybrid Censoring Scheme

This paper discussed inference for two generalized exponential using the joint type-I progressively hybrid censoring (JPHC-I) scheme. It assumed that the lifetime distribution of the items from the two populations follow generalized exponential distribution. Based on the JPHC-I scheme, we first consider the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters along with thier asymptotic confidence intervals. Next, we provide the Bayesian inferences of the unknown parameters under the assumptions of independent gamma priors on the scale parameters using squared error (SE) and linear-exponential (LINEX) loss functions. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques is applied to carry out the Bayesian estimation procedure and in turn calculate the credible intervals. To evaluate the performance of the estimators, numerical example is carried out

RESPONSE OF ANISE PLANTS TO HUMIC ACID, AMINO ACIDS AND THIAMINE TREATMENTS

Afield experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of humic acid at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ml/l and a mixture of three amino acids (tryptophan, methionine and cysteine) and thiamine (vitamin B1) each at 100, 200, and 400 ppm on the vegetative growth, yield and oil content of anise plants. Treating anise plants with humic acid at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ml/l as a foliar spray was very effective on stimulating plant height, stem diameter, branch number/plant, herb dry weight, number of umbels/plant, weight of 1000 fruits, fruit yield per plant and per feddan, as well as, essential oil percentage and yield in comparison with untreated plants. In most cases, the most effective humic acid concentration was the highest one (10 ml/l) which gave the highest values of the aforementioned parameters. The application of the mixture of amino acids and thiamine each at 100, 200 and 400 ppm led to a significant increment of the vegetative growth traits, fruit yield and, essential oil % and yield compared to check treatment. In this regard, increasing the concentration of amino acids and vitamin B1 gradually increased the obtained values of the above-mentioned parameters. Also, spraying the mixture of the three amino acids was significantly more effective than thiamine treatments. In this concern, the highest concentration (400 ppm) of each material was the most effective, giving the best results compared to the other treatments including control. The interaction between the two examined factors i.e. humic acid and amino acids and vitamin B1 was, generally, significant on all parameters of vegetative growth, yield, oil content. The most effective treatment was the application of humic acid at 10 ml/l and amino acids mixture at 400 ppm, to improve the vegetative growth, fruits yield and oil yield of anise plant

Parental awareness regarding pediatric antibiotic use in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine the level of awareness of antibiotic use in children in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with parental decisions regarding it. Methods: Using a multiple-choice-question-based questionnaire survey, 1256 forms were distributed to visitors of major shopping malls in Madinah City to obtain socio-demographic and antibiotics knowledgebased data from October 2017 to January 2018. Differences in scores between and within groups on knowledge of parents about antibiotics were determined. Results: Most participants (67 %) had good basic knowledge of antibiotics: 69 and 40 % of respondents were aware of their side effects and antibacterial resistance, respectively. Participants in high age groups (> 46 years old) have a significantly higher mean knowledge score (55.4 ± 20.1, p < 0.05) than those in younger groups. Educational status increased the mean knowledge score by approximately 60 %, with the most educated group having a mean score of 61.2 ± 16.4 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results reveal the importance of awareness campaigns on antibiotic use and the role of healthcare professionals in the education of patients and parents on correct use of antibiotics, as well as the significance of antibacterial resistance. Keywords: Antibiotics misuse, Pediatrics, Patient education, Antibacterial resistanc

Comparison of the HUI3 with the SF-36 Preference Based SF-6D in a Clinical Trial Setting

AbstractObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI3) and the SF-6D, based on the SF-36, generate similar health state values, and to test and compare their discriminant validity and responsiveness.MethodsThe HUI3 and SF-36 were administered to 331 patients enrolled in a double-blind, multinational phase III clinical trial in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention before hospital discharge and 6 months thereafter.ResultsThe mean SF-6D baseline health state score was 0.67 compared to the HUI3 of 0.63 with r of 0.616 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.40. The relationship was nonlinear with greatest divergence found at the lower levels of health. Both measures were found to agree with known differences in health and to be responsive to changes over time. Nevertheless, disagreement resulted in different estimates of change from baseline (0.08 vs. 0.154).ConclusionBoth measures deployed in the present study were found to have discriminant validity, and to be responsive to changes over time in coronary artery disease conditions. Nevertheless, the measures generated different estimates of health state values for this patient population. These differences might in part be the consequence of the health status descriptive system for the HUI that may have been more in line with the hospitalized state than that for the SF-6D. These findings seemed to indicate that measures deployed are not interchangeable for use in cost-utility analysis. More head-to-head comparisons between these two measures are needed to further define and compare relationships in different patient populations

The status of GEO 600

The GEO 600 laser interferometer with 600m armlength is part of a worldwide network of gravitational wave detectors. GEO 600 is unique in having advanced multiple pendulum suspensions with a monolithic last stage and in employing a signal recycled optical design. This paper describes the recent commissioning of the interferometer and its operation in signal recycled mode

Searching for a Stochastic Background of Gravitational Waves with LIGO

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) has performed the fourth science run, S4, with significantly improved interferometer sensitivities with respect to previous runs. Using data acquired during this science run, we place a limit on the amplitude of a stochastic background of gravitational waves. For a frequency independent spectrum, the new limit is $\Omega_{\rm GW} < 6.5 \times 10^{-5}$. This is currently the most sensitive result in the frequency range 51-150 Hz, with a factor of 13 improvement over the previous LIGO result. We discuss complementarity of the new result with other constraints on a stochastic background of gravitational waves, and we investigate implications of the new result for different models of this background.Comment: 37 pages, 16 figure