A nonparametric estimate of a multivariate density function

Problem solving - nonparametric estimate of probability density functio

Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common gastrointestinal disease, and the cost of health care and lost productivity due to GERD is extremely high. Recently described side effects of long-term acid suppression have increased the interest in nonpharmacologic methods for alleviating GERD symptoms. We aimed to examine whether GERD patients follow recommended dietary guidelines, and if adherence is associated with the severity and frequency of reflux symptoms.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population, comparing 317 GERD patients to 182 asymptomatic population controls. All analyses adjusted for smoking and education.ResultsGERD patients, even those with moderate to severe symptoms or frequent symptoms, were as likely to consume tomato products and large portion meals as GERD-free controls and were even more likely to consume soft drinks and tea [odds ratio (OR) = 2.01 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.61; OR = 2.63 95% CI 1.24-5.59, respectively] and eat fried foods and high fat diet. The only reflux-triggering foods GERD patients were less likely to consume were citrus and alcohol [OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.35-0.97 for citrus; OR = 0.41 95% CI 0.19-0.87 for 1 + drink/day of alcohol]. The associations were similar when we excluded users of proton pump inhibitors.ConclusionsGERD patients consume many putative GERD causing foods as frequently or even more frequently than asymptomatic patients despite reporting symptoms. These findings suggest that, if dietary modification is effective in reducing GERD, substantial opportunities for nonpharmacologic interventions exist for many GERD patients

Is Copying Acceptable in Product Development? What to Tell our Students?

When we were in first grade, we learned to write letters and words by coping the alphabet from the board onto lined tablets. The better we copied the higher the praise we received. The pedagogy of copying continues into college. According to student feedback, after encouraging copying in early product development classes, we suddenly ask for originality. To bring academic perspective to this, we investigated our university\u27s policy on plagiarism and other legal definitions as well as sought industry input. With our findings, we are now frank in class discussions about when copying is correctly used and when copying is wrong, as when the purpose is to represent someone\u27s work as your own. After class discussions, our students are more aware of copying issues and are more open to being creative when needed and to use copying when appropriate

Breastfeeding and timing of pubertal onset in girls: a multiethnic population-based prospective cohort study.

BackgroundEarly puberty is associated with higher risk of adverse health and behavioral outcomes throughout adolescence and adulthood. US girls are experiencing earlier puberty with substantial racial/ethnic differences. We examined the association between breastfeeding and pubertal timing to identify modifiable risk factors of early puberty and potential sources of racial/ethnic differences in the timing of pubertal development.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 3331 racially/ethnically diverse girls born at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) between 2004 and 06. All data were obtained from KPNC electronic clinical and administrative datasets. Mother-reported duration of breastfeeding was obtained from questionnaires administered at each 'well-baby' check-up exam throughout the baby's first year and categorized as 'Not breastfed', 'Breastfed < 6 months', and 'Breastfed ≥ 6 months'. Pubertal development data used Tanner stages assessed by pediatricians during routine pediatric checkups starting at age 6. Pubertal onset was defined as transition from Tanner Stage 1 to Tanner Stage 2+ for breast (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche). Weibull regression models accommodating for left, right, and interval censoring were used in all analyses. Models were adjusted for maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, parity and prepubertal body mass index (BMI). We also examined race/ethnicity as a potential effect modifier of these associations.ResultsNot breastfeeding was associated with earlier onset of breast and pubic hair development compared to breastfeeding ≥6 months (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.46; HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05-1.46, respectively). Breastfeeding for < 6 months was also associated with the risk of earlier pubic hair development (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.00-1.30, compared to breastfeeding ≥6 months). Inclusion of girls' prepubertal BMI slightly attenuated the association between breastfeeding and timing of breast onset but remained significant. The association between not breastfeeding and early breast development may be stronger among African American girls (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.01-3.66, no breastfeeding vs. ≥6 months) than other racial/ethnic groups.ConclusionsBreastfeeding is an independent predictor of pubertal onset in girls, and the strength of the association may vary by race/ethnicity. Providing breastfeeding support and lactation education for high risk mothers may help prevent earlier pubertal onset and promote positive health outcomes later in life

Effects of Selection on Morphological Characteristics in \u3ci\u3eSetaria sphacelata\u3c/i\u3e (Schumach.) Moss

Cattle production in Florida is limited by the lack of available warm-season forages adapted to the cool winters of the region. Setaria (S. sphacelata) has demonstrated green growth during cool conditions in subtropical climates around the world, and has the potential to fill this niche in cattle production in Florida. Four populations were selected in Gainesville and Ona, Florida: two cycles of selection for increased head number, one cycle for increased leaf width and one cycle for grazing tolerance. The objectives of this research were to compare these populations morphologically to determine changes due to selection. Selection for leaf width increased this trait while maintaining other morphological characteristics constant. Selection for head number decreased plant height and increased head number in each cycle, and decreased leaf width and inflorescence length in the second cycle. Selection for grazing regrowth resulted in reduced plant height and inflorescence length. Concern regarding susceptibility of Setaria to chinch bug and possible winter killing in Florida remain to be resolved before this species may be commercialized in Florida

Selling your Design Ideas: 45 Seconds or Less

Fashion companies are using social media and other quick communication tools to promote merchandise, share ideas and create a following among customers. With the rapid means to share ideas and visuals considered to be normal and expected, we need to help our students learn to promote their ideas and themselves this way. To help students train for using the quick promotion technique, we reduced their product line presentation time from the traditional three to five minute presentations using Prezi©, or PowerPoint© to 30 to 45 second sound bites. When the assignment was first given several students did not think it was possible to get across all the information they wanted to in such a short time, and felt they needed more time to share about their work. During the in-class presentation times, we listened, learned, and were informed through short stories, poems, and several radio-like short \u27jingles.\u2

Long-term Glycemic Control and Dementia Risk in Type 1 Diabetes.

ObjectiveIndividuals with type 1 diabetes have experienced an increase in life expectancy, yet it is unknown what level of glycemic control is ideal for maintaining late-life brain health. We investigated the association of long-term glycemic control with dementia in older individuals with type 1 diabetes.Research design and methodsWe followed 3,433 members of a health care system with type 1 diabetes, aged ≥50 years, from 1996 to 2015. Repeated measurements of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), dementia diagnoses, and comorbidities were ascertained from health records. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to evaluate the association of time-varying glycemic exposure with dementia, with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline health conditions, and frequency of HbA1c measurement.ResultsOver a mean follow-up of 6.3 years, 155 individuals (4.5%) were diagnosed with dementia. Patients with ≥50% of HbA1c measurements at 8-8.9% (64-74 mmol/mol) and ≥9% (≥75 mmol/mol) had 65% and 79% higher risk of dementia, respectively, compared with those with <50% of measurements exposed (HbA1c 8-8.9% adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.65 [95% CI 1.06, 2.57] and HbA1c ≥9% aHR 1.79 [95% CI 1.11, 2.90]). By contrast, patients with ≥50% of HbA1c measurements at 6-6.9% (42-52 mmol/mol) and 7-7.9% (53-63 mmol/mol) had a 45% lower risk of dementia (HbA1c 6-6.9% aHR 0.55 [95% CI 0.34, 0.88] and HbA1c 7-7.9% aHR 0.55 [95% CI 0.37, 0.82]).ConclusionsAmong older patients with type 1 diabetes, those with majority exposure to HbA1c 8-8.9% and ≥9% had increased dementia risk, while those with majority exposure to HbA1c 6-6.9% and 7-7.9% had reduced risk. Currently recommended glycemic targets for older patients with type 1 diabetes are consistent with healthy brain aging