Identification of Outlying Observations with Quantile Regression for Censored Data

Outlying observations, which significantly deviate from other measurements, may distort the conclusions of data analysis. Therefore, identifying outliers is one of the important problems that should be solved to obtain reliable results. While there are many statistical outlier detection algorithms and software programs for uncensored data, few are available for censored data. In this article, we propose three outlier detection algorithms based on censored quantile regression, two of which are modified versions of existing algorithms for uncensored or censored data, while the third is a newly developed algorithm to overcome the demerits of previous approaches. The performance of the three algorithms was investigated in simulation studies. In addition, real data from SEER database, which contains a variety of data sets related to various cancers, is illustrated to show the usefulness of our methodology. The algorithms are implemented into an R package OutlierDC which can be conveniently employed in the \proglang{R} environment and freely obtained from CRAN

Sp1 up-regulates cAMP-response-element-binding protein expression during retinoic acid-induced mucous differentiation of normal human bronchial epithelial cells.

CREB [CRE (cAMP-response element)-binding protein] is an important transcription factor that is differentially regulated in cells of various types. We recently reported that RA (retinoic acid) rapidly activates CREB without using RARs (RA receptors) or RXRs (retinoid X receptors) in NHTBE cells (normal human tracheobronchial epithelial cells). However, little is known about the role of RA in the physiological regulation of CREB expression in the early mucous differentiation of NHTBE cells. In the present study, we report that RA up-regulates CREB gene expression and that, using 5\u27-serial deletion promoter analysis and mutagenesis analyses, two Sp1 (specificity protein 1)-binding sites located at nt -217 and -150, which flank the transcription initiation site, are essential for RA induction of CREB gene transcription. Furthermore, we found that CREs located at nt -119 and -98 contributed to basal promoter activity. Interestingly, RA also up-regulated Sp1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of endogenous Sp1 using siRNA (small interfering RNA) decreased RA-induced CREB gene expression. However, the converse was not true: knockdown of CREB using CREB siRNA did not affect RA-induced Sp1 gene expression. We conclude that RA up-regulates CREB gene expression during the early stage of NHTBE cell differentiation and that RA-inducible Sp1 plays a major role in up-regulating human CREB gene expression. This result implies that co-operation of these two transcription factors plays a crucial role in mediating early events of normal mucous cell differentiation of bronchial epithelial cells

Effect of Exercise on Sleep in the Middle-aged and Older adult: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE This study evaluated the influence of exercise on improving sleep quality in middle-aged and older patients with sleep disorders using subjective (PSQI and ISI) and physiological indicators (ActiGraph). The relationships between various moderators by which exercise affects sleep-disorder improvement were investigated. METHODS From the study's inception to December 31, 2021, the PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0, using the random-effects model. RESULTS The meta-analysis of 21 studies showed that exercise improves sleep quality (ES=-0.42, p=.00), insomnia severity (ES= −0.54, p=.00), and sleep efficiency (ES=0.37, p=.00). A walking-based exercise was effective in improving sleep quality (ES=-0.38, p=.00), insomnia severity (ES=-0.55, p=.03), and sleep efficiency (ES=-0.39, p=.00) in middle-aged and older patients with sleep disorders. A mind–body exercise was effective in improving sleep quality (ES=-0.52, p=.00). Regardless of exercise frequency, 90-120 min of exercise per week was important, and moderate-intensity exercise of more than 30 min/day improved sleep in middle-aged and older adults. CONCLUSIONS Exercise is an effective intervention for improving sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep disorders. The walking-based and mind–body exercises were effective, and differences according to the exercise intervention components were observed. Customized exercise interventions are possible depending on individuals’ physical strength and can be safe and economical

REMOTE SENSING OF WAVE DIRECTIONALITY BY TWO-DIMENSIONAL DIRECTIONAL WAVELETS: PART 1. THE DETECTION TOOLS OF DIRECTIONALITY IN SIGNALS

This paper presents the results of a study investigating methods of wave directionality based on wavelet transform. In part 1 of this paper, the theoretical background and characteristics of directional wavelet were discussed. Morlet wavelet and Cauchy wavelet were examined to test their efficiency in detection of directionality in signals. These wavelets were tested on numerical images which were considered to describe the basic characteristics of directionality of ocean waves