Shrinkage estimation of P(X>Y) in the exponential case with common location parameter

We consider the problem of estimating R=P(X>Y) where X and Y have independent exponential distributions with parameters θ and λ respectively and a common location parameter μ. Assuming that there is a prior guess or estimate R 0 , we develop various shrinkage estimators of R that incorporate this prior information. The performance of the new estimators is investigated and compared with the maximum likelihood estimator using Monte Carlo methods. It is found that some of these estimators are very successful in taking advantage of the prior estimate available. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2004Shrinkage estimation, Exponential distribution, p-value, Stress-strength model,

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Combining independent tests of triangular distribution

The problem of combining n independent tests, as n --> [is proportional to], for testing that the variables are uniformly distributed over the interval (0, 1) vs. that they have a triangular distribution with pdf will be studied. Six popular omnibus methods will be compared via Bahadur efficiency. It will be shown numerically that the sum of p-values method is the best among the methods studied.Triangular distribution Combining independent tests Omnibus methods Bahadur efficiency