The Effect of Preprocessing Techniques, Applied to Numeric Features, on Classification Algorithms’ Performance

As the trend of aging in rural China has intensified, research on the factors affecting the health of the elderly in rural areas has become a hot issue. However, the conclusions of existing studies are inconsistent and even contradictory, making it difficult to form constructive policies with practical value. To explore the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions drawn by relevant research, in this paper we constructed a meta-regression database based on 65 pieces of relevant literature published in the past 25 years. For more valid samples to reduce publication bias, we also set the statistical significance of social support to the health of the elderly in rural areas as a dependent variable. Finally, combined with multi-dimensional social support and its implications for the health of the elderly, meta-regression analysis was carried out on the results of 171 empirical studies. The results show that (1) subjective support rather than objective support can have a significant impact on the health of the elderly in rural areas, and there is no significant difference between other dimensions of social support and objective support; (2) the health status of the elderly in rural areas in samples involving western regions is more sensitive to social support than that in samples not involving the western regions; (3) among the elderly in rural areas, social support for the older male elderly is more likely to improve their health than that for the younger female elderly; and (4) besides this, both data sources and econometric models greatly affect the heterogeneity of the effect of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas, but neither the published year nor the journal is significant. Finally, relevant policies and follow-up studies on the impact of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas are discussed.

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Impact of Hybrid Operating Rooms on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes Following Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/1526602821996725 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152660282199672

Author(s):

Giovanni Tinelli ◽

Marie Bonnet ◽

Adrien Hertault ◽

Simona Sica ◽

Gian Luca Di Tanna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Operating Room ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Study Patient ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Purpose: Evaluate the impact of hybrid operating room (HOR) guidance on the long-term clinical outcomes following fenestrated and branched endovascular repair (F-BEVAR) for complex aortic aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Prospectively collected registry data were retrospectively analyzed to compare the procedural, short- and long-term outcomes of consecutive F-BEVAR performed from January 2010 to December 2014 under standard mobile C-arm versus hybrid room guidance in a high-volume aortic center. Results: A total of 262 consecutive patients, including 133 patients treated with a mobile C-arm equipped operating room and 129 with a HOR guidance, were enrolled in this study. Patient radiation exposure and contrast media volume were significantly reduced in the HOR group. Short-term clinical outcomes were improved despite higher case complexity in the HOR group, with no statistical significance. At a median follow-up of 63.3 months (Q1 33.4, Q3 75.9) in the C-arm group, and 44.9 months (Q1 25.1, Q3 53.5, p=0.53) in the HOR group, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of target vessel occlusion and limb occlusion. When the endograft involved 3 or more fenestrations and/or branches (complex F-BEVAR), graft instability (36% vs 25%, p=0.035), reintervention on target vessels (20% vs 11%, p=0.019) and total reintervention rates (24% vs 15%, p=0.032) were significantly reduced in the HOR group. The multivariable Cox regression analysis did not show statistically significant differences for long-term death and aortic-related death between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Our study suggests that better long-term clinical outcomes could be observed when performing complex F-BEVAR in the latest generation HOR.

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617 Who Benefits the Most from Burn Camps?

Journal of Burn Care & Research ◽

10.1093/jbcr/irab032.267 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S162-S163

Author(s):

Jennifer B Radics-Johnson ◽

Daniel W Chacon ◽

Li Zhang

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Review ◽

Burn Injury ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

P Value ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Self Evaluation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Return Home ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Burn camps provide a unique environment and activities for children that have experienced a burn-injury. Positive outcomes from attending burn camp include increased self-esteem, decreased feelings of isolation and a greater sense of self-confidence. In a 3-year retrospective review of camper evaluations from one of the largest and longest running week-long burn camps in the nation for ages 5–17, we aimed to assess if a child’s gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity affected the impact that burn camp had on a child. Methods A 3-year retrospective review of a Burn Camp’s camper evaluation forms was conducted for campers that attended burn camp between 2017–2019. Camp rosters were reviewed to determine the camper gender, age, TBSA and ethnicity. Camper self-evaluation forms completed at the end of each camp session were reviewed to record camper responses to questions regarding their opinions on the impact camp had on them as well as how camp will impact their lives once they return home. Categorical variables were summarized as frequency and percentage, and continuous variables were described as median and range. To check the relationship between two categorical variables, Chi-square test was used. To compare the continuous variable among groups, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used. Statistical significance was declared based on a p value< 0.5. Results Within 2017–2019, there were 413 camper records. Participants’ demographic characteristics are summarized in Table 1. There were 208 males (50.3%) and 205 females (49.6%). The median age of campers were 11.86, 12.44 and 12.45 for 2017–2019, with the range from 5.16 years to 17.96 years. The median TBSA were 20, 20 and 18 for 2017–2019, with the range from 0.08 to 90. Collectively there were 47.7% Hispanic (n= 197); 24.2% Whites (n=100); 13.1% Black (n= 54); 4.6% Asian (n=19) and 7.7% Other (n=32). There were 395 camper self-evaluation forms submitted. Results of three questions there we were interested in are summarized collectively in Table 2. 57% of campers responded, “Yes, Definitely” to the question “After going to this event, will you feel more comfortable being around your classmates or friends?” 54% responded, “ Yes, Definitely” to the question “Do you feel more confidents in sharing your burn story with others when returning home?” and 51% responded “Yes, Definitely” to “Did you learn anything that will help you when you return home?” Conclusions In analyzing the camper responses, there was no statistically significant difference in responses comparing gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity.

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Impact of health disparities on treatment for single-suture craniosynostosis in an era of multimodal care

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2021.1.focus201000 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. E13

Author(s):

Caitlin Hoffman ◽

Alyssa B. Valenti ◽

Eseosa Odigie ◽

Kwanza Warren ◽

Ishani D. Premaratne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Open Surgery ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Insurance Status ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

The Impact ◽

Type Of Surgery ◽

Surgical Group

Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of the skull. There are two forms of treatment: open surgery and minimally invasive endoscope-assisted suturectomy. Candidates for endoscopic treatment are less than 6 months of age. The techniques are equally effective; however, endoscopic surgery is associated with less blood loss, minimal tissue disruption, shorter operative time, and shorter hospitalization. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the impact of race/ethnicity and insurance status on age of presentation/surgery in children with craniosynostosis to highlight potential disparities in healthcare access. Charts were reviewed for children with craniosynostosis at two tertiary care hospitals in New York City from January 1, 2014, to August 31, 2020. Clinical and demographic data were collected, including variables pertaining to family socioeconomic status, home address/zip code, insurance status (no insurance, Medicaid, or private), race/ethnicity, age and date of presentation for initial consultation, type of surgery performed, and details of hospitalization. Children with unknown race/ethnicity and those with syndromic craniosynostosis were excluded. The data were analyzed via t-tests and chi-square tests for statistical significance (p < 0.05). A total of 121 children were identified; 62 surgeries were performed open and 59 endoscopically. The mean age at initial presentation of the cohort was 6.68 months, and on the day of surgery it was 8.45 months. Age at presentation for the open surgery cohort compared with the endoscopic cohort achieved statistical significance at 11.33 months (SD 12.41) for the open cohort and 1.86 months (SD 1.1473) for the endoscopic cohort (p < 0.0001). Age on the day of surgery for the open cohort versus the endoscopic cohort demonstrated statistical significance at 14.19 months (SD 15.05) and 2.58 months (SD 1.030), respectively. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was noted with regard to insurance status (p = 0.0044); the open surgical group comprised more patients without insurance and with Medicaid compared with the endoscopic group. The racial composition of the two groups reached statistical significance when comparing proportions of White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other (p = 0.000815), with significantly more Black and Hispanic patients treated in the open surgical group. The results demonstrate a relationship between race and lack of insurance or Medicaid status, and type of surgery received; Black and Hispanic children and children with Medicaid were more likely to present later and undergo open surgery.

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Composition of raw milk from conventional and organic dairy farming

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1602133k ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 133-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Denis Kucevic ◽

Snezana Trivunovic ◽

Vladan Bogdanovic ◽

Ksenija Cobanovic ◽

Dobrila Jankovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Farming System ◽

Dairy Farming ◽

Milk Samples ◽

High Statistical Significance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Organic Dairy ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Possible differences between composition of raw milk due to dairy farming system (organic vs conventional) as well as seasonal variations were investigated. The samples were analysed during one year. A total of 6.782 samples of raw milk were collected (4.496 from organic farming). Dairy farms were located in the northern part of Republic of Serbia (Province of Vojvodina). The principle of analysis of raw milk samples was in accordance with the methodology by midinfrared spectrometry and flow cytometry. The fixed effect of system of farming and season (winter, spring, summer and fall) have shown a high statistical significance (P < 0.01) on all examined milk parameters except fat, total solids and somatic cell count, where the impact was slightly lower (P < 0.05). Significant difference wasn't found in number of bacterial colonies (P > 0.05). Composition of milk is also affected by a number of other factors, therefore it is recommended to involve factors such as nutrition of dairy cows, breed and farm management.

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The use of effect size indices to determine practical significance

Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie ◽

10.4102/satnt.v25i3.157 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

Author(s):

H. S. Styn ◽

S. M. Ellis

Keyword(s):

Effect Size ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Research Literature ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Significance Tests ◽

Statistical Application ◽

Significant Difference

The determination of significance of differences in means and of relationships between variables is of importance in many empirical studies. Usually only statistical significance is reported, which does not necessarily indicate an important (practically significant) difference or relationship. With studies based on probability samples, effect size indices should be reported in addition to statistical significance tests in order to comment on practical significance. Where complete populations or convenience samples are worked with, the determination of statistical significance is strictly speaking no longer relevant, while the effect size indices can be used as a basis to judge significance. In this article attention is paid to the use of effect size indices in order to establish practical significance. It is also shown how these indices are utilized in a few fields of statistical application and how it receives attention in statistical literature and computer packages. The use of effect sizes is illustrated by a few examples from the research literature.

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54 Digestibility of forages in ruminally cannulated Jersey steers supplemented with liquid glycerol on a wheat straw forage diet

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.192 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 84-84

Author(s):

Itzel A Soto ◽

Jamie Boyd

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Latin Square ◽

Test Period ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Treatment Control ◽

Forage Digestibility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Glycerol Treatment ◽

The Impact

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementation of glycerol at a rate of 15% of DMI on forage digestibility on a diet of mature wheat hay. Forages tested included bermuda hay, wheat hay, alfalfa hay, and sorghum sudan hay. Samples were ground through a 2mm screen and placed in Ankom forage in-situ bags. Samples were run in triplicate to reduce error and increase statistical significance. Two ruminally cannulated steers were used in a 2x2 Latin square design for the study with ad libitum access to wheat hay and water. Animals were housed in a dry lot pen for the study. Diets offered were Control = wheat hay and Treatment= control + glycerol at 15% of daily DMI. The study consisted of 2 three-week periods. Each period had a 2-week standardization followed by a 1-week test period. During the test period, forage bags were placed in each steer for 0 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 144 h for fermentation. At the end of the incubation period, bags were collected and cold shocked to stop microbial digestion. The samples were then dried at 55°C and stored for later analysis for NDF. A significant impact on NDFdig by treatment (P < 0.0001) was observed. NDFdig was 59.2% w/ glycerol versus control at 49.13% overall. In addition, there was a significant difference between steers (P = 0.0001) on glycerol treatment (51.95% versus 66.45% NDFdig between steer A and B), indicating difference in ruminal population efficiency between individual animals. No significant difference (P = 0.98) between steers on the control treatment was observed. Implications of this study are the inclusion of dietary glycerol in the diet of ruminants on a low-quality forage diet may increase energy level and improve ruminal digestibility and animal response may be dependent on the unique ruminal environment of individual animals.

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145 Digestibility of forages in ruminally cannulated Jersey steers supplemented with liquid glycerol on a wheat straw forage diet

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.083 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 37-37

Author(s):

Itzel A Soto ◽

Jamie Boyd

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Latin Square ◽

Test Period ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Treatment Control ◽

Forage Digestibility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Glycerol Treatment ◽

The Impact

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of supplementation of glycerol at a rate of 15% of DMI on forage digestibility on a diet of mature wheat hay. Forages tested included bermuda hay, wheat hay, alfalfa hay, and sorghum sudan hay. Samples were ground through a 2mm screen and placed in Ankom forage in-situ bags. Samples were run in triplicate to reduce error and increase statistical significance. Two ruminally cannulated steers were used in a 2x2 Latin square design for the study with ad libitum access to wheat hay and water. Animals were housed in a dry lot pen for the study. Diets offered were Control = wheat hay and Treatment= control + glycerol at 15% of daily DMI. The study consisted of 2 three-week periods. Each period had a 2-week standardization followed by a 1-week test period. During the test period, forage bags were placed in each steer for 0 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 144 h for fermentation. At the end of the incubation period, bags were collected and cold shocked to stop microbial digestion. The samples were then dried at 55°C and stored for later analysis for NDF. A significant impact on NDFdig by treatment (P < 0.0001) was observed. NDFdig was 59.2% w/ glycerol versus control at 49.13% overall. In addition, there was a significant difference between steers (P = 0.0001) on glycerol treatment (51.95% versus 66.45% NDFdig between steer A and B), indicating difference in ruminal population efficiency between individual animals. No significant difference (P = 0.98) between steers on the control treatment was observed. Implications of this study are the inclusion of dietary glycerol in the diet of ruminants on a low-quality forage diet may increase energy level and improve ruminal digestibility and animal response may be dependent on the unique ruminal environment of individual animals.

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Outcomes and safety of concomitant topiramate or metformin for antipsychotics-induced obesity: a randomized-controlled trial

Annals of General Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12991-020-00319-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Congjie Wang ◽

Wenjie Shi ◽

Jianyang Xu ◽

Chengbing Huang ◽

Jiannan Zhu

Keyword(s):

Missing Values ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Waist Hip Ratio ◽

Reduced Body ◽

Metformin Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Baseline Bmi

Abstract Background Although there are some existing data describing the usage of topiramate in patients with antipsychotic-induced obesity, study on its comparison with metformin is limited. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of concomitant topiramate on antipsychotic-induced obesity as well as its comparison with metformin. Methods 62 stabilized outpatients with antipsychotic-induced obesity were randomized into the topiramate group and the metformin group with 16-week treatment. The patients’ weight, body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio, and their side effects were assessed and compared. Intention-to-treat and completer analyses were performed. Meanwhile, covariance analysis was conducted to control the impact of the significant difference in BMI between the two groups. Results The two groups had comparable characteristics, though their difference in baseline BMI was significant. (1) Intention-to-treat analyses: the random missing values were replaced using the last observation carried forward method when intention-to-treat analyses were conducted. Compared with the baseline, the weight, BMI, and waist–hip ratio in the topiramate group markedly decreased at each follow-up, whereas, in the metformin group, only waist–hip ratio significantly decreased at 4 weeks after treatment. Compared with the metformin, only weight and BMI in the topiramate group were significantly decreased at week 4 after treatment, and at week 8–16, weight, BMI and waist–hip ratio were remarkably declined. (2) Completer analyses: compared with the baseline, the weight, BMI, and waist–hip ratio in the topiramate group at week 4–16 were markedly decreased, whereas only waist–hip ratio with metformin was significantly decreased at week 4. Compared with the metformin, all BMI with topiramate were markedly decreased at week 4–16. Moreover, its weight and waist–hip ratio also were notably lowered at week 8. No significant differences in adverse events were found between the two groups. Conclusions Topiramate, similar to metformin in reducing obesity as previously reported, also significantly reduced body weight, BMI, and waist–hip ratio in patients with antipsychotic-induced obesity and demonstrated well tolerance in psychiatric patients. Trialregistration The trial was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn, and the number was ChiCTR-IPR-17013122.

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Long-term outcomes of omentum-preserving versus resecting gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer with propensity score analysis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-73367-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yusuke Sakimura ◽

Noriyuki Inaki ◽

Toshikatsu Tsuji ◽

Shinichi Kadoya ◽

Hiroyuki Bando

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Advanced Gastric Cancer ◽

Missing Values ◽

Propensity Score Analysis ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

R0 Resection ◽

Significant Difference ◽

First Recurrence ◽

The Impact

Abstract Omentectomy is conducted for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients as radical surgery without an adequate discussion of the effect. This study was conducted to reveal the impact of omentum-preserving gastrectomy on postoperative outcomes. AGC patients with cT3 and 4 disease who underwent total or distal gastrectomy with R0 resection were identified retrospectively. They were divided into the omentum-preserved group (OPG) and the omentum-resected group (ORG) and matched with propensity score matching with multiple imputation for missing values. Three-year overall survival (OS) and 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) were compared, and the first recurrence site and complications were analysed. The numbers of eligible patients were 94 in the OPG and 144 in the ORG, and after matching, the number was 73 in each group. No significant difference was found in the 3-year OS rate (OPG: 78.9 vs. ORG: 78.9, P = 0.54) or the 3-year RFS rate (OPG: 77.8 vs. ORG: 68.2, P = 0.24). The proportions of peritoneal carcinomatosis and peritoneal dissemination as the first recurrence site and the rate and severity of complications were similar in the two groups. Omentectomy is not required for radical gastrectomy for AGC.

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