Time trends with response-adaptive randomization: The inevitability of inefficiency

Response-adaptive randomization, which changes the randomization ratio as a randomized clinical trial progresses, is inefficient as compared to a fixed 1:1 randomization ratio in terms of increased required sample size. It is also known that response-adaptive randomization leads to biased treatment effects if there are time trends in the accruing outcome data, for example, due to changes in the patient population being accrued, evaluation methods, or concomitant treatments. Response-adaptive-randomization analysis methods that account for potential time trends, such as time-block stratification or re-randomization, can eliminate this bias. However, as shown in this Commentary, these analysis methods cause a large additional inefficiency of response-adaptive randomization, regardless of whether a time trend actually exists.

Key Parameters Affecting Kick Start Performance in Competitive Swimming

The study aims to determine the contribution of kinematic parameters to time to 5 m without underwater undulating and kicking. Eighteen male competitive swimmers started from three weighted positions and set the kick plate to positions 1–5. We used SwimPro cameras and the Dartfish© software. In the on-block phase, we found significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the front ankle angle and block time. The correlations between start phases were statistically significant (p < 0.01) between block time and rear ankle angle, respectively, to time to 2 m; rear knee angle and glide time; block time and time to 5 m; time to 2 m and time to 5 m; and flight distance and glide distance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the on-block phase and flight phase parameters, respectively, contributed 64% and 65% to the time to 5 m. The key block phase parameters included block time and rear knee angle. The key flight phase parameters determining time to 5 m included take-off angle and time to 2 m. The key parameters determining the performance to 5 m during the above-water phase include rear knee angle, block time, takeoff angle, and time to 2 m.

Examination of the multiple-input multiple-output space-time block-code selective decode and forward relaying protocol over non-homogeneous fading channel conditions

With the tremendous increase in wireless user traffic, investigation on the end-to-end reliability of wireless networks in practical conditions such as non-homogeneous fading channel conditions is becoming increasingly widespread. Because they fit well to the experimental data, generalized channel fading distributions like κ–μ are well suited for modeling diverse fading channels. This paper analyzes the symbol error rate (SER) and outage probability (OP) performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) space-time block-code (STBC) selective decode and forward (S-DF) network over κ–μ fading channel conditions considering the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). First, the closed-form (CF) analytical expressions for the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as well as its moment generating function (MGF) are derived. Second, the OP performance is then investigated for various values of the channel fading parameter and SNR regimes. The simulation findings show an increase in SER performance with an improved line-of-sight (LOS) component. Furthermore, the results show that the S-DF relaying systems can function properly even when there is no fading or LOS component. The OP has been increasing with the increase in the value of μ and κ. In medium and high SNR regimes, simulation results exactly match with analytical results.