Methodology In Practice Research Articles

Optimizing and benchmarking polygenic risk scores with GWAS summary statistics

BackgroundPolygenic risk score (PRS) is a major research topic in human genetics. However, a significant gap exists between PRS methodology and applications in practice due to often unavailable individual-level data for various PRS tasks including model fine-tuning, benchmarking, and ensemble learning.ResultsWe introduce an innovative statistical framework to optimize and benchmark PRS models using summary statistics of genome-wide association studies. This framework builds upon our previous work and can fine-tune virtually all existing PRS models while accounting for linkage disequilibrium. In addition, we provide an ensemble learning strategy named PUMAS-ensemble to combine multiple PRS models into an ensemble score without requiring external data for model fitting. Through extensive simulations and analysis of many complex traits in the UK Biobank, we demonstrate that this approach closely approximates gold-standard analytical strategies based on external validation, and substantially outperforms state-of-the-art PRS methods.ConclusionsOur method is a powerful and general modeling technique that can continue to combine the best-performing PRS methods out there through ensemble learning and could become an integral component for all future PRS applications.

Lean methodology in health care practice: an example of application for clinical laboratory urinalysis processing.

Improving quality and laboratory testing turnaround time (TAT) is a constant challenge for a clinical laboratory. The formulas that describe the best way to manage these goals are outlined in International Organization for Standardization standards. According to standards, improvement must be timely and continuous. Lean methodology is a tool to meet this requirement. One of the fundamental elements of Lean is a systematic approach to process improvement by removing waste to create value for the end-user (eg, patient) of the service. This methodology can be adapted in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study was to test the application of Lean methodology in urinalysis. Lean has various collections of tools and concepts. We applied the most useful for the clinical laboratory: Gemba walk, Takt time, cycle time, and value-stream mapping. Finally, we created and approved workplace standards to improve the performance of urinalysis. We compared the TATs of urinalysis tests before optimization, immediately after, and long after (~5 months). We found that TATs had significantly shortened. The TATs of emergency (STAT) urine tests immediately after optimization improved: automated microscopy to 16% (P =.194), fully automated test-strip to 23% (P = .0172), and standardized urine sediment examination to 20% (P =.0048). The TATs of routine urine tests also improved immediately after optimization: automated microscopy to 18% (P <.0001), fully automated test-strip to 11% (P =.0025), and standardized urine sediment examination to 18% (P =.0011). After 5 months of Lean application within the urinalysis laboratory, TATs of routine urine tests remained improved; however, the improvement of STAT urine test TATs dropped to approximately 4%. The application of the Lean methodology shows significant improvement in TATs of processes in our laboratory.

El aula invertida como recurso para el trabajo en educación secundaria

The reality of education in our country has gone through countless changes. The COVID-19 pandemic put the work methodology in a different panorama. Here are some elements that constituted the cornerstone of its action, but not only this, it was a resource that we can continue to use, although it was not new, since in the US this methodology was implemented, the inverted classroom. This resource was used in a secondary school in the state of Hidalgo with favorable results for its implementation. These elements were of great importance to corroborate its use in future practices, making clear the scope of this methodology in daily practice in secondary education. The New Mexican School (NEM) is aimed every day at transforming the reality of the student and the community, that is, solving their most pressing needs and the inverted classroom helps to a great extent to solve these needs that the student presents in order to consolidate learning in their day to day. Not only to recognize the scope of the tangible results of the methodology indicated, but also the feelings of the students regarding the use of this tool to achieve their purposes. It was of great importance to recognize the feelings of the students and thus continue with the implementation of this methodology, since, as the NEM points out, the teacher also has autonomy and his or her actions are fundamental in the education of the students.

Unlocking Public Engagement in Reused Industrial Heritage: Weighting Point Evaluation Method for Cultural Expression

Industrial heritage has attracted much attention because of its significant historical and cultural values. Nowadays, the functional transformation of industrial heritage buildings, such as museums, parks, and so on, into public-space-oriented buildings has been taking place all over the world. The public users of these public realms become the main audiences of industrial culture. Architects transmit the industrial culture therein to public users by using the design language. However, differences in the public’s understanding of design from different backgrounds may affect the attractiveness of the project. The tension between industrial culture and public acceptance becomes a key issue in industrial heritage renovation. The proposal of the “weighting point evaluation method” is the aim of this study, which demonstrates the usability of this mathematical and statistical method for the assessment of the cultural expression aspect in the renovation of industrial heritage. Such a quantitative assessment method is used to find the strengths and weaknesses that exist in the project, thus providing a reference point for optimizing future development. The methodology was applied at the Dalian Industrial Culture Exhibition Hall to demonstrate its validity. The results of the methodology in practice identified four aspects of the experience of public users concerned with the case and, at the same time, identified the strengths and weaknesses of the project in terms of cultural expression, providing an important reference point for further optimization in the future. Moreover, it also demonstrates flexibility and generalizability in responding to different expressions in different projects due to the variability of the weighting judgements of the methodology.

Extraction of collagen morphological features from second-harmonic generation microscopy images via GLCM and CT analyses: A cross-laboratory study.

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy provides a high-resolution label-free approach for noninvasively detecting collagen organization and its pathological alterations. Up to date, several imaging analysis algorithms for extracting collagen morphological features from SHG images-such as fiber size and length, order and anisotropy-have been developed. However, the dependence of extracted features on experimental setting represents a significant obstacle for translating the methodology in the clinical practice. We tackled this problem by acquiring SHG images of the same kind of collagenous sample in various laboratories using different experimental setups and imaging conditions. The acquired images were analyzed by commonly used algorithms, such as gray-level co-occurrence matrix or curvelet transform; the extracted morphological features were compared, finding that they strongly depend on some experimental parameters, whereas they are almost independent from others. We conclude with useful suggestions for comparing results obtained in different labs using different experimental setups and conditions.

Bootstrap-based confidence intervals for the standard two-sided power distribution

The two-parameter standard two-sided power family of distributions on (0, 1) is considered in this article. We propose bootstrap standard errors for the maximum likelihood estimators, as well as bootstrap confidence intervals for its parameters, once these important statistical measures of accuracy cannot be computed based on first-order asymptotic theory. We consider Monte Carlo simulation experiments to verify the performance of the bootstrap methods, and the numerical results are quite promising. Applications to real data are also considered to illustrate the proposed methodology in practice.

Reflex Responses in Muscles of the Lower Extremities Elicited by Transcutaneous Stimulation of Cauda Equina: Part 1. Methodology and Normative Data

Introduction: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation is used to stimulate the dorsal roots of the cauda equina. Multiple elicited responses recorded in the lower extremity muscles are called posterior root muscle reflexes (PRMRs). Normal PRMR values in the muscles of healthy lower extremities have yet to be determined. Methods: Thirty subjects without known lumbosacral spinal root illness were included in this study. Subsequently, they were subjected to transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the cauda equina. Posterior root muscle reflex was recorded in the four muscle groups of both lower extremities. We elicited multiple PRMR and examined their characteristics in order to establish normal electrophysiological parameter values. Results: Posterior root muscle reflex was successfully elicited in the tibialis anterior (96.7%), gastrocnemius (100%), quadriceps femoris (93.3%), and hamstring (96.7%). No statistically significant differences were found in the intensity of stimulation, latencies, or area under the PRMR between the right and left leg muscles. The area under PRMR varied significantly among the participants. Higher body weight and abdominal girth showed a significant positive correlation with stimulation intensity for eliciting PRMR, and a significant negative correlation with the area under PRMR. Older age showed a significant negative correlation with the success of eliciting PRMR and the area under the PRMR. Conclusions: Posterior root muscle reflex is a noninvasive and successful method for eliciting selective reflex responses of cauda equina posterior roots. Obtained values could be used in future studies to evaluate the utility of this methodology in clinical practice. This methodology could improve testing of the proximal lumbosacral nervous system functional integrity.

Estimation Approach for a Linear Quantile-Regression Model with Long-Memory Stationary GARMA Errors

The aim of this paper is to assess the significant impact of using quantile analysis in multiple fields of scientific research . Here, we focus on estimating conditional quantile functions when the errors follow a GARMA (Generalized Auto-Regressive Moving Average) model. Our key theoretical contribution involves identifying the Quantile-Regression (QR) coefficients within the context of GARMA errors. We propose a modified maximum-likelihood estimation method using an EM algorithm to estimate the target coefficients and derive their statistical properties. The proposed procedure yields estimators that are strongly consistent and asymptotically normal under mild conditions. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed estimators, a simulation study is conducted employing the minimum bias and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) criterion. Furthermore, an empirical application is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in practice.

A Case Study of the Agile Enterprise Regarding the External Business Environment

Abstract The unstable business conditions, the international antagonism, inconsistent demand as well as the growing expectations of possible clientele put to the challenge the enterprises globally. The enterprises’ agility proposes possibilities to assist companies foresee the new international economic trends. It utilizes critical circumstances of the environment as new prospects for expansion. The enterprises’ agility benefits from endogenous and exogenous alternations in the ecosystem to enhance its capabilities and so to provide constant as well as lucrative presence in the ecosystem. This paper first depicts the state of being agile in an enterprise. Then it explains how agility contributes to the effectiveness of the enterprises. The scientific literature is not abundant with only a few leading scholars on this topic. A methodology is used to assess the existing turbulent business environment in order to explore the forces that stimulate the enterprises to enhance their agility. This research obtains data from a survey conducted in enterprises operating in the textile industry in one geographical region. The questionnaire that was used is only partially analyzed in this paper in order to evaluate the tested enterprises in respect to their agility to the external business environment. The outcome of this analysis shows that some of the enterprises are performing relatively agile whereas others have deficiencies. The contribution brought by this paper is approbation of a scientific methodology in practice and the interpretations of the results supplied by the questionnaire.

Integrating experience sampling methodology in clinical practice for fatigued children with a chronic health condition: A qualitative study on future implementation of PROfeel

Integrating experience sampling methodology in clinical practice for fatigued children with a chronic health condition: A qualitative study on future implementation of PROfeel

New Insights on Molecular Autopsy in Sudden Death: A Systematic Review.

Sudden unexpected deaths often remain unresolved despite forensic examination, posing challenges for pathologists. Molecular autopsy, through genetic testing, can reveal hidden causes undetectable by standard methods. This review assesses the role of molecular autopsy in clarifying SUD cases, examining its methodology, utility, and effectiveness in autopsy practice. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024499832). Searches on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified English studies (2018-2023) on molecular autopsy in sudden death cases. Data from selected studies were recorded and filtered based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics analyzed the study scope, tissue usage, publication countries, and journals. A total of 1759 publications from the past 5 years were found, with 30 duplicates excluded. After detailed consideration, 1645 publications were also excluded, leaving 84 full-text articles for selection. Out of these, 37 full-text articles were chosen for analysis. Different study types were analyzed. Mutations were identified in 17 studies, totaling 47 mutations. Molecular investigations are essential when standard exams fall short in determining sudden death causes. Expertise in molecular biology is crucial due to diverse genetic conditions. Discrepancies in post-mortem protocols affect the validity of results, making standardization necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches and the analysis of different tissue types are vital.

A methodological framework for rigorous systematic reviews: Tailoring comprehensive analyses to clinicians and healthcare professionals

Systematic reviews represent a fundamental study design, providing the highest level of evidence across diverse research inquiries, encompassing both public health and clinical research and practice. However, for healthcare professionals, the process of selecting, synthesizing, and interpreting evidence can be challenging, and requires specialized skills. Therefore, it is imperative to explore innovative solutions aimed at simplifying and making the traditional systematic review process more accessible while ensuring the validity and reliability of results.In this perspective, our research objective is to develop a systematic review framework that, while maintaining a rigorous methodological approach, streamlines the process for healthcare professionals. This study describes such approach in every phase, from the collection of evidence to the writing of the text, creating a guide for the healthcare professional who approaches this type of research. The qualitative and organizational analysis tools are also described, providing useful information for the use of non-paid programs.This systematic review aims to develop a framework with a rigorous methodological approach that allows simplify the process for clinicians and healthcare professionals. The implementation of this methodology in clinical practice offers new perspectives to ensure a thoughtful consideration and application of scientific evidence and opens the way to innovative and easily accessible solutions to facilitate the conduct of systematic reviews in the clinical care setting.

The Tilt Test in the Assessment of Syncope and Pre-syncope. Effective and safe? Analysis of a Series of 2364 Patients over 6 Years

The tilt table test (TT) provides relevant information about individual susceptibility to neuro-mediated hypotension and bradycardia. Its importance has been questioned. In this work, we analyze the results and safety of TT in the investigation of syncope, presyncope or postural dizziness. Cross-sectional study, with TT exams performed by specialists in cardiac arrhythmias, in the period 2016-2021, in a syncope unit. Analyzes were performed using the Mann-Whitney test, multiple logistic regression, with a significant p value &lt;0.05. The protocols used were Westminster or Italian protocol. There were 2364 TT performed, 61.7% female, aged 51.1 (31-71) years. The positivity rate was 32.6%, 37.2% with pharmacological sensitization (p&lt; 0.01). For the investigation of syncope, positivity was 34.2% (477) x 30.65% (285) for other symptoms (p&lt;0.001), while evaluating syncope and presyncope together the difference was 37.55% (623) x 20.9% (139) for other symptoms (p&lt;0.001). Positivity was higher in males (p&lt;0.01; OR=1.40(1.16-1.69)), in sensitized tests (p&lt;0.01;2.01(1.64-2, 38)), in patients with early orthostatic hypotension (OH) with symptoms (p &lt;0.01; 9.68(4.13-27.44)). The complication rate was 3.29%, but without severity. The TT remains an important and safe methodology in clinical practice for the investigation of patients with suspected neurally mediated syndromes.

Objective image quality assurance in cone-beam CT: Test methods, analysis, and workflow in longitudinal studies.

Standards for image quality evaluation in multi-detector CT (MDCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) are evolving to keep pace with technological advances. A clear need is emerging for methods that facilitate rigorous quality assurance (QA) with up-to-date metrology and streamlined workflow suitable to a range of MDCT and CBCT systems. To evaluate the feasibility and workflow associated with image quality (IQ) assessment in longitudinal studies for MDCT and CBCT with a single test phantom and semiautomated analysis of objective, quantitative IQ metrology. A test phantom (CorgiTM Phantom, The Phantom Lab, Greenwich, New York, USA) was used in monthly IQ testing over the course of 1 year for three MDCT scanners (one of which presented helical and volumetric scan modes) and four CBCT scanners. Semiautomated software analyzed image uniformity, linearity, contrast, noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), 3D noise-power spectrum (NPS), modulation transfer function (MTF) in axial and oblique directions, and cone-beam artifact magnitude. The workflow was evaluated using methods adapted from systems/industrial engineering, including value stream process modeling (VSPM), standard work layout (SWL), and standard work control charts (SWCT) to quantify and optimize test methodology in routine practice. The completeness and consistency of DICOM data from each system was also evaluated. Quantitative IQ metrology provided valuable insight in longitudinal quality assurance (QA), with metrics such as NPS and MTF providing insight on root cause for various forms of system failure-for example, detector calibration and geometric calibration. Monthly constancy testing showed variations in IQ test metrics owing to system performance as well as phantom setup and provided initial estimates of upper and lower control limits appropriate to QA action levels. Rigorous evaluation of QA workflow identified methods to reduce total cycle time to ∼10min for each system-viz., use of a single phantom configuration appropriate to all scanners and Head or Body scan protocols. Numerous gaps in the completeness and consistency of DICOM data were observed for CBCT systems. An IQ phantom and test methodology was found to be suitable to QA of MDCT and CBCT systems with streamlined workflow appropriate to busy clinical settings.

Force and Pressure Dependent Asymmetric Workspace Research of a Collaborative Robot and Human

This article discusses creating a methodology for the asymmetric measuring of values and processes of collision forces and pressures of the collaborative robot dependent on time. Furthermore, it verifies the usefulness of this methodology in practice by successfully performing the experimental measurement and verifying the possibility of using these results by analysing and stating the collaboration level for a robot of the given type. According to the suggested methodology, the measurement results are a specific output based on real measured data, which can be easily rated and can quickly determine the collaborative level of any robot. Measurements were aimed at determining the values of pressure and force with which the robot acts at certain speeds related to distance from the base. Due to the controlled symmetrical impact of the robot on the measuring device, the transfer of energy from the robot to the human body was guaranteed. In theoretical terms, this article primarily provides the assembly of the theoretical foundation of the collaborative environment between humans and robots, and a comprehensive overview of the possibilities of using the technical specification ISO/TS 15066:2016 when deploying a robot in collaboration with humans in a collaborative environment. This new information is highly valuable for both manufacturers and users of collaborative robots. The presented article analyses the possibilities of measuring collaboration and safety elements in cooperation with a robot. The most significant practical benefit is the presentation of a methodology for measuring robot collaboration and verifying its functionality by conducting experimental measurements of robot collaboration according to this methodology. The measurement was performed on a robot made by Universal Robots, model UR10. The measurement coordinates were stationed in a way to create a spatial measurement model. Boundary coordinates of the spatial model were as follows: [450; 200], [450; 500], [850; 200], and [850; 500]. Collisions were measured at 8 different speeds for each coordinate (20 mms−1, 50 mms−1, 100 mms−1, 200 mms−1, 250 mms−1, 300 mms−1, 350 mms−1, and 400 mms−1) to enable the observation of changes in accordance with speed. The measured values indicate a significant fact: the closer the collision is to the robot’s base, the higher the collision forces. An important aspect is that the measured values were only for speeds up to 400 mms−1, which is a very low value for industrial use to meet the desired cycle time. It can be stated with absolute certainty that speed has the greatest impact on collision force values. The speed of the collaborative robot arm can therefore be considered a limiting factor for use in industrial applications with a requirement of a short cycle time. Focusing on the results of the measured values, it can be stated that a new finding is the correct design of robotic movements in relation to possible contact with humans is crucial. The result of the measurement according to the proposed methodology is a specific output of realistically measured data, which can be easily evaluated and the level of collaboration of any robot can be quickly determined. The measured data will also serve as a basis for further processing and preparation of new simulation software. It will be possible to use the intended software for detecting and predetermining the safe asymmetric movements of the collaborative robot already at the stage of production preparations, unlike the method of measuring force and pressure on robots which can be used until the time of implementation into production. In the future, this software may also allow users of collaborative robots to easily and quickly evaluate the robots specified.

Augmenting business statistics information by combining traditional data with textual data: a composite indicator approach

Combining traditional and digital trace data is an emerging trend in statistics. In this respect, new data sources represent the basis for multi-purpose extraction of different statistical indicators, which contribute to augmenting the statistical information, for feeding smart statistics. The production of business statistics can benefit from the use of unstructured data, especially to study novel aspects which are not covered by traditional data sources. This paper proposes a methodological general framework for augmenting information by combining data, both structured and non structured. The statistical challenges of using unstructured data and their integration with traditional data are discussed. The methodological general framework is applied to the construction of smart composite indicators using social media data and their metadata. An empirical exercise illustrates how to apply the methodology in practice.

Three live births after human embryo vitrification with the use of aluminum oxide as an intermediate cooling agent: a case report

To study the possibility of increasing the cooling rates of the vitrification procedure in a closed system with the use of aluminum oxide as an intermediate coolant. Case report. Six patients undergoing procedures for assisted reproduction. Comparative studies of cryopreservation of donor embryos with aluminum oxide as an intermediate cooling agent (experimental group) and without it (control group) have been performed. After thawing, the embryo morphology and its potential to develop to the blastocyst stage have been assessed. The methodology was then applied to clinical practice. Twenty embryos of 6 patients have been vitrified on day 4 after fertilization with the use of aluminum oxide as an intermediate coolant. Fourteen of them have been thawed. All have displayed normal morphology and 10 have formed blastocysts after 24 hours of culture. Four of the patients received embryo transfer with 2 embryos and the other 2 with single embryos. After preliminary comparative studies of embryos frozen with aluminum oxide and a control group, the results showed no statistically significant difference between their quality and potential to reach to blastocyst stage. That gave us ground to apply the methodology in clinical practice. After the embryo transfer, 3 clinical pregnancies with successful live births have been obtained. Our experience shows that preimplantation embryos can be cryopreserved aseptically, in closed systems, with the help of aluminum oxide as an intermediate coolant.

Minimum sample size for estimating the Net Promoter Score under a Bayesian approach.

At some moment in our lives, we are probably faced with the following question: How likely is it that you would recommend [company X] to a friend or colleague?. This question is related to the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a simple measure used by several companies as indicator of customer loyalty. Even though it is a well-known measure in the business world, studies that address the statistical properties or the sample size determination problem related to this measure are still scarce. We adopt a Bayesian approach to provide point and interval estimators for the NPS and discuss the determination of the sample size. Computational tools were implemented to use this methodology in practice. An illustrative example with data from financial services is also presented.

Using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) Multi-Criteria Analysis Methodology for Selecting the Optimal Strategy for Creating a Production Alliance

The aim of the study is to adapt the method of multi-criteria analysis of alternatives SAW (simple additive weighing), as considered in both domestic and foreign publications, for the possibility of creating a production alliance of «Chumak» PJSC; to carry out an assessment of the prospects for the use of such a methodology in domestic practice; further, an identification of its strengths and weaknesses; outlining the main aspects of using strengths and minimizing weaknesses in Ukrainian business practice. The article is devoted to the issue of creation of production alliances among Ukrainian enterprises in order to overcome the consequences of russian aggression, stimulate innovative processes in the management of operational activities of enterprises and further creation of strategic alliances for mutual promotion and sale of goods and services, i. e. affiliate marketing. The methodology of multi-criteria analysis of alternatives SAW (simple additive weighing) was used stage by stage to select the optimal strategy for creating a production alliance. For this purpose, the problematic issue of advanced analysis has been identified, a system of alternatives, criteria for evaluating alternatives and a system for determining assessments of criteria based on qualitative and quantitative indicators has been formed. An integrated grading scale has been developed. A quantitative assessment of alternatives according to the proposed criteria has been carried out. The Altman model and the financial stability coefficient are applied as criteria for alternatives. A matrix of decisions has been built, its normalization has been implemented by certain weighting coefficients of criteria. Based on the calculations, a possible order of alternative options for creating a production alliance between «Chumak» PJSC and enterprises operating in the food market of Ukraine has been derived. The relevance of the problem of forming a strategic alliance is attested, given the presence of different approaches to choosing partners and the impossibility of allocating a single correct approach to determining groups of criteria without adapting to each individual industry.

Turn Your AART into a HIT Using a Complete Range of Aesthetic Injectables: Methodology for Combining Products to Maximise Patient Outcomes.

Optimizing outcomes of aesthetic treatments with injectable products usually requires a consideration of the entire face to ensure balance, along with combination treatments that align with the patient's goals. To help injectors, a method of assessing the patient and developing an individualized, holistic treatment plan was developed. This methodology is termed Assessment, Anatomy, Range, and Treatment (AART™) and Holistic Individualized Treatments (HITs™). This article aims to describe and evaluate the novel and systematic AART-HIT™ methodology. The AART-HIT™ methodology, including its associated diagnostic tool the Facial Assessment Scale (FAS™), were developed to aid injectors in completing a patient assessment in which the entire face is evaluated, the relevant anatomy is considered, the science behind the available range of products is understood, and the treatment plan is individualised for the patient. Specifically, the HITs™ are methodologic tools for practitioners to perform a standardized, full facial assessment and to create an individualized treatment approach to holistically address a patient's aesthetic concerns. The use of this methodology in clinical practice was assessed via a survey, deployed to twenty-eight clinicians. Over 85% of participants agreed that the AART-HIT™ methodology was adequate for their needs. Additionally, 100% of participants agreed that the temporal sequencing of HITs™ and the FAS™ diagnostic tool was useful in clinical practice. Furthermore, over 70% of participants agreed that the anatomical locations identified in each HIT™ were sufficient, while over 80% responded that the HITs™ adequately represented the range of products. Finally, over 85% of participants agreed that the HITs™ covered different ethnic skin types and various patient ages and, over 80% of participants responded that they would not add additional elements to any of the 5 HITs™. The AART-HIT™ methodology, including the FAS™ were comprehensive enough for clinical use in providing a personalised treatment plan for individual patients.