Population Mean Research Articles

Safety and Efficacy of Staged, Bilateral Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy in Essential Tremor

Unilateral magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound ablation of ventralis intermedius nucleus of the thalamus for essential tremor reduces tremor on 1 side, but untreated contralateral or midline symptoms remain limiting for some patients. Historically, bilateral lesioning produced unacceptable risks and was supplanted by deep brain stimulation; increasing acceptance of unilateral focused ultrasound lesioning has led to interest in a bilateral option. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of staged, bilateral focused ultrasound thalamotomy. This prospective, open-label, multicenter trial treated patients with essential tremor from July 2020 to October 2021, with a 12-month follow-up, at 7 US academic medical centers. Of 62 enrolled patients who had undergone unilateral focused ultrasound thalamotomy at least 9 months prior to enrollment, 11 were excluded and 51 were treated. Eligibility criteria included patient age (22 years and older), medication refractory, tremor severity (Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor [CRST] part A score ≥2 for postural or kinetic tremor), and functional disability (CRST part C score ≥2 in any category). A focused ultrasound system interfaced with magnetic resonance imaging allowed real-time alignment of thermography maps with anatomy. Subthreshold sonications allowed target interrogation for efficacy and off-target effects before creating an ablation. Tremor/motor score (CRST parts A and B) at 3 months for the treated side after treatment was the primary outcome measure, and secondary assessments for efficacy and safety continued to 12 months. The mean (SD) population age was 73 (13.9) years, and 44 participants (86.3%) were male. The mean (SD) tremor/motor score improved from 17.4 (5.4; 95% CI, 15.9-18.9) to 6.4 (5.3; 95% CI, 4.9 to 7.9) at 3 months (66% improvement in CRST parts A and B scores; 95% CI, 59.8-72.2; P < .001). There was significant improvement in mean (SD) postural tremor (from 2.5 [0.8]; 95% CI, 2.3 to 2.7 to 0.6 [0.9]; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.8; P < .001) and mean (SD) disability score (from 10.3 [4.7]; 95% CI, 9.0-11.6 to 2.2 [2.8]; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9; P < .001). Twelve participants developed mild (study-defined) ataxia, which persisted in 6 participants at 12 months. Adverse events (159 of 188 [85%] mild, 25 of 188 [13%] moderate, and 1 severe urinary tract infection) reported most commonly included numbness/tingling (n = 17 total; n = 8 at 12 months), dysarthria (n = 15 total; n = 7 at 12 months), ataxia (n = 12 total; n = 6 at 12 months), unsteadiness/imbalance (n = 10 total; n = 0 at 12 months), and taste disturbance (n = 7 total; n = 3 at 12 months). Speech difficulty, including phonation, articulation, and dysphagia, were generally mild (rated as not clinically significant, no participants with worsening in all 3 measures) and transient. Staged, bilateral focused ultrasound thalamotomy significantly reduced tremor severity and functional disability scores. Adverse events for speech, swallowing, and ataxia were mostly mild and transient. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04112381.

Estimation of ventilatory thresholds during exercise using respiratory wearable sensors

Ventilatory thresholds (VTs) are key physiological parameters used to evaluate physical performance and determine aerobic and anaerobic transitions during exercise. Current assessment of these parameters requires ergospirometry, limiting evaluation to laboratory or clinical settings. In this work, we introduce a wearable respiratory system that continuously tracks breathing during exercise and estimates VTs during ramp tests. We validate the respiratory rate and VTs predictions in 17 healthy adults using ergospirometry analysis. In addition, we use the wearable system to evaluate VTs in 107 recreational athletes during ramp tests outside the laboratory and show that the mean population values agree with physiological variables traditionally used to exercise prescription. We envision that respiratory wearables can be useful in determining aerobic and anaerobic parameters with promising applications in health telemonitoring and human performance.

Unravelling the mechanisms underlying the social interaction effects on the feed efficiency of rabbits

The feed consumption and feeding patterns of group-housed livestock and their productive outputs can be affected by interactions among group members, such as competition for feeder access and aggression. The impact of competition is especially significant when feed restriction is implemented during the fattening stage, a common practice in rabbit farms to reduce mortality from digestive disorders during this period. The overall aim was to quantify the importance of social interaction effects at the genetic and environmental level on feed efficiency, feeding behaviour and social ranking traits in rabbit populations having access to electronic feeders whilst they were housed in groups during fattening. This was done by quantifying novel feeding behaviour (FB) and social ranking (SR) traits and by estimating the genetic parameters and genetic correlations between all combinations of direct and social effects of these traits and residual feed intake (RFI), an indicator of feed efficiency. These effects were estimated in animals fed either ad libitum (AL) or on a time-based feed restriction (R) and were selected for feed efficiency on these feeding regimes for six generations. We found that there were substantial social genetic and social litter effects on RFI and FB traits, manifesting as antagonistic relationships between direct and social genetic effects. These effects were stronger amongst the R, as opposed to the AL animals. Despite these antagonistic relationships, the large social genetic effects resulted in substantial heritable variation available for selection of these traits, and therefore feeding behaviour could be changed by genetic selection, especially for R animals. The indicators of an animal’s SR were also heritable and subject to social genetic effects and therefore may respond to selection. However, the phenotypic population mean would not change, because such traits are context−specific. The animals that took most of the feeding resources and had priority access to the feeder had a higher RFI, that is, they were less efficient, but they made their cage mates more efficient. This is the first time that the genetic correlations between direct effects of RFI and direct effects of FB and SR traits, as well as between social effects of RFI and direct effects of FB traits and SR traits, have been quantified. Results could help to understand the mechanisms by which an animal exerts its influence on the feed efficiency of its cage mates under different feeding regimes and assist in the development of breeding strategies.

Treating the problem of non-response in stratified random sampling under calibration approach

In the present study, we suggested a chi-square-type distance function that works well for non-response situations and we have derived a new calibration-based estimator using such a kind of distance function, which is used to estimate the mean of a stratified population. The proposed estimator is derived through the implementation of a reweighting technique referred to as the calibration approach, aimed at improving upon Hansen and Hurwitz’s (1946) estimator. Typically, in situations where some units do not respond, researchers adjust the stratum weights to obtain an estimator for the mean of a stratified population using the calibration approach. In this study, the weights given to the responding units in the sample and the units in the sub-sample taken from the non-responding sample were calibrated to derive the calibration estimator. We assume that the unit non-response problem impacts both study and auxiliary variables. To examine the performance of the proposed calibration estimator in scenarios involving non-response, we have carried out empirical studies.

Distribution of Private Dental Healthcare Facilities in Riyadh City: A GIS-Based Approach.

The dental healthcare private sector in Riyadh city has been growing rapidly over the past few years; however, there is a lack of information on the accessibility and spatial distribution of private dental healthcare facilities (PDHFs) in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of PDHFs in Riyadh city in relation to population density in each sub-municipality. The current information regarding the number, location, and operability of PDHFs in Riyadh city was obtained from the Ministry of Health. A total of 632 operating PDHFs were included with the precise location plotted on Quantum Geographic Information System software (version 3.32.1, Essen, Germany) using Google Earth. Four levels of buffer zones-1 km, 3 km, 5 km, and >5 km-were determined. The population statistics and mean monthly individual income per district were gathered from Zadd.910ths. Microsoft Excel (version 16.0, Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) and RStudio software (version 4.1.3, Posit Software, PBC, Boston, MA, USA) were used for additional data analysis. There was an overall ratio of one PDHF per 9958 residents in Riyadh city. Olaya and Maather sub-municipalities had the largest PDHF-to-population ratios: (1:4566) and (1:4828), respectively. Only 36.3% of the city's total area was within a 1 km buffer zone from a PDHF. There was an overall weak positive correlation between the number of PDHFs and the total area in each sub-municipality (r = 0.29), and the distribution of PDHFs was uneven corresponding to the area (G* = 0.357). There was an uneven distribution of PDHFs in Riyadh city. Some areas were underserved while others were overserved in several sub-municipalities. Policy-makers and investors are encouraged to target underserved areas rather than areas with significant clustering to improve access to care.

Executive functions & metabolic control in phenylketonuria (PKU) and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA)

BackgroundDue to newborn screening and early treatment, patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA) develop largely normal, in terms of IQ testing and academic attainment. However, the impact of metabolic control in various stages of development on more complex cognitive abilities, i.e. executive functions (EF), is still unclear. MethodsEFs were tested in 28 patients with PKU/mHPA, aged 8–17 years, identified by newborn screening and continuously treated. The relation to current (testing day & past 10 phenylalanine (Phe) values) and long-term metabolic control (age periods: childhood <6, 6–10, adolescence >10 years, lifetime Phe) was analyzed. ResultsEFs were in the lower normative range (IQR of T-values: 47.35–51.00). Patients reaction time was significantly slower than the population mean (divided attention/TAP: median 40, p < 0.01). Both, long-term and current metabolic control correlated with performance in EF tests: Higher current Phe impaired reaction times (Go/No-Go, r = −0.387; working memory, r = −0.425; p < 0.05) and performance in planning ability (ToL r = −0.465, p < 0.01). Higher long-term Phe values both in childhood and adolescence mainly affected attention (omissions/TAP r = −0.357 and − 0.490, respectively, both p < 0.05) as well as planning ability (ToL r = −0.422 and − 0.387, adolescence and lifetime, p < 0.05). ConclusionCurrent and long-term metabolic control in PKU/mHPA, including the adolescent period, influence EFs, especially affecting reaction time and planning abilities. This should be taken into account in patient counselling.

Estimation of Population Mean Using Some Improved Imputation Methods for Missing Data in Sample Surveys

. In this research article, we present novel imputation methods designed to address missing data challenges in sample surveys. We then introduce innovative estimation procedures for calculating population means based on these methods. Our study thoroughly examines the properties of these new estimation procedures, assessing their biases and mean square errors. Through the use of both real and simulated data sets, we demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed estimators compared to existing methods in similar scenarios. In conclusion, we offer practical recommendations for survey practitioners.

Exploring population genetics for mutant mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] lines: Insights from augmented block design

AbstractThe current study was initiated to assess mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] mutant lines for yield and their attributes in the mutation generation third (M3) generation using an augmented block design. Note that 1200 mutated mungbean lines were selected from the γ‐irradiated (400–700 Gy) population and distributed into 21 blocks, along with three popular varieties (checks) replicated in each block. To evaluate mean performance, variance, and population genetics, the observations on days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length (cm), protein percentage, seed index, and seed yield (g) were measured and analyzed. All the lines under consideration showed highly significant variations for all the variables, except for days to flowering. Seventy‐nine mutant lines were found to have significantly better yield attributes than checks and are currently being evaluated under station trial. Skewness and kurtosis analysis unveiled the presence of gene interactions, offering opportunities for targeted improvement and efficacy of γ rays as a mutagen, facilitating the release of variability within the population. Future mungbean breeding programs will benefit from the successful isolation of mutant plants with yield‐enhancing traits, such as up to 20 clusters per plant, 71 pods per plant, 8.55 cm pod length, 26.69% protein content (5% higher than parent), and 29 gram seeds per plant. In early selection cycles without the need for replicated trials, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the mutagen and augmented design in creating novel variations, evaluating and identifying superior genotypes with improved yield potential.

Regional Assessment of Groundwater Contamination Risk from Crude Oil Spillages in the Niger Delta: A Novel Application of the Source-Pathway-Receptor Model

AbstractOnshore oil spills are known for their disastrous environmental impacts and potential to cause lasting damage to underlying groundwater. The Niger Delta is particularly vulnerable to widespread spillages linked to extensive oil exploration, transportation, and theft-related incidents. This research employed a geospatial approach in formulating risk equations, based on the source-pathway-receptor (S-P-R) model using multiple openly available data sets, to assess groundwater contamination risk in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), Nigeria. To develop the overall risk equation, the study combined fourteen thematic data layers including the volume of oil spilled, type of spill, slope, elevation, proximity to spill site, pipeline, oil wells and streams, drainage density, mean annual precipitation and population density. These layers were integrated into source potency, pathway transmissivity, and receptor susceptibility. The NDR was systematically categorized into low, moderate, and high groundwater risk zones. The delineation revealed that high-risk zones predominantly span the central areas, extending from southeast to northwest, effectively encircled by regions of low to medium risk located in both the northern and southern extents of the delta. The efficacy of the risk model was corroborated by existing knowledge. Moderate to high-risk zones were found to be in about 16% of the NDR, revealing previously unknown areas of risk. This spatial configuration underscores a significant gradient in contamination risk across the NDR, with the central corridor emerging as a critical focus for groundwater protection and remediation efforts. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #6, this study recommends targeted strategies to ensure clean water provision in these identified high-risk areas. By leveraging the S-P-R model within this complex and sensitive ecological area, this research both advances environmental risk assessment and sets a precedent for future large-scale environmental risk assessments utilizing open-source data.

An effective computational and simulation study for population mean estimation on current occasion

An effective computational and simulation study for population mean estimation on current occasion

Impact of truncating historical data on prediction ability of dairy sheep selection candidates

Along the last decades, the genetic evaluation methodology has evolved, improving breeding value estimates. Many breeding programmes have historical phenotypic records and large number of generations, but to make use of them could result in more inconveniences than benefits. In this study, the prediction ability of genotyped young animals was assessed by simultaneously evaluating the removal of historical data, two pedigree deepness and two methodologies (traditional BLUP and single−step genomic BLUP or ssGBLUP), using milk yield records of 40 years of three Latxa dairy sheep populations. The linear regression method was used to compare predictions of young rams before and after progeny testing, with six cut-off points, by intervals of 4 years (from 1992 to 2012), and statistics of ratio of accuracies, bias, and dispersion were calculated. The prediction accuracy of selection candidates, when genomic information was included, was the highest in all Latxa populations (between 0.54 and 0.69 with full data set). Nevertheless, the deletion of historical phenotypic data resulted on moderate accuracy gain in the bigger data size populations (mean gain 2.5%), and the smaller population took advantage of a moderate data deletion (2.7% gain by removing data until 2004), reducing accuracy when more records were removed. The bias of validation individuals was lower when the breeding value was predicted based on genomic information (between 2.1 and 13.9), being lower when the biggest amount of data was deleted in the bigger data size populations (5.2% reduction), and the smaller population was benefited from data deletion between 1996 and 2008 (3.8% bias reduction). Meanwhile, the slope of estimated genetic trend was lower when less data were included, and an overestimation of the unknown parent group estimates was observed. The results indicated that ssGBLUP evaluations were outstanding, compared with traditional BLUP evaluations, while the depth of pedigree had a very small influence, and deletion of historical phenotypic data was beneficial. Thus, Latxa routine genetic evaluations would benefit from truncating phenotypic records between 2000 and 2004, the use of two pedigree generations and the implementation of ssGBLUP methodology.

Population density and vegetation resources influence demography in a hibernating herbivorous mammal.

Demography of herbivorous mammal populations may be affected by changes in predation, population density, harvesting, and climate. Whereas numerous studies have focused on the effect of single environmental variables on individual demographic processes, attempts to integrate the consequences of several environmental variables on numerous functional traits and demographic rates are rare. Over a 32-year period, we examined how forage availability (vegetation assessed through NDVI) and population density affected the functional traits and demographic rates of a population of Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus), a herbivorous hibernating rodent. We focused on mean population phenology, body mass, breeding success, and survival. We found a negative effect of population density on demographic rates, including on breeding success and pup and adult survival to the next year. We found diverging effects of vegetation phenology on demographic rates: positive effects of alater start of the growing season on adultand yearling femalesurvival, and juvenile survival, but no clear effect on male survival. Interestingly, neither population density nor vegetation affected population phenology or body condition in the following year. Vegetative growth rate had a positive influence on female mass gain (somatic investment) over a season, but bothvegetative growth rate and biomass, surprisingly, had negative effects on the survival of young through their first hibernation. Thus, ground squirrels appeared to benefit more from later timing of vegetation than increases in vegetative biomass per se. Our study provides evidence for complex ecological effects of vegetation and population density on functional traits and demographic rates of small mammal populations.

GWAS elucidated grain yield genetics in Indian spring wheat under diverse water conditions.

Underpinned natural variations and key genes associated with yield under different water regimes, and identified genomic signatures of genetic gain in the Indian wheat breeding program. A novel KASP marker for TKW under water stress was developed and validated. A comprehensive genome-wide association study was conducted on 300 spring wheat genotypes to elucidate the natural variations associated with grain yield and its eleven contributing traits under fully irrigated, restricted water, and simulated no water conditions. Utilizing the 35K Wheat Breeders' Array, we identified 1155 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs), with 207 QTNs exhibiting stability across diverse conditions. These QTNs were further delimited into 539 genomic regions using a genome-wide LD value of 3.0Mbp, revealing pleiotropic control across traits and conditions. Sub-genome A was significantly associated with traits under irrigated conditions, while sub-genome B showed more QTNs under water stressed conditions. Favourable alleles with significantly associated QTNs were delineated, with a notable pyramiding effect for enhancing trait performance. Additionally, allele of only 921 QTNs significantly affected the population mean. Allele profiling highlighted C-306 as a most potential source of drought tolerance. Moreover, 762 genes overlapping significant QTNs were identified, narrowing down to 27 putative candidate genes overlapping 29 novel and functional SNPs expressing (≥ 0.5tpm) relevance across various growth conditions. A new KASP assay was developed, targeting a gene TraesCS2A03G1123700 regulating thousand kernel weight under severe drought condition. Genomic selection models (GBLUP, BayesB, MxE, and R-Norm) demonstrated an average prediction accuracy of 0.06-0.58 across environments, indicating potential for trait selection. Retrospective analysis of the Indian wheat breeding program supported a genetic gain in GY at the rate of ca. 0.56% per breeding cycle, since 1960, supporting the identification of genomic signatures driving trait selection and genetic gain. These findings offer insight into improving the rate of genetic gain in wheat breeding programs globally.

Comprehensive insights into health services accessibility and quality of life of families with individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in Brazil

BackgroundThe 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2 DS) presents unique healthcare challenges for affected individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Despite its rarity, 22q11.2 DS is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans, emphasizing the need to understand and address the distinctive healthcare requirements of those affected. This paper examines the multifaceted issue of health service access and caregivers’ quality of life in the context of 22q11.2 DS in Brazil, a condition with diverse signs and symptoms requiring multidisciplinary care. This study employs a comprehensive approach to evaluate health service accessibility and the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with 22q11.2 DS. It utilizes a structured Survey and the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire for data collection.ResultsIndividuals with 22q11.2 DS continue to receive incomplete clinical management after obtaining the diagnosis, even in the face of socioeconomic status that enabled an average age of diagnosis that precedes that found in sample groups that are more representative of the Brazilian population (mean of 3.2 years versus 10 years, respectively). In turn, caring for individuals with 22q11.2 DS who face difficulty accessing health services impacts the quality of life associated with the caregivers' environment of residence.ConclusionsResults obtained help bridge the research gap in understanding how caring for individuals with multisystem clinical conditions such as 22q11.2 DS and difficulties in accessing health are intertwined with aspects of quality of life in Brazil. This research paves the way for more inclusive healthcare policies and interventions to enhance the quality of life for families affected by this syndrome.

Comparative Analysis of Health Outcomes Between Migrants and Native Spaniards

In 2012, Spain enacted a law which changed its Universal Health System from ensuring government funded healthcare for all residents, regardless of immigration status, to restricting migrant healthcare access. This study investigates health records from 2017, one year before this restrictive legislation was repealed, to determine if such legislative action coincides with disparities in health outcomes between migrants to Spain and native Spaniards. Because a health record analysis from 2012 suggests that migrants in Spain exhibited poorer overall health even before the legislative restrictions, we hypothesized that migrant communities would continue to demonstrate lower health outcomes than native Spaniards while these restrictions were enforced. We extracted nationality and health data from the Spanish Ministry of Health’s 2017 National Health Survey. We grouped thirteen health sub-indicators into four main health indicators to compare the general physical and mental well-being of migrants and native Spaniards. These main indicators included disease prevalence, risk factors for future infirmities, mental health, and self-perceived health. After quantifying interviewees’ responses, we compared population means of migrants and natives for each sub-indicator through an unpaired t-test of means to determine trend significance. We integrated the results of sub-indicator comparisons to determine overall trends in the four main indicators. With only one exception, all eight sub-indicators for disease prevalence demonstrated decreased prevalence among migrant populations which indicates lower overall disease for migrants compared to native Spaniards. This trend continued for self-perceived health as well as all sub- indicators used to assess mental health and predisposition to future illnesses. These results suggest that migrants in Spain are healthier than their native counterparts. The better health outcomes experienced by the migrants relative to native Spaniards contradict our hypothesis. Nevertheless, previous findings explain these results as demonstrative of an established phenomenon, the “healthy migrant effect,” in which migrants typically demonstrate higher healthcare outcomes than their native counterparts. The observed “healthy migrant effect” despite legislative restrictions on migrant healthcare access, as well as the effect’s apparent disappearance during the aftermath of Spain’s 2008 economic recession, suggests that the health disparities between migrants and natives correlated more directly with a nation’s economic well-being than their legislative actions.

Effects of Melia azedarach extract on demographic and biochemical characteristics of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Aphididae: Hemiptera) a destructive aphid, is native to Europe and is now found in many other parts of the world. Currently, one of the main problems of Iranian cabbage growers is the significant damage caused by this pest. Also, due to the fresh eating of cabbage, it is necessary to use non-chemical methods to control the pests. Our bioassay tests showed that Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) fruit extract showed high toxicity to cabbage aphid. In this study, sublethal effects of M. azedarach extract was investigated on some demographic and biochemical properties of B. brassicae. The results showed that the sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC20) and LC50 values were 0.68, 1.16, and 3.42 μg/ml, respectively. Compared to the control, sublethal concentrations of insecticide significantly decreased the gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of birth (b), intrinsic rate of death (d), weekly growth rate (rw), reproductive rate and adult longevity of the pest. Meanwhile, the mean generation time (T) and population doubling time (DT) of this aphid increased significantly. Additionally, sublethal doses of insecticide reduced the energy reserves of the pest such as carbohydrate, protein and lipid content compared to the controls. In addition to modify the pH, this extract also changed the distribution and concentration of sodium and potassium ions in haemolymph. Therefore, sublethal concentrations of M. Azedarach fruit extract can be used in the management program of B. brassicae.

P-464 Patients satisfaction with Hypnosis during Oocyte Retrieval

Abstract Study question Are patients receiving hypnosis during oocyte retrieval (OR) satisfied with this support? Summary answer Three-quarters of the women receiving hypnosis during OR were satisfied with this support, considering it beneficial for both pain and anxiety. What is known already OR is a crucial component in the management of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Despite being a safe and efficient procedure, OR is often perceived as the most stressful and painful aspect of ART. OR can be performed under local anesthesia with a paracervical block analgesia but may still cause discomfort for some patients (pain, anxiety related to the procedure). Therefore, exploring non-pharmacological approaches, such as hypnosis, to enhance anesthesia is of major interest. Hypnosis has demonstrated efficacy in pain management across various medical indications, prompting an investigation into its potential benefits during OR. Study design, size, duration A cohort study involving women undergoing an OR under local anesthesia combined with hypnosis at our institution between November 2022 to November 2023. A questionnaire was distributed to patients just after the OR, assessing women’s satisfaction with hypnosis support, along with their experiences of pain (Visual Analogic scale (VAS)) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire) during the OR procedure. Participants/materials, setting, methods Women for whom hypnosis was administered during the entire OR procedure, using either a virtual reality headset or with a hypnotherapist were included. Exclusions comprised incomplete questionnaires and patients unable to communicate in French. Objectives were (i) to assess the women satisfaction concerning hypnosis during OR on pain and anxiety through specific questions of the survey, (ii) to evaluate pain (VAS) and anxiety (STAI) during the procedure and (iii) to compare the two hypnosis techniques. Main results and the role of chance Two hundred and nine women undergoing OR under local anesthesia fully responded to the questionnaire out of six hundred surveyed. The mean population age was 34.4±4.1 years. Hypnosis support was provided by a hypnotherapist for 79.9% (167/209) of women and using a virtual reality headset for 20.1% (42/209). 73.7% were satisfied of hypnosis for pain, and 86.1% for anxiety. A higher proportion found hypnosis beneficial for anxiety in the therapist group compared to the virtual reality headset group (88.6% (148/167) versus 76.2% (32/42) respectively, p:0.037). For a new oocyte retrieval, 70.8% of women preferred undergoing the procedure under local anesthesia with hypnosis. The mean VAS score was 5.3 ± 2.6 and the mean STAI score was 36.7± 17.8 during oocyte retrieval. No significant differences concerning VAS and STAI scores were found between the therapist and virtual reality headset groups. Limitations, reasons for caution The study evaluates the satisfaction of women with hypnosis support; hence, there is no assessment of long-term benefits on pregnancy chances. Additionally, a potential selection bias exists as not all surveyed women returned the questionnaire. Wider implications of the findings Positive feedback suggests a potential role for hypnosis in enhancing patient well-being during oocyte retrieval, warranting further research and clinical exploration to improve the overall patient experience during what is often perceived as a stressful procedure. Trial registration number NA

Understanding stunting and its determinant among children in the most populous state of India using estimation of population mean under ranked set sampling in the presence of missing data

ABSTRACT In real-life scenarios, encountering data with missing values is common, and if not managed carefully from the outset of a study, it can lead to significant biases in survey estimates. Various methods exist for imputing missing values in sampling procedures. Ranked set sampling (RSS) is widely recognized for its superior efficiency compared to simple random sampling. However, limited research has been conducted on ranked set sampling in the presence of missing data. This article introduces novel imputation methods designed to estimate population means in the context of missing data under RSS. These innovative estimators are developed by integrating ratio, exponential, and logarithmic estimators judiciously. Expressions for the bias and mean squared error of the proposed estimators are derived up to the first-order approximation. Through simulation studies and an application to stunting and its determinants among children in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, the effectiveness of the suggested estimators in handling missing data is demonstrated. Numerical examples involving stunting in Uttar Pradesh, as well as simulated data generated using R software, confirm the superior performance of the proposed estimators over existing methods, as evidenced by comparisons of percentage relative efficiency and mean squared error. The results are promising, indicating improvement over all existing imputation methods. Additionally, pertinent recommendations are provided for survey professionals regarding future research.

Estimation of human height using ulnar length in the Muslim community of Golbazar Municipality, Siraha, Nepal

Calculating an individual's height based on bone measurements is critical in identifying unknown bodies, body parts, or skeletal remains. Anthropologists, anatomists, and forensic experts have used a variety of anthropometric approaches to forecast stature from skeletal remains. Although few studies have been conducted to understand ulnar length and height, it has not been conducted in a few ethnic communities of Nepal. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between human height and ulnar length in Muslim communities of Golbazar Municipality, Siraha, Nepal. Two hundred people (male 100 and female 100) aged 20 to 40 years were purposively selected from Golbazaar, Siraha, Nepal. Ulnar length was measured as the distance between the tip of the Olecranon process and the styloid process with the elbow fully flexed. Height was measured from the top of the head to the floor while the participants stood upright in the anatomical position with their heads in the Frankfort plane. Statistical techniques, such as linear regression analysis and correlation coefficients, were used to determine a correlation between ulna length and height. The population's mean ulna length was 26.53 cm (SD = 2.06), and the mean height was 159.59 cm (SD = 9.72). The correlation between ulna length and height was stronger in males (0.46) than in females (0.36). The study established regression equations for height estimation based on ulna length for different age groups, with the strongest correlations found in the 31–35 years age group and weaker ones in the 20–25 years and 26–30 years age groups. The study suggests that ulna length could be a reliable predictor of height, especially when direct measurement is challenging or impossible. However, additional study is required to explore potential differences based on age, ethnicity, and gender and to validate the findings in more extensive and more diverse populations.

Morphological simulation tests the limits on phenotype discovery in 3D image analysis.

In the past few decades, advances in 3D imaging have created new opportunities for reverse genetic screens. Rapidly growing datasets of 3D images of genetic knockouts require high-throughput, automated computational approaches for identifying and characterizing new phenotypes. However, exploratory, discovery-oriented image analysis pipelines used to discover these phenotypes can be difficult to validate because, by their nature, the expected outcome is not known a priori . Introducing known morphological variation through simulation can help distinguish between real phenotypic differences and random variation; elucidate the effects of sample size; and test the sensitivity and reproducibility of morphometric analyses. Here we present a novel approach for 3D morphological simulation that uses open-source, open-access tools available in 3D Slicer, SlicerMorph, and Advanced Normalization Tools in R (ANTsR). While we focus on diffusible-iodine contrast-enhanced micro-CT (diceCT) images, this approach can be used on any volumetric image. We then use our simulated datasets to test whether tensor-based morphometry (TBM) can recover our introduced differences; to test how effect size and sample size affect detectability; and to determine the reproducibility of our results. In our approach to morphological simulation, we first generate a simulated deformation based on a reference image and then propagate this deformation to subjects using inverse transforms obtained from the registration of subjects to the reference. This produces a new dataset with a shifted population mean while retaining individual variability because each sample deforms more or less based on how different or similar it is from the reference. TBM is a widely-used technique that statistically compares local volume differences associated with local deformations. Our results showed that TBM recovered our introduced morphological differences, but that detectability was dependent on the effect size, the sample size, and the region of interest (ROI) included in the analysis. Detectability of subtle phenotypes can be improved both by increasing the sample size and by limiting analyses to specific body regions. However, it is not always feasible to increase sample sizes in screens of essential genes. Therefore, methodical use of ROIs is a promising way to increase the power of TBM to detect subtle phenotypes. Generating known morphological variation through simulation has broad applicability in developmental, evolutionary, and biomedical morphometrics and is a useful way to distinguish between a failure to detect morphological difference and a true lack of morphological difference. Morphological simulation can also be applied to AI-based supervised learning to augment datasets and overcome dataset limitations.