Relative Effect Sizes Research Articles

Analytical evaluation of partially stiffened granular piled raft with the effect of rigidity of bearing stratum

ABSTRACT Present study aims to improve the utilisation of granular piles (GP) for ground improvement by analysing the partially stiffened end-bearing granular piled raft (EBGPR) resting on the bearing stratum (BS). The study incorporates the use of the mirror image method and an elastic continuum approach to estimate the vertical settlement of the soil at the interface of the EBGPR. The study focuses on finding normalised variables such as settlement ratio, settlement reduction factor, settlement reduction factor for the BS, settlement influence factor (SIF), SIF for any depth, percentage load on the GP and on the base and normalised shear stress along the length of the GP with the effect of relative size of the raft. Based on the study, it was concluded that the SIF tends to decrease with an increase in the stiffening factor for the top portion of the GP. This finding suggests that the stiffening of the upper part of the GP can improve its strength and stiffness, and can potentially enhance the performance of the EBGPR foundation. Overall, the study is a comprehensive analysis of the partially stiffened EBGPR foundation, and provides useful insights into the behaviour and performance of such foundations.

Enrichment of Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria in the Fecal Microbiota of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in North India

Previous studies have established the relationship between the gut microbiota and ulcerative colitis (UC); however, there is a scarcity of data on the fecal microbiome profile of patients with UC in the Indian population. This study aimed to examine the fecal microbiome profile of north Indian patients with UC ( n = 105 ), including with active disease ( n = 64 ) and in remission ( n = 41 ), compared to healthy controls ( n = 36 ), using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Both relative abundance analysis and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed a significant enrichment of lactic acid-producing facultative anaerobic pathobionts, namely, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus, in patients with UC (both with active disease and those in remission). Additionally, a significant decrease was observed in anaerobic genera responsible for the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, such as Blautia, Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae. Differential metabolic pathway analysis using PICRUSt2 confirmed a loss of SCFAs production and increased lactose and nitrate metabolism in UC patients. Biochemical analysis of fecal samples confirmed the increased colonization of nitrate-reducing microbes in UC patients, suggesting inflammation-driven dysbiosis. LEfSe and PICRUSt2 analyses revealed an enrichment of Prevotella and Blautia microbes and the upregulation of two specific metabolic pathways, sulfolactate degradation and reductive acetyl coenzyme A pathway-I, which can distinguish UC patients in remission from those with active disease. Our findings caution against the use of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LABs) and recommend the exploration of butyrate-producing microbes as probiotics to restore SCFAs levels in UC patients.

Appraisal of evidence reliability and applicability of Paxlovid as treatment for SARS-COV-2 infection: A systematic review.

This study aimed to clarify the beneficial effect and the clinical application value of Paxlovid in the treatment of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) through a systematic review. Databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched for interventional or observational studies on the efficacy and safety of Paxlovid in the treatment of SARS-COV-2. The relative and absolute effect sizes for the outcomes were calculated based on the data reported in the original intervention literature. The external applicability of the evidence was analysed in terms of clinical application scenarios, patient willingness, and cost utility. One interventional and three observational studies were conducted. Four studies published in 2022, had participation sample sizes ranging 1780-109,254. Based on the randomised controlled trial data, the risk of all-cause mortality, all-cause death, and hospitalisation was significantly reduced in the Paxlovid group. Serious adverse events were reduced during the study. Based on observational studies, Paxlovid can significantly reduce the risk of death and hospitalisation in older patients with COVID-19 (moderate certainty) and improve in-hospital disease progression, composite disease progression, and viral load (low certainty). Paxlovid did not improve the outcomes of death and hospitalisation (low certainty) in patients aged <65years. As per the economic utility analysis, the economic cost of reducing one death dramatically decreased with increasing age. Early use of Paxlovid in the older adult population with COVID-19 is beneficial. However, in the setting of limited resources, Paxlovid should be prioritised for older patients.

Nanosilica size-dependent toxicity in Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Cladocera)

Silica nanoparticles (SiNP) are the most produced nanomaterials due to their variety of applications. When released to environments, surface water bodies are their main final sink. SiNP toxicity is still inconclusive and may vary according to particle properties such as their size. We analyzed the size-related effects of SiNP (22 and 244 nm) on mortality, life history traits, and oxidative stress in the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia reticulata. The smaller SiNP (LC5072 h: 105.5 µg/ml) were more lethal than the larger ones (LC5072 h >500 µg/ml). The 22 nm-sized SiNP decreased the number of molts and neonates, increased superoxide dismutase and inhibited glutathione S-transferase activities, while larger SiNP did not exert substantial effects on the organisms at the tested concentrations. In conclusion, SiNP toxicity depended on their size, and this information should be considered for regulatory purposes and to the development of safe-by-design nanoproducts to ultimately guarantee the environment protection.

Toward a Prognostic Model for Mortality Risk in Older People Living With HIV: A Prospective Cohort Study From Southwestern China

ObjectiveThe existing prognostic models for mortality risk in people living with HIV (PLWH) may not be applicable for older PLWH because the risk factors were confined to biomarkers and clinical variables. We developed and validated a nomogram for the prognosis of all-cause mortality in older PLWH based on comprehensive predictors. DesignProspective cohort study. Setting and ParticipantsWe included 824 participants aged ≥50 years (mean age, 64.0 ± 7.6 years) from 30 study sites in Sichuan, China, and followed up from Nov 2018 to Mar 2021. MethodsData on demographics, biomarkers, and clinical indicators were extracted from the registry; mental and social factors were assessed by a survey. Elastic net was used to select predictors. A nomogram was developed based on Cox proportional hazards regression model to visualize the relative effect size (points) of the selected predictors. The prognostic index (PI) was calculated by summing points of all predictors to quantify mortality risk. ResultsPredictive performance of PI from the nomogram was good, with area under the curve of 0.76 for the training set, and 0.77 for the validation set. Change in CD4 count, virological failure in antiretroviral therapy, and living with comorbidities were robust predictors. Depressive symptoms were an important predictor in men, those aged ≥65 years, and those with time of diagnosis <1 year; low social capital was an additional predictor in people aged <65. Mortality risk increased approximately 10-fold among participants whose PI was in the fourth quartile compared with those in the first quartile (hazard ratio, 9.5; 95% CI, 2.9–31.5). Conclusion and ImplicationsAlthough biological and clinical factors are crucial predictors, mental and social predictors are essential for specific groups. The developed nomogram is useful for identifying risk factors and groups at risk of mortality in older PLWH.

Analysis of the adhesively bonded composite double cantilever beam specimen with emphasis on bondline constraint, adherend through-thickness flexibility and fracture process zone relative size

ABSTRACT The double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen is widely used to characterise the mode I fracture of adhesive joints. This paper analyses some particular characteristics of adhesively bonded composite DCB specimens which could affect test results. Three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) finite element analyses (FEA) were conducted in order to evaluate the effects bondline constraint and adherend through-thickness flexibility on the specimen response. Since beam theory-based data reduction schemes are widespread, beam models were also employed to analyze the effects of adherend through-thickness flexibility and fracture process zone relative size. It is shown that, although composite adherends are usually thinner and have much lower transverse moduli than metal adherends, the level of bondline constraint is similarly high. This may: limit the level of adhesive plastic deformations in the fracture process zone; generate high bondline tractions that increase the likelihood of interface failure and interlaminar damage in the composite adherends. The present analyses also show relevant effects of adherend through-thickness flexibility in the adhesive elastic loading stage. Finally, smaller fracture process zones relative to metal adherend DCB specimens were predicted by a beam cohesive zone model. This may explain lower fracture energy values reported with composite adherends in some studies.

Blunt notch effect on the fatigue response up to 109 cycles of selective laser melting Ti6Al4V specimens

AbstractIn this paper, the influence of a blunt notch on the VHCF response of SLM Ti6Al4V specimens is investigated. Ultrasonic fully reversed tension–compression tests up to 109 cycles were carried out on unnotched specimens and specimens with a blunt notch. Unnotched specimens show a slightly larger fatigue response, with limited differences. All fatigue failures originated from defects, which are bigger in unnotched specimens, mainly due to the different risk volume of the tested specimens and the related size effect. Interactions between notch, stress gradient, and defect size distribution must be considered to properly assess the influence of notch on the VHCF response.

The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Patients Who Have Undergone Abdominal Operation, in Terms of Bowel Function Post-Operatively: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Abdominal operations may lead to post-operative bowel dysfunction, while administration of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics may limit its manifestation. Τhe study aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in patients who undergone abdominal operation, in terms of bowel function post-operatively. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central), Embase, US Registry of clinical trials, and sources of grey literature were searched. The relative effect sizes were estimated, and we obtained the relative ranking of the interventions using cumulative ranking curves. In total, 30 studies were included in the analysis. For the outcome of post-operative ileus, probiotics was superior to placebo/no intervention (relative risk, RR: 0.38; 95%CI: 0.14-0.98) with the highest SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking) value (92.1%). For time to first flatus, probiotics (MD: -0.47; 95%CI: -0.78 to -0.17) and synbiotics (MD: -0.53; 95%CI: -0.96 to -0.09) were superior to placebo/no intervention. For time to first defecation and for post-operative abdominal distension probiotics were superior to placebo/no intervention. For post-operative hospitalization days, synbiotics were superior to placebo/no intervention (MD: -3.07; 95%CI: -4.80 to -1.34). Administration of probiotics in patients who had undergone abdominal surgery reduced the prevalence of post-operative ileus, time to first flatus, time to first defecation, and prevalence of post-operative abdominal distension. Synbiotics reduce time to first flatus and post-operative hospitalization days.

Validation of the presence of fast exchanging amine CEST effect at low saturation powers and its influence on the quantification of APT.

Accurately quantifying the amide proton transfer (APT) effect and the underlying exchange parameters is crucial for its applications, but previous studies have reported conflicting results. In these quantifications, the CEST effect from the fast exchange amine was always ignored because it was considered weak with low saturation powers. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the fast exchange amine CEST on the quantification of APT at low saturation powers. A quantification method with low and high saturation powers was used to distinguish APT from the fast exchange amine CEST effect. Simulations were conducted to assess the method's capability to separate APT from the fast exchange amine CEST effect. Animal experiments were performed to assess the relative contributions from the fast exchange amine and amide to CEST signals at 3.5 ppm. Three APT quantification methods, each with varying degrees of contamination from the fast exchange amine, were employed to process the animal data to assess the influence of the amine on the quantification of APT effect and the exchange parameters. The relative size of the fast exchange amine CEST effect to APT effect gradually increases with increasing saturation power. At 9.4 T, it increases from approximately 20% to 40% of APT effect with a saturation power increase from 0.25 to 1 μT. The fast exchange amine CEST effect leads overestimation of APT effect, fitted amide concentration, and amide-water exchange rate, potentially contributing to the conflicting results reported in previous studies.

Feline litter box issues associate with cat personality, breed, and age at sterilization.

To identify potential risk factors for feline litter box issues (eg, house soiling). 3,049 privately owned cats. Data were collected using a validated, owner-completed survey with convenience sampling. The feline behavior and personality survey included 138 statements related to cat behavior and questions concerning cat background and health. Statements related to litter box issues were subjected to factor analysis. Associations between the identified factors and personality and background variables were studied using generalized linear models. Strength of these associations (ie, importance) was evaluated by calculating relative and absolute effect sizes. Factor analysis yielded 2 factors: house soiling and litter box fussiness. This study suggests that fearful cats are more prone to both forms of litter box issues than nonfearful individuals. Other associations we found differed between factors. For example, low sociability toward cats, male sex, and being intact associated only with increased house soiling and older age only with litter box fussiness. The most important variables in the litter box models (ie, sociability toward cats, breed, and activity/playfulness) failed to reach the suggested cutoff for a small effect size. Numerous variables are thought to influence litter box issues, but few studies have examined their relevance. Here, we studied the associations of over 30 background variables and personality traits with 2 litter box issue factors to estimate their importance at the population level. Our results bring new knowledge to this field and may contribute to finding new solutions for these complex issues in the future.

The Upper Limits of Risk Ratios and Recommendations for Reporting Risk Ratios, Odds Ratios, and Rate Ratios.

Background Relative measures, including risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs), are reported in many epidemiological studies. RRs represent how many times a condition is likely to develop when exposed to a risk factor. The upper limit of RRs is the multiplicative inverse of the baseline incidence. Ignoring the upper limits of RRs can lead to reporting exaggerated relative effect sizes. Objectives This study aims to demonstrate the importance of such upper limits for effect size reporting via equations, examples, and simulations and provide recommendations for the reporting of relative measures. Methods Equations to calculate RRs and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were listed. We performed simulations with 10,000 simulated subjects and three population variables: proportions at risk (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8), baseline incidence (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8), and RRs (0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 25.0). Subjects were randomly assigned with a risk based on the set of proportions-at-risk values. A disease occurred based on the baseline incidence among those not at risk. The incidence of those at risk was the product of the baseline incidence and the RRs. The 95% CIs of RRs were calculated according to Altman. Results The calculation of RR 95% CIs is not connected to the RR upper limits in equations. The RRs in the simulated populations at risk could reach the upper limits of RRs: multiplicative inverse of the baseline incidence. The upper limits to the derived RRs were around 1.25, 2, 3.3, 10, and 20, when the assumed baseline incidence rates were 0.8, 0.5, 0.3, 0.2, and 0.05, respectively. We demonstrated five scenariosin which the RR 95% CIs might exceed the upper limits. Conclusions Statistical significance does not imply the RR 95% CIs not exceeding the upper limits of RRs. When reporting RRs or ORs, the RR upper limits should be assessed. The rate ratio is also subject to a similar upper limit. In the literature, ORs tend to overestimate effect sizes. It is recommended to correct ORs that aim to approximate RRs assuming outcomes are rare. A reporting guide for relative measures, RRs, ORs, and rate ratios, is provided. Researchers are recommended to report whether the 95% CIs of relative measures, RRs, ORs, and rate ratios, overlap with the range of upper limits and discuss whether the relative measure estimates may exceed the upper limits.

Influence of Organic Amendments Based on Garden Waste for Microbial Community Growth in Coastal Saline Soil

Garden waste compost (GWC) has been applied as an amendment to improve the desalination efficiency, nutrient availability and diversity of the microbial community in coastal saline soil. Understanding the response of the microbial community to garden waste compost application is of great significance in coastal ecological restoration. Four treatments were established: CK, nonamended control; T1, application of 68 kg·m−3 garden waste compost; T2, application of 15 kg·m−3 bentonite; and T3, a mixture of garden waste compost and bentonite. In addition, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzymes, microbial biomass carbon and the soil microbial community were measured. The results show that T3 had a more significant effect on increasing soil enzymes, as well as microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, urease, sucrase and dehydrogenase activities. Based on the relative abundance, microbial diversity and linear discriminant effect size (LEfSe) analyses, the amendments can be seen to have increased the microbial abundance and alpha diversity of the bacterial structure and also altered the microbial community structure. RDA and Pearson correlation analysis at the phylum level indicated that available nitrogen, total porosity, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and EC were the primary determinants of microbial communities associated with this amendment. In conclusion, the application of garden waste compost enables more microorganisms to participate in the soil material cycle, indicating that garden waste composting is beneficial to the restoration of coastal soils.

A number most convenient? The representational consequences of legislative size

This paper explores the political representational consequences of the size of democratic legislatures, which it makes the case for viewing as a feature of the electoral system. Focusing on descriptive representation, we argue that larger legislatures facilitate the descriptive representation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and that this effect should be stronger in majoritarian electoral systems. We find support for the hypothesis about the greater impact of legislative (assembly) size in majoritarian systems using a cross-national analysis of women's representation. We then employ a within-case empirical analysis of the descriptive representation of several racial and ethnic minorities and women in (majoritarian) U.S. state legislatures. Support for the hypothesis about the effects of relative legislative size (the ratio of seats to persons) is found for most minorities and women. More mixed but still somewhat supportive findings emerge about absolute legislative size (the raw number of seats).

Learning effectiveness of a flexible learning study programme in a blended learning design: why are some courses more effective than others?

Flexible learning addresses students’ needs for more flexibility and autonomy in shaping their learning process, and is often realised through online technologies in a blended learning design. While higher education institutions are increasingly considering replacing classroom time and offering more blended learning, current research is limited regarding its effectiveness and modifying design factors. This study analysed a flexible study programme with 133 courses in a blended learning design in different disciplines over more than 4 years with a mixed-methods approach. In the analysed flexible study programme, classroom instruction time was reduced by 51% and replaced with an online learning environment in a blended learning format (N students = 278). Student achievement was compared to the conventional study format (N students = 1068). The estimated summary effect size for the 133 blended learning courses analysed was close to, but not significantly different from, zero (d = − 0.0562, p = 0.3684). Although overall effectiveness was equivalent to the conventional study format, considerable variance in the effect sizes between the courses was observed. Based on the relative effect sizes of the courses and data from detailed analyses and surveys, heterogeneity can be explained by differences in the implementation quality of the educational design factors. Our results indicate that when implementing flexible study programmes in a blended learning design, particular attention should be paid to the following educational design principles: adequate course structure and guidance for students, activating learning tasks, stimulating interaction and social presence of teachers, and timely feedback on learning process and outcomes.

All I do is win, no matter what? What matters in gaining electoral support from televised debates

How much do the performances of top candidates in televised debates affect vote intentions in parliamentary democracies? The article addresses this question and disentangles the effects of predisposition and performance in televised debate reception. Drawing on a large-N field study of the 2017 chancellor duel in Germany, which contains survey and real-time response data for 5660 participants, we identify debate-induced determinants of shifts in voting intention and assess their relative effect sizes on such changes. Our analysis shows, first, that out-party identification is an effective barrier against shifts in voting intentions. However, we find that viewers’ real-time performance perceptions of the candidates show strong effects. Third, we demonstrate that these real-time evaluations can breach the predisposition’s barrier particularly when the intensity of out-party identification is less than very strong. Fourth, we find verdicts on the debate winner as an additional short-term factor that can foster shifts in voting intentions in the course of debate reception. Overall, our results indicate that pre-dispositions may hinder rational updating of electoral behaviour but that debate performance can actually make a difference by altering the formation of voting intentions.

Caring for Informal Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones Via the HOMeCARE Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program (HOMeCARE): A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a dyadic intervention of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for informal dementia caregivers and home-based balance and progressive resistance training (PRT) for their loved ones. Methods: The study was a two arm, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, parallel-group trial. Dyads were randomized to an intervention group: an 8-week MBSR course (daily) and an 8-week PRT and balance training (3 days/week) for their loved ones or a waiting list control group. Results: Nine dyads were randomized [caregivers: median age 75 (40-81) years, loved ones: 77 (73-88) years]. The intervention significantly improved caregiver mindfulness [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 1.35 (-0.10, 2.81); p = .009] and functional mobility in their loved ones [mean difference (95% confidence interval) 1.53 (-3.09, 6.14)] with no significant effects on caregiver burden [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 0.22 (-1.09, 1.54); p = .622]. Conclusion: The study appeared feasible in the home environment and future large and longer trials should test the efficacy of a more abbreviated MBSR intervention and to optimize adoption and sustain adherence over time. Trial registry name: HOMeCare: Caring for the Dementia Caregiver and their Loved One via the HOMeCare Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program Trial URL: https://www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr/trial/ACTRN12617000347369 Registration number: ACTRN12617000347369.

Awaken Immune Cells by Hapten Enhanced Intratumoral Chemotherapy with Penicillin Prolong Pancreatic Cancer Survival.

Intratumoral immunotherapy is well studied and is ongoing, but few studies have evaluated the relationship between of cytotoxic drugs intratumoral injection (CDI) and hapten-enhanced cytotoxic drugs intratumoral injection (HECDI) and patient survival. The objectives of this study include comparisons to explore possible associations between the proportions of treatment-induced cytokines and autologous antibodies to tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and the relative size of the abscopal effects concurring. CDIs contain oxidant and cytotoxic drugs, HECDIs contains the same drug plus penicillin as the new Hapten. Of the 33 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, 9 received CDI, 20 received HECDI, and 4 (control group) received placebo. Serum levels of cytokines and autoantibodies of TAAs were detected and compared after therapy. The 1-year survival rate was 11.11% for CDI and 52.63% for HECDI (P= 0.035). In the general analysis of cytokines, HECDI exhibited an increasing level of IFN-γ and IL-4, and the non-hapten CDI showed a rising level of IL-12 (P = 0.125, 0.607, & 0.04). Participants who did not receive chemotherapy had significant differences in the level of Zeta autoantibody only before and after HECDI; However, IMP1 levels in patients with previous chemotherapy experience were significantly different before and after HECDI and CDI treatment (P≤0.05, P = 0.316). After HECDI treatment, TAA autoantibodies of RalA, Zeta, HCC1, p16 increased (P = 0.429, 0.416, 0.042, 0.112). The elevated levels of CXCL8, IFN-γ, HCC1, RalA, Zeta, and p16 observed in HECDI may be attributed to the abscopal effect (P = 0.012 & 0.013). Overall survival rates indicated that HECDI treatment extended participants' lives.

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets Relative Size and Polyethylene Chain Length on the Enhancement of Thermal Conductivity of Their Composite

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets Relative Size and Polyethylene Chain Length on the Enhancement of Thermal Conductivity of Their Composite

Comparative Efficacy of Different Classes of Antiemetic Medications for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Cesarean Section: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Antiemetic medications have been associated with the prevention of nausea and vomiting in cesarean section, although less is known about the comparative efficacy of different medication classes. We conducted a systematic review with network meta-analyses to compare and rank antiemetic medication classes (5-HT3 receptor antagonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, corticosteroids, antihistamines, anticholinergic agents, sedatives, and opioid antagonists or partial agonists) in terms of preventing intra- and postoperative nausea and vomiting among patients undergoing cesarean section. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated any antiemetic medication classes' treatment for target outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted with a frequentist approach using the R netmeta package. A total of 58 trials were included (6,665 women undergoing cesarean section; mean age, 28.1 years). Results: Compared with placebo, all interventions reduced the odds of intraoperative nausea (except antihistamines), intraoperative vomiting (except antihistamines), postoperative nausea (except anticholinergic agents and opioid antagonists), and postoperative vomiting (except opioid antagonists). In terms of intraoperative nausea and both intra- and postoperative vomiting, sedatives ranked first among other medication classes. The relative effect sizes for various classes of antiemetic medication in preventing nausea and vomiting in the cesarean section were modeled using the principles of network meta-analysis which may facilitate informed clinical decision-making.

Absolute and relative size effects within nonlocal strain gradient elastic beam models, II

Absolute and relative size effects within nonlocal strain gradient elastic beam models, II