Sample Size Research Articles

Perceived Age Discrimination has Different Effects on Japanese People's Wellbeing Based on Age Groups.

This study elucidates the direct and indirect effects of perceived age discrimination on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among young, middle-aged, and older adults-through the mediator variables of psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. Data were collected through a web-based survey conducted in Japan. The total sample size was 2400: 400 men and women in each of the age groups 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 to 79. Our findings indicate that perceived age discrimination is linked depressive symptoms, even among young adults, who report more age discrimination than older adults. Its effect on life satisfaction, however, is stronger among older adults. Across age groups, most of its effect on life satisfaction was explained by both psychosocial resources and aging stereotypes. By contrast, its effect on depressive symptoms did not differ significantly by age group, and was partly explained by the mediators. These differing results may be attributable to selection bias in the web survey.

Radiological assessment of Sella Turcica morphology correlates with skeletal classes in an Austrian population: an observational study.

This study aimed to analyze variations in the sella turcica (ST) concerning its size, shape, and bridging, providing first reference values in Austrian individuals. Additionally, it assessed associations between these morphological and demographic parameters and their correlation with patients' skeletal class. 208 lateral cephalometric radiographs (154 female, 54 male; age 8-58 years) from DPU Dental Clinic (Austria) were included. Size, skeletal class, shape, age, and gender of ST were tested for significance in correlation using, (M)ANOVA, and chi-square. Linear dimensions of ST ranged from 11.1 to 12.9mm across readers, with a standard deviation of 2.0-2.2mm. Normal ST (49.76%) and round ST (58.77%) were the most frequent. ST bridging was detected in 6.97%. Skeletal class I appeared most frequently (54.8%). Statistical significance was observed between age, gender, and ST length, with further significant age effects on ST shape. Moreover, age showed significant modification of ST shape, while skeletal parameters appeared unaffected by other ST parameters. These preliminary findings define normal ST dimensions in an Austrian population, offering reference values for clinical interpretation and broadening the available European data. Clear associations between morphological and demographic parameters were detected. Additionally, these findings may contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in orthodontics and craniofacial pathology. Future studies employing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) along a larger sample size could enhance the generalizability of these findings.

The nonlineard association between triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and long-term heart disease risk: findings from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. CVD has high morbidity and mortality in China, with 5.09million CVD deaths in 2019 and a mortality rate of 364.5 cases per 100,000 people. Existing studies have focused on specific populations and lack studies on the general population. This study used data from the China Health and Aged Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) to analyse the middle-aged and elderly population between 2011 and 2020. The exposure variable was TG/HDL-C ratio, the outcome variable was the occurrence of heart disease (including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, etc.), and the covariates included age, gender, education level, and body mass index. The final sample size was 4,551 participants. Weighted Cox regression models were used to assess the association between TG/HDL-C and CVD risk, and nonlinear associations and stratified analyses were performed. The results demonstrated a significant association between TG/HDL-C ratios and cardiac morbidity, with a risk ratio of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.71-0.71) in the adjusted model II. Nonlinear analysis revealed a threshold effect. Within the TG/HDL-C 0.15-1.5 interval (inflection point LnTG/HDL-C 0.41), each 1-unit increase in Ln (TG/HDL-C) was associated with a 17% reduction in the risk. The inflection point was associated with a 0.83-fold reduction in the risk of CVD (95% CI: 0.75, 0.92; p = 0.0003), but beyond this point, the association was no longer significant (1.00-fold reduction in risk; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.05; p = 0.9701). In contrast, stratified analyses demonstrated that the results were more applicable to women and those younger than 65 years. In summary, the study found a significant inverse relationship between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population, with a nonlinear threshold effect observed at a TG/HDL-C ratio of around 1.5.

Frontal Horn of Lateral Ventricle of Brain and Its Relation with Age, Gender and Side: Morphometric Study by Computed Tomography among Bangladeshi Population

Background: Knowledge of the baseline reference value of frontal horn size is necessary for the initial and precise analysis of ventriculomegaly. The purpose of this study was to determine the size of frontal horn of lateral ventricle and its relation with age, gender and side among adult Bangladeshi population of Chattogram district. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during the period from July 2022 to June 2023 in the Department of Anatomy, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, upon 150 respondents of 20-60 years who had normal Computed Tomography (CT) scans as reported by an expert radiologist. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and ANOVA test were done. p-value was considered significant if it was <0.05 at 95% level of confidence. Results: The mean right and left frontal horn length was 25.50 (±3.95) mm and 25.28 (±4.04) mm respectively. The length of the frontal horn of both right and left sided lateral ventricle were significantly higher in male than that of female (p<0.01). Spearman's correlation coefficient indicated positive linear correlation of length of frontal horn (Right and left side) with age, insignificant in right side (p=0.061) but significant in left side (p=0.046). Conclusion: Morphometric analysis of the frontal horn of the lateral ventricles among the Bangladeshi population produced a number of significant results that may help with the early diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases that are particular to gender and age. These findings can be validated and expanded upon in future research using bigger sample sizes and cutting-edge imaging methods. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 54-59

Predicting steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head: role of lipid metabolism biomarkers and radiomics in young and middle-aged adults.

Femoral head necrosis is a common orthopedic disease that results in significant physical disability in patients. Early prediction and diagnosis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) are crucial for the prevention and treatment of this condition. In this study, initial CT images and clinical data of patients with SONFH, admitted from January 2019 to December 2022, were collected. Patients were grouped as follows: (1) those diagnosed with SONFH at the initial diagnosis (control group), and (2) those with high-risk factors but no symptoms at first diagnosis, who developed SONFH two years later (experimental group). CT imaging histological features, clinical characteristics, and transcriptome screening for differentially expressed genes, pathway enrichment, and immune infiltration analyses were performed. Significant differences were found in triglyceride (TG) levels between the training and validation groups. Age, sex, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and hemoglobin levels differed between the training and internal validation groups, while HDL and red blood cell counts varied between the training and external validation groups. Univariate analysis showed that age, TG, HDL, and Radiomics scores influenced SONFH, while multivariate analysis revealed TG, HDL, and Radiomics scores were closely related to SONFH. Transcriptomic analysis showed associations with sphingolipid and adipocyte signaling pathways, along with immune cell involvement, linking SONFH to lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. These findings indicate a significant association between steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and age, with TG and HDL serving as indicators of lipid metabolism closely correlated with the occurrence of SONFH. Radiomics scores were also found to correlate with SONFH occurrence, supported by transcriptomic and CT imaging findings. However, this study has limitations, including its retrospective design and a relatively limited sample size, which may impact the generalizability of the results. Further prospective studies with larger, more diverse populations are needed to validate and enhance the predictive model.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review.

The global COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with 13.53billion doses administered by early 2024, has significantly reduced severe illness and mortality. However, potential adverse effects, such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), have raised concerns. This systematic review evaluates the incidence, mechanisms, and clinical implications of POTS following COVID-19 vaccination. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted up to June 7, 2024, following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies related to COVID-19 vaccines and POTS. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, case series, and case reports. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklists and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Of the 1,531 articles identified, 10 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 284,678 participants. These studies included five case reports, two case series, one cross-sectional study, one prospective observational study, and one cohort study. The cohort study reported that the odds of new POTS diagnoses post-vaccination were 1.33 (95% CI: 1.25-1.41) compared to the 90 days prior. In contrast, the post-infection odds were 2.11 (95% CI: 1.70-2.63), and the risk of POTS was 5.35 times higher (95% CI: 5.05-5.68) post-infection compared to post-vaccination. Diagnostic findings across studies included elevated norepinephrine levels and reduced heart rate variability. Reported management strategies involved ivabradine, intravenous therapies, and lifestyle modifications. The risk of POTS following COVID-19 vaccination is lower than that observed post-SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, existing studies are limited by small sample sizes and methodological variability. Further research is needed to clarify the incidence, mechanisms, and long-term outcomes of vaccine-related POTS to inform effective clinical management strategies.

Assessing corporate climate action: Corporate climate policies and company-level emission reductions

Private investment decisions are expected to play a decisive role in redirecting capital flows in line with the Paris Agreement. The financial sector and policymakers have emphasized the role of corporate climate action and climate-related disclosure, including backward-looking emissions figures and forward-looking information on corporate climate policies to enable investors to reallocate capital to firms with promising emission reduction pathways. However, there is at best inconclusive evidence on the relationship between corporate climate policies and subsequent company-level emission reductions. Previous research was limited by small sample sizes and short observation periods, impeding the analysis of time-lagged effects or the inclusion of company-level fixed effects. To overcome these shortcomings, we draw on a new dataset with 17,198 observations from 1,749 companies that disclosed their corporate climate policies between 2010 and 2022. While our results show only a weak link between individual policies and company-level emissions, we find some evidence for an improved climate performance for absolute emissions for companies that introduced a comprehensive corporate climate policy mix. This is in line with public policy research that has found comprehensiveness to be an important dimension for public policy mixes and emphasizes the role of a mix of corporate climate policies rather than relying on individual measures.

Geessbin: an R package for analyzing small-sample binary data using modified generalized estimating equations with bias-adjusted covariance estimators.

The generalized estimating equation (GEE) method is widely used for analyzing longitudinal and clustered data. Although the GEE estimate for regression coefficients and sandwich covariance estimate are consistent regardless of the choice of covariance structure, they are generally biased for small sample sizes. Various researchers have proposed modified GEE methods and covariance estimators to handle small-sample bias. We briefly present bias-corrected and penalized GEE methods, along with 11 bias-adjusted covariance estimators. In addition, we focus on analyzing longitudinal or clustered data with binary outcomes using the logit link function and introduce package geessbin in R to implement conventional and modified GEE methods with bias-adjusted covariance estimators. Finally, we illustrate the implementation and detail a usage example of the package. The package is available from the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/geessbin/index.html . The geessbin package provides three GEE estimates with numerous covariance estimates. It is useful for analyzing correlated data such as longitudinal and clustered data. Additionally, the geessbin is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to non-statisticians.

BN SO10 - Virtual Reality in Acute Pain Management of Adult Surgical Patients: Literature Review

Abstract Background Pain is an unavoidable side effect of medical procedures. British Pain Society (BPS) reports almost 10 million people in UK suffer from pain everyday. BPS reported an estimated €5 million per year is spent on managing back pain alone. Pharmaceutical pain management is costly and can cause side effects. Virtual Reality (VR) is a novel technology used to alleviate pain. We performed a literature review to assess the current advances in the pain management using VR. Method A literature search was done on the use of VR for pain management across 4 databases (Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cinahl) using key words virtual reality, acute pain, adult, surgery. 144 non-duplicated studies were found. 66 studies were excluded: 41 were non-acute pain related, 16 involved chronic pain, 9 involved paediatric population. 78 studies with the total number of 1514 patients (n=1514) were included. All studies used VR to relieve acute pain symptoms experienced while undergoing a procedure. The data included sample size, gender, age, specialty, VR type, pain scale, pain score before and after, interventions, key findings and limitation. Results VR was tested to control pain in general surgery, plastics, obstetrics and gynaecology, cardiothoracics, orthopaedics, urology, and dentistry. In benign UGI surgery, including fundoplication, paraesophageal hernia repair, esophageal myotomy, and pyloroplasty requiring an overnight stay, the use of VR reduced pain, anxiety and nausea. Overall, no adverse outcomes were reported. No difference in nausea and dizziness between VR and control groups was observed. Active software has been shown to be superior to the passive one. Complete immersion with visual and audio stimulation replaced by VR environment is important. The results were similar in different age groups. Conclusion There is a good body of evidence to support the use of VR in pain management in clinical practice. It acts as a good distraction tool. The use of VR was demonstrated to be beneficial in reducing postoperative pain in benign UGI surgery. However, the main areas of application would be in short procedures where it not only delivers better pain management but also increases patient satisfaction and decreases the need for pharmaceutical analgesia, thus bringing down the overall cost.

Clinicopathologic, Proteomic and Outcome Characteristics of Renal Apolipoprotein C-II Amyloidosis: A Case Series.

Amyloidosis derived from apolipoprotein C-II (AApoCII) is a recently discovered, rare form of amyloidosis. Data on clinical presentations and natural history are very limited. This study defines the clinicopathologic, proteomic and outcome characteristics of renal AApoCII. Case series. Twenty-five renal AApoCII cases were identified from the Mayo Clinic Tissue Proteomics Laboratory archives from January 2008 through January 2024. All patients were White, 19 were ≥65 years old at diagnosis, and 18 were female. Seven had a family history of CKD. Patients presented with proteinuria (median 3.3 g/day) and reduced kidney function (n=16, median creatinine 1.6 mg/dl). No patient had clinical evidence of other organ involvement by amyloidosis or features of monogenic hypertriglyceridemia. Histologically, amyloid deposits were often weakly positive for Congo red and involved glomeruli in all cases (with a nodular pattern in 22), whereas extraglomerular involvement was less common and generally mild. Proteomic analysis revealed abundant spectra for Apo C-II and for all 3 amyloid signature proteins (Apo E, Apo A-IV and SAP) in all cases, and detected an Apo C-II variant in 14 (K19T [p.Lys41Thr] in 12 and E47V [p.Glu69Val] in 2). Among 22 patients with follow-up available, there were 12 ESKD events and 2 deaths without ESKD during an average (SE) follow up of 75.5 (12.5) months. Retrospective design, small sample size, APOC2 gene sequencing performed in a smaller subset. AApoCII mostly affects the kidney, and manifests in the elderly with proteinuria and CKD. A minority of these patients had a family history of kidney disease. Kidney failure occurred in about half, whereas overall survival was more favorable.

OGC SO11 - Impact Evaluation of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection in the Foregut in a Tertiary Centre in the United Kingdom (UK)

Abstract Background Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has emerged as a crucial technique for managing early-stage lesions in the oesophagus and stomach, encompassing precancerous and cancerous conditions.1 With fewer complications and excellent 5-year survival rates, EMR has shown potential as a less-invasive alternative to surgical resections.1 EMR achieves higher accuracy with its ability to obtain more profound and better quality tissue samples compared to conventional biopsies, which facilitates multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions regarding treatment decisions.1 This study aims to evaluate the impact of EMR performed in an Oesophago-Gastric Cancer tertiary centre in the UK. Method This is a retrospective service evaluation of patients who underwent EMR from March 2021 to March 2024. A sample size of 73 EM (n=73) is identified. Data were collected from medical and endoscopic records, which includes patient’s demographics, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade, EMR indication, histology report and MDT outcome. EMRs performed were categorised into oesophageal, gastric and duodenal. Three main referral indications were identified; ‘polyp’, ‘dysplastic nodule in Barrett’s oesophagus’ and ‘possible early malignancy’. MDT outcomes were analysed thematically. Results Of the seventy-three patients identified, 78% is male and mean age at 71 years. Most patients (81%) are classified as ASA Grade 2. Polyp is identified in 37 patients (51%), making up the most common referral indication. 49% of the EMR were gastric, with remaining being oesophageal (41%) and duodenal (11%). 26% of histology results showed benign disease, 40% dysplastic disease, and 34% malignant. From histology reports, 47% of the EMRs achieved complete clearance margins. 28 patients (38%) were discharged with no further interventions and 12 patients (16%) received repeat EMR. 4 main themes were identified from MDT outcomes, with 43.8% patients needing surveillance endoscopy, 16.7% patients recommended for surgical intervention and repeated EMR each. Conclusion EMR has shown to be effective as a reference for further treatment decisions, especially for MDT discussions. It has been proven that EMR can be therapeutic in providing complete resection, particularly for benign and early dysplastic diseases.

The PERMIT guidelines for designing and implementing all stages of personalised medicine research.

Personalised medicine (PM) research programmes represent the modern paradigm of complex cross-disciplinary research, integrating innovative methodologies and technologies. Methodological research is required to ensure that these programmes generate robust and reproducible evidence. The PERMIT project developed methodological recommendations for each stage of the PM research pipeline. A common methodology was applied to develop the recommendations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Each stage was addressed by a dedicated working group, specializing in the subject matter. A series of scoping reviews that mapped the methods used in PM research and a gap analysis were followed by working sessions and workshops where field experts analyzed the gaps and developed recommendations. Through collaborative writing and consensus building exercises, the final recommendations were defined. They provide guidance for the design, implementation and evaluation of PM research, from patient and omics data collection and sample size calculation to the selection of the most appropriate stratification approach, including machine learning modeling, the development and application of reliable preclinical models, and the selection and implementation of the most appropriate clinical trial design. The dissemination and implementation of these recommendations by all stakeholders can improve the quality of PM research, enhance the robustness of evidence, and improve patient care.

OGC O02 - Measurement of functional, psychosocial, and quality of life impacts of Robotic versus Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy

Abstract Background Since the introduction of Robotic-Assisted Minimally-Invasive Oesophago-gastrectomy (RAMIO), comparisons to other surgical approaches have focussed primarily on peri-operative and oncological outcomes. Few studies have focused on quality-of-life measures once the patient has been discharged home. We sought to compare physical, psychosocial, sleep, pain and employment related measures at six weeks following discharge in patients undergoing RAMIO versus Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy. Method We performed a prospective cohort study comparing RAMIO and Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy. Twenty-five consecutive patients on a curative surgical pathway were recruited to each group. Participants were contacted via telephone pre-operatively and six weeks post-operatively. Parameters studied were: physical activity, social activity, sleep, pain control, and employment. Psychological wellbeing was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires C30 (all cancer patients) and OG25 (patients undergoing oesophago-gastric cancer treatment). Results were analysed using Chi Square and Mann-Whitney-U statistical tests. Results There were no differences in age, ASA, or anaerobic threshold between study groups. At six weeks the RAMIO group was more likely than Hybrid to have returned to pre-operative physical and social activity (physical 7/25 vs. 1/25, p=0.04, social 13/25 vs. 5/25, p=0.03). The RAMIO group stopped regular analgesia earlier, and required fewer opiates. Patients were more likely to return to work in the RAMIO group (7/15 vs. 1/12,p=0.04). The RAMIO group had fewer cases of depression (2 vs. 9, p=0.03), lower QLQ C30 and OG25 scores, and reported higher overall health and quality of life scores (p=0.001). Conclusion We have demonstrated an improvement in physical and social activity, a faster return to work, a reduction in analgesia requirements, lower rates of depression and improved health and quality of life, six weeks post-operatively when comparing RAMIO to hybrid oesophago-gastrectomy. This study has highlighted additional considerations for the selection of surgical modality in oesophago-gastrectomy beyond peri-operative outcomes. Further investigation across a larger sample size and longer time frame to quantify the full spectrum of potential benefits of robotic oesophago-gastric surgery is warranted.

Integrating 3D-printed customized guides with hemicorticotomy bone transport: clinical outcomes in chronic osteomyelitis management.

Chronic osteomyelitis with large bone defects remains a challenging condition in orthopedic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hemicorticotomy bone transport assisted by 3D-printed customized guides in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with chronic osteomyelitis treated with hemicorticotomy bone transport with 3D-printed guide assistance between January 2015 and January 2021. Preoperative planning utilized 3D CT reconstruction for precise guide design and osteotomy placement. The surgical technique involved hemicorticotomy, placement of the 3D-printed guide, and gradual bone transport using a monolateral external fixator. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) scoring system. The external fixation time (EFT), external fixation index (EFI), and complications evaluated using the Paley classification were recorded. The mean bone defect size was 7.9 ± 2.0cm. The average follow-up period was 28.6 ± 6.4 months. The mean external fixation time was 289.4 ± 52.7 days, with an external fixation index of 36.8 ± 4.2 days/cm. According to the ASAMI criteria, the bone results were excellent in 17 patients (81%), good in 3 (14%), and fair in 1 (5%). The functional results were excellent in 15 patients (71%), good in 4 (19%), and fair in 2 (10%). Complete eradication of the infection and union at the docking site were achieved in all patients. The complication rate was 38% and all of which were successfully managed. Hemicorticotomy bone transport assisted by 3D-printed customized guides is an effective treatment for chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects. This technique offers excellent bone healing, favorable functional results, and a relatively low complication rate. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings.

The heart can lie: a preliminary investigation of the role of interoception and theory of mind in deception

Abstract While a large part of the deception literature focuses on lying detection, the factors contributing to one’s ability to lie remain unclear. The present study examined the contribution of Theory of Mind (ToM) and interoception on our ability to lie using a directed lie paradigm with two conditions (“Interrogation” and “Polygraph”), designed to enhance each of the two mechanisms. Given the relatively small sample size (n = 26 × 40 trials), special steps were taken to avoid false positives. Our results suggest that various facets of interoceptive abilities are positively related to the self-rated confidence in one’s own lies, especially when under the belief that bodily signals are being monitored (i.e., in the “Polygraph” condition). Beyond providing evidence for the role of the body in lying and raising interesting questions for deception science, these results carry practical implications for criminology and lie detection protocols.

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-mediated fibroblast activation has a role in tumor microenvironment formation in radiation carcinogenesis.

Cancer risks attributable to low-dose and low-dose-rate radiation are a serious concern for public health. Radiation risk assessment is based on lifespan studies among Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-bomb survivors; however, there are statistical limitations due to a small sample size for low-dose radiation. Therefore, basic biological studies are helpful in understanding the mechanism of radiation carcinogenesis. The detrimental effects of ionising radiation (IR) are caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative DNA damage. IR-induced delayed ROS are produced in the electron transport chain reaction of the mitochondrial complex. Thus, mitochondria are a source of ROS and a primary target for ROS attacks. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be a key event in the metabolic changes of cancer cells and is important in radiation-induced carcinogenesis. In this paper, we present recent findings on radiation carcinogenesis effect assessment, focusing on mitochondrial function as stress sensors.

Health State Prediction of Lithium-Ion Battery Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm and Support Vector Regression

The state of health (SOH) prediction of lithium-ion batteries is a pivotal function within the battery management system (BMS), and achieving accurate SOH predictions is crucial for ensuring system safety and prolonging battery lifespan. To enhance prediction performance, this paper introduces an SOH prediction model based on an improved sparrow algorithm and support vector regression (ISSA-SVR). The model uses nonlinear weight reduction (NWDM) to enhance the search capability of the Sparrow algorithm and combines a mixed mutation strategy to reduce the risk of local optimal traps. Then, by analyzing the characteristics of different voltage ranges, the charging time from 3.8 V to 4.1 V, the discharge time of the battery, and the number of cycles are selected as the feature set of the model. The model’s prediction capabilities are validated across various working environments and training sample sizes, and its performance is benchmarked against other algorithms. Experimental findings indicate that the proposed model not only confines SOH prediction errors to within 1.5% but also demonstrates robust adaptability and widespread applicability.

Extending Cochran’s Sample Size Rule to Stratified Simple Random Sampling with Applications to Audit Sampling

Audit samples are selected by businesses, institutions, government agencies, and other organizations to check the accuracy of financial reports and assess the quality of services provided among other reasons. A standard design used in auditing is stratified simple random sampling. Point estimates and confidence intervals for population values are usual products of an audit. Cochran’s sample size rule and its extension by Sugden, Smith, and Jones provided minimum sample size formulas for a simple random sample to ensure effective normal approximation and adequate coverage for nominal 95% confidence intervals of a standardized or Studentized sample mean. The purpose of this paper is to extend Cochran’s rule and establish a formula for the minimum sample size for the normal approximation and the use of traditional one-sided or two-sided confidence intervals to be acceptable for mean estimation in stratified simple random samples. We concentrate on variables that are at least partially continuous. Simulations are used to examine the performance of our sample size formula with a variety of skewed populations based on ones encountered in auditing.

Influence of Corporate Culture on the Implementation of Change Initiatives in Kirinyaga County Government, Kenya

This research aimed to examine influence of corporate culture on the implementation of change initiatives in Kirinyaga County Government, Kenya. The investigation used the Kanter Theory of Change Management and Resource-Based Theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey methodology and specifically targeted a cohort of 213 individuals who were engaged in the administrative sector of Kirinyaga County. The sample size was obtained by the use of stratified random sampling, and the appropriate sample size was computed using the Yamane formula. Therefore, the study sample size was 139 respondents The investigating methods used questionnaire. The data were collected by use of questionnaires and examined using version 26.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The descriptive statistical analysis included the computation of percentages, frequencies, measures of central tendency, and measures of dispersion. The research used inferential statistical analysis, namely correlation and multiple regressions, to ascertain the magnitude and orientation of the relationship between the variables under investigation. The analysis was performed with a 95% confidence level. The findings demonstrated a robust and statistically significant correlation between the corporate culture and the implementation of change initiatives in the Kirinyaga County Government, Kenya. R-Squared is a statistical metric that estimates the proportion of variability in the dependent variable that can be explained by the independent variables. The study revealed that the R-squared value was 0.572, suggesting that the corporate culture, can explain 57.2% of the variability in the implementation of change initiatives in the Kirinyaga County Government, Kenya. The study highlights the need of fostering a more inclusive decision-making process by increasing engagement at lower levels of hierarchy within the firm. The research recommends that county officials should prioritize and improve communication by consistently and transparently explaining the reasons for change initiatives to all employees. The paper proposes conducting a comparative research to examine the effects of different leadership styles and change management tactics used in the county administration.

Enhancing Bias Assessment for Complex Term Groups in Language Embedding Models: Quantitative Comparison of Methods.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being adopted to build products and aid in the decision-making process across industries. However, AI systems have been shown to exhibit and even amplify biases, causing a growing concern among people worldwide. Thus, investigating methods of measuring and mitigating bias within these AI-powered tools is necessary. In natural language processing applications, the word embedding association test (WEAT) is a popular method of measuring bias in input embeddings, a common area of measure bias in AI. However, certain limitations of the WEAT have been identified (ie, their nonrobust measure of bias and their reliance on predefined and limited groups of words or sentences), which may lead to inadequate measurements and evaluations of bias. Thus, this study takes a new approach at modifying this popular measure of bias, with a focus on making it more robust and applicable in other domains. In this study, we introduce the SD-WEAT, which is a modified version of the WEAT that uses the SD of multiple permutations of the WEATs to calculate bias in input embeddings. With the SD-WEAT, we evaluated the biases and stability of several language embedding models, including Global Vectors for Word Representation (GloVe), Word2Vec, and bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT). This method produces results comparable to those of the WEAT, with strong correlations between the methods' bias scores or effect sizes (r=0.786) and P values (r=0.776), while addressing some of its largest limitations. More specifically, the SD-WEAT is more accessible, as it removes the need to predefine attribute groups, and because the SD-WEAT measures bias over multiple runs rather than one, it reduces the impact of outliers and sample size. Furthermore, the SD-WEAT was found to be more consistent and reliable than its predecessor. Thus, the SD-WEAT shows promise for robustly measuring bias in the input embeddings fed to AI language models.