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Non-adaptive geostatistical designs (NAGD) offer standard ways of collecting and analysing geostatistical data in which sampling locations are fixed in advance of any data collection. In contrast, adaptive geostatistical designs (AGD) allow collection of exposure and outcome data over time to depend on information obtained from previous information to optimise data collection towards the analysis objective. AGDs are becoming more important in spatial mapping, particularly in poor resource settings where uniformly precise mapping may be unrealistically costly and priority is often to identify critical areas where interventions can have the most health impact. Two constructions are: $singleton$ and $batch$ adaptive sampling. In singleton sampling, locations $x_i$ are chosen sequentially and at each stage, $x_{k+1}$ depends on data obtained at locations $x_1,\ldots , x_k$. In batch sampling, locations are chosen in batches of size $b > 1$, allowing new batch, $\{x_{(k+1)},\ldots ,x_{(k+b)}\}$, to depend on data obtained at locations $x_1,\ldots, x_{kb}$. In most settings, batch sampling is more realistic than singleton sampling. We propose specific batch AGDs and assess their efficiency relative to their singleton adaptive and non-adaptive counterparts by using simulations. We show how we apply these findings to inform an AGD of a rolling Malaria Indicator Survey, part of a large-scale, five-year malaria transmission reduction project in Malawi.

Non-adaptive geostatistical designs (NAGD) offer standard ways of collecting and analysing geostatistical data in which sampling locations are fixed in advance of any data collection. In contrast, adaptive geostatistical designs (AGD) allow collection of exposure and outcome data over time to depend on information obtained from previous information to optimise data collection towards the analysis objective. AGDs are becoming more important in spatial mapping, particularly in poor resource settings where uniformly precise mapping may be unrealistically costly and priority is often to identify critical areas where interventions can have the most health impact. Two constructions are: $singleton$ and $batch$ adaptive sampling. In singleton sampling, locations $x_i$ are chosen sequentially and at each stage, $x_{k+1}$ depends on data obtained at locations $x_1,\ldots , x_k$. In batch sampling, locations are chosen in batches of size $b > 1$, allowing new batch, $\{x_{(k+1)},\ldots ,x_{(k+b)}\}$, to depend on data obtained at locations $x_1,\ldots, x_{kb}$. In most settings, batch sampling is more realistic than singleton sampling. We propose specific batch AGDs and assess their efficiency relative to their singleton adaptive and non-adaptive counterparts by using simulations. We show how we apply these findings to inform an AGD of a rolling Malaria Indicator Survey, part of a large-scale, five-year malaria transmission reduction project in Malawi.

his study presents a novel technique to estimate the computational complexity of sequential decoding using the Berry-Esseen theorem. Unlike the theoretical bounds determined by the conventional central limit theorem argument, which often holds only for sufficiently large codeword length, the new bound obtained from the Berry-Esseen theorem is valid for any blocklength. The accuracy of the new bound is then examined for two sequential decoding algorithms, an ordering-free variant of the generalized Dijkstra's algorithm (GDA)(or simplified GDA) and the maximum-likelihood sequential decoding algorithm (MLSDA). Empirically investigating codes of small blocklength reveals that the theoretical upper bound for the simplified GDA almost matches the simulation results as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per information bit ($\gamma_b$) is greater than or equal to 8 dB. However, the theoretical bound may become markedly higher than the simulated average complexity when $\gamma_b$ is small. For the MLSDA, the theoretical upper bound is quite close to the simulation results for both high SNR ($\gamma_b\geq 6$ dB) and low SNR ($\gamma_b\leq 2$ dB). Even for moderate SNR, the simulation results and the theoretical bound differ by at most \makeblue{0.8} on a $\log_{10}$ scale.

his study presents a novel technique to estimate the computational complexity of sequential decoding using the Berry-Esseen theorem. Unlike the theoretical bounds determined by the conventional central limit theorem argument, which often holds only for sufficiently large codeword length, the new bound obtained from the Berry-Esseen theorem is valid for any blocklength. The accuracy of the new bound is then examined for two sequential decoding algorithms, an ordering-free variant of the generalized Dijkstra's algorithm (GDA)(or simplified GDA) and the maximum-likelihood sequential decoding algorithm (MLSDA). Empirically investigating codes of small blocklength reveals that the theoretical upper bound for the simplified GDA almost matches the simulation results as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per information bit ($\gamma_b$) is greater than or equal to 8 dB. However, the theoretical bound may become markedly higher than the simulated average complexity when $\gamma_b$ is small. For the MLSDA, the theoretical upper bound is quite close to the simulation results for both high SNR ($\gamma_b\geq 6$ dB) and low SNR ($\gamma_b\leq 2$ dB). Even for moderate SNR, the simulation results and the theoretical bound differ by at most \makeblue{0.8} on a $\log_{10}$ scale.

Aim: The aim of the present nested case- control study was to compare the results and mortality rates of patients with consecutive bilateral hip fractures with those of patients with unilateral hip fractures selected from patients with similar characteristics. Material and Methods: Patients diagnosed with acute hip fracture, age >65 years, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up (for surviving patients), low-energy fractures, and available demographics and medical records were included in this study. A total of 46 patients with consecutive hip fractures who met the evaluation criteria for the study were included (Group 1). A control group of 138 patients was selected based on their age, sex and type of fractures (Group 2). Demographic data, comorbidities and mortality rates were compared between the two groups. Results: When comparing 2 groups in terms of age, gender distribution, ASA score, time to surgery, length of hospitalization stay, and time from fracture to surgery, no statistically significant difference was noted (p>0.05). No significant differences were noted between the groups in terms of fracture type and treatment modality (p>0.05). There was an obvious relationship between the bilateral hip fracture and a lower Singh Index (SI) (grade ≤3) (p<0.001). Neurological diseases rate was 30.4% (n=14) in Group 1 and 15.2% (n=21) in Group 2. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (p=0.023). No difference was noted in the 1-year death rates between the groups (p=0.059). Discussion: In our nested case- control study, an increased risk of secondary hip fracture was associated with lower SI and neurological diseases.

Aim: The aim of the present nested case- control study was to compare the results and mortality rates of patients with consecutive bilateral hip fractures with those of patients with unilateral hip fractures selected from patients with similar characteristics. Material and Methods: Patients diagnosed with acute hip fracture, age >65 years, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up (for surviving patients), low-energy fractures, and available demographics and medical records were included in this study. A total of 46 patients with consecutive hip fractures who met the evaluation criteria for the study were included (Group 1). A control group of 138 patients was selected based on their age, sex and type of fractures (Group 2). Demographic data, comorbidities and mortality rates were compared between the two groups. Results: When comparing 2 groups in terms of age, gender distribution, ASA score, time to surgery, length of hospitalization stay, and time from fracture to surgery, no statistically significant difference was noted (p>0.05). No significant differences were noted between the groups in terms of fracture type and treatment modality (p>0.05). There was an obvious relationship between the bilateral hip fracture and a lower Singh Index (SI) (grade ≤3) (p<0.001). Neurological diseases rate was 30.4% (n=14) in Group 1 and 15.2% (n=21) in Group 2. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (p=0.023). No difference was noted in the 1-year death rates between the groups (p=0.059). Discussion: In our nested case- control study, an increased risk of secondary hip fracture was associated with lower SI and neurological diseases.

From the bitsavers.org collection, a scanned-in computer-related document. autonetics :: recomp :: software :: Recomp Users Library :: 1090 Sequential Analysis Program Jun61

Protocol The efficacy and safety of ramelteon for delirium prevention: s systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis Protocol registered by Chih-Sung Liang [email protected] Background Delirium is a common and serious acute neuropsychiatric syndrome with core features of inattention and global cognitive dysfunction. The etiologies of delirium are diverse and multifactorial and often reflect the pathophysiological consequences of an acute medical illness, medical complication, or drug intoxication. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that exerts multiple biological effects, mainly in regulating diurnal rhythms and in inflammatory process and immune responses. Melatonin is a pineal gland hormone which has hypnotic and anti-inflammatory effect. Melatonin modulates the circadian rhythms, sleep, and neurotransmitters, all of which are thought to be related to delirium. A recent meta-analysis has reported that melatonin/ramelteon significantly reduced delirium incidence (RR 0⋅61, 95% CI 0⋅42–0⋅89, p 0⋅009) with risk reduction of 49% in surgical patients and 34% in ICU patients. A recent study specifically examined the effect of melatonin (excluding ramelteon) using meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. This study concluded that there was no reliable evidence to support the use of melatonin in the prevention of delirium of hospitalised patients. Aim To date, no study specifically examined the efficacy and safety of ramelteon on delirium prevention using systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. The aim of the current study was to synthesize all of the data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy of ramelteon in preventing emergence delirium. Methods Search strategy The MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, Clinical trials.gov, and World Health Organization (ICTRP) will be systematically searched to identify RCTs testing the efficacy of ramelteon in delirium prevention without language restriction. The specific search terms are to be determined and will be adapted to each database. We will also search reference lists of the relevant reviews. PICO The PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) settings of the current meta-analysis are: P: Hospitalized patients. I: Ramelteon C: Placebo or active control O: Delirium Inclusion and exclusion criteria The inclusion criteria will be: (1) RCTs and (2) inpatients. We will exclude observational studies, case reports, case series, and case review. Screening and selection of studies will be performed independently by two authors, and disagreements will be resolved by consulting with the corresponding author. Data extraction For each study, we will extract the following data: (1). Trial characteristics (e.g., sample size, authors, publication years). (2). Treatment medications (dose, frequency). (3). Primary outcome: incidence of delirium (4). Secondary outcome: the duration of delirium, sleep quality, sedation score, all-cause mortality, adverse events, and all-cause discontinuation. At least two authors will double-check the data-transfer accuracy and calculations. The quality of the included studies will be rated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Any discrepancies will be resolved by consensus. Data analysis Data management and analysis will be carried out using Stata (version 16) and R-Project (V.4.0.3, R Foundation). We will conduct a frequentist restricted maximum likelihood (REML) random-effects model to calculate the effect size. An intention-to-treat approach will be used. The I² statistic will be used to evaluate heterogeneity. A p value of <0.05 is considered significant (two-tailed). Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and assessment of possible publication bias (Egger’s test and visual inspection of funnel plots) analyses will be conducted if feasible. Sensitivity analysis will be perform: (1) excluding high risk of bias study, (2) iteratively removing one study, and (3) using generalized linear mixed model if both-arm-zero-event study exists. We will perform TSA using TSA software version 0.9.5.10 Beta (www.ctu.dk/tsa). TSA maintains the overall risk of type I error of 5% and power of 80%, and also reports the information size, an estimate of optimum sample size for statistical inference from a meta-analysis, after taking into account heterogeneity of included studies. We will use 50%, 45%, and 40% relative risk reduction thresholds for the primary outcome.

Many clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has obvious advantages in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this systematic review, we intend to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for MCI.

Includes bibliographic references (p. 18-28)

After a brief review of recent advances in sequential analysis involving sequential generalized likelihood ratio tests, we discuss their use in psychometric testing and extend the asymptotic optimality theory of these sequential tests to the case of sequentially generated experiments, of particular interest in computerized adaptive testing. We then show how these methods can be used to design adaptive mastery tests, which are asymptotically optimal and are also shown to provide substantial improvements over currently used sequential and fixed length tests.

Analysis of sequential event data has been recognized as one of the essential tools in data modeling and analysis field. In this paper, after the examination of its technical requirements and issues to model complex but practical situation, we propose a new sequential data model, dubbed Duration and Interval Hidden Markov Model (DI-HMM), that efficiently represents "state duration" and "state interval" of data events. This has significant implications to play an important role in representing practical time-series sequential data. This eventually provides an efficient and flexible sequential data retrieval. Numerical experiments on synthetic and real data demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed DI-HMM.

In light of these gaps, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis focused exclusively on post-diagnostic aspirin use in breast cancer patients. Given the inconsistencies in previous meta-analyses, we have also incorporated trial sequential analysis (TSA) to assess the sufficiency of the cumulative evidence and to determine whether the available data are conclusive or if additional studies are required to confirm the effects of post-diagnostic aspirin use on breast cancer outcomes.

Methods for investigating the influence of an early developmental process on a later process are discussed. Conventional growth modeling is found inadequate but a general growth mixture model is sufficiently flexible. The growth mixture model allows prediction of the later process using different trajectory classes for the early process. The growth mixture model is applied to the study of progress in reading skills among first-grade students that collected data from about 1,000 children. How the development of phonemic awareness during kindergarten influences the development of word recognition in first grade was the specific focus of the analysis. The approach is found to be a useful tool for studying the relationship between two processes. Instead of predicting growth in the later process by the growth factors of the earlier process, a latent class variable with classes corresponding to the prespecified growth shapes was used to predict growth in the later process. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables, and 19 references.) (Author/SLD)

Searches for statistically significant correlations between arrival directions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays and classes of astrophysical objects are common in astroparticle physics. We present a method to test potential correlation signals of a priori unknown strength and evaluate their statistical significance sequentially, i.e., after each incoming new event in a running experiment. The method can be applied to data taken after the test has concluded, allowing for further monitoring of the signal significance. It adheres to the likelihood principle and rigorously accounts for our ignorance of the signal strength.

Book Source: Digital Library of India Item 2015.510091 dc.contributor.author: Wald Abraham dc.date.accessioned: 2015-09-29T15:25:06Z dc.date.available: 2015-09-29T15:25:06Z dc.date.copyright: 1947 dc.date.digitalpublicationdate: 2011 dc.date.citation: 1947 dc.identifier.other: 145549 dc.identifier.barcode: 99999990855393 dc.identifier.origpath: /data55/upload/0057/110 dc.identifier.copyno: 1 dc.identifier.uri: http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/510091 dc.description.scannerno: 2 dc.description.scanningcentre: Allama Iqbal Library, University of Kashmir dc.description.main: 1 dc.description.tagged: 0 dc.description.totalpages: 244 dc.format.mimetype: application/pdf dc.language.iso: English dc.publisher.digitalrepublisher: Digital Library Of India dc.publisher: Dover Publication Inc New York dc.rights: In Public Domain dc.source.library: Allama Iqbal Library University Of Kashmir dc.subject.classification: Language. Linguistics. Literature dc.subject.classification: Literature dc.title: Sequential Analysis dc.type: Print - Paper dc.type: Book

The main focus of this book is on a systematic development of the theory of sequential hypothesis testing (Part I) and changepoint detection (Part II). In Part III, we briefly describe certain important applications where theoretical results can be used efficiently, perhaps with some reasonable modifications. We review recent accomplishments in hypothesis testing and changepoint detection both in decision-theoretic (Bayesian) and non-decision-theoretic (non-Bayesian) contexts. The emphasis is not only on more traditional binary hypotheses but also on substantially more difficult multiple decision problems. Scenarios with simple hypotheses and more realistic cases of (two and finitely many) composite hypotheses are considered and treated in detail. While our major attention is on more practical discrete-time models, since we strongly believe that life is discrete in nature??? (not only due to measurements obtained from devices and sensors with discrete sample rates), certain continuous-timemodels are also considered once in a while, especially when general results can be obtained very similarly in both cases. It should be noted that although we have tried to provide rigorous proofs of the most important results, in some cases we included heuristic argument instead of the real proofs as well as gave references to the sources where the proofs can be found.

The main focus of this book is on a systematic development of the theory of sequential hypothesis testing (Part I) and changepoint detection (Part II). In Part III, we briefly describe certain important applications where theoretical results can be used efficiently, perhaps with some reasonable modifications. We review recent accomplishments in hypothesis testing and changepoint detection both in decision-theoretic (Bayesian) and non-decision-theoretic (non-Bayesian) contexts. The emphasis is not only on more traditional binary hypotheses but also on substantially more difficult multiple decision problems. Scenarios with simple hypotheses and more realistic cases of (two and finitely many) composite hypotheses are considered and treated in detail. While our major attention is on more practical discrete-time models, since we strongly believe that life is discrete in nature??? (not only due to measurements obtained from devices and sensors with discrete sample rates), certain continuous-timemodels are also considered once in a while, especially when general results can be obtained very similarly in both cases. It should be noted that although we have tried to provide rigorous proofs of the most important results, in some cases we included heuristic argument instead of the real proofs as well as gave references to the sources where the proofs can be found.

The main focus of this book is on a systematic development of the theory of sequential hypothesis testing (Part I) and changepoint detection (Part II). In Part III, we briefly describe certain important applications where theoretical results can be used efficiently, perhaps with some reasonable modifications. We review recent accomplishments in hypothesis testing and changepoint detection both in decision-theoretic (Bayesian) and non-decision-theoretic (non-Bayesian) contexts. The emphasis is not only on more traditional binary hypotheses but also on substantially more difficult multiple decision problems. Scenarios with simple hypotheses and more realistic cases of (two and finitely many) composite hypotheses are considered and treated in detail. While our major attention is on more practical discrete-time models, since we strongly believe that life is discrete in nature??? (not only due to measurements obtained from devices and sensors with discrete sample rates), certain continuous-timemodels are also considered once in a while, especially when general results can be obtained very similarly in both cases. It should be noted that although we have tried to provide rigorous proofs of the most important results, in some cases we included heuristic argument instead of the real proofs as well as gave references to the sources where the proofs can be found.

Prior distributions elicited for modelling the natural fluctuations or the uncertainty on parameters of Bayesian fishery population models, can be chosen among a vast range of statistical laws. Since the statistical framework is defined by observational processes, observational parameters enter into the estimation and must be considered random, similarly to parameters or states of interest like population levels or real catches. The former are thus perceived as nuisance parameters whose values are intrinsically linked to the considered experiment, which also require noninformative priors. In fishery research Jeffreys methodology has been presented by Millar (2002) as a practical way to elicit such priors. However they can present wrong properties in multiparameter contexts. Therefore we suggest to use the elicitation method proposed by Berger and Bernardo to avoid paradoxical results raised by Jeffreys priors. These benchmark priors are derived here in the framework of sequential population analysis.

Objective priors for sequential experiments are considered. Common priors, such as the Jeffreys prior and the reference prior, will typically depend on the stopping rule used for the sequential experiment. New expressions for reference priors are obtained in various contexts, and computational issues involving such priors are considered.

We develop a new class of dynamic multivariate Poisson count models that allow for fast online updating and we refer to these models as multivariate Poisson-scaled beta (MPSB). The MPSB model allows for serial dependence in the counts as well as dependence across multiple series with a random common environment. Other notable features include analytic forms for state propagation and predictive likelihood densities. Sequential updating occurs through the updating of the sufficient statistics for static model parameters, leading to a fully adapted particle learning algorithm and a new class of predictive likelihoods and marginal distributions which we refer to as the (dynamic) multivariate confluent hyper-geometric negative binomial distribution (MCHG-NB) and the the dynamic multivariate negative binomial (DMNB) distribution. To illustrate our methodology, we use various simulation studies and count data on weekly non-durable goods consumer demand.

Bell System Technical Journal, 60: 9. November 1981 pp 2259-2271. A Fault-Collapsing Analysis in Sequential Logic Networks. (Chang, S.J.; Breuer, M.A.)

Bell System Technical Journal, 60: 9. November 1981 pp 2259-2271. A Fault-Collapsing Analysis in Sequential Logic Networks. (Chang, S.J.; Breuer, M.A.)

For the proportional hazards model of survival analysis, an appropriate large sample theory is developed for cases of staggered entry and sequential analysis. The principal techniques involve an approximation of the score process by a suitable martingale and a random rescaling of time based on the observed Fisher information. As a result we show that the maximum partial likelihood estimator behaves asymptotically like Brownian motion. (Author)

The advantages, limitations, and means of using sequential analysis in performance acceptance testing are discussed. Sequential sampling appears to be useful in testing whenever (1) testing time per test item is high in relation to the time required to score each test item, (2) the test is primarily designed to determine whether a person passes or fails, (3) there is a need for testing more than about 100 persons on the same test, either in 1 group or in a number of groups, and (4) there is negligible correlation between items when criterion scores are held constant. Sequential sampling takes item difficulty and item discrimination into account when discrimination score values (norms) are established. Sequential sampling can readily be adapted to changing standards of accepting people, with no revision of the norms previously set up. Ordinarily, sequential sampling will give about the same accuracy as a fixed-length test, with about half of the testing time and about half of the testing cost.

This paper addresses how to improve the computational efficiency and estimation reliability in cascading outage analysis. We first formulate a cascading outage as a Markov chain with specific state space and transition probability by leveraging the Markov property of cascading outages. It provides a rigorous formulation that allows analytic investigation on cascading outages in the framework of standard mathematical statistics. Then we derive a sequential importance sampling (SIS) based simulation strategy for cascading outage simulation and blackout risk analysis with theoretical justification. Numerical experiments manifest that the proposed SIS strategy can significantly bring down the number of simulations and reduce the estimation variance of cascading outage analysis compared with the traditional Monte Carlo simulation strategy.

This paper addresses how to improve the computational efficiency and estimation reliability in cascading outage analysis. We first formulate a cascading outage as a Markov chain with specific state space and transition probability by leveraging the Markov property of cascading outages. It provides a rigorous formulation that allows analytic investigation on cascading outages in the framework of standard mathematical statistics. Then we derive a sequential importance sampling (SIS) based simulation strategy for cascading outage simulation and blackout risk analysis with theoretical justification. Numerical experiments manifest that the proposed SIS strategy can significantly bring down the number of simulations and reduce the estimation variance of cascading outage analysis compared with the traditional Monte Carlo simulation strategy.

Though emerging research supports the effectiveness of school-based coaching models utilizing motivational interviewing (MI), an examination of the specific drivers behind these effects is notably lacking in the prevention field. This study leveraged sequential analysis to examine how teachers' verbalization of change talk (i.e., language in support of change) and sustain talk (i.e., language in support of maintaining the status quo) was influenced by coaches' use of MI-consistent (i.e., collaborative language supportive of change) and MI-inconsistent (e.g., confrontational, directive) language, respectively. We also examined whether teacher and coach factors were related to coach-teacher language dynamics. Data were collected from 87 teachers in 16 elementary and middle schools randomized in a trial to the Double Check preventive intervention (see Bradshaw et al., 2018). Audio-recorded coaching feedback sessions were coded using an adapted version of the Motivational Interviewing Sequential Code for Observing Process Exchanges (MI-SCOPE). Sequential analyses indicated that MI-consistent and change talk were significantly more likely than chance to occur consecutively. Teachers' sustain talk was also more likely to occur sequentially with coach use of MI-consistent language and teacher change talk; the latter suggests teacher ambivalence. Coaches rarely used MI-inconsistent language and its occurrence was only associated with more MI-inconsistent language. Regression analyses indicated that teacher age, efficacy, burnout, classroom organization, and some design features (i.e., cohort, coach, coach-teacher racial match) were associated with different coach-teacher language dynamics. This novel school-based study illustrates how coaching MI evoked teacher change talk related to use of evidence-based programs. [This paper was published in "Prevention Science" v22 p786-798 2021.]

The objective of this review is to systematically update the effects of antidepressants in adult patients with FD. To quantify the reliable and conclusive evidence of antidepressants, we will perform meta-analyses coupled with TSAs. We will also summarise the evidence using the GRADE approach.

To obtain the best available evidence on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on postoperative urinary retention prevention.

To obtain the best available evidence on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on postoperative urinary retention prevention.

Since its discovery in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in December 2019, the COVID-19 has been raging worldwide for more than three years, affecting more than 200 countries and regions, and has become one of the biggest infectious diseases threatening human health in the past 100 years, greatly affecting the development of human society and the evolution of the world landscape. The report of the WHO Expert Evaluation Meeting on the Treatment of New Coronary Pneumonia clearly affirmed the safety and efficacy of TCM in the treatment of NCCP, which is particularly effective in mild and common cases, and encouraged WHO member states to consider the Chinese model of combining Chinese and Western medicine . Proprietary Chinese medicines (PCMs) are herbal products made from effective prescriptions processed according to standard operating procedures under the guidance of TCM theories, with fixed standards, with clear composition, stable properties, and easy administration and storage . Because they can be produced industrially on a large scale, pCms are more easily accepted by the international market than Chinese compound tonics and form international competitiveness . Studies have shown that proprietary Chinese medicines have unique advantages in enhancing the immunity of the body, improving clinical symptoms of COVID-19, and improving the quality of life . In the prevention and control of COVID-19, the combination of western medicine conventional treatment with proprietary Chinese medicine can complement each other's strengths and advantages, and obtain the advantages of combining Chinese and western medicine. The latest "Diagnostic and treatment protocol for novel coronavirus pneumonia (trial version 9)" recommends six Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of non-severe COVID-19, namely, Jinhua Qingxiang granules, Lianhua Qingfei granules (capsules), Shufeng Jiefu granules (capsules), Xuanlung Defeated Toxin granules, Qinglung Jiefu granules, and Huoxiang Zhengqi capsules. In most hospitals in China, proprietary Chinese medicines have been widely used and have played a great role in the prevention and control of COVID-19. Several randomized controlled trials using TCM in combination with Western medicine for the conventional treatment of non-severe COVID-19 have emerged thanks to the efforts of a large number of outstanding Chinese physicians. There is a lack of systematic evaluation reports on the use of proprietary Chinese medicines in combination with conventional Western medicine for the treatment of non-serious COVID-19. In this study, a systematic evaluation of these RCTs was conducted in order to provide an evidence-based basis for the clinical treatment of COVID-19 and to contribute to the early release of countries from COVID-19.

Several retrospective studies have suggested potential benefits of UFT maintenance therapy in head and neck cancers. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, UFT has shown promise in patients with persistent plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA after definitive therapy. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, preliminary evidence suggests UFT maintenance may reduce recurrence rates in high-risk patients. However, existing evidence comes primarily from small, retrospective studies with inherent limitations. The magnitude of benefit, optimal therapy duration, appropriate patient selection, and long-term safety profile remain unclear. Given these uncertainties, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of UFT maintenance therapy in non-metastatic head and neck cancers and determine whether current evidence supports its use in clinical practice.

This article is from BMC Gastroenterology , volume 14 . Abstract Background: Numerous clinical trials to improve the success rate of biliary access in difficult biliary cannulation (DBC) during ERCP have been reported. However, standard guidelines or sequential protocol analysis according to different methods are limited in place. We planned to investigate a sequential protocol to facilitate selective biliary access for DBC during ERCP. Methods: This prospective clinical study enrolled 711 patients with naïve papillae at a tertiary referral center. If wire-guided cannulation was deemed to have failed due to the DBC criteria, then according to the cannulation algorithm early precut fistulotomy (EPF; cannulation time > 5 min, papillary contacts > 5 times, or hook-nose-shaped papilla), double-guidewire cannulation (DGC; unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation ≥ 3 times), and precut after placement of a pancreatic stent (PPS; if DGC was difficult or failed) were performed sequentially. The main outcome measurements were the technical success, procedure outcomes, and complications. Results: Initially, a total of 140 (19.7%) patients with DBC underwent EPF (n = 71) and DGC (n = 69). Then, in DGC group 36 patients switched to PPS due to difficulty criteria. The successful biliary cannulation rate was 97.1% (136/140; 94.4% [67/71] with EPF, 47.8% [33/69] with DGC, and 100% [36/36] with PPS; P 

To investigate the efficacy and safety of Gegen Qinlian decoction combined with metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA), and to provide evidence for clinical medication.

There is no consensus in the current literature on the analgesic role of duloxetine after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Given the lack of effective evidence in the literature, we designed this systematic review and meta-analysis to reveal the analgesic efficacy and safety of duloxetine in TKA or THA.

There is no consensus in the current literature on the analgesic role of duloxetine after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Given the lack of effective evidence in the literature, we designed this systematic review and meta-analysis to reveal the analgesic efficacy and safety of duloxetine in TKA or THA.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disease in the outpatient department of males, urology, and reproductive department. In recent years, the incidence of ED is increasing. Trazodone (TRZ), an antidepressant, has been found to be effective for erectile dysfunction, but its efficacy and safety are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of trazodone in the treatment of ED.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between normal aging and Alzheimer disease, which is the most common form of dementia in the world. In clinical practice, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) interventions have been administered for MCI. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of different CHM therapies through systematic review and network meta-analysis.

To replace the erroneous use of Fisher's Exact Test to derive the reliability of a missile system in annual tests, the author developed, in collaboration with statisticians, two efficient methods, both treated by frequentist and Bayesian methods. Particular attention is called to the Truncated Sequential Probability Ratio Test. Both methods gave essentially the same results, and so justified reduction in the size of the tests (for a given level of confidence) and therewith a reduction in the costs of the test program. The advantages of the Bayesian methods are given out. They are generally applicable for lot sampling and other uses of sequential tests. Keywords: Statistical tests reliability; Surface to surface missiles, Sequences mathematics, Sequential analysis, Truncated test, Bayesian statistics, Fisher's exact test.

Monte Carlo simulation and a multivariate normal approximation are used to find the OC and ASN of the sequential analysis of variance test. It is shown that the SANOVA test is remarkably robust.

Monte Carlo simulation and a multivariate normal approximation are used to find the OC and ASN of the sequential analysis of variance test. It is shown that the SANOVA test is remarkably robust.

After sequential analysis was developed by Wald in the forties [5], Arrow, Blackwell, and Girshick [1] considered the Bayes problem and proved the existence of Bayes solutions. The difficulties involved in computing explicitly the Bayes solutions led Wald [6] to introduce asymptotic sequential analysis in estimation. Asymptotic in his sense, as for all subsequent authors, refers to the limiting behavior of the optimal solution as the cost of observation tends to zero. Chernoff [2] investigated the asymptotic properties of sequential testing. The testing theory was developed further by Schwarz [4] and generalized by Kiefer and Sacks [3]. This paper approaches the asymptotic theory from a slightly different point of view.

we conducted this study to see Supporting or Complicating? The Role of Rods and Bridges in Loop Stomas

Cell phones, smart cards, and health monitoring gadgets are just a few examples of the numerous battery-powered embedded systems utilized to access, alter, and store sensitive and complicated data today. Users are concerned about the protection of their identity credentials, their software packages, and their information. These systems make considerable use of cryptographic algorithms to implement security measures. Many cryptographic algorithms do calculations that are hard to compute and waste a huge amount of energy as a result. In this study, the energy consumption of serial and parallel cryptography algorithms is analyzed. Using an eight-core parallel system and Joule metre (Microsoft's Research Tool), we were able to reduce energy consumption in comparison to sequential algorithms with promising results. The study says that low-frequency symmetric multiprocessors have shown promising results and can make a big difference in green computing, which would be good for society as a whole.

A stochastic dynamic programming model that explicitly examines the incentives to retire from the military is developed and numerically evaluated. The dynamic program includes the most significant institutional factors affecting an Air Force Office's retirement decision; actual data on promotion probabilities, officer's pay and allowances, and retirement pay are embedded in the model. The note is a progress report; research generalizing the model presented in this note will be presented in a future report. (Author)

An important advantage of e-learning environments is the numerical observation of the learning behaviors of students. The use of e-learning environments by students creates a learner data. From these learner data, the navigation patterns obtained by using educational data mining have a very important place in learning and teaching design. Studies have shown that learners' learning behaviors in online learning environments may vary according to the characteristics of learners. Studies on the differentiation of the navigation patterns according to the psycho-educational characteristics of the learners provide very strong inputs to the design of the learning environment appropriate to the characteristics of the students which is named as adaptive learning environments. According to these inputs, learning environment designs can be developed according to the individual characteristics of the students. Online learners' readiness (OLR) for e-learning is an important psycho-educational structure. The aim of this study is to investigate students' navigations in the e-learning environment according to the level of readiness for e-learning. Lag sequential analysis was used when students' system interactions were analyzed sequentially. According to the results of the analysis, it has been found that the sequential navigation patterns of the students differ according to the OLR structure. The findings of this research are expected to provide important information and suggestions to online learning environment designers. [For the complete proceedings, see ED600498.]

Bibliography: p. 6

This paper describes a method to extract, by computer, maximum amounts of sequential information on pattern frequencies underlying verbal interactions in the foreign language classroom. For this purpose, an observation instrument was developed which was expected to allow the study of the structure of the interaction process; it was hypothesized that such interaction would move with a certain cyclical regularity and that sequential patterns of verbal behavior would be obtained which, in descending order of occurrence, would characterize dominant interactions. A computer program was written which, following certain conditions, segments the total interaction process into strings, lifts out embedded patterns, and orders them into groups of recurrent patterns. Examples are presented to show that sequential processing provides much more meaningful information on a classroom interaction than could hitherto be obtained from matrix analysis. The implications of research in this area for foreign language teaching are briefly discussed. (Author)