An estimator for the proportional hazards model with multiple longitudinal covariates measured with error

In many longitudinal studies, it is of interest to characterize the relationship between a time-to-event (e.g. survival) and several time-dependent and time-independent covariates. Time-dependent covariates are generally observed intermittently and with error. For a single time-dependent covariate, a popular approach is to assume a joint longitudinal data-survival model, where the time-dependent covariate follows a linear mixed effects model and the hazard of failure depends on random effects and time-independent covariates via a proportional hazards relationship. Regression calibration and likelihood or Bayesian methods have been advocated for implementation; however, generalization to more than one time-dependent covariate may become prohibitive. For a single time-dependent covariate, Tsiatis and Davidian (2001) have proposed an approach that is easily implemented and does not require an assumption on the distribution of the random effects. This technique may be generalized to multiple, possibly correlated, time-dependent covariates, as we demonstrate. We illustrate the approach via simulation and by application to data from an HIV clinical trial.     

Abundance of lamprey larvae and physical habitat

Synopsis Southern brook lamprey larvae,Ichthyomyzon gagei, were collected from four creeks in Alabama and Mississippi. Larvae abundance (number m^–2) and length (mm) were measured over a range of sites to quantify some of the physical parameters involved in larval habitat selection. Particle size distribution, hydraulic conductivity, porosity and organic content were the factors analyzed. Abundance of larvae was greatest when particles smaller than 0.15 mm and 1.–2.0 mm in diameter represented at least 40% and 8% dry weight of the substrate, respectively. Abundance of larvae was lowest when the small particles represented less than 10% dry weight of the substrate. A strong inverse relationship was observed between density and length of larvae. All other parameters did not significantly affect lamprey habitat selection. Results of this study may be applicable in directing attempts at aquatic habitat restoration for lamprey in endangered streams.     

微核直径测试作为非整倍体诱发剂的分析手段

以小鼠骨髓红细胞微核直径测试,比较了秋水仙素（COL）与昆明山海棠（THH）、对苯二酚（HQ）在哺乳动物体细胞中的非整倍体诱发效应。丝裂霉素C（MMC）作为多功能染色体断裂剂引入实验,为诱发非整倍体的阴性对照。结果发现,COL组,71%的微核直径（d）大于或等于所在细胞直径（D）的五分之一（d≥D/5）;THH诱发微核中,54%的微核d≥D/5;HQ及MMC组,分别有47%及14%的微核相对直径达此阈值。暗示THH及HQ具有类似COL的某种非整倍体诱发效应。微核直径测试可作为非整倍体诱发剂检测的辅助手段。 The relative diameters of micronucleus induced by colchicines(COL),Triptergium hypoglaucum(Level)Hutch(THH)and hydroquinone(HQ)were compared to evaluate their aneugenic activities in mouse bone marrow erythrocytes.MitomycinC(MMC)was taken as the negative control in the experiment because it is a multifunctional clastogen without aneugenic potential.Diameters of the cytoplasm(D)and the micronucleus(d)of each micronucleated erythrocytes were measured with a micrometer in a microscope.The frequency of relatively large micronuclei(d≥D/5)was found(71%) in COL treated group.In the THH and HQ treated groups,the relatively large micronuclei were 54% and 47%,respectively.Such micronuclei were infrequent(14%)in the MMC treated group.The results implied that THH and HQ may possess some aneugenic potential like COL.     

Intra- and interobserver error in craniometry: A cautionary tale

This study investigates intra- and interobserver measurement error in craniometry. Data consists of 72 craniometric measurements taken on a series of 28 Sadlermuit Eskimo crania. Utermohle measured the series twice; Zegura measured it once. Statistical procedures used to demonstrate measurement imprecision include the mean difference, the method error statistic, two-way anova without replication, the t-test for paired comparisons, Fisher's distribution-free sign test, and the t-test for independent samples. The results indicate less intraobserver repeatability than expected as well as an alarming lack of interobserver reproducibility for many of these craniometric measurements. We hope these results will serve as a caution against the widespread belief that craniometric measurements are always produced with a high degree of precision by experienced craniometrists. In addition, these results suggest that investigators employing craniometric measurements to study population affinities, functional morphology, forensics, fossil primates, and human microevolution might profit from conducting a measurement error analysis as an important baseline for the interpretation of the biological significance of their results.     

On corrected score approach for proportional hazards model with covariate measurement error

In the presence of covariate measurement error with the proportional hazards model, several functional modeling methods have been proposed. These include the conditional score estimator (Tsiatis and Davidian, 2001, Biometrika 88, 447-458), the parametric correction estimator (Nakamura, 1992, Biometrics 48, 829-838), and the nonparametric correction estimator (Huang and Wang, 2000, Journal of the American Statistical Association 95, 1209-1219) in the order of weaker assumptions on the error. Although they are all consistent, each suffers from potential difficulties with small samples and substantial measurement error. In this article, upon noting that the conditional score and parametric correction estimators are asymptotically equivalent in the case of normal error, we investigate their relative finite sample performance and discover that the former is superior. This finding motivates a general refinement approach to parametric and nonparametric correction methods. The refined correction estimators are asymptotically equivalent to their standard counterparts, but have improved numerical properties and perform better when the standard estimates do not exist or are outliers. Simulation results and application to an HIV clinical trial are presented.     

酸雨对龙眼果树影响研究

通过大田和室内模拟试验,研究酸雨对龙眼果树的影响。结果表明酸雨使龙眼树叶、梢、芽的营养元素K、Mg、P、Fe、Zn、Mn渗出;叶绿素降低;酸雨中的H⁺、Cl^-被吸收;细胞受损害,随着酸雨PH值下降,伤害程度加大,PH<3伤害是不可逆转的;Ca²⁺似有在逆境中迅速运输以起保护作用的倾向;每升含KH₂PO₄ 1.0mg、Ca(NO₃)₂ 3.3mg,FeSO₄42μg,H₃BO₃29μg的混合液在酸雨之前或后喷淋果树,能降低伤害,浓度上限可至50倍。花、蕾、幼果受酸雨的伤害,程度是花>蕾>幼果,喷淋每升含Ca(NO₃)₂3.3mg,KNO₃2.7mg,FeSO₄42μg的混合溶液可起保幼果作用。土壤肥沃、田间管理好、营养充分,能有效拮抗酸雨的侵害。     

测定位点对计算梨树树干液流的影响

采用热脉冲法,研究了不同测定位点对计算梨树树干液流速率和液流量的影响.结果表明,不同时期内,各方向木质部液质比、木质比径向变幅分别为0.01～0.03和0～0.02,而同一深度木质部液质比和木质比季节变幅分别为0.02～0.09和0.02～0.08. 用同一月份不同深度木质部液质比和木质比参数计算特定深度液流速率差异不显著;而用不同时期测定的同一深度木质部参数计算特定月份相应深度液流速率差异显著或极显著.内层2个、4个测点平均低估液流量是外层相应测定位点的1.5和4.9倍,距形成层0～0.6四个位点的液流量基本可以代表整树耗水量.     

江豚鳍肢骨骼形态特征的观察

江豚Neophocaena phocaenoides鳍肢的基本结构与海洋豚类相同,但又有其特殊性。为完善江豚鳍肢骨骼形态特征的研究,本文通过运用原位解剖、制作透明鳍肢骨骼以及X光拍照的方法,对威海海域四头江豚的鳍肢骨骼进行了较全面、较系统地观察和测量,对每一块骨骼的名称、位置、形状、大小做了详细描述,并分析了没有中央腕骨和腕骨1的原因,这些在以往的研究中还未见报道。标本具有不同的年龄和性别,采集的时间和地点也不同,因此,本结果带有一定的普遍性。与以往研究鳍肢骨骼的方法相比,制作透明鳍肢骨骼具有直观、完整、清晰、美观、准确、易于观察等特点,辅以X光照片观察得出与以往研究的结果有很大差别,如国内外学者原来记述腕骨的形态为5块相连成一平坦的椭圆形盘状;指式总结为:Ⅰ2-3,Ⅱ5-9,Ⅲ5-8,Ⅳ3-4,Ⅴ2-3。而作者记述为在整体上,腕骨与包围它们自身的软骨共同连成一平坦的不规则多角形;指式为:Ⅰ0-1,Ⅱ6,Ⅲ5,Ⅳ2,Ⅴ0(掌骨不计)。据分析,造成这些差异的主要原因之一是研究方法的不同。       

Design,Fabrication, and Administration of the Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe)

The concept of personalizing neurologic rehabilitation, based on individual impairments, has experienced a recent surge. In parallel, the number of outcome measures of upper extremity motor performance has grown. However, clinicians and researchers lack practical, quantitative measures of the hand’s natural role as a receptor of the environment. The Hand Active Sensation Test (HASTe), developed by Williams and colleagues in 2006, is a valid and reliable measure of haptic performance. Though not available commercially, the HASTe can be fabricated from inexpensive materials, and it has been used successfully to identify impairments in haptic touch in individuals with stroke. (Williams, 2006). This paper presents the methods of design and fabrication of the HASTe testing kit, as well as a visual screen to be used during administration, and instructions for the tests administration and scoring.