杜克大学

In many settings, a data curator or data analyst links records from two files to produce an integrated dataset. These linked data are then used to estimate regression models of interest. This two-stage approach does not necessarily account for the uncertainty in the model parameters that results from uncertainty in the linkages. Further, it does not leverage the relationships among the non-linking variables in the two files to help identify incorrect linkages. A multiple imputation framework is proposed to address these shortcomings. First, a bipartite Bayesian record linkage model is used to generate multiple plausible linked datasets. This model does not use the non-linking variables. Second, each linked file is presumed to comprise a mixture of true links and false links. The mixture model is estimated using an EM algorithm that leverages the information provided by the non-linking variables. Point and variance estimates of the regression parameters in each plausible linked file are combined via multiple imputation inferences. Using simulation studies of linear regressions, it is demonstrated that the mixture modeling approach can have desirable repeated sampling properties. The mixture modeling approach is illustrated using Bayesian record linkage of data from the Survey of Household Income and Wealth, examining a regression involving the persistence of income.

Why are agents who act abnormally considered more causal than agents who act normally? Kirfel and Lagnado (2021) claim that agents who act abnormally are better able to foresee the outcomes of their abnormal behavior, giving them an epistemic advantage over agents who act normally. On their view, this advantage explains why people attribute more causality to agents who act abnormally. We tested an extension of this view to cases of negligence. Across three experiments (N = 1713), we found that epistemic advantages are not necessary for inflated attributions of causality to abnormally acting agents. In Experiment 1, participants attributed more causality to an agent who is abnormally negligent relative to an agent who normally does not act, even though they attributed equal degrees of foresight to both agents. In Experiment 2, participants attributed more causality to statistically abnormal negligence relative to statistically normal inaction without any corresponding difference in attributed foresight to either agent. In Experiment 3, we replicated the pattern of results from Experiment 2 and found that people attribute equal degrees of desire and intentionally to normal and abnormal omitters. We argue that Kirfel and Lagnado's epistemic explanation of the abnormal inflation effect in causal judgment does not extend to abnormal negligence precisely because people attribute causality to outcomes that an agent neither foresees nor expects.

Background Chronic pain is common among hospitalized children and is often inadequately managed in low-resource settings. Therapeutic play is an effective non-pharmacological strategy but is rarely integrated into routine care. Local Problem In a pediatric oncology ward in Kigali, Rwanda, therapeutic play was underutilized because of limited training, inadequate resources, and lack of a structured implementation process. Methods A 12-week quality improvement project using three Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles included 54 children aged 3–15 years. Pain was assessed using validated age-appropriate tools. Process measures included play adherence and nurse knowledge, while outcome measures included pain scores and analgesic use. Adherence was monitored daily, pain outcomes were evaluated at baseline and over the first 72 h following intervention initiation. Interventions Structured play activities like music, games, drawing, and painting were integrated into routine nursing care through staff training, nurse champions, caregiver involvement, and bedside play resources. Results Play adherence increased from 35.4% to 100% (p = .004). Pain scores decreased in 96.3% of children within 72 h (F[3159] = 122.32, p < .001), and nurse knowledge improved significantly (p = .008). Significant reductions were observed across all measured time points, accompanied by decreased opioid utilization. Qualitative findings showed improved emotional well-being, enhanced family engagement, and reduced nursing workload. Conclusion Structured therapeutic play was associated with reduced pain and improved implementation of multimodal pediatric pain management in a resource-limited setting. Implications for Practice Therapeutic play is a feasible, low-cost strategy that can be integrated into routine pediatric care to improve pain management.

Tensor regression has attracted significant attention in statistical research. This study tackles the challenge of handling covariates with smooth varying structures. We introduce a novel framework, termed functional tensor regression, which incorporates both the tensor and functional aspects of the covariate. To address the high dimensionality and functional continuity of the regression coefficient, we employ a low Tucker rank decomposition along with smooth regularization for the functional mode. We develop a functional Riemannian Gauss--Newton algorithm that demonstrates a provable quadratic convergence rate, while the estimation error bound is based on the tensor covariate dimension. Simulations and a neuroimaging analysis illustrate the finite sample performance of the proposed method.

Understanding grain-boundary mobility during spark plasma sintering can enable microstructure control in highentropy carbides, yet quantitative grain-growth kinetics remain scarce. In this work, grain growth kinetics and densification behavior are investigated for single-phase, near fully dense (Cr,Mo,Ta,V,W)C high-entropy carbide ceramics. Specimens were densified by spark plasma sintering for 10 min at 1750-1950 degrees C to isolate the effect of temperature on microstructural evolution. Increasing sintering temperature produced systematic grain growth, a small increase in lattice parameter, and reduced Ta segregation while maintaining a single-phase rock salt structure. Grain growth was analyzed using a normal grain growth model with an assumed exponent of n = 3, yielding an apparent activation energy of approximately 620 kJ mol-1. Densification curves showed rapid consolidation before reaching the peak temperature, followed by temperature-dominated grain coarsening. These results establish quantitative links between densification temperature, grain growth, and diffusion-assisted homogenization in high-entropy carbide ceramics.