Monte Carlo Comparison of the Parameter Estimation Methods for the Two-Parameter Gumbel Distribution

The performances of the seven different parameter estimation methods for the Gumbel distribution are compared with numerical simulations. Estimation methods used in this study are the method of moments (ME), the method of maximum likelihood (ML), the method of modified maximum likelihood (MML), the method of least squares (LS), the method of weighted least squares (WLS), the method of percentile (PE) and the method of probability weighted moments (PWM). Performance of the estimators is compared with respect to their biases, MSE and deficiency (Def) values via Monte-Carlo simulation. A Monte Carlo Simulation study showed that the method of PWM was the best performance the other methods of bias criterion and the method of ML outperforms the other methods in terms of Def criterion. A real life example taken from the hydrology literature is given at the end of the paper

Letter to the editor: A common phenomenon in psychiatry: Yawning'

[No abstract available

Structural Characterization and Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant Activity of ONO Salicyl Based Schiff Base and its VO(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II) and Hg(II) Complexes

An ONO tridentate Schiff base derived from 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde and 2-amino-4-methylphenol (H2L) and its complexes with VO(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II) and Hg(II) were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the complexes were confirmed by means of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, UV-visible, fluorescence, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The M:L ratio is 1:2 in Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes whereas 1:1 in the other complexes. It was observed that the Pd(II) complex is 1:1 ionic while the others are non-ionic according to molar conductivity measurements. H2L showed weak fluorescence at different wavelengths in neutral, acidic and basic areas and in the form of some metal complexes. The VO(II) and Cu(II) complexes increased the fluorescence effect compared to the ligand, while the Fe(III) complex completely quenched it. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of the compounds was evaluated against six bacteria and three fungi. In general, all the compounds showed moderate antimicrobial activity. It was observed that some of the complexes exhibited higher activity towards S. epidermidis and S. aureus compared to the ligand. Antioxidant activity of the compounds was investigated in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging and Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) methods. It was found that Zn(II) and Pd(II) complexes showed higher antioxidant activity than the ligand and the other complexes

Spontaneous rupture of choledochal cyst presenting in childhood

Spontaneous rupture of choledochal cysts is one of the rare complications, and can sometimes be the initial manifestation. It should be considered in the presence of bile-like fluid. A 10-year-old girl had acute onset of abdominal pain, vomiting, and elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels. There was no trauma in her history. In ultrasonography and computed tomography, dilated common bile duct, cystic mass of 10 x 6 cm, and free intraperitoneal fluid in abdominal cavity were demonstrated. Radiological methods, especially intraoperative cholangiography, should be performed for evaluation. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the choledochal cyst with clinical and radiological findings

The impact of second generation antipsychotics on psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder

[Anstract Not Available

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis mimicking iron deficiency anemia: a delayed diagnosis?

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is an uncommon chronic disorder in children. It is characterized by recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage and may result in hemoptysis and pulmonary insufficiency. The most common hematologic manifestation of IPH is iron deficiency anemia. The etiology of IPH is not known and its diagnosis may be difficult due to the variable clinical courses. The most helpful signs for identifying IPH are iron deficiency anemia and recurrent or chronic cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing. We report here 5 pediatric cases of IPH presenting with iron deficiency anemia and without pulmonary symptoms. Mean corpuscular volume was low in all patients; iron was low in 4 out of 5 cases; total iron binding capacity was high in all of them; ferritin was low in 3 patients. At follow up, none of them had responded successfully to the iron therapy. Although they didn’t present with pulmonary symptoms, chest radiographs incidentally revealed diffuse reticulonoduler shadows in all of them. Computed tomography revealed diffuse ground-glass opacities, consolidation, increased density. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of hemosiderinladen macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and gastric aspirate. If patients with iron deficiency anemia don’t respond to iron therapy, they should be examined for IPH. Chest radiographs should be taken even in absence of pulmonary symptoms. Early diagnosis is important for a timely management of IPH