Central Tendency Research Articles

Psycho-Sociocultural Determinants of Code-Switching among Igbo- Speaking English Language Undergraduates in Southeastern Region, Nigeria

The present investigation aimed to ascertain the psychological, social, and cultural determinants propelling code-switching behaviours among Igbo-speaking English Language undergraduates in the southeastern region of Nigeria, as perceived by students enrolled at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State, and Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, in Imo State, Nigeria. Employing a quantitative descriptive survey research design, the study comprised the entire population of regular Igbo-speaking English language students from the aforementioned region, with a sample size of 735 participants selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Guided by four research questions and two null hypotheses, data were collected utilizing a 34-item researcher-structured questionnaire entitled the Psycho-sociocultural Determinants and Code-switching Questionnaire (PDCQ). The validity of the instrument was established through extensive use of relevant literature and also peer-reviewed by experts in English, Research Methods, and Psychology all from the Faculty of Education at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.76). Analysis of the research questions relied on measures of central tendency and dispersion, while Simple Linear Regression was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings unveiled a prevalent pattern of code-switching among undergraduates, attributed to a complex interplay of psychological, social, and cultural incentives, including the desire to foster solidarity and belongingness within diverse social circles, the conveyance of bilingual prestige, and the authentic expression of personal identity and ideas. In light of these findings, recommendations were proffered for governmental, policy-making, and university administrative entities to collaborate in formulating inclusive language policies that acknowledge and respect the cultural diversity of students, thereby fostering an educational milieu that is both inclusive and culturally attuned.

Measures of central tendency in primary education textbooks in Chile

This study analyzed the tasks associated with measures of central tendency proposed to Chilean students from 5<sup>th</sup> to 8<sup>th</sup> year of basic education. For this purpose, the activities involving mean, median, and/or mode were identified through the revision of two series of textbooks (16). The units of analysis were (1) type of measure, (2) task, (3) context, (4) support, and (5) cognitive skill. The main findings allowed us to indicate that the texts are aligned with the curricular guidelines, with tasks mostly associated with mean and mode, prioritizing calculation. Additionally, the tasks lack a context that gives meaning to the data. The support in which the data is presented is written and tabular. Finally, regarding the type of cognitive skills with the greatest presence in the textbooks, these are at a basic level.

Arthralgia and myalgias associated with aromatase inhibitors: Frequency and characterization in real-life patients.

e12504 Background: Adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AI) in estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive breast cancer (BC) has been shown to increase overall survival (OS). However, arthralgias and myalgias are common adverse effects in patients treated with AI. Objective: To evaluate the frequency and characteristics of arthralgias and myalgias in patients with early BC, treated adjuvantly with AI at the Mastology Unit of the Oncology Service of the Hospital de Clínicas and the Soriano Departmental Hospital. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. A questionnaire was administered to the patients to assess the presence and characteristics of arthralgias and myalgias associated with AI. Statistical analysis: "Age" was described using measures of central tendency and dispersion. Qualitative variables were presented in absolute and relative frequencies. Logistic models were used to assess the association between patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and the presence of pain. Results: Results were presented using Odds Ratio and p-value, using R software (version 4.1.2) with a significance threshold of 5%. 83 patients were included, with a median age of 69 years. 75.9% presented treatment-related arthralgias and/or myalgias, with an average intensity of 5 to 7. 80.9% received NSAIDs, achieving satisfactory analgesia. The presence of arthralgias and myalgias was significantly associated with age and time since last menstruation, being more frequent in patients over 50 years old and those with more than 5 years since the last menstruation. Conclusions: Approximately 70% of the patients presented arthralgias or myalgias. These findings suggest a possible role of estrogen withdrawal in their development mechanism. It is crucial to carry out multidisciplinary and translational research to evaluate the etiology and therapeutic options for patients with AI-related arthralgia.

Healthcare Worker's Satisfaction Assessment for a Healthcare Adverse Event Reporting Framework and the Management Approach for Such Reporting in the Emergency Department of Rural Government Hospitals.

The healthcare adverse event (HAE) reporting framework is more than just a tool. It is a crucial pillar in our pursuit of patient safety, quality improvement, trust maintenance, regulatory compliance, and ethical standards in healthcare delivery. To assess healthcare workers' satisfaction with the HAE reporting framework and the management approach towards such reporting in the emergency department of rural government hospitals by conducting a satisfaction survey. This prospective observational research was conducted in the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, and adjoining district hospitals from November 2023 to January 2024. The study involved 320 healthcare professionals working in the emergency department. The quantitative survey research used a questionnaire and a quality Likert scale response.The data were analyzed on an ordinal measurement scale using nonparametric statistical methods. The sample data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentage pie charts, and comparison bar graphs. In nonparametric statistical tests, the one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to infer the population's central tendency, and the Kruskal-Wallis testwas used to make inferences about the population categories. The satisfaction of healthcare professionals with the HAE reporting framework and the management approach was diverse. When surveyed about the HAE reporting framework in the emergency department, out of the 320 healthcare professionals,50% (161) expressed dissatisfaction,47% (149) were satisfied, and 3% (10) did not comment. Paramedics were most dissatisfied (61% of 133). When asked about the management approach while dealing with such reporting, 50% (159) were satisfied, 46% (147) were unsatisfied, and 4% (14) did not comment. On comparingprofessions, 43% (29) of 33 doctorsand 62% (83) of 133 paramedics were unsatisfied, giving a poor response. Additionally, 61% (72) of the 119 nursing staff were satisfied. The non-parametric inferential tests yielded a p-value of less than 0.001 for both questions, indicating a notable difference in the population's response to the HAE reporting framework and management approach. On pairwise comparison, there was a significant difference in perception (p<0.001) between the occupation groups, except for doctors and paramedics (p = 0.638) in the HAE reporting framework. By encouraging reporting, standardizing processes, analyzing incidents thoroughly, and using data-driven insights to inform improvement efforts, healthcare organizations can enhance patient safety, improve quality of care, and prevent future adverse events. The management approach to HAE reporting involves fostering a culture of safety and transparency, implementing standardized reporting systems, providing education and training to healthcare staff, establishing feedback mechanisms, conducting robust analysis of reported events, promoting continuous improvement, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

Spatial variations in metals of groundwater in Naini industrial area: assessing probable sources and human health risk

ABSTRACT Groundwater forms the major source of drinking water worldwide; however, its quality has been compromised due to various human activities. The contamination of groundwater with metals have increased the health risk of the consumers. In pursuit of risk assessment and source apportionment studies of groundwater of Naini Industrial Area, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India; groundwater samples (n = 60) were collected from distinct sampling locations spanning the study area. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed to analyse the concentrations of Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Selenium (Se), Strontium (Sr), Vanadium (V) and Zinc (Zn). Amongst all the metals analysed, Al and Fe surpassed drinking water standards in more than 50% of the samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted four factors that collectively accounted for 76.3% of the variability in the data. As illustrated by PCA, metals in the groundwater can be attributed to geological origins combined with anthropogenic contributions. Considering the central tendency of the metals, the non-cancer risk as per United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methodology depicted by Hazard Quotient (HQ) of the metals did not exceed unity and can be inferred that they did not pose risk to the human health individually. However, the combined risk of the metals as depicted by Hazard Index (HI) suggested considerable hazard to the child residents with HI value of 1.27. Across all the sampled sites, the HI values varied from 0.48 to 4.07 for males, 0.41 to 3.51 for females, and 0.76 to 6.51 for children. Considering central tendency, carcinogenic risk associated with As and Cr was determined to be within the tolerable cancer risk value of 1 × 10−4. Nevertheless, the cancer risk for the groundwater surpassed the acceptable limit in few of the locations rendering them unsuitable for drinking without treatment.

Gender and work-life balance: Results of a national survey of pediatric hospitalists.

This was a cross-sectional survey study of 1096 pediatric hospitalists. Responses were collected via an online survey platform and summarized using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associated variables and work-life balance satisfaction. We analyzed free responses on parental leave to provide nuance to quantitative survey data. Five hundred and sixty-five respondents (52% response rate) completed the survey with 71% women. 343 (62%) prioritize work-life balance in career decision-making. Women report taking on more household responsibilities than their partners (41.4% vs. 8.4%; p < .001) including a larger percentage of caregiving and domestic tasks. Female gender and performing <50% caregiving were associated with decreased work-life balance satisfaction; performing <50% domestic tasks increased satisfaction. Median parental leaves were 4 weeks, with men taking significantly shorter leaves (3.5 vs. 6 weeks; p < .001) and more "paid back" time off. Work-life balance is an important factor in career decisions for men and women. Women perceive carrying a larger load at home. Qualitative results suggest that parental leave may be inadequate in length and salary support for men and women. This study adds insights into work-life integration in PHM.

Evaluating the impact of anatomical and physiological variability on human equivalent doses using PBPK models.

Addressing human anatomical and physiological variability is a crucial component of human health risk assessment of chemicals. Experts have recommended probabilistic chemical risk assessment paradigms in which distributional adjustment factors are used to account for various sources of uncertainty and variability, including variability in the pharmacokinetic behavior of a given substance in different humans. In practice, convenient assumptions about the distribution forms of adjustment factors and human equivalent doses (HEDs) are often used. Parameters such as tissue volumes and blood flows are likewise often assumed to be lognormally or normally distributed without evaluating empirical data for consistency with these forms. In this work, we performed dosimetric extrapolations using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for dichloromethane (DCM) and chloroform that incorporate uncertainty and variability to determine if the HEDs associated with such extrapolations are approximately lognormal and how they depend on the underlying distribution shapes chosen to represent model parameters. We accounted for uncertainty and variability in PBPK model parameters by randomly drawing their values from a variety of distribution types. We then performed reverse dosimetry to calculate HEDs based on animal points of departure for each set of sampled parameters. Corresponding samples of HEDs were tested to determine the impact of input parameter distributions on their central tendencies, extreme percentiles, and degree of conformance to lognormality. This work demonstrates that the measurable attributes of human variability should be considered more carefully and that generalized assumptions about parameter distribution shapes may lead to inaccurate estimates of extreme percentiles of HEDs.

Hernia diafragmática congénita: relación entre el tamaño del defecto y evolución. Experiencia en un centro de referencia

IntroductionCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a therapeutic challenge. The surgical classification recommended by the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia study group (CDHSG), based on the size of the defect, is used for staging in reference centres. Larger defects are associated with poorer outcomes. Our aim was to describe and compare the morbidity at hospital discharge of newborns who underwent surgical correction of CDH at the Juan P. Garrahan, according to the surgical staging of the defect proposed by the CDHSG. Material and methodsThe study included patients with CDH admitted to the Juan P. Garrahan Hospital between 2012 and 2020, and we analysed the distribution, morbidity and mortality associated with the size of the defect. We carried out a descriptive analysis, calculating measures of central tendency and dispersion, and bivariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsA total of 230 patients with CDH were admitted and 158 underwent surgery. We found that defect sizes C and D sizes were associated with an increased risk of chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.2-13.4; P<.0000), need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 3.9; 95% CI, 1.3-12.8; P<.005) and chylothorax (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.8- 6.4; P<.10]. The multivariate analysis revealed that a large defect size (C-D) was independently and significantly associated with CPD (OR 4.19; 95% CI, 1.76-9.95). ConclusionStaging the defect according to de CDHSG classification during surgery allows the application of uniform management criteria and the prediction of patient outcomes and complications during the hospital stay.

#1212 Trends in real-world lipid lowering therapy use among adult patients with chronic kidney disease: 5-year single center experience in the Philippines

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) carry an extremely high burden for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which worsens as CKD progresses. Several international guidelines, including the 2013 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines, have recommended the use of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in this high-risk population. To evaluate the implementation of these recommendations in real-world practice, we assessed patterns of dyslipidemia management among patients with CKD. Specific objectives include describing the prevalence and intensity of LLT prescription [stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and whether requiring renal replacement therapy or not] as well as adherence to guideline recommendations on LLT use. Method We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study covering the period of January 2019 to December 2023. A review of inpatient and outpatient medical records of the Department of Medicine, University of the Philippine—Philippine General Hospital was done. Eligible patients were at least 18 years of age, and diagnosed with CKD. Exclusion criteria included having a concomitant diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury, and being pregnant or breastfeeding at any point in the study period. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were based off the latest entry in each patient's medical record. No clinical data were collected beyond those that were available on the records. Classification of statin intensity was based on the 2019 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of Blood Cholesterol as well as the 2020 Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Dyslipidemia. All analyses were descriptive and done using STATA 18. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables were reported as measures of central tendency [i.e. mean (SD) or median (IQR), as appropriate]. Results Of the 3845 patients included in the study, 2922 (76%) were prescribed LLT. The most common LLT were statins (92%), followed by statin/ezetimibe combinations (6%), then statin/fibrate combinations (2%). None were prescribed PCKS9 inhibitors, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, or bile acid sequestrants. Among non-dialytic patients, the distribution of LLT use was as follows: a) eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2: 40% (173/431) b) eGFR 30-60 ml/min/1.73 m2: 76% (1198/1576) c) eGFR &amp;lt;30 ml/min/1.73 m2: 84% (1551/1838). Among dialytic patients, 68% (601/884) were already on LLT prior to initiation of dialysis while 35% (283/884) were started on LLT after dialysis initiation. Notably, 89% (786/884) of these dialytic patients were still on moderate-to-high-intensity statin doses. Based on recommendations from the 2013 KDIGO guidelines, only 78% (2610/3334) of eligible patients were prescribed on LLT, while 61% (312/511) of ineligible patients were prescribed on LLT. Similar rates of adherence were seen to other international guideline recommendations on the management of dyslipidemia in CKD (e.g. 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol, 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias, 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia in the Philippines). Conclusion Real-world LLT use among CKD patients remains high, even at lower eGFRs. More importantly, a large proportion of patients remain under- and over-treated, highlighting significant gaps between guideline recommendations and real-world clinical practice. Further investigation regarding the underlying reasons for these practice variations is necessary to improve quality of care, and safely reduce the burden of dyslipidemia and ASCVD among CKD patients.

Factors associated with Computer Vision Syndrome in students and teachers of a private university in Peru during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Introduction: computer Vision Syndrome is also considered the ocular epidemic of the 21st century. It is essential to determine the number of individuals suffering from CVS and the associated factors.Objective: to identify the factors associated with Computer Vision Syndrome in medical students and faculty at Peruvian Private University during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2021.Methods: this was an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical study. The participants included students and faculty members from the School of Human Medicine. The Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) from Google Forms was used. For bivariate analysis, the chi-squared test was used with a 95 % confidence level. Frequency and proportion calculations were used for qualitative variables, and measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated for quantitative variables.Results: 56,0 % of faculty and students suffered from computer vision syndrome (CVS). In the bivariate analysis, it was found that the use of eyeglasses (p &lt; 0,004), a computer/cell phone screen distance of &lt;45cm (p &lt; 0,031), and a family history of visual diseases (p &lt; 0,010) were associated with CVS.Conclusions: there is a high prevalence of computer vision syndrome, with faculty members being the most affected. Factors associated with CVS were the use of eyeglasses, a computer/cell phone screen distance of &lt;45cm, and a family history of visual diseases

A Non-parametric Analysis of Gender Differences With the Impacts of Applied Behavior Analysis on Autistic Individuals.

Introduction Considering the scarcity of research that directly investigates the differences between genders in their response to applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the objective of this study is twofold.First, it aims to reinforce the male-to-female ratio reported in existing scientific literature, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of gender distribution in ABA therapy for ASD. Second, it seeks to identify gender-based differences in aggregate target behaviors at various time intervals using three distinct datasets. The goal is to determine if gender influences the effectiveness of ABA therapy for ASD, which could inform future therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, this study strives to enhance our understanding of gender disparities in ABA therapy response among ASD individuals and hopes to improve therapeutic outcomes for all, regardless of gender. Materials and methods Three to five behavioral technicians per child collected daily general target mastery data for 263 individuals with autism. This data was gathered using a large N design through retrospective chart reviews within the "Catalyst" tracking software (DataFinch Technologies, Atlanta,USA). Three separate datasets were collected from June 7, 2023to January 7, 2024. Behavior analysts employed a mixed model of discrete trial training, mass trials, and naturalistic environment treatment over seven months. General target mastery data was assembled for 259 children and four adults, with seven data instances missing. Descriptive statistics encompassed central tendency and dispersion measures, including the data distribution's mean, standard deviation, median, and range. Non-parametric inferential analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Results Mann-Whitney U computations resulted in non-significant gender differences on all gender comparisons for the three datasets covering the seven-month timeframe. Dataset #1:Time 1-(U=727.5, p=0.846, ή2=0.0002, Time 2-(U=736, p=0.910, ή2=0.00005), Time 3-(U=687.5, p=0.569, ή2=0.001) Dataset #2:Time 1-(U=781, p=0.383, ή2=0.003), Time 2-(U=819.5, p=0.585, ή2=0.001), Time 3-(U=825, p=0.618, ή2=0.001) Dataset #3:Time 1-(U=395, p=0.198, ή2=0.007),Time 2-(U=373.5, p=0.365, ή2 =0.003),Time 3-(U=363, p=0.471, ή2=0.002),Time 4-(U=366.5, p=0.436, ή2 =0.003),Time 5-(U=371, p=0.391, ή2=0.003),Time 6-(U=394, p=0.208, ή2=0.007),Time 7-(U=373, p=0.373, ή2=0.003),Time 8-(U=371.5, p=0.387, ή2=0.003),Time 9-(U=464.5, p=0.512, ή2=0.002),Time 10-(U=356.5, p=0.546, ή2=0.002),Time 11-(U=357.5, p=0.535, ή2=0.002),Time 12-(U=350.5, p=0.346, ή2=0.004) Conclusions This study suggests no significant gender differences in response to ABA therapy among individuals with autism, indicating its potential effectiveness for both genders. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to statistical uncertainties reflected in the broad confidence intervals as they hint at possible substantial gender differences. Further research, including an extension study, must confirm these results and understand potential gender nuances in ABA therapy response. This could help tailor more effective, personalized therapeutic strategies for individuals with autism.

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on E-commerce supply chain sector in achieving cost efficiency and economic growth: A business and economics perspective

The study aims to find how much cost effectiveness is achieved when e-commerce supply chain operations use automation and AI technologies. therefore,ing technology of AI and its models have essentially proved to be impactful in making data driven decisions by the organisations gaining leverage in productivity and profit sustainability in a way that the companies achieve competitive advantage therefore creating sustainable value propositions from business and economics perspective. Aim/Purpose The aim of the paper is to explore the positive relationship between AI technologies and productivity levels in the e-commerce supply chain sector through achieving cost effectiveness and economic growth. Methodology/Approach The study focussed on reviewing literature on how Artificial Intelligence driven technology can optimise various supply chain functions within e-commerce sector. Solow-Swan growth model has been applied to investigate the value AI creates in utilising capital, labour input to achieve output growth. Positivist approach that allowed for objective observation and independent conclusions has been adopted. For primary data, quantitative methodology is used through survey questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 206 employees, managers, data analysts in e-commerce supply chain sectors. Findings The findings from the secondary sources inform that the use of AI and automation in the e-commerce industry leads to a high rate of productivity in terms of reducing costs and promoting economic growth. The primary research methods, through survey questionnaires collects real-time data that helps achieve quantifiable and measurable values to conclude that AI-led technology can increase productivity and competitive advantage as it saves cost while increasing productivity and overall economic input. Descriptive statistics of measures of central tendency were used to present findings in simpler, presentable way followed by interpretations of the data in percentages. Practical implications Managers and decision-making directorial board members have important lessons to learn from these findings as the quantifiable values may give them an insight into how much capital investment should be allocated for AI technologies and how predictive analytics and data analysis can accelerate their service towards becoming customer centric. Significant strategic planning and implementation of resource management can lead to higher rates of productivity profitability and eventually higher economic growth.

Development of Electronic Test Instruments Through Vinesa to Improve Statistical Reasoning Ability on Tendency Central Materials

This study aims to assess the feasibility of developing an e-test instrument for statistics courses on central tendency material so that student learning outcomes can increase. The analysis used in this research is quantitative and descriptive. This research method uses 20 students. Methods of data collection using tests, observations, interviews, and questionnaires The procedures carried out in developing the test instrument are: 1) compiling test specifications; 2) writing test questions; 3) reviewing the item items; 4) conducting test trials; 5) analyzing the item items; 6) revising the test; 7) compiling the test; 8) carrying out the test; and 9) interpreting the test results. The ADDIE model is used in this development research. The results of the feasibility of developing electronic test instruments were stated to be valid with: a) the results of validating the material were very feasible (96%); b) the results of validating learning media were very feasible (94%). If c) the results of validating learning designs were very feasible (94%), d) the results of individual trials were very feasible (81%), and e) the results of small group trials were very feasible (82%), then the development of electronic test instruments is very feasible for use in statistical learning.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Are tumors smaller than 2 cm truly indolent?

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are relatively rare but rank as the second most common pancreatic neoplasm. They can be functional, causing early metabolic disturbances due to hormone secretion, or non-functional and diagnosed later based on tumor size-related symptoms. Recent diagnoses of PNETs under 2 cm in size have sparked debates about their management; some practitioners advocate for surgical removal and others suggest observation due to the tumors' lower potential for malignancy. However, it is unclear whether managing these small tumors expectantly is truly safe. To evaluate poor prognostic factors in PNETs based on tumor size (> 2 cm or < 2 cm) in surgically treated patients. This cohort study included 64 patients with PNETs who underwent surgical resection between 2006 and 2019 at a high-complexity reference hospital in Medellín, Colombia. To assess patient survival, quarterly follow-ups were conducted during the first year after surgery, followed by semi-annual consultations at the hospital's hepatobiliary surgery department. Qualitative variables were described using absolute and relative frequencies, and quantitative variables were expressed using measures of central tendency and their corresponding measures of dispersion. The presence of lymph node involvement, neural involvement, and lymphovascular invasion were all associated with an increased risk of mortality, with hazard ratios of 5.68 (95%CI: 1.26-25.61, P = 0.024), 6.44 (95%CI: 1.43-28.93, P = 0.015), and 24.87 (95%CI: 2.98-207.19, P = 0.003), respectively. Neural involvement and lymphovascular invasion were present in tumors smaller than 2 cm in diameter and those larger than 2 cm in diameter. The recurrence rates between the two tumor groups were furthermore similar: 18.2% for tumors smaller than 2 cm and 21.4% for tumors larger than 2 cm. Patient survival was additionally comparable between the two tumor groups. Tumor size does not dictate prognosis; lymph node and lymphovascular involvement affect mortality, which highlights that histopathological factors-rather than tumor size-may play a role in management.

Dominant Somatotype Development in Relation to Body Composition and Dietary Macronutrient Intake among High-Performance Athletes in Water, Cycling and Combat Sports

Relevant properties of the somatotype as important indicators can be associated with the body composition characteristics as well as both metabolic and bio-mechanical efficiency of athletes in the sport concerned. The primary aim of this single cross-sectional study was to determine the somatotype profiles in association with body composition and nutritional profiles among Lithuanian elite athletes (n = 189) involved in water, cycling and combat sports. The body composition along with the somatotype profiles and the nutritional status of athletes were evaluated using a battery of multiple frequency (5, 50, 250, 550, and 1000 kHz) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and a 3-day food record analysis. In terms of the prediction for athletes to be classified as endomorphs, mesomorphs or ectomorphs, the linear discriminant analysis was conducted to assess the grouping of samples. Both the multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression statistical analyses were performed to explore the associations between the independent and dependent variables. The central tendency values for the somatotype components of endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy in athletes playing water, cycling and combat sports were 4.3–4.9–3.4, 4.3–4.8–3.4 and 4.5–5.5–2.9, respectively. The central mesomorph somatotype with a trend towards endomorphy was dominant and varied according to a high muscle-to-fat ratio in elite athletes. Significant (p ≤ 0.001) positive associations between both endomorphy and mesomorphy values and higher body fat percentage as well as lower and upper limb muscle mass were identified. The lower levels of trunk muscle mass were related to athletes’ endomorphy and mesomorphy, too. Furthermore, in the athletes’ sample under analysis, high-level mesomorphs were prone to consume low-carbohydrate (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2; 0.9) and high-protein diets (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1; 5.5). Contrastingly, the elite athletes with a higher expression of endomorphy were on high-carbohydrate (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1; 8.3) and high-fat diets (AOR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5; 7.1) along with insufficient protein diet (AOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1; 0.9). Finally, whilst nutrition goals as a mediator can play a significant role in undergoing the maintenance of balance between the optimal body composition for athletic performance and the development of an ecto-mesomorphic somatotype, the elite athletes with higher levels of endomorphy value should be aware of lowering the body fat percentage coupled with dietary fat reduction and higher protein intakes. The findings obtained from the study may serve as an antecedent for a more targeted management of the elite athletes’ training process. Somatotyping as an additional assessment method can be successfully deployed in choosing correct coaching techniques, contributing to talent recognition processes or identifying reference morphometric parameters in elite athletes competing in water, cycling and combat sports.

Causes of low back pain (LBP) in women without pregnancy, in relation to different age groups during the reproductive period, are primarily treated as musculoskeletal disorders: a retrospective study

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a musculoskeletal disorder of several causes that can mess up the spine. It is characterized by pain, stiffness or muscle tension and is usually localized in the lumber region. – During their working years, people frequently experience low back pain. Approximately 84% of adults experience LBP once or more during their lifetime. In Bangladesh, wt. related prevalence of LBP is 18.5% and age group 18-34 years prevalence are 10.5% and &gt;55 years 27.8%, average 19.2%, which is more in women 27.2% than men. Pain in the soft tissue of the back is extremely common among adults and often affects individuals during their working years. LBP in women, is strongly linked to hormonal and reproductive factors, the work environment and lifestyle. Females frequently experience lower abdominal and back pain at reproductive age, usually due to PMS, PMDD, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, pregnancy, menopause, muscle spasms, arthritis, UTI, PID, HTN, DM, obesity, multiple C/S tracts and lower abdominal operations, all of which cause RAD, osteoporosis, vertebral and intervertebral disc diseases (PLID, herniation, slipping etc.). The L4 and L5 neural arches are involved in the transmission of a considerable load. Therefore, the joints between the articular facets of L4 and L5,- are sites of LBP. Low back pain (LBP) was diagnosed by history and clinical examination according to the Pain Scale. To determine the cause of HELLP syndrome/causes by routine investigations and sometimes abdominal ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is needed. Treatment of LBP depends on the cause. When a definite lesion is not found, the patient should be informed and reassured about the treatment of LBP. Purpose/Objective of the study: To identify the causes of LBP and prevalence of LBP in women of reproductive age excluding pregnant individuals and establish referral guidelines. Methodology: This was a retrospective (observational) cross sectional study jointly conducted by Orthopedics and Gynecology Expertise in the North-East region, named the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. Female patients were considered to be of reproductive age for the last three (3) years (2020 - 2022) at the Z&amp;J fellows medical institution. The data were collected from the medical records of computer databases with preset questionnaires and written informed consent. The 1st part of the questionnaire consisted of questions about the causes of LBP, and the 2nd part consisted of LBP-related questionnaires. Patients were selected by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 statistical software, MS Word and Excel version 2010. Descriptive statistics were analyzed, i.e. - frequency, central tendency and dispersion, i.e. range, standard deviation and variance. Tests of “proportions” and “significance” were performed via sample t-tests and ANOVA. Statistical data analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of LBP incidence and intensity (%) with age, BMI, disease status, marital status, obstetric history, working history and posture of reproductive-age women. Summary: LBP has multiple causes. In retrospective studies, there is no way to predict the prevalence of causes rather, the prevalence of causes can be determined before patients are affected. In our study, we explored the causes of LBP in women according to age, BMI, local and systemic diseases, marital history, obstetric history, working history and posture. The prevalence of LBP was greater in the 41-50 years age group (34.7%) and in the 20-30 years age group (34.2%). Moreover, overweight and obesity are associated with LBP. Overall 5.3% and 12.8% of the participants were overweight and obese, respectively, and were aged &gt;20-30 years with LBP. Patient age, BMI, disease status, marital status, obstetric history and working history had no effect on any of the patients, but some patients had LBP; overweight, obesity, age group and working posture had direct effects on LBP incidence (p&gt;0.05). LBP is more common in women- than in men and may be due to household activities and a greater frequency of visceral pain during menstruation, pregnancy and labor. Conclusion: Low back pain (LBP) can occur in multiple physical conditions in women of reproductive age except during pregnancy and can disrupt the back tissues of the lumbosacral region. Women are more susceptible to LBP because of menstrual and obstetric factors. A diagnosis was made by obtaining a meticulous detailed medical history, performing a physical examination and performing proper investigations. The causal parameters revealed that LBP had no effect on any of the patients, but women of reproductive age may suffer from LBP due to differences in cause.

Chaos-infused wind power integration in the grey wolf optimal paradigm for combine thermal-wind power plant systems

This research presents a novel methodology for tackling the combined thermal-wind economic load dispatch (ELD) issue in contemporary power system. The proposed approach involves hybridizing active-set algorithm (ASA), interior point algorithm (IPA) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP) into grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, while effectively incorporating the intricacies associated with renewable energy sources (RES). A more accurate model is made possible by hybridization for complex systems with memory and hereditary characteristics. The GWO is used as a tool for global search while ASA, IPA and SQP methods are used for rapid local optimization mechanism. The performance evaluation of the design heuristics is carried out on 37 thermal and 3 wind power generating units and outcomes endorse the effectiveness of the proposed scheme over state-of-the-art counterparts. The worthy performance is further validated on statistical assessments in case of thermal-wind integrated ELD problem in terms of measure of central tendency and variation on cost and complexity indices.

Comprehensive Signal Analysis: Unraveling Mean Frequency, Power, and Bandwidth

Objective: The power spectral density (PSD) serves as a fundamental tool in signal analysis, revealing valuable insights into the distribution of power across frequencies. This paper explores the concept of PSD, which emerges from the Fourier transform of a signal’s autocorrelation function. By examining power distribution, PSD provides a comprehensive understanding of a signal’s spectral characteristics. Methods: We generate a chirp signal with specific parameters, including initial and final frequencies, and introduce white Gaussian noise. The combination of these signals forms a composite signal, enabling the calculation of its PSD. Results: Visualizing the PSD allows for discernment of the frequency distribution, with the median frequency providing insights into the central tendency of the distribution. Conclusion: Furthermore, the customization of plots enhances the visual representation of data, tailoring it to the requirements of the specific application. Adjustments to color schemes, line styles, and annotations improve clarity and aid in conveying complex information effectively.

Macroeconomic Factors and Stock Price Volatility at Nairobi Securities Exchange

The stock price volatility has been a problem in stock markets affecting the stock returns of firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Although some scholars have focused on the issue of high share price volatility, the issue persists and still hinders the development of the market. This study main objective is to determine the effects of macroeconomic factors on volatility of stock prices of stock market in Kenya. The specific objectives are; to establish the effects of inflation on stock prices of stock market in Kenya; to establish the effects of interest rates on volatility of stock prices of stock market in Kenya; and to establish the effects of exchange rates on stock prices of stock market in Kenya. The research was anchored on four theories and two models namely the Arbitrage pricing theory, Modern portfolio theory, information cascade theory, Fisher’s theory, Efficient market hypothesis and present value model. The research applied a causal research design, which followed the positivism philosophy of research and knowledge creation. The study focused on analyzing the effects of macroeconomic factors on volatility of stock prices of the NSE 20 share index in Nairobi Securities Exchange over a period ranging from 2009 to 2021. The design allowed collection of monthly data on the study variables and time series analysis of the hypothesized relationships between independent and dependent variables and conducted both descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis involved generation of central tendency statistics such as mean, minimum and maximum points of the data as well as standard deviations to show the spread of the data from the mean. The inferential statistical analysis utilized in this study was Error Correction Model, guided by the results of cointegration tests. From the descriptive statistical analysis, the study found that between 2009 and 2021, interest rates demonstrated an average of approximately 9.155, inflation averaged around 150.916, foreign exchange rate maintained an average of roughly 94.219, and stock price volatility averaged 0.4%. The Error Correction Model revealed that, interest rates have no significant effect on stock price volatility of NSE 20 share index (β = -0.00034, p.value = 0.805). Similarly, inflation has no significant effect on stock price volatility of NSE 20 share index (β = -0.0000394, p.value = 0.218). However, foreign exchange has negative and significant effect on stock price volatility in Kenya (β = -0.0139, p.value = 0.017). The study concluded that interest rates and inflation have no significant effect on stock price volatility in Kenyan stock market, while foreign exchange has inverse and significant effect on stock price volatility. Thus, the study recommends that market participants, including government, investors, traders, policy makers and financial institutions, should incorporate foreign exchange rate movements into their risk management strategies. Adequate measures and policies such as market circuit breakers and enhanced risk management protocols should be in place to ensure smooth market operations and prevent any disruptions due to changing foreign exchange dynamics

Lidar-derived estimates of forest structure in response to fire frequency

BackgroundLongleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, and their sustainability is tightly coupled to a complex nexus of feedbacks between fire, composition, and structure. While previous research has demonstrated that frequent fire is often associated with higher levels of biodiversity, relationships between fire frequency and forest structure are more nuanced because structure can be difficult to measure and characterize. We expanded on this body of research by using lidar to characterize vegetation structure in response to fire frequency at a long-term prescribed-fire experiment. We asked (1) how does prescribed fire frequency affect structure and (2) how do structural metrics vary in the strength of their relationships with fire frequency.ResultsOur results indicated that forest structure varied significantly in response to fire frequency, with more frequent fire reducing vegetation structural complexity. Metrics that characterized the central tendency of vegetation and/or the variance of canopy-related properties were weakly to moderately correlated with prescribed fire frequency, while metrics that captured the vertical dispersion or variability of vegetation throughout the forest strata were moderately to strongly correlated with fire frequency. Of all the metrics evaluated, the understory complexity index had the strongest correlation with fire frequency and explained 88% of the structural variation in response to prescribed fire treatments.ConclusionsThe findings presented in this study highlight the usefulness of lidar technology for characterizing forest structure and that structural complexity cannot be fully characterized by a single metric. Instead, a range of diverse metrics is required to refine scientific understanding of the feedbacks between fire, composition, and structure in support of longleaf pine sustainability. Furthermore, there is a need for further research to broaden structural assessments beyond the overstory and incorporate more understory components, particularly within the realm of prescribed fire science and land management.