Chi-square Procedure Research Articles

Effects of Adherence to Environmental Rules and Regulations in Stone Quarrying at Tuluongoi Sublocation of Baringo County, Kenya

Stone quarrying has been recognized as a socioeconomic activity serving as a fundamental source of livelihood for some communities. Nonetheless, most operations are often accompanied by adverse effects on the same communities and the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the level of awareness of environmental rules, regulations, and principles governing stone quarrying in Tuluongoi sublocation, Tenges Division, Baringo County. The study also sought to establish whether there is a linkage between awareness of environmental rules, principles, and regulations governing stone quarrying and the impacts on the environment. Two villages were chosen for the study. The stratified sampling procedure was used to pick 120 households from the two villages, the total number (97) of regular quarry workers was enumerated, and purposive sampling was used to select six key informants. The quarry workers and household heads were the primary units for data collection. Primary data were collected by using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observations, and pictorials. Secondary data were obtained from census reports, peer-reviewed journals, county strategic plans, unpublished theses, and scholarly books. Some data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, while the SPSS software was used to generate tables, graphs, and frequencies. The chi-square procedure was used to test whether the awareness of environmental rules and regulations on stone quarrying were significantly independent of environmental degradation at the 0.05 significance level. The study established that 55.1% of quarry workers and 65% of household heads were unaware of any environmental rules, regulations, and principles governing stone quarrying. Out of those aware, 88.9% of household heads and 67.7% of quarry workers had poor awareness of environmental regulations and requirements. The study recommends that National Environment Management Authority promotes and enforces environmental rules, regulations, policies, and principles governing stone quarrying in collaboration with the relevant county government departments by enhancing awareness among the residents.

Prevalence and correlates of physical health conditions in Jamaica and Guyana

The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases remains an important source of concern in the Caribbean and Latin American regions. This study examines rates and the associated socio-demographic correlates of physical health indicators in Jamaica and Guyana. Area probability cross-sectional data were collected on 1,218 Jamaicans and 2,068 Guyanese participants in 2005. Physician- diagnosed hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and self-rated oral and general physical health were assessed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and hierarchical logistic regression analytic procedures. Jamaicans generally reported poorer physical health, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and overall perceived oral and physical health compared to Guyanese; Guyanese reported higher rates of hypertension. Generally, lower social and economic standing was associated with poorer health conditions but made different contributions across countries. The study highlights the need for greater awareness and access to health care services for individuals who are especially vulnerable to poorer health. The results of this study suggest the need for additional studies on factors associated with physical health conditions, including a better understanding of the role of race/ethnicity in the Caribbean. Key words: prevalence, physical health, Guyana, Jamaica.

Determination of Sex in Ungulate Herbivores via near Infrared Spectroscopy of Hair: Growing Cattle as a Surrogate Model

Abstract Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used in a variety of medical and veterinary science applications. In particular, NIRS calibrations have been developed in livestock for steroid content in cattle hair, and wound age or stage of healing in hot iron cattle brands. These NIRS applications also have potential utility in forensic science. Portable NIRS instruments facilitate measurements on live animals and or animal samples in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of determining sex in growing cattle via NIRS of hair utilizing a portable spectrometer. In two consecutive years, log 1/R spectra (350–2500 nm) were collected using an ASD Field Spec fitted with a contact probe. Experimental subjects were Bos taurus cross calves (n = 12, yr 1; n = 14, yr 2) born to cows grazing central Arizona rangeland. Calf age was approximately 60, 90 and 210 d at branding, estrus synchronization, and weaning, respectively. As cattle were gathered for these routine working events, a total of 7 M and 19 F calves were scanned 3 times each over the left ribcage. A linear discriminant function was applied to spectral data in order to determine sample membership in M or F groups at each collection date. Chi-square procedures were used to determine differences (P < 0.05) in proportion of correct identifications per group and collection date. Overall, 86% of F and 72% of M were correctly (P < 0.05) identified. Corresponding values were 82% for F and 71% for M at branding, 100% for F and 89% for M at estrus synchronization, and 86% for F and 64% for M at weaning. Calf sex was successfully determined using portable NIRS in this proof of concept study. Efficacy of this method should be evaluated for different ungulate herbivores and under additional collection scenarios.

85 DNA parentage in multi-sire breeding groups and sire repeatability on replacement heifer performance

Abstract The objective of this study was to apply DNA parentage testing in multi-sire breeding groups to assess repeatability of a sire’s impact on replacement females and terminal animals. Parentage testing was performed on DNA from 37 bulls and 1578 calves from a commercial ranch using natural breeding in four multi-sire breeding pastures over a four-year period (2015–2018). Parentage data was analyzed using Chi-square procedures. In 2016 and 2018, all bulls in the four breeding groups sired significantly different (P < 0.01) numbers of calves than expected. In 2015 and 2017, bulls in 2 of 4 and 3 of 4 breeding groups, respectively, sired significantly different (P < 0.01) numbers of calves than expected. For the 2015 and 2016 calf crops, three of 24 bulls used sired 30% of the calves and 33% of the selected replacement heifers. In 2017 and 2018, the calves born to the daughters of these three most prolific sires, averaged 4.5kg lower weaning weights than the average wean weights of the remaining calves. In 2018, all calves were tested for breed composition and vigour score using the EnvigourHX test from Neogen (Neogen Canada Inc., Edmonton Alberta, Canada). The average herd vigour score was 70%; the average vigour score for 2018 calves born to daughters of the top three prolific sires was 56%. Coupling production measures (weaning weights, birth dates, calving intervals) with sire parentage and vigour score data provides beef cattle producers with additional information to guide breeding choices to improve production in their operations.

Risk Factor Patterns in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Relationships

ABSTRACTDomestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor citizen or legal resident within United States borders. Officials often view DMST as a monolithic crime, rather than a problem driven by victims’ variable experiences with poverty, racism, and family dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to explore how various risk factors are associated with one another and with DMST victimization, particularly within specific subcategories of DMST, such as trafficking by a family member, stranger, friend, or romantic partner. This study utilizes the archival data from 242 sex trafficked minors. The author coded the case files for the presence of risk factors, such as race, child welfare involvement, juvenile justice involvement, poverty, and more. Then, the author employed chi-square procedures to explore the association between risk factors, and between risk factors and victim-trafficker relationship type. Findings suggest that DMST victimization is not a uniform phenomenon, in which all victims share the same risks. There appears to be variations between the risk factors experienced by victims prior to entering specific relationship dynamics. Counter-trafficking advocates need to articulate these variations to the range of professionals who work within the systems that may prevent, identify, and remediate DMST.

Bayesian inference with information content model check for Langevin equations.

The Bayesian data analysis framework has been proven to be a systematic and effective method of parameter inference and model selection for stochastic processes. In this work, we introduce an information content model check that may serve as a goodness-of-fit, like the χ^{2} procedure, to complement conventional Bayesian analysis. We demonstrate this extended Bayesian framework on a system of Langevin equations, where coordinate-dependent mobilities and measurement noise hinder the normal mean-squared displacement approach.

Effect of season on follicular population, quality and nuclear maturation of bovine oocytes under tropical conditions

The aim was to determine the effect of season of the year and the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) on follicular population (FP) and the quality of the oocytes, and of season on nuclear maturation of the bovine oocytes under tropical conditions. Three seasons were evaluated: hot-dry (March–June), hot-humid (July–October) and fresh-humid (November–February). In a first study, 1112 bovine ovaries were obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Follicles were classified as small (≤4mm), middle (4.1–8mm) and large (≥8.1mm); and the maximum diameter of the follicle (MDF) and CL (MDCL) were also recorded. The oocytes were collected by aspiration and classified as viable (grade I and II) and damaged (grade III and IV). In the second study, 2261 viable oocytes were matured in vitro, and then fixed and stained with Lacmoid to classify the stage of development as mature (metaphase II), immature or degenerate. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and chi-square procedures. The largest FP of large follicles (0.67), MDF (1.18mm), MDCL (1.87mm), and the highest proportion of viable oocytes (34.19%) were obtained during the hot-humid season (P<0.05). The ovaries without CL had the greatest FP (10.34) with more viable oocytes (24.44%). The highest proportion of mature oocytes (76.92%) was also obtained in the hot-humid season. In conclusion, season influenced FP, MDF, MDCL, and the quality and nuclear maturation of oocytes. The presence of a CL in the ovary resulted in a decrease of FP and viability of oocytes.

An Examination of the Errors Committed by Iranian MA Students in their Translation of Advertisement Slogans Based on Keshavarz’s Taxonomy of Errors

The present work is an attempt to reveal the nature of translating advertisement slogans over two different cultures by investigating the errors that will occur by Iranian MA translation students in translating a corpus of advertisements from English into Persian and vice versa. The sample of this study consisted of sixty MA students of translation studies who were randomly selected from three Azad university branches (Fars Science and Research branch, Tehran Science and Research and Bandar Abbas Azad University). The instruments used for data collection included a questionnaire consisted of eight advertising slogans in English and seven in Persian for products that were internationally marketed. The statistical procedure to analyze the data was Chi-square procedure to illustrate the frequency and percentage of errors occurrence. The results demonstrated that the ratio of wrong answers in the two languages is not the same. Generally, participants committed more errors in the translation of the Persian advertisement slogans comparing to English ones. Most errors participants committed in Persian translation slogans were related to grammatical and lexical interferences and most errors participants committed in English translation slogans were related to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of semantic and pragmatic aspects of the slogans.

Public Reproductive Health Facilities: A Client-Satisfaction Survey

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;INTRODUCTION:&lt;/strong&gt; Understanding clients’ perspectives on quality improvement programs is essential to achieve the goals of health services. Determining client satisfaction could help decision makers to implement programs fit to their needs as perceived by service providers and clients. This study aimed to assess the level of satisfaction among women attending health centers regarding the services received in governmental health facilities in Shiraz, southern Iran.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;METHOD:&lt;/strong&gt; This cross-sectional study was performed in 24 urban health centers. Using systematic random sampling method, 8 clinics were assigned to each group. Then questionnaires were distributed among 240 married women in 15-49 year-old age group who had referred to selected clinics for receiving some services. For data analysis, SPSS version 15 software and Chi-square statistical procedure were used to evaluate clients’ satisfaction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESULTS:&lt;/strong&gt; Data showed that 101 out of 240 respondents were completely satisfied with the personnel as well as the health center. Furthermore, satisfaction was found to be the highest among clients of those centers ranked as middle class socioeconomic status, while no significant difference was found between centers based on their socioeconomic status.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONCLUSION: &lt;/strong&gt;The results of the present study would enable policy-makers to effectively improve the quality of health care, keeping a balance between providers’ and patients’ perspectives on the quality of health care.&lt;/p&gt;

Modelagem probabilística de eventos de precipitação extrema no estado do Rio Grande do Sul

A gestão de cheias em bacias hidrográficas brasileiras deve ser discutida e priorizada, porém o cenário atual indica lacunas quanto às informações hidrológicas com variabilidade espacial e temporal condizentes. A modelagem probabilística de eventos extremos de precipitação, buscando a extrapolação para uma frequência e duração, pode servir como excelente ferramenta de análise e tomada de decisões. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi analisar o ajuste de diferentes modelos probabilísticos a séries de precipitação máxima diária anual no Rio Grande do Sul. Séries pluviométricas de 342 estações foram ajustadas às distribuições Log-Normal a 2 e 3 parâmetros e Gumbel e a adequação foi realizada pelos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e Qui-Quadrado. Todas as distribuições de probabilidade consideradas foram adequadas; entretanto, a distribuição Log-Normal a 3 parâmetros apresentou os melhores ajustes segundo os resultados do teste Qui-Quadrado. Os parâmetros das distribuições de probabilidades apresentaram variabilidade ao longo do estado e forte relação com a localização, sugerindo que a regionalização de chuvas intensas pode ser empregada no Rio Grande do Sul como excelente ferramenta de gestão.

THE EFFECT OF THE NUMBER OF INTERVALS TO THE SENSITIVITY AT ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING USING MANTEL-HAENSZEL’S CHI-SQUARE PROCEDURE

At analysis of item bayes or called with differential item functioning (DIF) using the Mantel-Haenszel’s Chi–square procedure, the students in a group is grouped pursuant to their reached score, in a certain interval. This research is aimed at revealing the effect of the number of interval to the sensitivitas at DIF analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel’s Chi-Square procedure. Data used at this research is the responses of students of the third grade of SLTPN in Yogyakarta to UAN in 2002 / 2003 academic year. Analysis DIFin this research is conducted by making 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 intervals in students’ group pursuant to their reached score using Mantel-Haenszel‘s Chi-Square procedure. The result of this research showed that the number of intervals causes the differencies of the number of items load DIF significantly in every interval, and it causes the differencies of sensitivity in the DIF detection; and making 4 intervals in group of students is the most sensitive way in the DIF detection using Mantel-Haenszel methods, than others.

A Study of Homophobia Among HBCU Undergraduate Students Toward Gay and Lesbian Adoption

While recent research examines homophobia among social work majors, there is limited research devoted to social work students enrolled in a historically Black college and university (HBCU). Social workers are not immune to possessing homophobic attitudes; therefore, diversity training is important. This research explored whether there were any differences in the attitudes of undergraduate social work students enrolled in a HBCU in the South toward gay and lesbian adoption in relation to the students’ gender, age, religious affiliation, and religious participation. This quantitative study used a nonrandom convenience sample of 94 students using the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale and the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Scale. The data were analyzed utilizing one-way and two-way chi-square procedures.

A Comparative Study of Shifts in English Translations of The Quran: A Case Study on “Yusuf” Chapter

Long since Translation Studies emerged as a nascent academic discipline, it has seen a considerable number of descriptive theories and models, among which, Catford’s (1965) translation ‘shift’ approach has garnered particular attention within the realm of translational comparative studies. Quranic texts have constantly been the center of attention, as the Quran has established itself as the most famous and sublime text in Arabic. As such, the present comparative study aimed at investigating the frequencies of different types of translation shifts occurring in translations form Arabic into English drawing on Catford’s (1956) shift typology. To this end, seven translations of the first thirty verses of the Chapter ‘Yusuf’ rendered by Sarwar, Arberry, Irring, Pickthall, Saffarzade, Shakir and Yusef Ali were selected to be studied. First, each element was compared for any probable shift(s). Then, the Chi-square procedure was applied in order to establish the existence of any statistically significant differences in shift frequencies. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between five types of shifts. The results also revealed that the most frequent translation shifts from Arabic into Persian were Unit shifts and Level shifts with a mean of 83 and 49 respectively.

Health Care Avoidance Among Rural Populations: Results From a Nationally Representative Survey

Previous research suggests that certain populations, including rural residents, exhibit health care avoidant behaviors more frequently than other groups. Additionally, health care avoidance is related to sociodemographics, attitudes, social expectations, ability to pay for care, and prior experiences with providers. However, previous studies have been limited to specific geographic areas, particular health conditions, or by analytic methods. The 2008 Health Information Trends Survey (HINTS) was used to estimate the magnitude of health care avoidance nationally and, while controlling for confounding factors, identify groups of people in the United States who are more likely to avoid health care. Chi-square procedures tested the statistical significance (P < .05) of bivariate relationships. Multivariable analysis was conducted through a weighted multiple logistic regression with backward selection. For 6,714 respondents, bivariate analyses revealed differences (P < .05) in health care avoidance for multiple factors. However, multiple regression reduced the set of significant factors (P < .05) to rural residence (OR = 1.69), male sex (OR = 1.24), younger age (18-34 years OR = 2.34; 35-49 years OR = 2.10), lack of health insurance (OR = 1.43), lack of confidence in personal health care (OR = 2.24), lack of regular provider (OR = 1.49), little trust in physicians (OR = 1.34), and poor provider rapport (OR = 0.94). The results of this study will help public health practitioners develop programs and initiatives targeted and tailored to specific groups, particularly rural populations, which seek to address avoidant behavior, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse health outcomes.

Outcomes of Planned Home Births Attended by Certified Nurse‐Midwives in Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1983‐2008

In this study, we examined the perinatal outcomes of planned home births over a 25-year period (1983-2008) in a group of primarily Amish women (98%) attended by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in southeastern Pennsylvania. This was a retrospective, descriptive analysis of data (N = 1836 births) from several CNM practices. Data were abstracted for 25 items, including demographics, labor, and birth. Initially, 2 investigators abstracted 15 records to compare assessments and standardize definitions. Charts were then divided and abstracted individually by one investigator. Several relationships were examined in 2 by 2 tables using the chi-square procedure for the difference in proportions. Maternal and newborn transfers to the hospital were included in the analysis. Of the women who planned home birth for 1836 pregnancies, 1733 of the births occurred at home. Although more than one-third of the women were of high parity (gravida 5-13), rates of postpartum hemorrhage were low (n = 96, 5.5%). There were no maternal deaths. Nearly half of the maternal transfers to the hospital (n = 103, 5.6%) were for ruptured membranes without labor (n = 25, 1.4%) and/or failure to progress (n = 23, 1.3%). The neonatal hospital admission rate also was low (n = 13, 0.75%). Of the 7 (0.4%) early neonatal deaths, all were attributed to lethal congenital anomalies that are common to this population. This study is the first to describe the outcomes of planned home births in a primarily Amish population cared for by CNMs. It also adds to the literature on planned home births in the United States and supports the findings from previous studies that women who have home births attended by CNMs have safety profiles equal to or better than profiles of women who had hospital births in similar populations.

Association of Haemoglobin types with Age, Coat colour and Head Profile in Red Sokoto goats of Abuja Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the distribution frequency and the association of haemoglobin types with head profile, coat colour, and sex in smallholder goats of Abuja, Nigeria. The sex, coat colour and head profile were assessed by visual appraisal. The coat colour was categorized as dark brown (DB), brown (BR) and black (BL), while the head profile was categorized into sub convex (SCX) and sub concave(SCC). Haemoglobin type was analyzed by Electrophoresis in which 3 haemoglobin genotypes were identified; AA,AB, BB in addition with foetal haemoglobin (AC) .The association of the haemoglobin type with head profile, coat colour and age of goats were determine using chi-square analysis procedure of SAS. The result revealed that majority of the goats had SCX head profile (67%) with DB coat colour (68.1%). The frequency of heterozygote Hb AB (43.6%) was higher than the homozygotes Hb AA (32%) and Hb BB (11.7%) as well as the foetal haemoglobin (12.8%). However, the Hb A alleles had higher preponderance than Hb B allele. The distribution of Hb-types was found to be independent of age, coat colour and head profile of the goats. However, the foetal Hb type AC was mainly observed in young goats that were within one year of age (83%) and non beyond 2 years of age. The head profile was strongly (P<0.01) associated with sex of the goats, but independent of the coat colour. The SCX head profile was more peculiar to females than the males, while the SCC head profile was associated with males than females.

Production levels and health status in Iberian piglets at weaning1

The aim of this study was to describe the postweaning growth of Iberian piglets and its relationship with the occurrence of diarrhea. To assess these factors in response to different weaning ages, a total of 360 pure-breed Iberian piglets were studied. Three trials were conducted with 120 piglets from 24 litters randomly assigned to be weaned at 28 or 42 d of age (12 litters and 60 piglets each). In each trial and from each weaning age, 4 groups of 15 piglets were assembled with different sexes and sizes (3 litters by group and 5 animals from each litter; 12 replicates and 180 piglets/weaning age). The duration of study period was 42 d and all animals were weighed weekly from 21 to 63 d of age. Food intake and fecal consistency were examined with the same frequency. General linear models and chi-square procedure was used with SPSS statistical package to perform the analysis with a confidence interval of 95% (P < 0.005). Pearson and Spearman analyses were conducted to examine relationships between variables. At the beginning (P = 0.798) and end of the study (P = 0.450) there were no significant differences between piglet weights. After weaning, there were differences in food intake and in conversion rates (P < 0.001), but there were no differences in ADG for the whole study period (P = 0.335). All groups experienced a similar decline in production rates during the first week after weaning and similar recovery times during the next weeks. Both weaning groups had a similar overall prevalence (P = 0.044) and incidence of diarrheal onset (P = 0.467), and regression analysis showed relationships between postweaning diarrhea and the overall prevalence of piglets before weaning (P < 0.01) and food intake during first week postweaning (P < 0.01). Therefore, weaning age has a similar influence on postweaning growth and on postweaning diarrhea in Iberian piglets.

Utilization of Hedging Devices by American and Iranian Researchers in the Field of Civil Engineering

The main purpose of the academic writing is to inform the other researchers from different cultures in a particular field. Because of the existed differences emanated from cultural backgrounds among the researchers who use English as their second or foreign language, the contrastive rhetoric plays crucial role in guiding the non-native writers. One of the important issues in academic writing which is considered difficult matter for non-natives who want to write for the academic purposes is hedging devices. Hedges are used to present findings cautiously along with leaving room for readers to have their own interpretations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find out the frequencies of different types of hedging devices in the field of Civil Engineering. To this end, 20 research articles (RAs), 10 by American writers and 10 by Iranian writers, from the leading journals were selected and their Discussion sections were selected and read to find out the existed hedging devices. All the articles have been published during 2009-2010. The time was considered because it was supposed that the time may influence the style of the writings of the authors in this field. Then, the obtained hedges were classified based on Salager-Meyer’s (1994) taxonomy. The results revealed that, American writers showed their preferences to type 1, 4, and 5 while Iranians outnumbered in using type 2 and 3. Therefore, in general, the number of hedging devices by American writers was more than Iranian writers. In order to find out that the difference between the groups is significant or not chi-square procedure was used and it was found that despite some variations among the types of hedges, no statistically significant difference observed between the American and Iranian writers in terms of utilizing hedging devices in the Discussion sections of their research articles. This finding can be interpreted in a way that what is important in utilizing hedging devices as the linguistic phenomenon is the discipline influence not the nationality or cultural backgrounds of the authors. Thus, the non-native authors, i.e. Iranians, could use hedges like their native counterparts, and this shows that the hedging devices are teachable and can be used by non-natives like natives.

Investigating inbreeding depression for heat stress tolerance in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster

Mating between closely related individuals often causes reduced fitness, which is termed ‘inbreeding depression’. Inbreeding is, therefore, a threat towards the persistence of animal and plant populations. Here we present methods and results from a practical for high-school and first-year university students and discuss learning outcomes of the exercise as an example of inquiry-based science teaching. We use the model organism Drosophila melanogaster to test the ability of inbred and control (non-inbred) females to survive heat stress exposure. Flies were anaesthetised and collected into vials before exposure to 38°C heat stress in a water bath for 1 h. Half an hour later the number of comatose inbred and control flies were scored and chi-square statistic procedures were used to test for different degrees of heat stress tolerance between the two lines of flies. The practical introduces the students to central topics in population genetics and demonstrates potential consequences of inbreeding and environmental stress on fitness. Furthermore, the practical gives insight into how to design, analyse, and interpret the results of a scientific study.

Averaged shifted chi-square test

A simple procedure based on the average of shifted chi-square statistics (ASCS) is proposed to improve the classical chi-square procedure for testing whether a random sample has been drawn from a specified continuous distribution. We repeatedly partition the sample space, say, ℓ times to obtain ℓ respective chi-square statistics. The proposed test statistic is defined as the average value of the resultant ℓ shifted chi-square statistics. We prove that the ASCS is asymptotically distributed as a weighted sum of a finite number of chi-square variables by the theory of U-statistics. The proposed procedure is shown to be markedly less sensitive to the choice of the anchor position and Monte Carlo experiments demonstrate that it leads to noticeable gains in power.