Coefficient Correlation Research Articles

Effects of different management practices on the growth and yield of corn

In Indonesia, corn is an important commodity that serves as the second source of carbohydrates after rice, whose productivity is influenced by management practices applied during cultivation. This research aimed to determine the effects of different management practices on the growth and yield of corn. This research was arranged in a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design, with different agriculture management practices as treatments, consisting of TI1 = Best Practices (Drip Irrigation + Rice Husk + Mycorrhiza), TI2 = Farmers’ Practices (Furrow Irrigation) + Mycorrhiza, and TI3 = Farmers’ practices (Furrow Irrigation). The data observed were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and followed by the Post Hoc Tukey’s HSD at α= 5%. The results showed that the TI1 produced significantly higher plant height, stem diameter, leaf dry weight, weight of cob with cornhusk and kernel dry weight, and effectively suppressed weed growth compared to TI2 and TI3. TI1 produced a significantly higher number of leaves, root dry weight, and total dry weight compared to TI3, but not significantly different compared to TI2. TI1 produced not significantly different stem dry weight and harvest index compared to TI2 and TI3. The kernel dry weight per plant observed in TI1 was 157.63 g, which was 14.22% and 22.91% higher than in TI2 and TI3, respectively. Based on the coefficient correlation and path analysis, the number of leaves, plant height, and total dry weight should be considered as important plant growth variables to produce high kernel dry weight.

Comparison and Agreement between Cardiovascular Computed Tomography-Derived Mid-Diastolic and End-Diastolic Ventricular Volume in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease.

Prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) is primarily utilized for anatomical information in congenital heart disease (CHD) and has not been utilized for calculation of the end-diastolic volume (EDV); however, the mid-diastolic volume (MDV) may be measured. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and agreement between ventricular EDV and MDV. 31 retrospectively ECG-gated CCT were analyzed for the study of the 450 consecutive CCT. CCT images were processed using syngo.via with automatic contouring followed by manual adjustment of the endocardial borders of the left ventricles (LV) and right ventricles (RV) at end-diastolic and mid-diastolic phase (measured at 70% of cardiac cycle). The correlation and agreements between EDV and MDV were demonstrated using Spearman rank coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Mean age ± SD was 28.8 ± 12.5 years, 19 were male (61.3%) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) was the most common diagnosis (58.1%), 35% (11/31) patients with a pacemaker, ICD or other such contraindication for a CMRI, 23% (7/31) with claustrophobia, and 6.5% (2/31) with developmental delay with refusal for sedation did not have a previous CMRI. The mean ± SD indexed LV EDV and LV MDV were 91.1 ± 24.5 and 84.8 ± 22.3 ml/m2, respectively. The mean ± SD indexed RV EDV and RV MDV were 136.8 ± 41 and 130.2 ± 41.5 ml/m2, respectively. EDV and MDV had a strong positive correlation and good agreement (ICC 0.92 for LV and 0.95 for RV). This agreement was preserved in a subset of patients (21) with dilated RV (indexed RV EDV z-score > 2). Intra-observer reliability (0.97 and 0.98 for LV and RV MDV, respectively) and inter-observer reliability (0.96 and 0.90 for LV and RV MDV, respectively) were excellent. In a select group of patients with CHD, measuring MDV by CCT is feasible and these values have good agreements with EDV. This may be used to derive functional data from prospectively ECG-triggered CCT studies. Further large-scale analysis is needed to determine accuracy and clinical correlation.

Assessing satisfaction in simulation among nursing students: psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience - Italian Version scale

BackgroundThe Satisfaction with Simulation Experience scale is a 5-point Likert scale that measures students’ satisfaction in medium and high-fidelity simulation scenarios. This study aims at investigating the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience - Italian Version scale.MethodsA multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted. The scale was administered to a sample of 266 undergraduate nursing students from two Italian universities after attending a medium- and high-fidelity simulation session in November 2022 and March 2023. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and item-total correlation were sorted out to assess internal consistency and reliability. The test-retest method was used as a measure of scale stability over time as well as the confirmatory factor analysis to verify construct validity.ResultsThe Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.94 for the overall scale, indicating excellent reliability, and it was 0.84 or higher for each subscales, indicating good reliability. A large correlation coefficient of 0.60 or higher was found between each item and its subscale and between each item and the overall scale score. A medium test-retest correlation coefficient was found for most items (r > 0.30). The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factorial structure found in the original study.ConclusionsSatisfaction is an important teaching and learning quality indicator along with the achievement of learning outcomes in simulation. The Satisfaction with Simulation Experience - Italian Version scale showed good reliability and validity; therefore, it could be a useful tool to assess simulation impact in Italian nursing students. The extensive utilization of the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience scale, along with its various validated versions, could facilitate assessing satisfaction in simulation across diverse contexts and enable comparisons of findings across studies in different countries.

The Relationship between Concept Perception and Student Achievement in the Subject Area of Chemistry in Science

Science education has undergone many reforms since the past to improve the learning and teaching process. Teachers' knowledge and motivation, and teachers' teaching techniques, determine how students understand science concepts. In the journey of taking students to innovations in education, the teacher who provides science education in the classroom has a great responsibility (Research and Development Branch, 2017). It is also necessary to identify the problems faced by students in building science education. The analysis of the examination department's results and evaluation reports shows that compared to other subjects, the minimum mark is obtained for the science subject. The Sri Lanka Examination Department's 2017 G.E.C. (G.E.) evaluation report also shows that among the three fields of science, biology, chemistry, and physics, the facility for the field of chemistry is low. For this reason, it was the main interest of this research to find out the correlation between student performance and conceptual understanding of students who learn the content of the chemistry subject of the science subject. For that purpose, the size of the sample was determined using the table of determination of the sample size presented by Krejcie & Morgan (1970) and the correlational study research strategy using 400 students of 08 secondary schools in the Kegalle district of Sri Lanka selected through a cluster random sampling method as the sample. The research was conducted using a quantitative design. For this, Katerina Salta & Chryssa Tzougraki (2004) used an aptitude test set according to the Liket scale and a structured type of achievement test set according to Bloom's classification to find out the level of concept perception of 11th grade students in a school in Greece. A control test was administered to 10% of the research instrument sample. By analyzing the data collected, the research instruments were standardized. Then by giving the research equipment to the main sample, the collected data was analyzed, and conclusions were drawn from the data interpretation. Here, a positive correlation of Pearson correlation coefficient (r= + 0.720) was found between students' conceptual understanding and student achievement. It was recognized that appropriate student-centered methods should be used in the learning and teaching process as student achievement increases when students' conceptual understanding increases.

Game on for learning: a holistic exploration of Gamification’s impact on student engagement and academic performance in educational environments

PurposeThe research paper examines the complex relationship between gamification, student engagement and academic performance in educational environments. The study employed a structural equation model that highlights important connections among key constructs within the educational setting.Design/methodology/approachThis research aims to explore the connection between gamification, student engagement and academic performance in educational settings. The study employs various statistical techniques such as factor analysis, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO), Bartlett’s test, component transformation matrix, correlation and regression analysis, descriptive statistics, ANOVA, coefficients and coefficient correlations, residual statistics and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to analyze the data.FindingsIt was found that active participation by the instructor and good time management skills have a positive impact on student engagement levels (β = 0.380, p < 0.001; β = 0.433 and p < 0.001). However, peer interaction does not significantly predict student engagement (β = −0.068 and p = 0.352). Additionally, there is a positive correlation between student engagement and performance (β = 0.280 and p < 0.001).Research limitations/implicationsThe study highlights the importance of innovative design to fully utilize gamification. Future research should consider design, user characteristics and educational context. The findings can guide informed decisions about gamification in education, fostering motivation and learning objectives.Practical implicationsThe study presents a reliable tool for assessing student engagement and performance in educational settings, demonstrating high Cronbach’s alpha and robust reliability. It identifies student engagement and time management as significant predictors of Global Learning Outcome. The findings can inform decisions on implementing gamification in educational settings, promoting intrinsic motivation and aligning with learning objectives.Social implicationsThe research highlights the transformative impact of gamification on educational practices, highlighting its potential to enhance student experiences, motivate, promote diversity and improve long-term academic performance, highlighting the trend of integrating technology into education.Originality/valueIn today’s ever-changing education landscape, it is essential to incorporate innovative techniques to keep students engaged and enthusiastic about learning. Gamification is one such approach that has become increasingly popular. It is a concept that takes inspiration from the immersive world of games to enhance the overall learning experience.

Social Desirability and Perceived Stress: Impact on Self-Esteem of Women

Self-esteem plays a pivotal role in women's lives, influencing their self-esteem, resiliency, and general well-being. A good sense of self-worth enables women to negotiate problems more effectively, cultivates positive connections, and improves mental and emotional resilience in the face of societal pressures and adversity. This study examined the relationships between social desirability and stress levels and their impact on self-esteem of women. Social desirability and Stress levels were measured using the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale and Perceived stress scale respectively. Self-esteem was determined through the rosenberg self-esteem scale which assess the self-esteem levels in individuals. It measures both positive and negative feelings about oneself, providing a reliable measure of self-esteem across various populations and settings. A quantitative research approach was used for collecting data from a varying age range of women. (N=100) through self-report measures assessing the social desirability, perceived stress and self-esteem among women. To calculate the strength and direction of relation between the three variables, Pearson’s coefficients correlation was used. While the correlation between Social Desirability and Self-Esteem was not statistically significant (r = .159, p > .05), it hinted at a potential association between the constructs. Similarly, the weak positive correlation between Self-Esteem and Perceived Stress (r = .099, p > .05) suggested a trend wherein higher self-esteem may be linked to lower perceived stress levels. However, the most notable finding was the significant positive correlation between Social Desirability and Perceived Stress (r = .396, p < .01), indicating that individuals exhibiting socially desirable behaviors may experience elevated levels of perceived stress. These results lend support to the hypotheses positing significant relationships between social desirability and self-esteem, as well as between perceived stress and self-esteem in women. Understanding these associations can inform interventions aimed at promoting mental health, emphasizing the importance of addressing societal pressures and fostering healthy self-perceptions among women. More study is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these associations and to examine potential routes for mitigating the negative impacts of social desirability on psychological well-being. .Keywords: Social desirability, Self-esteem, Perceived stress, Women.

Comparison between Discrete Multi-Wavelength Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in the Assessment of Muscle Mass for Community-Dwelling Older People.

(1) Background: This study evaluated the clinical implications of a new measurement technique for muscle mass using discrete multi-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy (DMW-NIRS) compared with multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in older adults. (2) Methods: In a cross-sectional study involving 91 participants aged 65 years, the agreement of total lean mass for each measurement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation analysis. The study was conducted at a university hospital from 10 July 2023 to 1 November 2023. (3) Results: A total of 45 men (mean age, 74.1) and 46 women (mean age, 73.6) were analyzed. In the comparisons of total lean mass between DMW-NIRS and BIA, ICC (2.1) was 0.943 and Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.949 (p < 0.001). Across all segments of lean mass, we found excellent agreement with the ICCs (>0.90) and acceptable values of the correlation coefficients (>0.6) between DMW-NIRS and BIA. (4) Conclusions: This study confirmed agreement in the measurements of muscle mass between portable devices using DMW-NIRS and BIA among community-dwelling older adults. A simple screening of muscle mass in a home setting would help to detect early decreases in muscle mass.

Between-session reliability of dry-land and in-water tests to measure inter-limb asymmetries in swimmers

ABSTRACT The aims of the present study were to: i) analyse the between-session reliability of dry-land and in-water swimming tests, and ii) investigate the prevalence of meaningful asymmetries in swimming athletes. Twenty-eight swimmers (21 males, 7 females) performed anthropometric, shoulder range of motion (ROM), countermovement jump, shoulder isokinetic torque, and 15-s tethered swimming tests two times, 1 week apart. Inter-limb asymmetries were calculated for each variable. Raw data reliability was determined using the intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) and the typical error of measurement (TEM), and effect size (ES) was used to determine systematic bias between test sessions. At an individual level, inter-limb asymmetries were compared to the coefficient of variation (CV) to determine whether they were real. The between-session reliability was good to excellent (0.75 to 1.00) for most of the raw data, except for ROM. Between-session ES was predominately “trivial” or “small” for raw data and asymmetries, reinforcing that the values did not change significantly between the sessions. In addition, real asymmetries were seen in some tested metrics, depending on the test. In conclusion, the tested variables presented good levels of between-session reliability and were able to detect real and consistent asymmetries.

Automatic segmentation of hemorrhagic transformation on follow-up non-contrast CT after acute ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) following reperfusion therapies is a serious complication for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Segmentation and quantification of hemorrhage provides critical insights into patients' condition and aids in prognosis. This study aims to automatically segment hemorrhagic regions on follow-up non-contrast head CT (NCCT) for stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Patient data were collected from 10 stroke centers across two countries. We propose a semi-automated approach with adaptive thresholding methods, eliminating the need for extensive training data and reducing computational demands. We used Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (Lin's CCC) to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. A total of 51 patients were included, with 28 Type 2 hemorrhagic infarction (HI2) cases and 23 parenchymal hematoma (PH) cases. The algorithm achieved a mean DSC of 0.66 ± 0.17. Notably, performance was superior for PH cases (mean DSC of 0.73 ± 0.14) compared to HI2 cases (mean DSC of 0.61 ± 0.18). Lin's CCC was 0.88 (95% CI 0.79-0.93), indicating a strong agreement between the algorithm's results and the ground truth. In addition, the algorithm demonstrated excellent processing time, with an average of 2.7 s for each patient case. To our knowledge, this is the first study to perform automated segmentation of post-treatment hemorrhage for acute stroke patients and evaluate the performance based on the radiological severity of HT. This rapid and effective tool has the potential to assist with predicting prognosis in stroke patients with HT after EVT.

Laboratory study of aberration calculation in underwater turbulence using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor and Zernike polynomials

This paper presents a laboratory study of the aberrations calculation in underwater turbulence using the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. The wavefront decomposition method and Zernike polynomials determine the aberration parameters. In our experimental setup, the turbulent phase screen generator is located in two locations: near the transmitter and therefore far from the receiver, and near the receiver and consequently far from the transmitter. Additionally, we investigate the impact of aperture diameter on turbulence-induced aberrations in the optical receiver system. However, it is essential to note that the coefficients of Zernike polynomials obtained using this method are subject to errors caused by receiver sensor noise and correlation between the polynomials. To address this, we first calculate the coefficients in different arrangements and then correct measurement errors arising from sensor noise and polynomial coefficient correlation.

Appraisal of reservoir quality for hydrocarbon-bearing deep-water Miocene sandstones incised valley, south-east Asian offshore Indus: An application of seismic attributes and instantaneous spectral porosity quantitative reservoir simulations

Incised marine valleys (IVS) are hot topics in exploring the stratigraphic oil and gas-bearing plays. Multiple channelized sandstone lenses at varying depths [m], thicknesses [m], and porosities [%] constrain seismic impedance. The presence of hydrocarbon-bearing resources affects the seismic impedance (density (g/cc) and velocity (m/s)). Therefore, a quantitative prediction has been carried out for determining the thickness [m], porosity [%], and depths [m] of laterally distributed channelized sandstone lenses (SLS) for IVS, Indus offshore Basin (IOB), Pakistan, using 2-D instantaneous spectral porosity quantitative modelling (2DSSM), continuous wavelet transforms-based (CWT) 2-D instantaneous spectral density modelling (2DSSDM), and spectral decomposition tools. The 2DSSM remained limited in predicting the number of channelized sandstone lenses and their quantitative stratigraphic attributes. The 45-Hz-based processing of conventional 2DSSM has resolved the two channelized sandstone lenses of the stratigraphic trap. The deepest channelized sandstone lens has attained 1–6 m thickness with a lateral extent of 3 km, within the porosity range of 18–33 %. The highest confidence level for predicted petrophysical attributes such as 13 m-thick pay zones, −0.08, −0.067, and −0.07 acoustic impedances [g/c.c.*m/s], and 28 % porosities with R2 > 0.85 have validated interpretations. The response of 45-Hz CWT waveform-based inverted density and thickness simulations has predicted the highest thicknesses and lowest densities of reservoir sandstones within the meandering channel belt of the deepwater depositional system. The predicted densities and thicknesses for the coarse-grained sandstone lenses of point bars were 1.8–1.9 g/cc and 15 m, respectively. In the same way, the quantitative estimates of predicted density and simulated thickness have shown a strong coefficient correlation (R2 > 0.80), which confirms the presence of gas-bearing prospects within the IVS. The facies-controlled migration is thought to be the movement of the reservoir facies of the point bars and channelled sandstone-filled lenses to the side.

Cross-cultural validity of the Dutch sleep-related breathing disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire in a general population

BackgroundPediatric sleep-disordered breathing is associated with multiple health problems. Polysomnography is the reference standard for identifying this disorder, but availability is limited. Therefore, an alternative screening tool is needed. Globally, the Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) has proven to be a feasible tool. Consequently, this study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the PSQ into Dutch and then to examine the cultural validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Dutch version among a general population visiting oral healthcare centers. MethodsThe translation, review, adaptation, pretest, and documentation approach was used to ensure cross-cultural adaptation of the PSQ. Then, 220 children (2.4–18 years) were sampled for clinimetric evaluation. We estimated the cross-cultural validity by comparing the factor analyses of the original PSQ and the Dutch version. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, Spearman's correlation, the intraclass correlation coefficient, the standard error of measurement, and a Bland-Altman plot. ResultsThe factor loading patterns of the Dutch version matched with the original study around the four predetermined factors: breathing, sleepiness, behavior, and other. The internal consistency, with a Cronbach's α of 0.77, was acceptable. The test-retest reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient and Spearman's correlation of 0.89 and 0.93, respectively, was good to excellent. ConclusionsCultural adaptation was ensured and the results support cross-cultural validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Dutch Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the PSQ. This questionnaire could therefore be a valuable tool for screening disordered breathing in Dutch children.

Perceived Stress and Resilience of Criminology Teachers and Students during Covid-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, education has undergone rapid and profound changes, leading to feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, social isolation, and potentially detrimental behaviors that undermine well-being. In this situation, it is essential to understand the link between perceived stress and resilience among vulnerable populations, including teachers and students, as society navigates the new normal in delivering high-quality education. Furthermore, since little scholarly attention has been invested in understanding the impact of the pandemic on Criminology teachers and students, targeted studies are necessary. Thus, this descriptive-correlation study assesses the perceived stress and resilience among Criminology teachers and students in Negros Occidental (Western Visayas, Philippines) during the pandemic. To this end, a total of 2000 respondents voluntarily answered the survey questionnaire used by the researcher – 124 Criminology teachers using the total enumeration technique and 1876 students using the simple random process among the eleven schools in Negros Occidental offering Criminology Program. The data was collected through Google Forms because travel restrictions and quarantine were still imposed during the study. The study used the frequency and percentage in terms of the profile of the respondents, mean and standard deviation to determine the level of perceived stress and resilience, and coefficient correlations for significant correlations and disparity. The findings revealed that Criminology teachers had a moderate level of perceived stress and resilience, indicating their ability to manage stress and cope with teaching challenges during the pandemic. Conversely, students experienced a high-stress level, particularly among females, while demonstrating moderate resilience. Furthermore, a notable disparity was found between teachers' and students' stress levels and resilience, affirming that the latter are more resilient, albeit more stressed, because finishing their degree during the pandemic signifies a remarkable achievement for them. These results underscore the need for tailored interventions that effectively manage stress and promote the development of coping mechanisms. By acknowledging the unique stressors Criminology students face and harnessing their inherent resilience, educational institutions would be able to support their success and well-being during these challenging times.

Evaluation of the optimal number of steps to obtain reliable running spatio-temporal parameters and their variability

BackgroundSpatio-temporal running parameters and their variability help to determine a runner's running style. However, determining whether a change is due to the measurement or to a specific condition such as an injury is a matter of debate, as no recommendation on the number of steps required to obtain reliable assessments exists. Research questionWhat is the optimal number of steps required to measure different spatio-temporal parameters and study their variability at different running speeds? MethodsTwenty-five runners performed three experimental sessions of three bouts of treadmill running at 8, 10 and 12 km/h separated by 24 h. We measured cadence, stride, step, contact and flight time. We calculated the duty factor and the leg stiffness index (Kleg). Mean spatio-temporal parameters and linear (coefficient of variation, standard deviation) and non-linear (Higuchi fractal index, α1 coefficient of detrended fluctuation analysis) analyses were computed for different numbers of steps. Relative reliability was determined using the intraclass coefficient correlation. The minimal number of steps which present a good reliability level was considered as the optimal number of steps for measurement. Absolute reliability was assessed by calculating minimal detectable change. ResultsTo assess the mean values of spatio-temporal running parameters, between 16 and 150 steps were required. We were unable to obtain an optimal number of steps for cadence, stride and step-time variabilities for all speeds. For the linear analyses, we deduced the optimal number of steps for Kleg and the contact time (around 350 steps). Non-linear analyses measurements required between 350 and 540 steps, depending on the parameter. SignificanceResearchers and clinicians should optimize experimental conditions (number of steps and running speed) depending on the parameter or the variability analysis targeted. Future studies must use absolute reliability metrics to report changes in response to a specific condition with no bias due to measurement error.

Health and Wellness Coaching Can Improve Usage of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Participants With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been tied to chronic conditions, such as obesity. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is an effective treatment, device discomfort impacts treatment adherence. Health and wellness coaching (HWC) can increase weight loss (WL) and adherence across other treatment types. This study aims to determine whether participants undergoing an HWC program improve CPAP device usage and WL compared to control group (CG). Participants were randomly selected to participate in the HWC group in conjunction with standard care. The HWC participants were gender, age, weight, CPAP usage (e.g., hours, days), and race matched to CG participants receiving standard care only. Variables collected include demographics (i.e., age, gender), CPAP device usage, and weight across four time points (baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-months). Paired samples t-test and Pearson’s coefficient correlation were conducted to determine how outcomes differ between groups. Of 232 participants studied, those in the HWC group significantly increased CPAP usage over time ( P &lt; .001) vs CG (6.5 ± 1.8, and 5.0 ± 2.3 hours, respectively). The HWC group had significantly more weight loss (11.0 ± 14.5 lbs.) than CG (5.7 ± 16.1 lbs.) across the 9-month timeline ( P &lt; .001). This study provides evidence that HWC can improve CPAP adherence and weight loss.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Translation of the PedsQL™ 3.0 Neuromuscular Module for 2-to 4-Year-Olds in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Neuromuscular Module (PedsQL™ 3.0 NM) evaluates the health-related quality of life in children who are affected by neuromuscular diseases. This study's aim is to assess the adaptation of the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM Turkish version (PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR) for 2- to 4-year-olds in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The procedure of translating the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM into Turkish was conducted in accordance with the translation methodology outlined by the PedsQL™ measurement model. The PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR was administered to 54 parents of children with SMA aged 2 to 4 years. The test-retest reliability and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were measured for reliability analysis. Cronbach's α coefficient and item score correlations were calculated for internal consistency. Concurrent construct validity was evaluated by Pearson correlations between the outcomes of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS) and the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM. The PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR total score shows excellent reliability. The Cronbach's α values for the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM ranged between 0.871 and 0.906, while those for the PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS ranged between 0.843 and 0.897. Test-retest ICC values for the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR ranged between 0.812 and 0.917, and for the PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS ranged between 0.773 and 0.899. The relationship between the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR and the subscores of the PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS demonstrated a range of correlations from excellent to fair, indicating the interplay between two scales. This study established the PedsQL™ 3.0 NM-TR as reliable, valid, and feasible for use in children aged 2 to 4 years with SMA.

Translation and Determination of Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Measuring the Caring Behaviors Scale for Health Care Students and Providers

Introduction: Measurement of caring behavior can not only be useful for the measurement of the caring behavior of students and employees of the healthcare system but can also be used to identify and provide timely information about the status of these behaviors in students and employees to carry out interventions and modify policies. The present study aimed to translate and determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the caring behavior scale on healthcare students and providers. Methods: This methodological study was carried out in 2023 with the participation of 330 students and employees of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The instrument was translated using the forward-backward method. The final version of the scale was checked in terms of validity (content, face, and construct validity [using confirmatory factor analysis]) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, and intraclass correlation) in SPSS software (version 25) and AMOS software (version 24). Results: In reviewing the face validity, scores of all items were higher than 1.5. content validity of all items was accepted, and the factor loading of all the items was higher than 0.4; therefore, all the items were retained. The goodness of fit indices of the model indicated the approval of the model and its good fit (GFI: 0.884, NFI: 0.911, CFI: 0.921, and RMSEA: 0.07). Reliability of the scale was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, test-retest, and intra-cluster correlation of 0.84, 0.86, and 0.83, respectively. Conclusion: Psychometric features of the Persian version of the CBS-HSP scale were favorable. Therefore, it can be used in future studies to measure the care behaviors of the Persian population and also evaluate effective interventions on this outcome.

Profiling effects of filtering noise labels on learning performance

Deciding whether a label in a dataset is noisy or not depends on factors such as filtering levels, data patterns, relabeling policies, and pre-defined regulations. By focusing on filtering acceptance levels (FAL), a decision support model (named DSM-ENL) is proposed and implemented on real datasets that are granulated, dealing with noise label detection and profiling effects of 50 FALs (51 %–100 %) on noise rate (NoR), classification accuracy (CA), and area under ROC curve (AUC). A case used to demonstrate the DSM-ENL is illustrated, followed by experiments on 27 unsupervised and 29 supervised granulated datasets using five classifiers with 70 %–30 % training and testing criteria. The findings revealed that: (1) the best CAs among classifiers vary with FALs; (2) NoR, CA, and AUC oscillate as FAL increases; (3) lower FAL boundaries (from 0.51 to 0.60) are more likely to lead to higher CAs; and (4) correlation of coefficient among dataset characteristics, FAL, NoR, CA, and AUC are not high compared to that of CA and NoR and that of CA and AUC. The research demonstrates the value of profiling the effects of FALs applied for noise-label datasets on learning performance.

PEWARISAN RUGAE PALATINA ORANGTUA PADA ANAK SEBAGAI SARANA IDENTIFIKASI ODONTOLOGI FORENSIK PADA ETNIS BANJAR

Background: Rugae palatine is a forensic organ that can survive and not be altered by any trauma such as from burns. Rugae palatina is one of the organs in the oral cavity that is unique in that there is no same pattern between individuals. This pattern also has peculiarities between individuals and gender. Palatine rugae can also be inherited from parents to children. Purpose: To analyze the inheritance of palatine rugae from parents to children in Banjar Ethnicity. Method: The method used in this research is analytic research with cross sectional method. This study was conducted on 32 families or 96 people whose number of students was divided into 16 men and 16 women. This study was conducted with photographic techniques using fullframe cameras and lenses, occlusal mirrors, LED lights. The results of photography are carried out in the editing stage in the photoshop application with the pentool feature. The data obtained and analyzed using the contingency coefficient correlation test. Results: The results showed a correlation in palatal rugae patterns. The father-offspring and mother-offspring contingency coefficient scores (0.708, 0.760) respectively which indicated a strong correlation in shape patterns between offspring and their parents. These correlations were statistically significant (p value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: There is a strong and significant inheritance of palatine rugae between father and mother in children. Fathers and mothers have an equal chance of inheriting palatine rugae.Keywords : Banjar Tribe, Forensics, Inheritance, Palatine Rugae, Personal Identification.

Modeling and prediction of tribological properties of copper/aluminum-graphite self-lubricating composites using machine learning algorithms

The tribological properties of self-lubricating composites are influenced by many variables and complex mechanisms. Data-driven methods, including machine learning (ML) algorithms, can yield a better comprehensive understanding of complex problems under the influence of multiple parameters, typically for how tribological performances and material properties correlate. Correlation of friction coefficients and wear rates of copper/aluminum-graphite (Cu/Al-graphite) self-lubricating composites with their inherent material properties (composition, lubricant content, particle size, processing process, and interfacial bonding strength) and the variables related to the testing method (normal load, sliding speed, and sliding distance) were analyzed using traditional approaches, followed by modeling and prediction of tribological properties through five different ML algorithms, namely support vector machine (SVM), K-Nearest neighbor (KNN), random forest (RF), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and least-squares boosting (LSBoost), based on the tribology experimental data. Results demonstrated that ML models could satisfactorily predict friction coefficient and wear rate from the material properties and testing method variables data. Herein, the LSBoost model based on the integrated learning algorithm presented the best prediction performance for friction coefficients and wear rates, with R2 of 0.9219 and 0.9243, respectively. Feature importance analysis also revealed that the content of graphite and the hardness of the matrix have the greatest influence on the friction coefficients, and the normal load, the content of graphite, and the hardness of the matrix influence the wear rates the most.