Correlation Linear Regression Research Articles

Macroeconomic and Bank-Level Factors Impact on NPL Ratio

The paper is aimed at analyzing and assessing the impact of macroeconomic and bank-level factors of non-performing loans. Those factors are very important and have become increasingly popular. The non-performing loan ratio is one of the most important tools used to reflect the stability of the banks. The main reason of this study about is to examine which macroeconomic and bank-level components influence the NPL of Armenian banks. The study focused on Armenian banks also provides comparisons with the US banking sector. The linear regression models and correlations analysis methodology was used to decide and assess the critical relationship between the periods from January 2013 to December 2020. The main results of this study could be useful for bank stability and loan portfolio management, and shown that capital adequacy ratio, return on assets, liquidity ratio, return on equity from bank-level factors and yield curves, national currency from macroeconomic factors has no significant effect on explaining the NPL ratio in a multidimensional perspective. On the other hand, the consumer price index, the economic activity index and non-residents loans ratio have a negative impact on the NPL ratio. Unemployment rate, operating efficiency, USD/AMD exchange and fuel price have a positive effect on the NPL ratio.

Optimization of Psychological Characteristics and Education Management Path of Poor College Students in Colleges and Universities Based on Improved PCA

Abstract Aiming at the mental health problems of poor college students, this study proposes an expression recognition method based on the optimization of PCA algorithm and applies it to the mental health test framework. By comparing the differences between poor college students and norms, and using multiple linear regression and typical correlation analysis to explore the impact of educational management paths. The study also addressed the effect of different types of colleges and universities on the level of management of academic support for poor students, and found that 985 colleges and universities significantly outperformed the norm in this area, i.e. P > |t| = 0.031. This provides valuable insights into improving educational and psychological support for poor college students.

Chewing efficiency and contact area discrepancies in Angle's class I and II malocclusion: A comparative study

ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess and compare both the chewing efficiency and the contact area between class I and class II of Angle’s malocclusions. Material and methodsA total of 120 individuals aged between 19 and 30 years were examined and were divided into two groups according to Angle’s class (Class I and class II). The chewing efficiency was quantified using the ViewGum software and two-colored chewing gum. The contact area was quantified using modeling wax and MATLAB software. All data were collected, then, analyzed using SPSS software 21. Data normality was checked through kurtosis test. Descriptive results were calculated. Matched sample t-tests were used to compare chewing efficiency measurements between right and left sides. Independent t-tests were used to compare chewing efficiency and the contact area between class I and class II of Angle’s malocclusions. Linear regression and Pearson correlation were used to assess the correlation between chewing efficiency and the contact area. The significance level was fixed at p = 0.05. ResultsFor group 1, the mean hue value on both sides was 0.086 ± 0.058. For group 2, it was 0.095 ± 0.055. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (p = 0.03). For group 1, the mean contact area was 49.91 ± 21.47 mm2. For group 2, it was 51.42 ± 19.76 mm2. The difference was statistically not significant (p = 0.4). The correlation between the contact area and the chewing efficiency in both groups was statistically significant and it was negative (in class I p = 0 and R = -0.616; in class II p = 0.01 and R = −0.408). ConclusionThe Chewing is better for patients with Angle’s Class I malocclusion. The contact area is higher. Larger occlusal contact area leads to higher masticatory efficiency. Further studies should be conducted.

Histological evaluation of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: Correlation with Drum Tower Severity Scoring

BackgroundHepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome induced by pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA-HSOS) is a complication of drug-induced liver damage. Few studies have examined the relationship between pathological changes and clinical circumstances in PA-HSOS. The Drum Tower Severity Scoring System (DTSS) was developed using prognostic indicators from clinical treatment outcomes. We hypothesized that the severity of pathological damage is consistent with DTSS. AimsWe aimed to improve our understanding and assessment of vascular liver injury disease histopathology by studying larger sample sizes of human histopathological samples. We also wanted to confirm the link between histopathological findings and DTSS. MethodsThe study included 62 patients with PA-HSOS who underwent transjugular liver biopsy. Their hepatic pathological tissues were evaluated. Analyses of linear regression and Spearman's correlation were employed to examine the relationship between DTSS and pathological characteristics. ResultsClinical performance and the DTSS score were used to determine histopathological severity. The sinusoidal congestion area (SCA), central venous endothelial injury (CVEI), and fibrinoid exudation in congestion foci (FECF) were significant indicators. SCA was linearly related to the DTSS score. ConclusionOur findings show that hepatic pathological characteristics correlate with DTSS scores in PA-HSOS. SCA, CVEI, and FECF may be helpful for determining PA-HSOS severity.

The Influence of Service Quality and Price on Customer Satisfaction at AHHAS Karya Perdana Workshop

The AHHAS Karya Perdana workshop is located on Jl. DI. Panjaitan, Karanganyar, Kec. Indramayu, Indramayu Regency, West Java 45213. The workshop provides a complete range of spare parts products and motor vehicle repair services. The workshop has a very comfortable waiting room atmosphere, quality of service is a priority with varying prices, and a strategic workshop location in the city center makes it easy for the people of Indramayu to find and repair motorbikes, influencing customer satisfaction. The method used in this study uses descriptive and associative research methods using a quantitative approach. This study's sample number was 95 AHHAS Karya Perdana Workshop customers. By collecting data using a questionnaire. Data analysis technique using multiple linear regression analysis, correlation, and coefficient of determination. Calculations using the SPSS software tool version 20. The results showed that service quality and price significantly and positively affected customer satisfaction. In this study, service quality and price can explain customer satisfaction by 62.1%, while the remaining 37.9% is influenced by factors not examined.

Factors shaping spectators’ consumption patterns: controversial arisings from an international sport tourism event

PurposeSport events’ contribution to the destinations’ local economy implies in-depth knowledge of the economic benefits generated by non-resident spectators (NRS). Thus, this study aims to answer: What is the profile and shaping factors of the consumption patterns of the several types of NRS in international surf tourism events?Design/methodology/approachA total of 263 questionnaires applied to the NRS of an international surf event were collected and analysed. The identification of the NRS profile and the predictive factors of their total expenditure were performed through the correlation of factors and multiple linear regression, respectively.FindingsMostly, the event attracted generation Y NRS, with a high level of education and regular sport practice. The results showed differences among the NRS: the “casuals” included more women than men; the “extensioners” integrated the NRS whose surfing practice is higher; the “event visitors”/”time switchers” mostly integrated the domestic tourism flows; the “casuals” and “extensioners” spent the most at the destination, and those whose intention to recommend/revisit the destination, respectively, was higher; and the shaping factor that most influenced the increase in NRS expenditure was the overnight stay, added by older age, higher education level and foreign origin.Originality/valueRegardless of the initial motivation that led to the trip to the destination, the results verified that the event’s attributes are capable of contributing to the recommendation/visitation of the destination. Consequently, the study of economic benefits (tangible and intangible) provided by sport events in destinations should be guided by an integrative analysis of NRS.

ANALISIS STIMULUS KERJA DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP PERFORMANCE PEGAWAI PADA BALAI PELESTARIAN KEBUDAYAAN WILAYAH IX

Performance is a very important thing that describes the level of achievement of implementing activities in realizing the goals, objectives, vision and mission of an organization or company as outlined in the planning strategy of an organization or company. However, in reality there is a decline in performance because there are still many employees who arrive late to work and are less than optimal in completing daily tasks (daily log), so that the completion of work targets still does not meet the targets. This research aims to determine the effect of work motivation on the performance of employees at the Balai Pelestraian Kebudayaan Wilayah IX. The population in this research was carried out on all 50 employees, where all employees were respondents. The sampling technique used in this research was saturated sampling. The analytical method in this research uses simple linear regression analysis, correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination.The independent variable in this study is work motivation as the independent variable, while employee performance is the dependent variable. This research uses quantitative research methods through descriptive analysis and verification, this research uses a saturated sample or census technique because it takes all objects that are members of the population as samples. The findings of the research results show that there is a motivational influence on employee performance at the Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan Wilayah IX.

Pengaruh Lokasi, Persepsi Harga dan Citra Merek Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian di Toko Daging Nusantara Kranggan

The purpose of this study to examine how the influence of location, price perception and brand image on consumer purchasing decisions at Toko Daging Nusantara Kranggan. This survey was conducted on consumers who purchased Toko Daging Nusantara products during April-May 2023. In this study using quantitative methods. The primary data of this study was collected through questionnaires using the accidential sampling method, with a total of 100 respondents. The collected data is then tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis involved multiple linear regression analysis, correlation coefficients and determination coefficients using SPSS software version 25. The findings of this study show that price perception and brand image have a partial influence on purchasing decisions. However, locations have no partial influence on purchasing decisions. Overall, the study's findings suggest that these three variables simultaneously influence purchasing decision.
 

PENGARUH KARAKTERISTIK INDIVIDU TERHADAP PENGEMBANGAN KARIR PNS PEJABAT STRUKTURAL PADA KANTOR PEMERINTAH PROVINSI NTB

This research aims to see the influence of individual characteristics on the career development of structural civil servant officials at the NTB Provincial Government office. The formulation of the problem in this research is whether individual characteristics influence the career development of structural civil servants at the NTB Provincial Government office ?. This research is quantitative descriptive research. The population of this research is the total number of Civil Servants in the regional government offices of West Nusa Tenggara Province who occupy structural positions, namely 1,027 people. The sample was taken using the Slovin formula, so the sample size was 91.12 rounded up to 91 people. Simple multiple linear regression analysis, T-test, and correlation coefficient are the data analysis methods used. The results of the research that has been conducted show that the individual characteristics variable has a positive influence on career development. So it can be concluded that the proposed research hypothesis is completely accepted.

Cholinergic white matter hyperintensity volume, cognitive decline, and incident dementia in older adults

AbstractBackgroundWhite matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are frequently observed in the elderly and their severity tends to increase with age. Previous studies have revealed that WMHs are closely related to cognitive dysfunction. However, as inter‐individual variations and a clinicoradiological discrepancy exist, not all individuals with severe WMH burden experience worse cognitive performance. Furthermore, the location of WMHs appears to be a critical factor in the relationship between WMHs and cognitive function. Few studies take both volume and location of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) into account to explore the association between WMH burden and cognitive impairment. We therefore investigated associations of cholinergic WMH volume (WMHV) with global cognitive function, cognitive decline, and incident dementia in older adults.MethodA total of 752 older adults (mean age 60 years, 50% female) from the Taizhou Imaging Study were involved. Brain magnetic resonance imaging data at baseline and repeated measures of cognition over 5 years were collected and analyzed. WMHV in whole brain, the cholinergic pathways, and different tract classes in the Montreal Neurologic Institute standard space was obtained using the Lesion Segmentation Toolbox and tools from FMRIB Software Library. Multivariable linear regression, Cox regression, and partial correlation tests were performed.ResultOver a median 5.67 (IQR: 2.88‐6.84) years of follow‐up, cholinergic WMHV was associated with annual decline of Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) (β = ‐0.206; P = 0.006), and incident dementia (HR = 3.45; 95%CI: 2.08‐5.74). Within the cholinergic pathways, WMHs in commissural fibers were related to incident dementia. However, greater global WMHV only slightly increased the risk of incident dementia (HR = 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01‐1.06). Neither global nor cholinergic WMHV was associated with MMSE in cross‐sectional analysis.ConclusionCholinergic WMHV is associated with longitudinal cognitive decline and incident dementia in older adults. Within the cholinergic pathways, commissural fiber tracts were strategic locations correlated to incident dementia. Our findings suggest cholinergic WMHV might be a potential indicator of cognitive deterioration.

Evaluation of BTXBrain‐Tau, an AI‐powered automated quantification software for Flortaucipir PET images

AbstractBackgroundPositron emission tomography (PET) has been used to visualize the distribution of brain biomarkers associated with AD. Flortaucipir (18F‐AV‐1451) is a tau‐specific PET tracer that has been used to detect tau pathology in AD. However, the accurate quantification of Flortaucipir PET images requires an accurate spatial normalization of the image data. We evaluated BTXBrain‐Tau, an AI‐based automated quantification software that does not require an MRI, on the Flortaucipir data. In comparison, performance on automatic quantification was demonstrated against conventional MRI‐based spatial normalization results.MethodIn the previous study, BTXBrain‐Tau was pretrained with approximately 1000 amyloid PET images. To fine‐tune the network, 180 Flortaucipir images were obtained from Seoul National University Hospital. Trained network was evaluated using 146 Flortaucipir images from the ADNI. Each image had been quantified using FreeSurfer at UC Berkeley, and these quantifications served as the “ground truth.” Spatial normalization was also performed using SPM12 with 3D T1 MRI to demonstrate the proposed method’s superiority. The results were compared using four Braak stage‐based composite regions of interest. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using linear regression and intraclass correlation coefficients.ResultThe linear regression slopes for BTXBrain‐Tau were 0.95, 0.97, 1.03, and 0.95 for four regions of interest (ROIs), outperforming the results of SPM12 (0.81, 0.80, 0.81, 0.79). The R‐squared values also showed superior performance for BTXBrain‐Tau (0.94, 0.98, 0.95 and 0.98) compared to SPM12 (0.88, 0.97, 0.91 and 0.96). ICCs between the ground truth and SPM12 normalization results were 0.93, 0.96, 0.94 and 0.96 for SPM12, however, these values were improved in BTXBrain‐Tau processing (0.97, 0.99, 0.97 and 0.99).ConclusionThe results demonstrated that BTXBrain‐Tau was able to generate spatially normalized images without the use of 3D MRI input. Statistical analysis revealed a high degree of correspondence between the FreeSurfer‐based quantification and the proposed method. Additionally, the study demonstrated the generalizability of the network by assessing its performance on different types of test data, (training on Asia, testing on Caucasian). These results suggest that BTXBrain‐Tau is a promising tool for the accurate quantification of Flortaucipir PET images, which could lead to early detection and precise staging of Alzheimer’s disease.

Trends in alcohol-related harm among Swedish youth: Do in-patient care registry data match drinking trends?

Youth drinking has been declining in Sweden since the year 2000. There is a paucity of studies examining trends in alcohol-related harm during this period. The overall aim of the present study is to examine how trends in alcohol-related harm match trends in drinking among Swedish youths during 2000-2021. Measures of alcohol use were obtained from national school surveys. Prevalence rates of any alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking were used. Alcohol-related harm indicators were obtained from registry information from the National Board of Health and Welfare. Annual trends in harm indicators were tested with linear regression models and correlations between alcohol use and alcohol-related harm indicators were assessed using Pearson's correlation on annual data. Statistically significant negative trends were observed for all alcohol-related harm indicators for the period 2000-2021. Significant correlations were found for both measures of alcohol use and all alcohol-related harm indicators. The levels of alcohol-related harm have declined among youths in Sweden during the period 2000-2021. The trends in harm seem to reflect the decline in youth drinking that has occurred during the same period.

Pengaruh Pengawasan Inspektorat Kabupaten Lampung Tengah dan Partisipasi Masyarakat Terhadap Pengelolaan Dana Desa

This research aims to find out whether the Supervision of the Central Lampung Regency Inspectorate and Community Participation have an impact on village financial management in Joharan Village, Putra Rumbia District, Central Lampung. This research is a quantitative research with a random sampling approach using 94 respondents as a sample. The strategy for collecting data in this research is through a questionnaire. The population of this research is the residents of the village. This research utilizes classical assumption testing, research instrument testing, multiple linear regression testing, correlation testing, determination testing, and hypothesis testing for data analysis. The findings of this research reveal that the supervision of the Central Lampung Regency inspectorate has a positive and statistically significant impact on village fund management in Joharan village, Putra Rumbia sub-district, Central Lampung, while community participation has a positive and statistically significant impact on village fund management in Joharan Village, Putra Rumbia District, Central Lampung. In addition to the supervision factor of the Central Lampung district inspectorate and community participation, the management of village funds in the village is simultaneously positively and significantly influenced by these two variables.

Evaluating the association between steroid hormones and filtering of sensory information in healthy women

Sensori (motor) gating is an integral part of information processing. Stress may affect information processing and is a potent risk factor for the onset and worsening of mental disorders. Sensori (motor) gating is affected by sex hormone rhythms, e.g. changes over the menstrual cycle. Here, we investigated if steroid hormones, i.e. cortisol and ovarian sex hormones, influence sensori (motor) gating. Data from 53 naturally cycling healthy women were analyzed in a cross-sectional design. Associations between prepulse inhibition (PPI) and P50 suppression variables and endogenous estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, total daily cortisol, and the cortisol awakening response were evaluated using multiple linear regression and Spearman's correlation. Total daily cortisol was negatively associated with PPI. Estradiol was positively associated with the acoustic startle response in the PPI paradigm and the P50 amplitude to the conditioning stimulus in the P50 paradigm. Steroid hormone levels were not associated with P50 suppression. In conclusion, estrogen and cortisol levels in healthy, naturally cycling women are associated with key brain measures of basic information processing. This finding may stimulate further studies into the role of stress hormones and estrogen transitions in modulating information filtering, which may be critical for risk and resilience to mental disorders.

Monitoring the evolution process of karst desertification and quantifying its drivers in the karst area of Southwest China.

Karst desertification (KD) is a unique desert ecological phenomenon occurring in the karst region of Southwest China (KRSC). Studying the KD evolution process and distinguishing the influences of human activities and climate factors on KD are essential for restoring KD areas. This article is based on MODIS remote sensing data and ERA5-Land data. Additionally, multiple linear regression models, correlation analysis, and residual analysis are utilized to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of KD in the southwest region of China from 2000 to 2020. This study aims to differentiate the impacts of human activities and climate change on the desertification process in karst areas. (1) In the southwest region of China, the overall KD shows an intensifying trend at both ends of the study area and an ameliorating distribution pattern in the central region. In particular, Guizhou province, which is located in the center of the study area, demonstrated significant suppression in the KD process from 2000 to 2020. (2) In the southwest karst region, there are significant spatial differences in the correlation between the KD process and precipitation, temperature, and radiation. Temperature is significantly negatively correlated in most parts of Yunnan. (3) According to the residual analysis, approximately 89.62% of the karst areas in the southwest are influenced by climate, while 10.38% are influenced by human activities. Climate change has a relatively small impact on the ability to improve KD compared to the disruptive influence of human activities. Some human activities, such as afforestation, in which grassland and cultivated land are converted to forest, play a substantial role in inhibiting the KD process. Conversely, the rapid expansion of urban areas tends to exacerbate KD in adjacent regions. Therefore, this study of the evolution process of KD in Southwest China can provide a scientific basis for monitoring and controlling KD and provide theoretical support for coping with the challenges posed by KD to China's ecological environment.

The Investigate The Impact of Locus of Control and Self-Confidence on Prosocial Behavior and Religiosity among Students

The goal of this study was to see what effect locus of control and self-confidence had on the prosocial behavior and religiosity of students at State Islamic University Datokarama. The methodology employed was quantitative. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regression correlation, which was done with SPSS for Windows version 17. This study covered four variables, consisting of two independent variables and two dependent variables, namely locus of control (X1) and self-confidence (X2) as independent factors and prosocial behavior (Y1) and religiosity (Y2) as dependent variables, with a total of 30 students as samples. The Likert scale was utilized as the instrument or data-gathering tool by the researcher. (1) Locus of control has a considerable effect on IAIN Palu students' prosocial conduct. People with an internal locus of control contributed to their competency by exercising environmental control. (2) The locus of control variable had a substantial effect on IAIN Palu students' religiosity. The man diligently followed his religious teachings and commitments. (3) The self-confidence variable had a substantial effect on IAIN Palu students' prosocial conduct. Prosocial behavior is defined as behavior that demonstrates a student's concern and attention through acts that help others. (4) The self-confidence variable had a substantial effect on IAIN Palu students' religiosity. Their acts were free of concern. They were free to do anything they wanted, were accountable for their acts, and were courteous in their relationships with others.

From Marketing to Supply Chain Management: A More Flexible Supply Chain System Through Increased Costs

The combination of marketing and supply chain management can maximize the benefits of enterprises. However, this method is not very common in all enterprises nowadays, mainly due to the unattainable coordination ability and flexible supply chain. It is already known that the factors limiting the flexibility of the supply chain are basically related to its three key links: procurement, operations and logistics. This paper assumes a positive relationship between sales revenue and operating cost and obtains their relationship through linear regression analysis and correlation analysis on Carnival Corporation & Plcs worldwide data from 2008 to 2022. Finally, positive relationships were found and confirmed, as well as highly correlated results. The results show that the factor restricting the supply chain to achieve better marketing response lies in cost control. Better operating costs and logistics costs can achieve better sales revenue and profit sources.

Peripheral and local inflammatory markers associated with epicardial fat volume in patients underwent open heart surgery

Abstract Introduction Epicardial fat (EF) is a source of inflammation, and it is associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the correlation between EF volume (EFV) and local and peripheral biomarkers as well as adipogenesis behavior were not studied yet. Our objective was to a) Find the peripheral and local markers related to EFV independent of age and BMI. b) Study the relationship between the adipogenesis capacity and the EFV in each patient. Materials and Methods We included 33 patients underwent open heart surgery with preoperative cardiac CT imaging. Blood samples of 24 patients were obtained, neutrophils were isolated using polymorphprep and 16 activity markers were analyzed. Twelve biomarkers in plasma associated with metabolism and inflammation were analyzed. The epicardial adipose tissue biopsies were obtained during the surgery. The fat pads were homogenized and RNA was isolated and retrotranscripted to cDNA. Then 17 markers associated with adipogenesis and inflammation were analyzed by real time PCR. Stromal cells from EF of 21 patients were isolated after collagenase activity and cultured for 14 days and then induced to adipogenesis for the next 14 days. Multimarkers on plasma, peripheral neutrophils, EF and primary cultures were analyzed by multiplex assay and real time PCR, respectively. EFV was measured from CT, percentage of EFV in total heart volume was calculated. The association between FV and biomarkers were evaluated with independent sample t-test, linear regression analysis and correlation analysis. Results The main clinical characteristics of studied patients were (69 ± 9 years old, 30 ± 4 kg/m², 76% HT, 67% DLP, 33% CAD, 27% HF, 30% AF, 30% T2DM). EFV (148±55 cm³) was more correlated with age (r=0.4, p=0.023), but not with BMI. Percentage of EFV in total heart volume (12.9±4.9%) was positively correlated with lymphocytes and monocytes markers, CD3G and CXCR2 levels (r=0.5, p=0.008; r=0.49, p=0.028 respectively), and inversely with FABP4 (r=0.46, p=0.043) in EF. Circulating inflammatory markers, plasma C5a and MPO on neutrophils were associated with a greater amount of EFV (r=0.7, p=0.001 for C5a and r=0.75, p=0.001 for MPO) and percentage of EFV in total heart volume (r=0.63, p=0.003 for C5a and r=0.84, p<0.000 for MPO). Neutrophils markers, NGAL (r=0.49, p=0.048), LF (r=0.52, p=0.034), DEFA3 (r=0.57, p=0.023) were also correlated with percentage of EFV to total heart volume. Lineal regression determined that among local markers CD3G was the best EF predictor (r=0.4, p=0.008); regarding peripheral markers, the C5a expression levels on neutrophils was the best EF predictor (r=0.61, p=0.002). There were no association between adipogenesis ability and EFV among studied patients. Conclusion EFV from patients undergoing open heart surgery were associated with local and peripheral inflammatory markers. It might contribute to cardiovascular disease progression. Long term follow-up is needed to clarify this process.

Role of amino acid functional group in alga-amino acid-Zn ternary complexes

The bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) at the water-algal interface determines their threat degree to aquatic ecosystem. Amino acids (AAs), as predominant components of dissolved organic matter (DOM), play pivotal roles in shaping the speciation of HMs in water and their subsequent accumulation by algae. However, the diverse nature of amino acid poses a challenge in generalizing the underlying mechanisms. This study explores four amino acids (asparagine, aspartic acid, glycine, lysine), each possessing distinct amino and carboxyl groups, and investigates their impact on zinc (Zn) bioaccumulation through batch experiments. Upon the introduction of AAs, the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic adsorption model demonstrating chemisorption (R2 >0.99), and it affected Zn externalization (up to 3.994 mmol g-1). This phenomenon followed a two-step model, indicating multilayer adsorption. The study proposed that the protonated amino group of AA could serve as a link between Zn-AA complex and microalgae. Amino acids adsorbed onto the surface of microalgae via protonated amino groups did not occupy the Zn-binding sites, instead, they furnished additional functional groups. This differs from the previous results of organic acids containing only carboxyl functional groups as DOM. Multiple linear regression equations and correlation analyses were used to explain the effects of amino and carboxyl morphology on microalgae accumulation of Zn. The equation showed that the leading model terms explain 75.8% of the accumulation amount variance. This study enhances our understanding of the effects of functional group-different DOM on the accumulation of heavy metals in microalgae, offering insights for future research and prediction.

The predictors of the intention to receive Covid-19 vaccine using the health belief model and theory of planned behavior in South Khorasan province

BACKGROUND: Widespread vaccination coverage in the shortest time is one of the most effective ways for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors affecting people's intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine are of great importance. The present study aimed to investigate the predictors of the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine based on the constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) in South Khorasan Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional-analytical study, 320 people over 18 years in South Khorasan province were randomly selected by cluster sampling method in 2021. The data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire, including demographic information (9 questions), and the constructs of the health belief model (19 questions), and the theory of planned behavior (13 questions), using the self-report method. Finally, data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, linear regression, and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 36.57 ± 11.56 with a range of 18-66 years. In the regression model, perceived susceptibility (β = 0.247, P = 0.003), perceived severity (β = 0.247, P = 0.003) from HBM, attitude (β = 0.247, P = 0.003), and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.247, P = 0.003) from TPB were significant predictors of the intention to get the Covid-19 vaccine. The constructs of the two models were able to explain 33% of the variance of the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings reveal that HBM and TPB can predict factors affecting an individual's intention to receive the vaccine. The results can be utilized to design interventions with the aim of increasing vaccine uptake.