High Positive Loadings Research Articles

Factor analysis, stepwise regression and path coefficient analyses of yield, yield-associated traits, and fruit quality in tomato

ABSTRACTBreeding of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) with a focus on yield has indirectly led to reductions in flavor. Development of tomato genotypes with high quality and yield needs efficient tools to monitor trait association in breeding. The objective of the work was to combine simultaneous selection for yield and quality in elite segregating populations of tomato breeding using multivariate methods. Eighty-three tomato lines (S3) were produced, using the modified pedigree method, from crossings of commercial hybrids. Factor analysis determined five hidden factors, which justified 68.62% of variation. The first factor, with the highest percent of justified variance, was effective for fruit yield. The second factor with the most coefficients was effective for fruit quality. The third factor, with extensive, positive, coefficients for fruit length, fruit diameter, and pericarp thickness, was effective for fruit characterization. The fourth factor, with the most factorial load over number of fruit per cluster and high negative weight, was effective for durability of flowers. The fifth factor was affected by number of flowers per cluster, and vitamin C and total soluble solids content. In triplot analysis partially inbred lines 75, 76, 77, and 78 had high values of the first factor and was effective for high performance. The most important traits, based on stepwise regression, were number of fruit per line, single fruit weight, fruit diameter and pericarp thickness. Path analysis indicated number of fruit per line and single fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect on yield and direct selection for these traits is possible. Based on their high positive loading for factors 1 and 3, that had relation to fruit yield and moderate loading for factor 2, where maturity index was negative, partially inbred lines 75 and 78 can be used for subsequent tomato breeding. In tomato, important traits for yield include single fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, and pericarp thickness and titratable acidity must be considered simultaneously to maintain flavor.

Heavy metal concentrations in water and sediment of the Steelpoort River, Olifants River System, South Africa

Steelpoort River has been adversely affected by human activities in the catchment. Water and sediment quality of the river was assessed in 2015. The concentrations of some of the metals in water were found to be high and exceeded the guideline values and the concentrations of metals in sediment were found exceeding the guideline values for Cr, Cu and Zn. The high concentrations of Cu and Zn at Site 1 and Site 2 (upstream) could have originated from anthropogenic sources, such as fertilisers and pesticides from discharge of agricultural wastes, whereas the high concentrations of Cr at Site 3, Site 4 (midstream) and Site 5 (downstream) could have originated from the mine waste, and from domestic/ industrial wastes respectively. The principal component analysis results showed two main components: PC-1 with high positive loading of Cu and Mn, and PC-2 with high positive loading of Zn. These findings indicate the presence of pollution. Therefore, control measures should be implemented to reduce river contamination from anthropogenic sources.

High Capacity All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries Enabled by Pyrite‐Sulfur Composites

AbstractAs the theoretical limit of intercalation material‐based lithium‐ion batteries is approached, alternative chemistries based on conversion reactions are presently considered. The conversion of sulfur is particularly appealing as it is associated with a theoretical gravimetric energy density up to 2510 Wh kg−1. In this paper, three different carbon‐iron disulfide‐sulfur (C‐FeS2‐S) composites are proposed as alternative positive electrode materials for all‐solid‐state lithium‐sulfur batteries. These are synthesized through a facile, low‐cost, single‐step ball‐milling procedure. It is found that the crystalline structure (evaluated by X‐ray diffraction) and the morphology of the composites (evaluated by scanning electron microscopy) are greatly influenced by the FeS2:S ratio. Li/LiI‐Li3PS4/C‐FeS2‐S solid‐state cells are tested under galvanostatic conditions, while differential capacity plots are used to discuss the peculiar electrochemical features of these novel materials. These cells deliver capacities as high as 1200 mAh g(FeS2+S)−1 at the intermediate loading of 1 mg cm−2 (1.2 mAh cm−2), and up to 3.55 mAh cm−2 for active material loadings as high as 5 mg cm−2 at 20 °C. Such an excellent performance, rarely reported for (sulfur/metal sulfide)‐based, all solid‐state cells, makes these composites highly promising for real application where high positive electrode loadings are required.

Emotion regulation and mindfulness in adolescents: Conceptual and empirical connection and associations with social anxiety symptoms

Dysregulation of emotions is a risk for social anxiety symptoms, whereas dispositional mindfulness has been proposed as assisting with emotion regulation. The aim of the current study was to examine the unique associations of dysregulation and mindfulness with adolescents' social anxiety, while focusing on the conceptual overlap and the empirical connection between dysregulation and mindfulness. Participants were 336 Australian adolescents (53% girls; 12–15 years) who completed questionnaires. Dysregulation and mindfulness were moderately correlated. Factor analysis revealed two factors accounting for 59% of the variance. The first factor, active dysregulation, had high positive loadings for five dysregulation and high negative loadings for two mindfulness subscales. The second factor, passive regulation, had a high negative loading for one dysregulation and high positive loadings for three mindfulness subscales. Both active and passive composite scores had unique associations with heightened anxiety symptoms. Regression analyses of the original subscales indicated that the dysregulation subscale limited strategies, and the mindfulness subscales observing and describing were uniquely associated with anxiety; strategies and observing were associated with more symptoms, whereas describing was associated with fewer. Interventions that address dysregulation and low capacity for mindfulness may be beneficial for adolescents with heightened social anxiety symptoms.

Ohio Modified Arm-Motor Ability Test (OMAAT): An Optimized Measure of Upper Extremity Functional Limitation in Hemiparetic Stroke.

This secondary analysis quantified the psychometric properties of the Ohio Modified Arm-Motor Ability Test (OMAAT) in a sample of neurologically stable chronic stroke survivors (n = 67, 40 men; mean age 59.8 yr, standard deviation = 12.8; 42 White, 23 Black, 2 other; 92.5% right-sided lesion; 44 ischemic stroke). Findings indicate high OMAAT internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .97, ordinal α = .98, Gugiu's bootstrap reliability = .97), unidimensionality, and strong positive factor loadings for all 20 OMAAT items. Convergent validity between OMAAT and Action Research Arm Test total scores was strong (r = .90, p < .0001). The OMAAT is the first short measure of upper extremity functional limitation available to clinicians and researchers that includes an administration manual and that has been examined using nonparametric psychometrics. A detailed administration manual is provided as a supplement to this article.

Stem pruning severities affect growth, physiological and quality consequences in high density planting system of mango (Mangifera indica) in Shiwalik foothills

The study evaluated the influence of shoot pruning intensities on physiological and quality consequences of mango under square system of planting between 2014 and 2016 in Shiwalik foothills. Three mango cultivars, viz. Mallika, Dashehari, and Amrapali, planted under high density were selected purposely. Tip pruning of frost injured shoots significantly influenced growth, flowering, yield and quality traits of the cultivars compared to un-pruned trees. The results revealed early flower initiation with peak period of flowering among the treatments. Shoot pruning slightly delayed but more uniform flowering comparative to control. After 20th harvest season, the cultivar significantly affected generative parameters (TCSA, TCV, CA and yield efficiency). Number of sprouted shoots per scaffold branch (primary, secondary) was highest in Dashehari followed by Amrapali and Mallika irrespective of shoot differentiation. Dashehari recorded maximum length of panicles, length of flowering shoot, number of panicles/shoot, fruited panicles, fruit set, and fruit retention with least fruit drop when the shoots were pruned in frost affected twigs (terminal branches) shoot differentiation. The best yield and yield efficiency over the 20th leaf harvest was recorded in Mallika followed by Amrapali and Dashehari. Variable shoot pruning intensities showed significant effects on fruit physical-biochemical traits and foliar nutrient concentration of the cultivars. DOP indexing showed close agreement to diagnose N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn excess among different cultivars studied. PCA of agromorphometric and fruit quality traits was also worked out. prin4 accounted for 99.5% (agro-morphometric traits) and 97.9% (fruit quality) of the cumulative variance of cultivars. PCA-F1 had the highest positive loadings (plant height, tree girth, annual shoot extension growth TCSA, and TCV) followed by PCA-F2 (yield). None of the significant differences were obtained when the calculated factor scores of PCA-F1, PCA-F2 and PCA-F3 for attributes analyzed. Conclusively, shoot tip pruning could be recommended for restoring maximum production and quality fruits in high density square planting system of mango.

The Dark Side of Personality: Anti-Sociality Increases Strategic Game Play

We assess the role of anti-social personality traits in explaining heterogeneity in commonly observed social preferences. We identified a personality profile that clearly reflects anti-social personality characteristics, with high positive loadings on Machiavellianism and high negative loadings on empathy, trustworthiness and agreeableness. Anti-sociality predicts decision strategies in a manner that is consistent with its name: significantly lower levels of trust and decreased trustworthiness. To identify the strategic nature of anti-social behavior in changing environments, we assessed the moderating role of personality on investor trust and trustee reciprocity in the presence relative to the absence of the investor’s option to punish. Our results show that only the anti-social personality profile is associated with specific payoff maximizing strategy shifts induced by these environmental changes: when punishment was not available to investors, we observe significantly lower levels of investor trust and trustee reciprocity, while there is a significant increase in both behaviors when punishment was available. These effects were specific for anti-sociality, as no other personality factor was associated with such a strong adjustment of decision strategies in the presence of punishment. These results demonstrate that anti-social personality characteristics are associated with strategic behavioral shifts aimed at maximizing the extraction of resources from their counterparts. The reliability of the strategic effects of anti-social personality during trust, reciprocity and punishment strongly supports the notion that self-projection underlies anti-social decision-making.

A multivariate analysis of cardiopulmonary parameters in archery performance

PurposeThe aim of this investigation was to determine the most significant cardiopulmonary parameters bound with high archery scores and to assess their relationship with successful performance in archery.MethodsThe total of 32 archers with mean age of 17 ± 0.56 years were gathered from dissimilar archery programmes. Cardiopulmonary parameters were measured prior to shooting tests. Multivariate techniques of principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were used to analyse the data collected.ResultsThe initial PCA identified 4 parameters with a higher eigenvalue (&gt; 1). However, PCA after varimax rotation indicated 4 varifactors with high positive loadings, containing 3 respiratory parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC; 0.83), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV; 0.83), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR; 0.87); 2 pressure parameters: resting diastolic blood pressure (RDBP; 0.78) and resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP; 0.88); 1 volume parameter: inspiratory reserve volume (IRV; 0.86); and 1 rate parameter: resting respiratory rate (RRR; 0.87). HACA divided the archers into 2 categories on the basis of their performance on the most needed parameters; these were high-optimum pulmonary capacity archers (HOCA) and low-optimum pulmonary capacity archers (LOCA). Standard, backward stepwise, and forward stepwise DA discriminated the classes from the 7 parameters with remarkable accuracy (90.63%, 93.75%, and 96.88%, respectively) for each method, confirming the classification provided by HACA.ConclusionsIt is obvious from the current outcomes that such cardiopulmonary parameters as good FVC, MVV, PEFR, IRV, RRR, and optimal RSBP and RDBP are necessary for better archery performance.

Geochemical characteristics and controlling factors of chemical composition of groundwater in a part of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India

A survey on quality of groundwater was carried out for assessing the geochemical characteristics and controlling factors of chemical composition of groundwater in a part of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India, where the area is underlain by Peninsular Gneissic Complex. The results of the groundwater chemistry show a variation in pH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 −, Cl−, SO4 2−, NO3 − and F−. The chemical composition of groundwater is mainly characterized by Na+−HCO3 − facies. Hydrogeochemical type transits from Na+–Cl−–HCO3 − to Na+–HCO3 −–Cl− along the flow path. Graphical and binary diagrams, correlation coefficients and saturation indices clearly explain that the chemical composition of groundwater is mainly controlled by geogenic processes (rock weathering, mineral dissolution, ion exchange and evaporation) and anthropogenic sources (irrigation return flow, wastewater, agrochemicals and constructional activities). The principal component (PC) analysis transforms the chemical variables into four PCs, which account for 87% of the total variance of the groundwater chemistry. The PC I has high positive loadings of pH, HCO3 −, NO3 −, K+, Mg2+ and F−, attributing to mineral weathering and dissolution, and agrochemicals (nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers). The PC II loadings are highly positive for Na+, TDS, Cl− and F−, representing the rock weathering, mineral dissolution, ion exchange, evaporation, irrigation return flow and phosphate fertilizers. The PC III shows high loading of Ca2+, which is caused by mineral weathering and dissolution, and constructional activities. The PC IV has high positive loading of Mg2+ and SO4 2−, measuring the mineral weathering and dissolution, and soil amendments. The spatial distribution of PC scores explains that the geogenic processes are the primary contributors and man-made activities are the secondary factors responsible for modifications of groundwater chemistry. Further, geochemical modeling of groundwater also clearly confirms the water–rock interactions with respect to the phases of calcite, dolomite, fluorite, halite, gypsum, K-feldspar, albite and CO2, which are the prime factors controlling the chemistry of groundwater, while the rate of reaction and intensity are influenced by climate and anthropogenic activities. The study helps as baseline information to assess the sources of factors controlling the chemical composition of groundwater and also in enhancing the groundwater quality management.

Factors controlling the release of metals and a metalloid from the tailings of a gold mine in Thailand

This study focused on assessing the release potential of various metals and a metalloid (arsenic; As) leached from gold mine tailings under three different degrees of acidity (pH 2, 4 and 6.5) using a synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP). Tailings were collected from four pits from 0 to 16 m depth, approximately. The samples were divided into the three types, based on their position in the tailings and on other physical characteristics, of the sulphide ( c. 5 m depth), mixing ( c. 1 m depth) and oxide ( c. 10 m depth) zones. This study was primarily concerned with the concentrations of As and Mn, which were found to exceed the Thailand Industrial Effluent Standard (TIES) in the tailings from all zones. Principal component analysis revealed that the release of metals and As from the tailings under acidic conditions, as well as the metals and As mobility, was mainly controlled by the pH and redox conditions. Moreover, the first principal component had high positive loadings of Mn, Pb, Co and Ni (R 2 &gt; 0.80), indicating that these four metals are either released into the environment from a common source or/and their geochemical behaviour in the aqueous phase is similar. Supplementary material: Concentration of metals and As leached from the sulphide mixing and oxide zones at differing pHs are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3840154

Impact of Seawater Intrusion on the Geochemistry of Groundwater of Gwadar District, Balochistan and Its Appraisal for Drinking Water Quality

Thirty-one groundwater samples were collected from Jiwani, Ganz, Pishukan, Gwadar and Sur Bander, coastal towns of Gwadar District, Balochistan Province, Pakistan. The overall average trend of cationic and anionic distributions is found in the order of $$\hbox {Na}^{+}>\hbox {Ca}^{2+}>\hbox {Mg}^{2+}>\hbox {K}^{+}$$ and $$\hbox {Cl}^{-}>\hbox {SO}_{4}^{2-}> \hbox {HCO}_{3}^{-}>\hbox {NO}_{3}^{-}>\hbox {CO}_{3}^{2-}>\hbox {F}^{-}$$ , respectively. Average ionic composition on Stiff diagram shows ( $$\hbox {Na}^{+}+\hbox {K}^{+})\hbox {--}\hbox {Cl}^{-}$$ as one of the principal ionic pair, while ionic balance among $$\hbox {Mg}^{2+}\hbox {--}\hbox {SO}_{4}^{2-}$$ and $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}\hbox {--} (\hbox {HCO}_{3}^{-}+\hbox {CO}_{3}^{2-})$$ have shown an imbalance. On Piper diagram, majority of the groundwater samples in the study area are of NaCl type. The $$\hbox {Na}^{+}$$ versus $$\hbox {Cl}^{-}, \hbox {Na}^{+}/\hbox {Na}^{+}+\hbox {Cl}^{-}$$ versus $$\hbox {Cl}^{-}/\sum $$ anions, and Cl versus $$\hbox {Cl}/\hbox {HCO}_{3}$$ ratios signify influence of seawater intrusion in the coastal strip of Gwadar District. The impact of seawater encroachment in the coastal regions has also been proved by hydrochemical facies evolution diagram and Piper plots. Principal component analysis reveals three major factors, whereas high positive loading of $$\hbox {Na}^{+}$$ , $$\hbox {Ca}^{2+}$$ , $$\hbox {Mg}^{2+}$$ , $$\hbox {Cl}^{-}$$ , $$\hbox {SO}_{4}^{2-}$$ and TDS reveal association with seawater. Potassium, nitrate and bicarbonate are in other domain; their relation with pH being rather negative. Moreover, fluoride and carbonate should be confined to separate realms, specifying of good relation among the two ions. Concentrations of nitrate and fluoride are found to be higher than the WHO permissible limit and may therefore pose a health threat to the local population.

Identification of Dietary Patterns Associated with Chronic Disease Risk Using Hybrid Dimension Reduction Techniques: Evidence from the Canadian National Nutrition Survey

Analysing dietary patterns is an important approach for characterizing the complex relationships between foods and nutrients in etiology of obesity and other chronic diseases. Several studies have used a priori and data‐driven dimension reduction techniques for evaluating dietary patterns in relation to chronic disease risks, even though methods for applying these techniques to complex nationally‐representative nutrition surveys are not yet developed. The objective of this study was to define a novel algorithm for using hybrid dimension reduction techniques for identifying dietary patterns of Canadians most strongly associated with obesity and other chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases) at the national population level. Dietary data were collected using 24‐hour dietary recalls (second recall in sub‐sample). All analyses included 11,748 participants (≥18 y) in the cross‐sectional nationally‐representative Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 (2004/5). To ensure nationally‐representative estimates, weighting algorithm was incorporated into the partial least squares analyses (PLS), to derive an energy‐dense (ED), high‐fat (HF) and low fiber density (LFD) dietary pattern using 38 food groups. PLS is the most flexible hybrid technique for deriving dietary patterns enabling discovery of important disease‐specific dietary exposures that have not been previously identified in etiology of chronic diseases. The association of dietary patterns with obesity and chronic diseases was ascertained using weighted multinominal logistic regression‐GLM adjusted for the following covariates in successive models: age, sex, dietary misreporting, energy intakes, physical activity and smoking. Using the weighted PLS algorithm, an ED,HF,LFD dietary pattern was derived with high positive loadings for fast foods, carbonated drinks, refined grains and negative loadings for whole fruits, and vegetables (≥|0.17|). Food groups with a “high” loading were summed to form a simplified dietary pattern score. Moving from the first (healthiest) to the fourth (least healthy) quartiles of the ED,HF,LFD and the simplified dietary pattern scores was associated with increasingly elevated odds ratios (OR) for “obesity with at least one chronic disease” (diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases), with individuals in quartile 4 having an OR of 2.57 (95%CI:1.75,3.76) and 2.73 (1.88,3.98), respectively (p‐trend&lt;0.0001). The associations of dietary patterns with “healthy obesity” (obesity without having a chronic disease) and “being non‐obese with at least one chronic disease” were weaker, albeit significant (p&lt;0.05). Overall, consuming an ED,HF,LFD dietary pattern was associated with significantly higher risk of obesity with and without accompanying chronic diseases. Our findings demonstrated that novel techniques for deriving dietary patterns can be modified for successful use in nationally‐representative surveys. The weighted algorithm we defined in this research can be used for deriving dietary patterns associated with chronic diseases at the national population level, improving the applicability and use of novel dietary pattern techniques by governments and researchers.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported by a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Innovation in Regulatory Science Award, and funds to the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) from the Social Science and Humanities research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Statistics Canada. M.J. was funded by a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Fellowship, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, the CIHR/Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) Population Intervention for Chronic Disease Prevention (PICDP): A Pan‐Canadian Fellowship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Faculty of Medicine Hunter Fellowship (University of Toronto). M.L. is the Earle W. McHenry professor and is supported through chair endowed unrestricted research funds, University of Toronto. Funders had no role in the design, analysis or writing of this article.

A functional approach to the body condition assessment of lactating donkeys as a tool for welfare evaluation.

BackgroundThe breeding of lactating donkeys is increasing in Western Europe; with it the evaluation of body condition is growing in importance since it is considered a key principle for their welfare. However, assessment of body condition is a complex task, since several factors are involved. The aim of the present study is to investigate which animal-based indicators are the most reliable to describe the body condition of lactating donkeys. For this purpose, new animal-based indicators, which are easy to measure in field conditions (including body measurements, fatty neck score (FNS), dental score), are recorded and their relationship with BCS (a proxy measure for overall adiposity) was assessed. The ones that reveal an association with the BCS are included in an integrated principal component analysis to understand which are the most related to BCS.MethodsFifty-three healthy lactating donkeys of various breeds, including 7 Martina Franca, 10 Ragusano, 2 Romagnolo and 34 crossbreeds, were evaluated. The animal-based indicators that were recorded were: length (OP, olecranon tuber-pinbone and SH, shoulder-hip), heart girth (HG), abdominal circumference (AC), neck length (NL), neck height (NH) and neck thickness (NT) at 0.50 and neck circumference (NC) at 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75, body condition score (BCS) and fatty neck score (FNS). The owners’ evaluation of the BCS was also considered. A dental assessment was performed and the month of lactation and age of each animal was recorded.ResultsNo correlation was found between BCS and the other morphometric body measurements. On the contrary the FNS was correlated with the morphometric measurements of the neck (positive correlation to 0.50 NH and 0.50 NT, 0.50 NC, 0.75 mean NC, and negative correlation to the mean NC:NH and mean NC:NT, 0.50 NC:NT and 0.50 NC:NH ratios). A significant inverse relationship was identified between BCS and dental score. A Principal Component analysis (PCA) separated the BCS classes on the first principal component (PC1). PC1 revealed a meaningful positive correlation between the BCS and the neck measurements (NT, NH and FNS), with high positive loadings, while a negative correlation was found for dental abnormalities. The owners’ evaluation of BCS was different from the expert evaluator’ assessment, since they tended to give higher score that was slightly but significantly correlated to AC.DiscussionA new scoring system, called Fatty Neck Score (FNS), has been proposed for the judgement of the adiposity status of donkey neck. The results suggest that caregivers might use the proposed animal based indicators (BCS, FNS and dental scores) together as a tool for the evaluation of the body condition of lactating donkeys. Our findings highlight that caregivers need to be trained in order to be able to properly record these indicators. Ultimately use of these indicators may help to improve the welfare of lactating donkeys.

An assessment of surface water chemistry with its possible sources of pollution around the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant impacted area, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

This study aims at analyzing the current hydrochemical condition for understanding the factors and processes controlling the chemical composition of surface water with their possible relation to environmental pollution around the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant (BTPP) impacted area. In this study, the Hill-piper diagram, ratio plots and cross plots were used to recognize the various hydrogeochemical mechanisms involved in the evolution of the water chemistry and quality around the area. The basic statistics, IQR value, correlation matrix, cluster analysis were appealed to implicate the complex interrelationships between the ionic components of water. The principal component (PC) and factor analysis (FA) were computed to detect the possible source of water environmental pollution influenced either by natural or multiple anthropogenic sources like BTPP, existing agriculture activity and so on. The Hill-piper diagram presents two distinct hydrochemical facies such as CaHCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl facies. The PC/FA revealed that three principal components explained about 63.63% of the total variability. The factor 2 indicated active mixing environmental process like natural and anthropogenic influence. Whereas the high positive loading ions like SiO2, Cr3+, PO3-4, As3+, Cd2+ and Fe3+ of factors 1 and 3 represent the existence of industrial waste like BTPP while waste water with fly ash has high affinity with such components of water bodies. Thus these results confirmed that discharged from BTPP is the possible source of water environmental pollution for present and future.

Identification of dietary patterns associated with obesity in a nationally representative survey of Canadian adults: application of a priori, hybrid, and simplified dietary pattern techniques ,

Background: Analyzing the effects of dietary patterns is an important approach for examining the complex role of nutrition in the etiology of obesity and chronic diseases.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to characterize the dietary patterns of Canadians with the use of a priori, hybrid, and simplified dietary pattern techniques, and to compare the associations of these patterns with obesity risk in individuals with and without chronic diseases (unhealthy and healthy obesity).Design: Dietary recalls from 11,748 participants (≥18 y of age) in the cross-sectional, nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 were used. A priori dietary pattern was characterized with the use of the previously validated 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Adherence Index (DGAI). Weighted partial least squares (hybrid method) was used to derive an energy-dense (ED), high-fat (HF), low–fiber density (LFD) dietary pattern with the use of 38 food groups. The associations of derived dietary patterns with disease outcomes were then tested with the use of multinomial logistic regression.Results: An ED, HF, and LFD dietary pattern had high positive loadings for fast foods, carbonated drinks, and refined grains, and high negative loadings for whole fruits and vegetables (≥|0.17|). Food groups with a high loading were summed to form a simplified dietary pattern score. Moving from the first (healthiest) to the fourth (least healthy) quartiles of the ED, HF, and LFD pattern and the simplified dietary pattern scores was associated with increasingly elevated ORs for unhealthy obesity, with individuals in quartile 4 having an OR of 2.57 (95% CI: 1.75, 3.76) and 2.73 (95% CI: 1.88, 3.98), respectively (P-trend < 0.0001). Individuals who adhered the most to the 2015 DGAI recommendations (quartile 4) had a 53% lower OR of unhealthy obesity (P-trend < 0.0001). The associations of dietary patterns with healthy obesity and unhealthy nonobesity were weaker, albeit significant.Conclusions: Consuming an ED, HF, and LFD dietary pattern and lack of adherence to the recommendations of the 2015 DGAI were associated with a significantly higher risk of obesity with and without accompanying chronic diseases.

Statistical Analysis to Explore the Factors of ICT that Effect and Promote Global Citizenship among Undergraudate Students: A Case Study of Karachi

This study aimed to explore the underlying relation between ICT and the factors that promote global citizenship among university undergraduate of Karachi, Pakistan through quantitative method approach. Globalization has had numerous and multifaceted effects on education policies and practices at various levels. Therefore, this study attempted to highlight the significance of ICT uses as a tool for fostering global citizenship among undergrads of both sectors in Karachi. The impact of ICT on factors that promote global citizenship among university students are also examined. The Global Citizenship Survey questionnaire was used for quantitative data. A total of 400 students from private and public sector universities participated in this study. The reliability of the responses calculated through Cronbach’s alpha and found to be almost 0.82 for all constructs. This indicates that responses are highly consistent within each construct. An advanced Multivariate Statistical tool “ Exploratory Factor Analysis” (EFA) was also carried out to identify the hidden pattern of the data and identify the most important factors of ICT that promote global citizenship. For the adequacy of data that is the data are suitable for the factor analysis Kaiser Meyer Olkin (KMO) criteria was considered and its value is found to be 0.784. This value indicates that the Global citizenship survey data are adequate and good enough to carry out factor analysis. For the interpretation and discussion of the results we consider first 5 factors with eigen value greater than 1. The results of factor analysis indicate that factors with items of high positive loading are the communication skill and world perspective. In the view of research findings it may be concluded that ICT promotes global citizenship among undergraduate university students.

Characterization of Origin and Evolution of Formation Water in Buried Hill of Jizhong Depression, China, Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Geochemical Data

Groundwater samples from buried hill of Jizhong Depression were evaluated using two statistical analyses: hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The samples were classified into four clusters, C1–C4, in HCA and the hydrochemical types of C1–C4 are HCO3-Na, Cl·HCO3-Na, Cl-Na, and Cl-Na·Ca. From C1 to C2, C3, and C4, the water-rock interaction becomes increasingly intensive, and rNa/rCl gets lower while total dissolved solids and r(Cl-Na)/rMg get higher. Three components of PCA explain 86.87% of the variance. Component1 (PC1), characterized by highly positive loadings in Na+ and Cl−, is related to evaporation concentration. Component2 (PC2) is defined by highly positive loading in HCO3- and is related to influence of atmospheric water. With high positive loadings in Ca2+ and high negative loadings in Na+ and SO42-, component3 (PC3) suggests plagioclase albitization. The combination of HCA and PCA within the hydrogeological contexts allowed the division of study area into five dynamic areas. From recharge area to discharge area, the influence of atmospheric water gets weaker and water-rock interactions such as evaporation concentration and plagioclase albitization become intensive. Therefore groundwater in buried hill showed paths of hydrochemical evolution, from C1, to C2, C3, and C4. Buried hill reservoir in Jizhong Depression is mainly distributed in hydrodynamic blocking and discharge area; therefore the two regions can be the favorable areas for petroleum migration.

Categorisation of foot complaints in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from a New Zealand cohort

BackgroundFoot complaints have been shown to be common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and heterogeneous in nature. We aimed to categorize self-reported foot complaints in people with SLE and foot symptoms.MethodsA self-administered validated questionnaire was posted to 406 people with SLE attending adult rheumatology clinics across three health boards in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition to foot pain, vascular complaints, dermatological lesions and neurological symptoms were included in the analysis. Pairwise correlations among the variables were undertaken followed by factor analysis to identify and categorise associations between reported foot complaints.ResultsFrom the questionnaires returned, 93 full datasets were analysed. Participants’ were predominantly female (n = 87, 93.7%), with mean (SD) age of 50.4 (14.3) years and a mean (SD) disease duration of 13.1 (11) years. Three categories of foot complaint were determined: ‘foot pain’, ‘skin disorders’ and ‘vascular insufficiency’. These three groups provided the best fit (0.91) to describe the wide range of foot complaints reported by those with SLE. Factor analysis for foot pain demonstrated a high positive loading for the inter-correlation of foot pain in past month (0.83), foot pain today (0.71), intermittent claudication (0.71), numbness (0.62), loss of balance (0.81), swelling (0.59), foot joint pain (0.77), arch pain (0.68) and tendon pain (0.77). Skin disorders demonstrated a very high positive loading for 3 factors skin rash (0.82), blistering skin rash (0.95) and foot ulceration (0.88). In vascular insufficiency a high positive loading for cold feet (0.83), chilblains (0.76) and Raynaud’s phenomenon (0.70).ConclusionsThis work suggests people with SLE report three independent categories of foot complaints; foot pain, skin disorders or vascular insufficiency.

Genetic diversity assessment in European carrot genotypes

To assess the nature and magnitude of genetic diversity in carrot germplasm using the multivariate analysis, the experiment was carried out with 40 European carrot genotypes. The genotypes were classified for four principal components having the eigen values more than one. The first principal component largely accounted for total variation among the genotypes followed by second principal component. Component PC-I, had a high positive loading for root weight (0.420), root diameter (0.378), crown diameter (0.404), root weight and yield (q/ha), PC-II had the high positive loading for root: top ratio, PC-III for top length and PC-IV for flesh thickness. Plotting of PC-I against PC-II differentiated SH-C-12, SH-C-27, SH-C-136, SH-C-101, SHC-7-3-2, CITH-C-1 and SH-C-54 as the most divergent genotype. On the basis of single-linkage cluster analysis means, cluster-IV was the most important for number of leaf/plant, root weight, root length, crown diameter, flesh thickness and yield, whereas, cluster-I was important for minimum core thickness. Highest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters II and IV (282.50). Most divergent accessions with high inter-cluster distance could be most appropriate parent for crop improvement.

Genetic diversity of 33 forage cactus pear accessions based on principal component analysis

The present research was undertaken to assess genetic diversity of 33 forage cactus pearaccessions introduced from different countries for their suitability in the existing fodderproduction system in Arabian Peninsula countries including Oman. These accessions wereevaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications for two consecutive years2014 and 2015 at Agriculture Research Center, Rumais in Oman. The characters cladodegreen and dry matter yields and their related traits plant height (cm), number of cladodes andcladode weight were considered for study. The results of principal component analysis (PCA)indicated that of the total four components, the first two components PC1 and PC2 accountedfor 97.65 and 2.27%, respectively which in combination contributed to 99.92% of the totalvariation among characters studied in fodder cactus pear accessions whereas remaining twocomponents PC3 (0.06%) and PC4 (0.02 %) contributed a meagre 0.08% to the total variation.The first principal component had high positive loading for only green matter yield with thehighest value of 0.993 whereas second principal component had highest loading for plantheight (0.998) in contributing to the diversity. However, PC3 and PC4 were accounted by higherpositive loading in respect of dry matter yield (0.853) and number of cladodes (0.855). Theresults of correlation analysis indicated that of 10 possible correlations from five charactersstudied, seven correlations which were found significant (p&lt;0.05) were also positive in natureof association. The scatter of accessions based on PC1 and PC2 scores resulted in groupingthem into six clusters consisting of accession ranging from 1 to 9. These results could beapplied in either selecting higher green matter yielding accessions from high yielding groups torecommend for either general cultivation or planning and execution of future breeding programfor higher forage productivity in cactus by selecting accessions from different clusters asparents for hybridization.