Negative Linear Relationship Research Articles

Sürdürülebilirlik kapsamında yaşam kalitesi: Coğrafya bölümü öğrencilerine yönelik bir inceleme (Erzurum)

Dünya Sağlık Örgütü, yaşam kalitesini bireylerin kişisel ve toplumsal değer sistemleri kapsamındaki yaşam hedefleri, beklentileri, standartları ve kaygılarıyla ilgili olarak yaşamdaki konumlarına yönelik algıları olarak kabul etmektedir. Bu kapsamda insanların yaşam kaliteleri ile fiziksel, psikolojik durum, sosyal ilişkiler, çevre, ekonomik ve diğer faktörler arasında sıkı bir ilişki vardır. Bu çalışmada, Atatürk Üniversitesi, Edebiyat Fakültesi, Coğrafya Bölümü öğrencilerinin WHOQOL-BREF-TR ölçeğine göre yaşam kalitelerinin ölçülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Verilerin toplanmasında anket tekniği uygulanmış olup, ankette demografik özellikler ve yaşam kalitesi karakteristikleri dışında 26 sorudan oluşan WHOQOL-BREF-TR yaşam kalitesi ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Toplamda 302 öğrenciye anket yapılmıştır. Nicel araştırma yöntemi ile elde edilen verilerin analizi IBM SPSS 25 programı yardımıyla yapılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı frekans analizi, bağımsız örneklemler için T testi, bağımsız örneklemler için tek yönlü varyans (One Way Anova) ve korelasyon analizleri uygulanmıştır. Ayrıca yaşam kalitesi ile ilgili gerçekleştirilen çalışmalar VOSWeawer 1.18 programında WOS ve Scopus indekslerine göre incelenmiştir. Uygulanan bağımsız örneklemler için T testi analizi sonucuna göre öğrencilerin cinsiyet değişkeni ile fiziksel sağlık; öğrencilerin medeni durumları ile fiziksel sağlık, psikolojik durum, sosyal ilişkiler ve çevre alt boyutları arasında anlamlı bir fark olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra bağımsız örneklemler için tek yönlü varyans (One Way Anova) analizi yapılmıştır. Buna göre ailenin aylık ortalama geliri ile fiziksel sağlık, öğrencilerin yaşları ve okudukları sınıf ile sosyal ilişkiler; ailenin aylık ortalama geliri ve aile ile birlikte ikamet edilen idari birimle çevre arasında anlamlı fark olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yapılan Spearman korelasyon analizi sonuçlarına göre, değişkenler arasında büyük br bölümünde zayıf ve orta düzeyde pozitif veya negatif yönde doğrusal bir ilişki olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

The mediation function of resting heart rate in how physical activity improves all-cause mortality: Continuous and automatic measurement via cardiac implantable electronic devices.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) and resting heart rate (RHR) are connected with all-cause mortality. Moreover, there was an inverse correlation between PA and RHR. However, the causal relationship between PA, RHR, and long-term mortality has been rarely evaluated and quantified, particularly the mediation effect of RHR in the association between PA and all-cause mortality.ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between PA and RHR when consistently measured via cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and further explore the mediation effect of PA on all-cause mortality through RHR.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent CIED implantation and received remote home monitoring services were included. During the first 30–60 days after CIED implantation, daily PA and RHR were continuously measured and automatically transmitted by CIED. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The multiple linear regression model was used to confirm the relationship between PA and RHR. The predictive values of both PA and RHR for all-cause mortality were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The causal mediation model was further established to verify and quantify the mediation effect of RHR in the association between PA and all-cause mortality.ResultsA total of 730 patients with CIED were included. The mean daily PA and RHR were 10.7 ± 5.7% and 61.3 ± 9.1 bpm, respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 55.8 months, 187 (26.5%) death was observed. A negative linear relationship between PA and RHR was demonstrated in the multiple regression model (β = −0.260; 95% CI: −0.377 to −0.143, p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that both lower levels of PA (HR = 0.907; 95% CI: 0.878–0.936, p < 0.001) and higher RHR (HR = 1.016; 95% CI: 1.001–1.032, P = 0.031) were independent risk factors of all-cause mortality. Causal mediation analysis further confirmed and quantified the mediation function of RHR in the process of PA improving all-cause mortality (mediation proportion = 3.9%; 95% CI: 0.2–10.0%, p = 0.036).ConclusionThe effects of the higher level of PA on improving life prognosis may be partially mediated through RHR among patients with CIED. It indicates that changes in the autonomic nervous function during postoperative rehabilitation exercises should get more attention.

Prevalence of Cyberchondria among Outpatients with Metabolic Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India.

Background In today's world, Internet-based medical information plays a significant role in patient education. There are several accessible health-related websites. It has become common to search Internet before going for a medical consultation. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cyberchondriasis and its association with demographic variables. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among metabolic syndrome patients attending the cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital in South India. The prevalence of cyberchondriasis and its constructs were measured using the cyberchondria severity scale (CSS). Inferential statistics revealed no statistically significant difference in the average CSS scores across sociodemographic variables. Spearman correlation was conducted to determine the relationship between the constructs. Results A total of 379 participants with metabolic syndrome were included in the study. 42.5% of them were severely affected, and 28.0% were moderately affected by cyberchondriasis. Among the constructs studied, compulsion (85.7%), distress (91.8%), excessiveness (96.6%), and reassurance (76.1%) constructs had an impact on a greater number of study participants, compared to mistrust of medical professional construct (33.0%). Cyberchondriasis had a significant relationship with the history of myocardial infarction (p value = 0.03). There was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between mistrust and reassurance (rs = 0.169, p value<0.001). Reassurance had a significant negative linear relationship with distress (rs = −0.147, p value = 0.004). Conclusion In India, cyberchondriasis is a growing public mental health issue. Awareness among the general population is necessary to minimize the possible outcomes of cyberchondriasis like anxiety and depression. Screening individuals for possible risk factors is recommended.

Improving the catalytic activity of two-dimensional Mo2C for hydrogen evolution reaction by doping and vacancy defects

Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) has high catalytic activities toward electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to its high surface activity and electrochemical properties. However, the defects modification of Mo2C, which plays an important role in the HER activity, is relatively scarce in the theoretical research. Herein, in this work, based on first-principles calculations, we screen the influences of vacancies, nonmetal doping (XC/T, X = N, O, F, P and S) and metal substitutional doping (YMo, Y = Re and W) on HER of two-dimensional Mo2C. The results reveal that vacancies of Mo6C (0.02 eV) and Mo3C (0.22 eV), substitutional dopants of OC, SC, ReMo (−0.33∼0.08 eV) and adsorptive dopants of NT, FT, PT, ST (−0.26∼0.14 eV) show enhanced catalytic activity with the absolute value of hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGH∗) smaller than 0.33 eV. A negative linear relationship is observed between ΔGH∗ and d band center of transition metals in vacancies and metal dopants, but not in the configurations with nonmetal doping. The results provide more insight and guidance for the design of Mo2C electrocatalyst.

Qualitative and Quantitative Correlation of Microstructural Properties and In Vitro Glucose Adsorption and Diffusion Behaviors of Pea Insoluble Dietary Fiber Induced by Ultrafine Grinding.

Ultrafine grinding is an important pretreatment to achieve the physical modification of dietary fiber. In this study, ultrafine grinding treatments were performed for different times to give pea insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF) samples with varied particle sizes (D50). The correlations and quantitative relationships between the microstructures of multi-scales PIDF and its in vitro glucose adsorption and diffusion behaviors were comprehensively evaluated. The results indicated that the specific surface area (SSA), pore volume (PV) and oxygen-to-carbon surface ratio (O/C) of PIDF were significantly increased by ultrafine grinding at the cellular scale, while D50 and cellulose crystallinity (CrI) were significantly decreased. These changes significantly improved the glucose adsorption capacity (GAC) of PIDF. The order of importance of microstructural changes on GAC was O/C > PV > SSA > CrI > D50. GAC showed positive exponential relationships with SSA, PV, and O/C and showed a negative linear relationship with CrI. The ability to retard glucose diffusion increased significantly with decreased fiber particle size because of improved adsorption and interception of glucose and the dense physical barrier effect of PIDF. The quantitative equation of maximum glucose dialysis retardation index was GDRImax = −1.65 ln(D50) + 16.82 ln(GAC) − 68.22 (R2 = 0.99). The results could provide theoretical support for quantitative and targeted intervention of dietary fiber structure for blood glucose control.

The analysis of hormonal status and vascular and cell proliferation in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinomas.

Endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) are the most common malignancies of the uterus. Hormonal dependence of EEC, in relation to biomolecular mechanisms involved in tumor progression, such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation, are aspects that can contribute to improving the prognosis of patients. We analyzed the immunoexpression of markers addressed to steroid hormone receptors [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)], angiogenesis [cluster of differentiation (CD)105∕endoglin] and cell proliferation (Ki-67) in 50 EECs related to the histopathological prognostic criteria of the lesions. In this study, the ER and PR scores were higher in low grade and early stages EEC, the statistical aspects being variable. The CD105 microvessel density and the Ki-67 proliferation index were superior in high grade and advanced stages EEC, the statistical aspects being significant or at the limit of significance. The ER∕PR and CD105∕Ki-67 immunomarker groups indicated a positive linear intragroup relation and a negative linear intergroup relation, suggesting the presence of synergistic and antagonistic molecular mechanisms of tumor endometrial control that can be used to stratify patients for targeted therapy.

Strong influence of trees outside forest in regulating microclimate of intensively modified Afromontane landscapes

Abstract. Climate change is expected to have detrimental consequences on fragile ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, as well as food security of millions of people. Trees are likely to play a central role in mitigating these impacts. The microclimatic conditions below tree canopies usually differ substantially from the ambient macroclimate as vegetation can buffer temperature changes and variability. Trees cool down their surroundings through several biophysical mechanisms, and the cooling benefits occur also with trees outside forest. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of canopy cover on microclimate in an intensively modified Afromontane landscape in Taita Taveta, Kenya. We studied temperatures recorded by 19 microclimate sensors under different canopy covers, as well as land surface temperature (LST) estimated by Landsat 8 thermal infrared sensor. We combined the temperature records with high-resolution airborne laser scanning data to untangle the combined effects of topography and canopy cover on microclimate. We developed four multivariate regression models to study the joint impacts of topography and canopy cover on LST. The results showed a negative linear relationship between canopy cover percentage and daytime mean (R2=0.65) and maximum (R2=0.75) temperatures. Any increase in canopy cover contributed to reducing temperatures. The average difference between 0 % and 100 % canopy cover sites was 5.2 ∘C in mean temperatures and 10.2 ∘C in maximum temperatures. Canopy cover (CC) reduced LST on average by 0.05 ∘C per percent CC. The influence of canopy cover on microclimate was shown to vary strongly with elevation and ambient temperatures. These results demonstrate that trees have a substantial effect on microclimate, but the effect is dependent on macroclimate, highlighting the importance of maintaining tree cover particularly in warmer conditions. Hence, we demonstrate that trees outside forests can increase climate change resilience in fragmented landscapes, having strong potential for regulating regional and local temperatures.

A glucose-insulin-glucagon coupled model of the isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion experiment.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a pathophysiology that is characterized by insulin resistance, beta- and alpha-cell dysfunction. Mathematical models of various glucose challenge experiments have been developed to quantify the contribution of insulin and beta-cell dysfunction to the pathophysiology of T2D. There is a need for effective extended models that also capture the impact of alpha-cell dysregulation on T2D. In this paper a delay differential equation-based model is developed to describe the coupled glucose-insulin-glucagon dynamics in the isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion (IIGI) experiment. As the glucose profile in IIGI is tailored to match that of a corresponding oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), it provides a perfect method for studying hormone responses that are in the normal physiological domain and without the confounding effect of incretins and other gut mediated factors. The model was fit to IIGI data from individuals with and without T2D. Parameters related to glucagon action, suppression, and secretion as well as measures of insulin sensitivity, and glucose stimulated response were determined simultaneously. Significant impairment in glucose dependent glucagon suppression was observed in patients with T2D (duration of T2D: 8 (6–36) months) relative to weight matched control subjects (CS) without diabetes (k1 (mM)−1: 0.16 ± 0.015 (T2D, n = 7); 0.26 ± 0.047 (CS, n = 7)). Insulin action was significantly lower in patients with T2D (a1 (10 pM min)−1: 0.000084 ± 0.0000075 (T2D); 0.00052 ± 0.00015 (CS)) and the Hill coefficient in the equation for glucose dependent insulin response was found to be significantly different in T2D patients relative to CS (h: 1.4 ± 0.15; 1.9 ± 0.14). Trends in parameters with respect to fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and 2-h glucose values are also presented. Significantly, a negative linear relationship is observed between the glucagon suppression parameter, k1, and the three markers for diabetes and is thus indicative of the role of glucagon in exacerbating the pathophysiology of diabetes (Spearman Rank Correlation: (n = 12; (−0.79, 0.002), (−0.73,.007), (−0.86,.0003)) respectively).

The non‐linear impacts of innovation on unemployment: Evidence from panel data

AbstractThis article examines the linear and non‐linear impacts of innovation on unemployment in 61 countries, covering annual data from 2007 to 2016. The relationship is estimated by deploying the system generalised method of moments (SGMM) estimation. Alternative instruments for the SGMM estimation and cross‐sectional threshold estimation are utilised to investigate the estimation robustness. Although the negative linear relationship between innovation and unemployment is not robustly supported in the linear models, the empirical results of non‐linear models suggest the existence of an inverted‐U effect of innovation on unemployment rate. The marginal impact of innovation also supports the inverted‐U relationship in which only the innovation at the maximum and mean level contributes to lower unemployment. Additionally, the negative marginal effect is larger at the maximum level compared to the mean level. The robustness estimations that use alternative instruments and the Hansen threshold regression also support the non‐linear relationship. On the basis of the findings, although innovation should be encouraged to create more jobs, policymakers are advised to consider interventions in job protection, such as offering reskilling programs to mitigate rising unemployment following the initial efforts to promote innovation.

Exploration of the Interrelationship within Biomass Pyrolysis Liquid Composition Based on Multivariate Analysis.

The diverse utilization of pyrolysis liquid is closely related to its chemical compositions. Several factors affect PA compositions during the preparation. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess PA compositions data obtained from published paper and experimental data. Results showed the chemical constituents were not significantly different in different feedstock materials. Acids and phenolics contents were 31.96% (CI: 25.30–38.62) and 26.50% (CI: 21.43–31.57), respectively, accounting for 58.46% (CI: 46.72–70.19) of the total relative contents. When pyrolysis temperatures range increased to above 350 °C, acids and ketones contents decreased by more than 5.2-fold and 1.53-fold, respectively, whereas phenolics content increased by more than 2.1-fold, and acetic acid content was the highest, reaching 34.16% (CI: 25.55–42.78). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significantly negative correlation between acids and phenolics (r2 = −0.43, p < 0.001) and significantly positive correlation between ketones and alcohols (r2 = 0.26, p < 0.05). The pyrolysis temperatures had a negative linear relationship with acids (slope = −0.07, r2 = 0.16, p < 0.001) and aldehydes (slope = −0.02, r2 = 0.09, p < 0.05) and positive linear relationship with phenolics (slope = 0.04, r2 = 0.07, p < 0.05). This study provides a theoretical reference of PA application.

Individual Torque And Neuromuscular Responses During A Sustained, Isometric Muscle Action Anchored To RPE = 7

Purpose: Few studies have examined the neuromuscular patterns of responses during a sustained, isometric muscle action anchored to a constant rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Furthermore, previous studies have examined the mean responses for torque and the amplitude of the electromyographic signal (EMG AMP) during a sustained task anchored to RPE, but few have examined the individual responses and compared them with the composite models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the individual responses and compare them to the composite models for torque and EMG AMP during a sustained, isometric forearm flexion muscle action anchored to RPE = 7. Methods: Twelve men (mean ± SD: age = 21.3 ± 1.7 yrs.; height = 181.1 ± 6.7 cm; body mass = 87.2 ± 17.0 kg) performed 2, 3 s forearm flexion maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) before a sustained, isometric, forearm flexion muscle action anchored to RPE = 7 until task failure (defined as torque that would require RPE > 7, or the torque was reduced to zero). During testing, torque was recorded on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer and surface EMG was used to record the EMG AMP of the biceps brachii (BB) and torque and EMG AMP were normalized to the greatest pre-test MVIC. Polynomial regression analyses (linear or quadratic) were used to examine the normalized torque and EMG AMP responses vs. time relationships. Results: Time to task failure was 678.0 ± 468.1 s and torque was reduced to zero for all of the subjects at task failure. For the composite models, there was a significant (p < 0.01, r = -0.84), negative linear torque relationship and a significant (p < 0.01, R = 0.97), positive quadratic EMG AMP relationship vs. Time. For torque, there was 83% (10/12) agreement with the composite model and 17% (2/12) of the subjects did not exhibit a relationship. For EMG AMP, there was 42% (5/12) agreement with the composite model, 8% (1/12) of the subjects exhibited a positive, linear relationship, 42% (5/12) of subjects exhibited negative relationships (linear or quadratic), and 8% (1/12) did not exhibit a relationship. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that torque was continuously adjusted to maintain the predetermined RPE. In addition, there were consistent responses for torque but substantial inter-individual responses and moderate agreement with the composite model for EMG AMP.

АНАЛИЗ ИННОВАЦИОННОЙ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНОСТИ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО РАЗВИ-ТИЯ РОССИЙСКОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ И ОБОСНОВАНИЕ УСЛОВИЙ ЕГО КАЧЕСТВЕННОГО УЛУЧШЕНИЯ

The article summarizes the results of studies emphasizing the importance of industrial development based on the development of innovations. The hypothesis of the study is the assumption that in the context of neo-industrialization, the growth in the contribu-tion of industry to GDP should be accompa-nied by an increase in the share of innova-tive products in industrial output. The paper analyzes the innovative performance of the industrial development of the Russian Fed-eration based on a comparison of the share of industry in GDP and the share of innova-tive products in the output of goods. Correla-tion and regression analysis showed the presence of a strong negative linear rela-tionship between the contribution of industry to GDP and the share of innovative products in the output of goods, which indicates the need to modernize industrial development. The article summarizes the conditions for a qualitative improvement in the functioning of industry.

Correlation of Delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) Value With Hip Arthroscopy Intraoperative Findings and Midterm Periacetabular Osteotomy Outcomes.

Background:Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) is an advanced imaging technique that is purported to quantify cartilage damage in acute and chronic joint disease and predict periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) outcomes. There is a paucity of literature relating dGEMRIC values to arthroscopic findings before PAO and postoperative outcomes after PAO.Purpose:To assess the utility and validity of dGEMRIC as a preoperative and prognostic assessment tool of cartilage status and integrity as it relates to intraoperative findings and midterm postoperative outcomes after PAO.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:We analyzed a cohort of 58 patients (70 hips) with a median age of 30.1 years (range, 15-50) with hip dysplasia who underwent hip arthroscopy, followed by a PAO with preoperative dGEMRIC. The primary outcome measures were intraoperative assessment and correlation with cartilage damage (presence of cartilage flap, Outerbridge grade of the acetabulum and femoral head). Secondary outcome measures were postoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, including the International Hip Outcome Tool and Non-arthritic Hip Score. Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship between dGEMRIC values and (1) PROs and (2) intraoperative assessment of cartilage damage.Results:There were significant negative linear relationships between dGEMRIC values and the primary outcome measures: presence of a cartilage flap (coronal, P = .004; sagittal, P < .001), Outerbridge grade of acetabular articular cartilage lesion (coronal, P = .002; sagittal, P = .003), and Outerbridge grade of femoral head articular cartilage lesion (coronal, P = .001; sagittal, P < .001). Despite significant overall improvement in all patients, there was no significant correlation between preoperative dGEMRIC values and improvement in PROs from presurgery to latest postoperative follow-up (median, 2.2 years; range, 1.0-5.0 years).Conclusion:Although dGEMRIC values (sagittal and coronal) were significant predictors of the intraoperative presence of cartilage flaps and overall cartilage integrity, they were not associated with midterm outcomes after PAO.

Effect of Translucency and Curing Mode of Four CAD/CAM Materials on Polymerization Efficiency of Light and Dual Cure Resin Cements.

To determine the effect of translucency of four CAD/CAM materials and different curing modes on the degree of conversion of resin cements. Disks were fabricated from IPS e.max CAD, Vita Suprinity, Vita Enamic, and DD Cube X². Translucency was measured using a spectrophotometer. The degree of conversion of two resin cements Variolink Esthetic DC and LC were measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. For Esthetic DC, the degree of conversion was determined in self-cure and dual cure modes. ANOVA, Tukey HSD test, and /Linear Regression R2 were used to statistically analyze the data. There was a significant difference in the translucency of the four materials (P ⟨ 0.0001). The mean translucency of Vita Suprinity was significantly higher, followed by Vita Enamic, DD Cube X², and IPS E.max CAD. Degree of conversion of resin cements cured under DD Cube X² had the highest values (25.22%), whereas those cured under Vita Suprinity showed the lowest values (17.86%). The self-cure mode had the lowest degree of conversion values (16.22%) and dual cure mode showed the highest values (26.12%). A negative linear relationship was found between degree of conversion and translucency of the CAD/CAM materials.

Soil Enzyme Activity Behavior after Urea Nitrogen Application.

Understanding how fertilizer application (particularly N, the most used chemical fertilizer worldwide) interacts with soil microbes is important for the development of best management practices that target improved microbial activity to enhance sustainable food production. This study was conducted to determine whether urea N rate and time of application to maize (Zea mays) influenced soil enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was determined by monitoring fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, ß-glucosidase, acid-phosphomonoesterase, and arylsulfatase activities. Experiments were conducted from 2014 through 2016 to compare single (fall or spring applications) and split applications of N at varying N rates under irrigation (Becker) and rainfed conditions (Lamberton and Waseca) in MN, USA. Nitrogen rates varied by location and were based on University of Minnesota guidelines. Soil samples were collected seven times each season. Nitrogen application split into two applications increased FDA activity by 10% compared with fall and spring applied N at Waseca. Fall or spring N application decreased arylsulfatase activity by 19% at Becker and by between 13% and 16% at Lamberton. ß-Glucosidase and acid-phosphomonoesterase activities were unaffected by N application. Sampling time and year had the greatest impact on enzyme activity, but the results varied by location. A negative linear relationship occurred between FDA and ß-glucosidase activity at all three sites. In summary, urea N application had small effects on enzyme activity at the sites studied, suggesting that some form of organic N could be more important than the ammonium provided by urea.

Impact of Icerya purchasi (Hempitera: Monophlebidae) on Navel Orange, Citrus sinensis, Production and Fruit Quality.

Cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell, is an occasional pest of citrus, especially when insecticides disrupt vedalia beetle, Novius cardinalis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). In two field tests conducted in successive years, navel orange trees were artificially infested with I. purchasi to determine the impact of I. purchasi on fruit yield and quality. In the first year, for which adult scale densities ranged between 0 and > 45 per branch and between 0 and > 500 on trunk counts, there was a highly significant negative linear relationship between the number of I. purchasi adults on branches or the trunk and its effect on fruit number, the percentage of large fruit, and the mass of fruit, and a highly significant positive relationship for the percentage of sooty mold-affected fruit and the percentage of juice grade fruit. In the second year, in which adult scale densities ranged between 0 and 10.5 per branch and between 0 and 35 on trunk counts, only the percentage of sooty mold-affected fruit showed a relationship. Damage to fruit was better predicted by population estimates from branch samples versus trunk counts. Analysis of the two years, estimated significant damage ranging from 2 adults per branch to no detectable effects of insect density, depending on the given metric of fruit number or quality, at the time that treatment decisions would be made. These results support May-June monitoring of branches for adult scales and application of treatments at an action threshold of <2 adult females/branch to prevent damage to navel orange trees.

Association between lung function impairment with urinary heavy metals in a community in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Lung function status can be directly or indirectly affected by exposure to pollutants in the environment. Urinary heavy metals may be an indirect indicator of lung function impairment that leads to various diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to explore the prevalence of lung function impairment as well as its association with urinary heavy metal levels and other influencing factors among the community in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Urinary sampling was done during various community events in the housing areas of Klang Valley between March and October 2019. Only respondents who consented would undergo a lung function test. Urine samples were obtained and sent for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis for heavy metal cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration. Of the 200 recruited respondents, 52% were male and their ages ranged from 18 years old to 74 years old with a mean age of 38.4 ± 14.05 years. Urinary samples show high urinary Cd level in 12% of the respondents (n = 24) whereas none recorded a high urinary Pb level. There was a positive correlation between the levels of urinary Cd and urinary Pb (r = 0.303; p = 0.001). Furthermore, a negative correlation was detected between urinary Cd level and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = − 0.202, p = 0.004), force expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (r = − 0.225, p = 0.001), and also force expiratory flow between 25–75% of FVC (FEF 25–75%) (r = − 0.187, p = 0.008). However, urinary Pb did not show any correlation with lung function parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that urinary Cd had a significant negative effect on FVC (p = 0.025) and FEV1 (p = 0.004) based on the predicted value. Additionally, other factors such as education level (p = 0.013) also influenced lung function. However, no interaction was detected between heavy metals or other factors. In short, there was a significant negative linear relationship between urinary Cd and lung function, whereas urinary Pb was not associated with lung function. Beside acting as a biomarker for cadmium exposure level, urinary Cd may also be applied as indirect biomarker for asymptomatic chronic lung function deterioration among the healthy population.

Analisis Pengaruh Efektivitas, Efisiensi, dan Kontribusi Sektor Pariwisata terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD) Kota Bukittinggi Tahun 2010-2019

The purpose of this study is to find out how the relationship between the effectiveness, efficiency and contribution of the tourism sector to the local revenue of the city of Bukittinggi from 2010 to 2019. The research population is all taxes and levies on the tourism sector of the city of Bukittinggi using the sample technique method. This study uses a quantitative method with a descriptive approach and correlation test. The novelty of this research is to examine the relationship of each independent variable to the dependent variable so that it explains in more detail the relationship/relationship. The results show that the effectiveness of the tourism sector in Bukittinggi City has an average effectiveness level of 88% which is classified as effective and has a negative perfect linear relationship to local revenue, the efficiency of the tourism sector in Bukittinggi City has an average efficiency level of 14% classified as efficient and has Positive perfect linear relationship to local revenue and contribution of the tourism sector Bukittinggi City has an average contribution rate of 43% which is classified as making a good contribution and has a perfect linear relationship to local revenue.

Risk factors of pelvic floor muscle strength in south Chinese women: a retrospective study

ObjectivesTo evaluate pelvic floor muscle strength using surface electromyography and risk factors for pelvic floor muscle strength in the early postpartum period.MethodsThis retrospective study included 21,302 participants who visited FujianMaternity and Child Health Hospital from September 2019 to February 2022. All participantswere assessed bymedical professionals for general information and surface electromyography.ResultsUnivariate analysis indicated that age was inversely related to tonic and endurance contractions. In contrast, all the other variables, including education level, body mass index, neonatal weight, and number of fetuses, had a positive impact on rapid, tonic, and endurance contractions. Likewise, parity was also positively associated with rapid contractions. In addition, compared with vaginal delivery, cesarean section delivery had a protective effect on the amplitude of the three types of contractions. Stepwise regression analysis showed that both age and neonatal weight had a negative linear relationship with the amplitude of rapid, tonic and endurance contractions. In contrast, the amplitude of rapid, tonic and endurance contractions significantly increased as body mass index, parity (≤ 3), education level and gestational weight gain (endurance contractions only) increased. Participants with cesarean section delivery showed positive effects on rapid, tonic, and endurance contractions compared to participants with vaginal delivery.ConclusionsWe found that age, neonatal weight, vaginal delivery, episiotomy, and forceps delivery were risk factors for pelvic floor muscle strength; in contrast, body mass index, parity (≤ 3) and gestational weight gain had a positive relationship with pelvic floor muscle strength.

The relationship between job-hopping motives and congruence

Orientation: Many organisational turnover and vocational counselling studies have investigated the outcomes associated with person–environment fit. However, few studies have investigated the potential individual difference variables that might lead to person–environment fit.Research purpose: This study set out to investigate the relationship between job-hopping motives and interest–environment fit (i.e. congruence).Motivation for the study: Job-hopping motives reflect individual difference motives that are thought to lead to voluntary turnover behaviour over and above environmental factors. We investigated the hypothesis that these motives might lead to people entering jobs that are congruent with their interests.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional survey research design was used. The Job-Hopping Motives Scale was administered to 197 adults. Multiple linear regression and ridge regression were used to investigate the proposed relationships.Main findings: Job-hopping motives were related to congruence, with the escape motive showing a negative partial linear relationship with congruence and the advance motive showing no partial linear relationship with congruence.Practical/managerial implications: Our results suggest that people who have a propensity to frequently change jobs might tend to enter a job that does not necessarily match their interests. This in turn might lead to some of the negative outcomes associated with working in so-called incongruent environments, or alternatively, potentially lead to a cycle of entering and leaving jobs throughout a person’s career.Contribution/value-add: We provide evidence that job-hopping motives might be an organisational-relevant individual difference variable that might lead to working in a congruent or incongruent environment.