Multidimensional Correspondence Analysis Research Articles

Safety of non-standard regimen of systemic steroid therapy in patients with Graves' orbitopathy: a single-centre experience.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disorder of the orbit and retro-ocular tissues and the primary extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. In moderate-to-severe and active GO iv glucocorticoids (GCs) are recommended as first-line treatment. The aim was to assess the safety profile of methylprednisolone administered intravenously for three consecutive days at 1g in patients with active, moderate-to-severe or sight-threatening Graves' orbitopathy. We retrospectively evaluated 161 medical records of patients with GO treated with high-dose systemic GCs in the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolic Disorders, and Internal Medicine in Poznań between 2014 and 2021. Clinical data included age, gender, laboratory results, activity and severity of GO, smoking status, disease duration, and presented side effects. The presence of mild side effects was observed during 114 (71%) hospitalizations. The most common complications were hyperglycemia (n = 95) and elevated aminotransferases (n = 31). Increased levels of aminotransferases were more likely observed in smokers and GO duration above 12months. Based on the multivariate logistic regression, higher TRAb and CAS values were significantly associated with lower odds of hyperglycemia. In turn, the increased odds of elevated aminotransferases were significantly correlated with higher initial ALT levels, female gender, and GO duration above 12months. In addition, the multidimensional correspondence analysis (MPA) showed that GO patients who declared smoking and had not L-ornithine L-aspartate applied demonstrated a higher probability of elevated aminotransferases. Active GO treatment with high-dose systemic GCs is not associated with serious side effects. Hyperglycemia is the most common steroid-induced complication.

Comparison of ultrasound signs, computed tomography data and morphological examination of the lungs in patients with coronavirus infection: post hoc analysis

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound examination (US) of the lungs has shown high efficiency in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The aim of the research was studying the correspondence of computed tomography (CT) US signs of the lungs and morphological data in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The post hoc analysis included 388 patients who simultaneously underwent ultrasound and CT of the lungs. Lung ultrasound was performed according to the 16-zone “Russian Protocol”. Morphological data were obtained from the results of pathoanatomic examination of deceased patients. RESULTS: The comparison of signs detected by CT and ultrasound of the lungs was performed during a multidimensional correspondence analysis. The analysis was carried out using a three-dimensional solution that explained 64.9 % of inertia (p < 0.001). CT signs of “ground glass opacity” (100 %) corresponded to the B-line at ultrasound (100 %), CT of the consolidation sign (44.8 %) — ultrasound signs of consolidation (46.9 %), aerobronchogram of CT (34 %) — aerobronchogram of ultrasound (36.9 %), free liquid CT (11.1 %) — free liquid Ultrasound (13.9 %). CT signs of reticular changes (29.6 %) and “cobblestone pavement” (12.4 %) corresponded to various combinations of ultrasound signs of subpleural consolidation and B-lines. The B-lines were caused by the exudation of fluid and protein molecules into the intraalveolar space against the background of massive death of alveolocytes and formed by the development of intraalveolar edema and the formation of hyaline membranes. The ultrasonic sign of consolidation appeared in the airless zone of the lungs. Subpleural consolidation are caused by thickening and inflammatory infiltration of the pleura, diffuse alveolar damage, with intraalveolar edema, death and decay of alveolocytes, perivascular inflammatory cell reaction/ During treatment for more than 7 days, consolidation in the lung tissue developed due to the disorganization of the organ structure due to the progression of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Multivariate correspondence analysis showed correlation of CT signs and US signs of the lungs. Morphological analysis showed polymorphism of histological data that caused the formation of ultrasound signs.

Characteristics of E-Scooter-Related Maxillofacial Injuries over 2019-2022-Retrospective Study from Poznan, Poland.

Recently, there has been a considerable rise in the popularity and use of electric scooters. Because of this, the number of accidents involving them has also risen. Head and neck injuries are the most common. The aim of the study was to determine the most frequent craniofacial injuries resulting from accidents involving electric scooters, and to identify the risk factors directly related to their placement and severity. The study carried out a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients of the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery over 2019-2022, in terms of craniofacial injuries suffered as a result of e-scooter-related accidents. In the study population (31 cases), of which 61.3% were men, the median age was 27 years. At the time of the accident, 32.3% patients were under the influence of alcohol. Accidents were most common in the 21-30 age group; more often than not, they occurred during warm months and on weekends. The study identified a total of 40 fractures in the patients. The most common craniofacial injuries were mandibular fractures (37.5%), zygomatic-orbital fractures (20%) and frontal bone fractures (10%). A multidimensional correspondence analysis was also performed, which showed that at an age of under 30, alcohol consumption and female gender were associated with a higher likelihood of mandibular fracture. Proper education on the risks associated with the use of e-scooters is essential, with particular emphasis on the impact of alcohol on the driver. It is important to develop diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for doctors, both in ED and in specialised departments.

Theoretical framework of sustainable value creation by companies. What do we know so far?

AbstractIn conditions of limited natural resources, growing social awareness, and ESG risk, sustainability and the pressure to be sustainable are gaining importance. Legislative requirements, good practices and recommendations as well as the stakeholders themselves expect from market participants, especially from the enterprise sector, that they will incorporate sustainability in their activities. Enterprises undertake adaptation activities towards sustainability by creating sustainable value based on their business models. The article aims to systematize the state of knowledge on how companies create sustainable value. Research results in this area are dispersed, and more studies discussing this topic comprehensively are needed. The article fills the gap in research by reviewing the existing studies on creating sustainable value. The analysis of publications was based on the academic databases of Elsevier Scopus and Web‐of‐Science. 101 publications were reviewed, and 31 categorization variables related to the area of research and issues addressed in scientific publications were created. Using a multidimensional correspondence analysis, three homogeneous clusters of publications were obtained: group I refers to articles concerning enterprises of various sizes (micro, small, SME, and start‐up); group II includes publications on Asia and Australia, which appeared in 2020 or later; group III concerns articles related to the research of large production companies in developed European countries. The result shows that companies build sustainable value in various ways, influenced by company's location and size. Among the dominant patterns of incorporating sustainable value, the following are indicated: building a sustainable supply chain, innovations, building relationships with stakeholders and consumers, sharing economy.

US consumers' mental associations with meat substitute products.

Negative impacts of meat consumption on both consumers' health and the environment call for alternative sources for protein intake. In the last decades, the development of meat substitute products has made enormous progress. Given the beneficial aspects of reduced meat consumption, meat substitutes might be a promising approach for a more plant-based diet. However, despite the continuous improvement of meat substitute products and their increasing market potential, meat consumption in the US is still at a high level. Extant literature acknowledges that meat substitute products prompt several negative thoughts and feelings in various European countries, while US consumers' perceptions of meat substitute products have not been investigated so far. However, understanding consumers' thoughts and feelings toward meat substitute products provides valuable insights which can help policymakers and marketers to efficiently promote meat substitute products. Against this background, the current research investigates US consumers' mental associations (i.e., connections of information and prior experiences with the product category stored in memory) with meat substitute products and explores if there are any differences between women and men. A sample of 175 US citizens acquired through an online panel provider completed a free word association technique resulting in 824 mental associations that qualified for the subsequent analysis. In a deductive-inductive content analysis, we assigned the mental associations to 20 categories (e.g., taste, health, environment) and determined their valence (i.e., positive, neutral, or negative). Frequencies and relationships among the categories were analyzed by employing frequency analyses, Chi-square difference tests, and multidimensional correspondence analysis. The findings reveal that meat substitute products elicit more negative mental associations than positive ones. Results validate categories identified in existing literature, but also reveal new categories of mental associations. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that mental associations differ between women and men, with women tending to perceive meat substitutes more negatively than men. The multiple correspondence analysis resulted in four different consumer profiles (skeptics, innovators, health-oriented consumers, and avoiders) which can guide policymakers and brand managers on the effective promotion of meat substitute products.

Robotic Process Automation as a Digital Transformation Tool for Increasing Organizational Resilience in Polish Enterprises

The current digital transformation (additionally accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic) is causing profound changes across a number of industries. Part of this revolution is the spread of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which enables the automation of business processes by replacing human work with advanced software robots. One of the goals of the conducted research was to develop a classification of approaches to RPA positioning in enterprises. The author also identified differences in RPA positioning between individual industries. Based on conducted literature research, the author has proposed a proprietary classification for approaches to RPA positioning: conservative, efficiency improving, and strategic. This was subject to verification based on the results of empirical research using multidimensional correspondence analysis. The survey was conducted by the author in 2020 using the CAWI method: Credible (reliable) results were obtained from 238 Polish enterprises. The multidimensional correspondence analysis, conducted on the basis of the results of the empirical research confirmed that the approaches to RPA positioning in enterprises proposed by the author did occur in business practice. The outcome of the RPA classification became the basis for qualitative research (in the form of semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners) aimed at answering the question as to whether enterprises that strategically position RPA and treat it as a tool for digital transformation increase their organizational resilience. Up until now, however, no study has been found that focuses on how RPA increases organizational resilience or what its consequences are both at the research and application levels. This article fills the research gap in this area.

Early detection of neck lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients: the role of ultrasound and fine needle biopsy

Purpose: To analyze the distribution and pattern of neck metastasis in breast cancer (BC) patients.
 Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of 41 patients with BC and confirmed neck metastasis (NM) treated at our institution between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed by reviewing medical records. The diagnosis of NM was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology, and node localization was classified into six levels according to Robbins' classification. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and multidimensional correspondence analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS.
 Results: At the time of neck ultrasonography, 34 (85%) patients had developed distant metastases, 38% of the patients were asymptomatic, and 17% had no palpable nodes. The average time from BC diagnosis to the development of NM was 5.8 years (range, 0–26 years). Lymph node metastasis occurred at level V in 53.7% of patients and level IV in 19.5% of patients. Two-level involvement occurred in 9.8% and one-level involvement in 75% of patients. There were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between patient age andtime from diagnosis to development of NM, age and stage of the disease, and stage and appearance of conglomerates.
 Conclusion: The most common site of NM from BC was next to the supraclavicular fossa, although they occurred at other levels. Ultrasonography combined with fine needle aspiration cytology is effective for the detection of early occult metastatic lymph nodes.

Analysis of the Characteristics of a Team Working in Conditions of Exposure (Hospice Environment).

The aim of the study was to examine the functioning of the team, working in conditions of exposure and finding reasons for which a specific group takes actions in conditions of life threatening others or own. The population being studied is a hospice team (N = 229). Logistic regression analysis and multidimensional correspondence analysis were used in the research. The level of personal religiosity was regulated in a different way in the respective surveyed professional groups. In the group of hospice volunteers we managed to build 2 models, in the hospice employees - 4 models, in the group of volunteers - 5 models. There are different types of motivation and a sense of identity. The highest level of guilt is declared by a group of hospice volunteers. In the group of volunteers of the hospice: the thanatological anxiety and mood stimulate the growth of personal religiousness.

The Use of Multidimensional Statistical Analysis Methods in the Burnout Study of Teachers and Lecturers at Universities

Abstract Research background: The study was conducted and based on the project The assessment of mental condition, financed by the Ministry of Health as part of the National Health Program for 2016–2020 (operational objective 3: Prevention of mental health problems and improvement of mental well-being of society). The article focuses on a group of teachers and university lecturers from eight voivodeships selected for the study, whereas burnout was selected from the areas of mental disorders. Purpose: The main objective of the study was to identify the regularities in the relationship between the level of professional burnout and selected demographic characteristics in the group of teachers and university lecturers. Additionally, the spatial diversity of the percentage of respondents diagnosed with occupational burnout was examined. Research methodology: Two methods from the multi-dimensional statistical analysis were used: a classification tree analysis, and a correspondence analysis. Results: The methods used allowed to classify the studied professional group in terms of the degree of occupational burnout. The results obtained using both the classification trees and multidimensional correspondence analysis allowed the identification of similar regularities regarding the impact of demographic variables on the level of occupational burnout. Novelty: The application of multidimensional statistical analysis methods to study mental health based on individual, unique data from eight Polish voivodeships.

Regular Physical Activity as a Potential Risk Factor for Erosive Lesions in Adolescents.

Tooth erosion is becoming an increasingly common dental problem among teenagers. The study aimed to determine risk factors for erosive lesions in young sports professionals. Participants were 155 students—102 physically active and 53 controls. The method included dental examination (including Basic Erosive Wear Examination) and a questionnaire concerning sports activity, dietary and hygienic habits. The sporting activity significantly correlated with erosive lesions (RSpearman = 0.344). The regression model incorporating the kind of sports activity, special diet and (non-)drinking water was statistically significant (p = 0.922 for the Hosmer–Lemeshow test) and strong enough to predict erosive lesions in young athletes (AUC = 0.758). Water sports professionals were almost 14 times more likely to suffer from erosive lesions than control students. Drinking water as the main beverage decreased the odds by about 70%. The graphical interpretation of multidimensional correspondence analysis confirms the predictive value of these factors. The kind of sports activity adjusted by the main beverage and a special diet was the best variable to predict erosive lesions among teenagers. Early proper diagnosis with defined risk factors leads to better prevention and successful treatment.

Application of multidimensional correspondence analysis to identify socioeconomic factors conditioning voluntary life insurance

Abstract Insurance companies in their current operations focus mainly on business risks related to insurance products and the best matching of the offer to the needs of potential customers. The selection of appropriate methods to determine the socio-economic characteristics of people who use voluntary life insurance can increase the effectiveness of their sales, while affecting the increase in the efficiency of the insurance industry. Using the multidimensional correspondence method, this document comprehensively identifies the factors conditioning voluntary life insurance. The survey is based on a set of data from a questionnaire. Surveys were conducted among Polish households from the region of Central Pomerania. The results show that access to financial services and products, savings and education determine the existence of life insurance in households from the region of Central Pomerania. This study contributes to literature and practice by showing that multidimensional correspondence analysis can be an effective method for identifying conditions that will increase supply and demand for life insurance.

The Application of Statistical Methods to Identify Factors Determining Employment Effectiveness in District Labour Offices in Poland

In Poland, institutions that perform public tasks in the field of the labour market are state employment services, including District Labour Offices (PUPs). They try to restore the unemployed to the open labour market using active forms of their activation. The activities of PUPs in the field of customer activation are subject to annual evaluation. According to the “Act on Employment Promotion and on Labour Market Institutions”, four indicators were selected for the evaluation of the functioning of labour offices in 2015–2017. Among them, the employment effectiveness index is very important, as its level allows us to assess to what extent active forms of activation of the unemployed implemented by PUPs contribute to the return of the unemployed to employment. This assessment is so important that in Poland as well as in other countries research has been conducted on both active forms of activation of the unemployed and employment policies. The aim of the research whose results are presented in the article was to identify factors influencing the employment effectiveness index achieved by District Labour Offices (PUPs) operating in Poland in 2016. Selected statistical methods were used, including correlation and regression analysis as well as multidimensional correspondence analysis. It turned out that the methods applied did not make it possible to unambiguously identify factors which had significantly affected the employment effectiveness index calculated on the basis of all forms of activation. It may turn out that clearer relations could be identified if this indicator was considered separately for particular forms of activation.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Coopetition: The Roles of Scope and Durability in Coopetitive Relationships

The growing importance of cooperative relationships may currently be observed throughout the world. The vast majority of such relationships take the form of coopetition, i.e., the simultaneous existence of cooperation and competition between competitors. Previous research on coopetition characterizes these relationships mostly in the context of the benefits achieved. Researchers emphasize a number of benefits resulting from coopetition, e.g., stimulation of innovations of partners, development of the technology, obtaining complementary resources, entering new markets, or creating new products. However, when deciding to begin coopetition, companies should not only consider the benefits, but also the drawbacks associated with such relationships. This is due to the fact that disadvantages are inherent features of coopetitive relationships between competitors. The relationship between the duration of cooperative relationships in particular areas and the benefits and costs associated with these relationships is scarcely researched. Using a sample of 210 companies operating in the high-tech sector in Poland, we aimed to cover this gap in the knowledge base and to analyze this aspect of coopetition. Several research methods including multidimensional correspondence analysis, correlation analysis of qualitative variables, a chi-square test, multi-table analysis, and association rules were applied. The results of our research showed that coopetition is a viable strategy which contributes to the sustainable development of firms. We also found that the duration of coopetitive relationships in different areas of company activity is related to different types of benefits to collaboration partners.

Quality costing and quality management maturity in Greece

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the sophistication of a quality costing system depends on the quality management maturity (QMM) level in Food and Beverage (F&B) enterprises. Since no previous research has taken place in this area, the paper aims at analyzing the relationships between quality costing and the specific variables that define the various maturity stages.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was used to survey 457 F&B companies. This produced 104 usable responses (23 percent response rate). Multidimensional correspondence analysis (MCA) with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used to detect and represent underlying structures in the categorical data set and to detect possible clusters between variables.FindingsThe more mature a company’s QMM, the more emphasis they placed on appraisal quality costs and effective use of quality costs information. Prevention costs have no statistically significant connection with the level of maturity. A generalized “expensive” use of quality costing, with no focus on problematic areas and possible solutions, does not always lead to the resolution of problems.Research limitations/implicationsA complicated – and some think unfair – tax system, combined with limited cash liquidity constitutes an unstable environment for Greek companies, in which they have to survive and develop. This environment does not support quality costing, thus resulting in limited interest by company management in participating in the authors’ research. Furthermore, the Greek Uniform Chart of Accounts and the Greek Accounting Standards do not include specific quality-related accounts, making it difficult for companies to measure quality costs and for researchers to investigate the quality costing field.Originality/valueIt is the first time that QMM levels of Greek F&B companies have been reported. The research explores the characteristics that a quality costing system of Greek F&B organizations develop at the various maturity levels. The analysis uses an exploratory method – MCA – which can highlight intense correspondences of characteristics and clusters, which cannot be predicted in advance.

Phenotypes of organ involvement in sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a highly variable, systemic granulomatous disease of hitherto unknown aetiology. The GenPhenReSa (Genotype-Phenotype Relationship in Sarcoidosis) project represents a European multicentre study to investigate the influence of genotype on disease phenotypes in sarcoidosis.The baseline phenotype module of GenPhenReSa comprised 2163 Caucasian patients with sarcoidosis who were phenotyped at 31 study centres according to a standardised protocol.From this module, we found that patients with acute onset were mainly female, young and of Scadding type I or II. Female patients showed a significantly higher frequency of eye and skin involvement, and complained more of fatigue. Based on multidimensional correspondence analysis and subsequent cluster analysis, patients could be clearly stratified into five distinct, yet undescribed, subgroups according to predominant organ involvement: 1) abdominal organ involvement, 2) ocular-cardiac-cutaneous-central nervous system disease involvement, 3) musculoskeletal-cutaneous involvement, 4) pulmonary and intrathoracic lymph node involvement, and 5) extrapulmonary involvement.These five new clinical phenotypes will be useful to recruit homogenous cohorts in future biomedical studies.

Samoocena wiedzy, umiejętności zawodowych i kompetencji społecznych studentów podstawą ewaluacji programu studiów kierunku turystyka i rekreacja

The aim of this study is an analysis of self-assessment of professional skills and competences of Tourism and Recreation students, as well as an attempt to indicate the possible uses of education mechanisms to modify and enrich curricula so that they take into account the need to develop students’ social skills. The research used a diagnostic survey method. Subjects included 88 students of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Health Promotion at the University of Szczecin. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of results was based on standard statistical methods: incidence of features, a Chi-squared test and a multi-dimensional correspondence analysis. Most students of Tourism and Recreation identified with their chosen field of study. Self-assessment of students’ knowledge – especially in terms of their major – was not high. There was a correlation between identifying oneself with the field of study and self-assessment of competences. Students who identified with their field of study more, reported higher self-assessment of their competences. Efforts to adapt the curriculum to the level of preparedness of candidates and the needs of the labor market correlate with the obtained results. These efforts should bring the desired effect of increased competences, whose deficit was detected during the research.

Non-monetary poverty in Togo: a multidimensional approach

The monetary approach is not sufficient to understand the multiple dimension of poverty. The purpose of this research is therefore to measure and analyze multidimensional poverty reduced to a single non-monetary dimension and according to the characteristics of household heads. Based on the non-monetary variables provided by the most recent country survey (QUIBB 2006), we use Multidimensional Correspondence Analysis techniques to construct a Composite Poverty Indicator. The results of the non-poverty index suggest that the poorest are large families and households in rural areas. The deprivation is also more serious in households whose heads are male, aged between 51 and 99 and less educated. The findings are the same for the monetary approach at the poverty line, leading to the conclusion that both types of poverty are quite strongly and positively correlated. Finally, we propose some recommendations for socioeconomic policies.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BANK’S REPUTATION IN THE SELECTION OF BANKING PRODUCTS IN THE OPINION OF MIDDLE POMERANIAN FARMERS

Farmers, when choosing a bank whose services they want to use, are guided by various factors. The purpose of the research conducted was to select the most essential factors that determine the choice of a bank and an identification of connections between opinions on a bank (its reputation) and the selected features that characterize farmers from the Middle Pomeranian region. The primary data obtained in the course of the empirical field research conducted and a multidimensional correspondence analysis were used in the realization of the objective accepted. The following constituted the set of operands: the status and acreage of the farm, the type and the value of production, sex, age and education of the person in charge of the farm. As is evident from the research conducted, the opinion on a bank (its reputation) was the most essential determinant indicated in the selection of banks by farmers. The analysis demonstrated among others that those farmers polled who think that the opinion on the bank constitutes an important cause in the selection of banking products and services are in aged below 45, they possess secondary agricultural education and run farms with plant and animal production.

Measuring and Analyzing the Non-Monetary Approach of Multidimensional Poverty by the Basic Needs in Togo

This paper aims at measuring and analyzing the non-monetary aspect of multidimensional poverty by the basic needs according to the characteristics of household head. This is the first study in this matter in Togo and using the Multidimensional Correspondence Analysis (MCA) techniques to construct a Composite Poverty Indicator (CPI). Moreover, we use the most recent data from the country survey QUIBB 2006. The results of the incidence of multidimensional poverty by two approaches (MCA and FGT) suggest that the households with larger size, living in rural area, whose head is male, aged between 51 and 99, less educated are the poorest. The findings are the same as those found in the monetary approach at the poverty line, leading to a conclusion that there is a positive correlation between monetary and non-monetary poverty. Finally, we propose some recommendations in terms of socioeconomic policies for alleviating multidimensional poverty.

Tourist Activity of Pensioners in Poland in 2009: A Statistical Analysis

Tourist Activity of Pensioners in Poland in 2009: A Statistical Analysis The purpose of the article is the analysis of transitory pensioners touristics departures. The research was carried out basing on a representative research result of individual transitory domestic departures in 2009 where pensioners participated in. As investigative instrument the autor chose the multidimensional correspondence analysis. The results of research were presented in a tridimensional area. The Ward's method was used in research due to bif number of variants of analyzed variables. This method permitted the assignment of coherence between variable variants.