Multivariate Procedures Research Articles

Combining Raman microspectrometry and chemometrics for determining quantitative molecular composition and mixing state of atmospheric aerosol particles

Determining quantitative molecular composition of atmospheric particles is required for assessing their environmental and health impacts. The presented algorithm was designed to analyse numerous Raman spectra of metal-rich atmospheric particles. Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares procedure (MCR-ALS) has been applied to resolve complex data from Raman microanalysis by means of a computer-assisted analytical procedure called Single Particle Analysis (SPA). The SPA – contrary to Raman mapping – provides data in which each single particle is assigned to a single spectrum, in the group with a statistically significant size. During the procedure, the relative contributions of individual compounds in the recorded Raman spectra have been specified. Grouping and relationship determination of the collected data have been performed by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). A new methodology is proposed to quantitatively determine the molecular composition and chemical mixing of single airborne particles based on the data from the automated Raman microspectrometry measurements.

Factors influencing streambed hydraulic conductivity and their implications on stream-aquifer interaction: a conceptual review.

The estimation and modeling of streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) is an emerging interest due to its connection to water quality, aquatic habitat, and groundwater recharge. Existing research has found ways to sample and measure K at specific sites and with laboratory tests. The challenge undertaken was to review progress, relevance, complexity in understanding and modeling via statistical and geostatistical approaches, literature gaps, and suggestions toward future needs. This article provides an overview of factors and processes influencing streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) and its role in the stream-aquifer interaction. During our synthesis, we discuss the influence of geological, hydrological, biological, and anthropogenic factors that lead to variability of streambed substrates. Literature examples document findings to specific sites that help to portray the role of streambed K and other interrelated factors in the modeling of hyporheic and groundwater flow systems. However, studies utilizing an integrated, comprehensive database are limited, restricting the ability of broader application and understanding. Examples of in situ and laboratory methods of estimating hydraulic conductivity suggest challenges in acquiring representative samples and comparing results, considering the anisotropy and heterogeneity of fluvial bed materials and geohydrological conditions. Arriving at realistic statistical and spatial inference based on field and lab data collected is challenging, considering the possible sediment sources, processes, and complexity. Recognizing that the K for a given particle size group includes several to many orders of magnitude, modeling of streambed K and groundwater interaction remain conceptual and experimental. Advanced geostatistical techniques offer a wide range of univariate or multi-variate interpolation procedures such as kriging and variogram analysis that can be applied to these complex systems. Research available from various studies has been instrumental in developing sampling options, recognizing the significance of fluvial dynamics, the potential for filtration, transfer, and storage of high-quality groundwater, and importance to aquatic habitat and refuge during extreme conditions. Efforts in the characterization of natural and anthropogenic conditions, substrate materials, sediment loading, colmation, and other details highlight the great complexity and perhaps need for a database to compile relevant data. The effects on streambed hydraulic conductivity due to anthropogenic disturbances (in-stream gravel mining, contaminant release, benthic activity, etc.) are the areas that still need focus. An interdisciplinary (hydro-geo-biological) approach may be necessary to characterize the magnitude and variability of streambed K and fluxes at local, regional scales.

Determination of resin and moisture content in melamine-formaldehyde paper using near infrared spectroscopy

This paper describes the use of near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the determination of moisture and resin content on papers impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resins for high-pressure laminate production. The papers had different colours and grammages. The near infrared analysis range comprised wavelengths between 12,000 cm−1 and 4000 cm−1. Several multivariate calibration procedures and pre-processing techniques were tested for selection of the best spectral interval, including interval partial least-square, forward interval partial least-square and synergy interval partial least-square. The performance of calibration models was evaluated computing the root mean-squared error of cross-validations and the coefficient of determination (R2). An external validation procedure was done using different decorative papers (red, pearl, yellow, violet and pale green). The performances of the best models were compared using the statistical criterion root mean square error of prediction. It was shown that the developed models can be applied in the determination of resin content independently of the grammage and colour of the papers. However, regarding the volatile content, the models seemed to be affected by external factors, such as the presence of dyes and pigments, and were only applicable to papers having spectra similar to those used in the calibration model.

Men With Acute Pancreatitis Admitted to U.S. Hospitals Have Increased Comorbidities and Higher In-hospital Mortality

Introduction: Influence of gender in the epidemiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) has been previously reported. We aim to analyze gender based differences of AP hospitalizations in the US over the past decade. We hypothesize that men with AP are likely to develop severe complications and have a higher in-hospital mortality rate. Methods: Between 2005 to 2012, data was extracted from the National Inpatient Sample on adult (Age>18 years) patients with AP (ICD 9 CM: 577.0). Exclusion criteria was applied for chronic pancreatitis and other pancreatic and biliary disorders (ICD 9 CM: 577.1, 577.8, 577.9, 157.0, 157.1, 157.2, 157.3, 157.4, 157.8, 157.9, 155.0, 155.1, 155.2,156.0, 156.1, 156.2, 156.8. 156.9). Using multivariate logistic regression, in-hospital mortality, comorbidities, complications and procedure rates were compared between the men and women with AP (SAS version 9.3). Results: During the study period, 293,165 women and 286,573 men with acute pancreatitis were admitted to the US hospitals, with a ratio of 1.03:1. Men admitted for AP had increased number of comorbidities: DM (P<0.0001), Hypertension (P<0.0001), Hyperlipidemia (P<0.0001) and CAD (P<0.0001). Men were more likely to be smokers (23.9% vs.15.6%, P<0.0001) and had history of drug abuse (33.6% vs.19.6%, P<0.0001) and alcohol abuse (19.7% vs. 7.2%, P<0.0001). Women were more likely to have biliary tract disorders (39.3% vs 26.8%, P<0.0001). Men were more likely to be evaluated by CT (2.9% vs 2.7%, P<0.0001) while women were more likely to undergo Ultrasound (1.6% vs. 1.5%, P=0.02) and MRCP (1.2% vs. 0.9%, P<0.0001). Men were more likely to develop septic shock (2.2% vs 1.8%, P<0.0001), ARDS (5.2% vs. 3.9%, P<0.0001) and required more intubation (4.3% vs. 3.0%, P<0.0001). Women were more likely to undergo biliary intervention (cholecystectomy, biliary stenting, ampullary surgery). More men received enteral nutrition (1.2% vs. 0.9%, P<0.0001) while more women received TPN (2.6% vs. 2.4%, P<0.0001). Men with AP had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (2.8% vs. 2.4%, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Men are more likely to be hospitalised with alcoholic pancreatitis and women are more likely to be hospitalized with biliary pancreatitis. Men with AP are likely to develop severe complications leading to higher in-hospital mortality when compared with women. Men with AP may benefit from more intensive treatment at the onset for better outcome.

HIV Testing Among Foreign-Born Men and Women in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey.

HIV disproportionately affects the foreign-born population in the United States. This analysis describes the prevalence of ever-testing for HIV among foreign-born individuals residing in the United States. Data from a national health survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population was used to describe prevalence of ever-testing for HIV among foreign-born individuals by birth place. Multivariate logistic-regression procedures were used to determine factors associated with ever-testing for HIV among foreign-born men and women. The prevalence of ever-testing for HIV among foreign-born individuals varied by region of birth ranging from 31 to 67%. Factors related to ever-testing for HIV varied by gender. Efforts need to continue in order to improve HIV testing rates among Asian foreign-born individuals, lower educated foreign-born and foreign-born gay/bisexual men. Health care providers can play an important role by counseling new arrivals regarding the importance of testing for HIV and practicing HIV risk reduction activities.

The scholarly productivity and work environments of academic pharmacists.

Productive faculty are key to generating new knowledge and advancing pharmacy practice. The work environments of academic pharmacists are critical to their vitality, commitment, and longevity. To (1) identify correlates of faculty scholarly productivity and teaching effectiveness, considering personal and environmental characteristics; (2) determine the relationship between a faculty's perception of organizational citizenship behaviors they witness with the organizational culture of their employing college/school of pharmacy; and (3) describe the relationship between organizational climate, job satisfaction, and commitment of academic pharmacists. A self-administered survey was disseminated to a random sample of U.S. academic pharmacists acquired from AACP list-servs. The survey measured perceptions of their organization's culture, the organizational citizenship behaviors they witness at their institution, their job satisfaction, teaching load and productivity, and scholarly productivity based upon peer-reviewed scholarly papers accepted. Both bivariate and multivariate (regression) procedures were employed to identify factors most responsible for explaining academic pharmacist's work environment. Responses were received from 177 of 600 survey recipients. Faculty reported having had accepted 10.9±13.6 papers in peer-reviewed journals during the previous 5 years, with most of those in journals with relatively low Impact Factor scores. Faculty productivity was related to type of academic institution employed, teaching effectiveness, job satisfaction, and other factors. Organizational citizenship behaviors and organizational culture was seen similarly by faculty of varied ranks and experience levels. Commitment to remain at the current college/school of pharmacy was highly associated with culture, climate, and job satisfaction conditions. The results provided evidence for a strong connection or nexus between teaching and research effectiveness. Organizational culture of academic pharmacy programs is highly important for faculty vitality and commitment. The findings should be helpful for academic leaders in devising programs for mentoring, development, and retention of faculty.

Resilience of vulnerable students transitioning into a South African university

Youth transitioning into university face numerous life challenges, particularly in South Africa with its high levels of poverty and inequality. This article, recognising the vulnerability of many students, sets out to identify the resilience processes that facilitate the resilient outcomes of life satisfaction and academic progress. Using a sample of 232 psychosocially vulnerable undergraduate students, a quantitative survey was conducted and analysed using multivariate procedures. Results indicate that 27% of the variance in life satisfaction was accounted for by 19 resilience variables, with community relationships and family financial security being individually significant, and that 18% of the variance in academic progress was accounted for, with learning orientation being individually significant. Family relationships also emerged as important for both outcomes. The findings suggest that, during times of adversity, South African students draw in particular on relational resources in their home communities, and that academic progress is protected from deterioration by vulnerable students’ love for learning. Practice implications for universities are proposed that go beyond reactive, therapeutic services towards creating a supportive academic community.

Geochemical distribution of Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in soil profiles of Fluvisols, Luvisols, Gleysols, and Calcisols originating from Germany and Egypt

The geochemical fractionation and potential mobilization of Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn were studied in thirteen soil profiles originating from Germany and Egypt to assess the potential mobilization of these potentially toxic metals. The German soils were classified as Eutric Fluvisols, Tidalic Fluvisols, Haplic Gleysols, and Calcic Luvisols, and the Egyptian soils as Eutric Fluvisols, Sodic Fluvisols, and Haplic Calcisols. The geochemical fractions (acid soluble (F1), reducible (F2), oxidizable (F3), and residual (F4) fraction) of the metals were sequentially extracted using the sequential extraction technique of the Commission of the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR). The maximal total concentrations (mgkg−1) of Cu (3242), Ni (105), and Zn (1672) were in the German Eutric Fluvisols, while the maximal concentrations of Co (37) were in the Egyptian Eutric Fluvisols, and those values exceeded the international maximum allowable soil concentrations. The values of enrichment and contamination factors exhibit a clear indication of dramatic contamination by Cu and Zn at the Eutric Fluvisols along the Wupper River, Germany. The acid soluble fraction of all metals (except for Ni in the Calcic Luvisols) was higher in the German soils than the Egyptian soils. The reducible fraction of Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn was the dominant non-residual fraction (as precentages of total) in all Egyptian soils and in the German Eutric Fluvisols as well as for Zn in the Tidalic Fluvisol and Co in the Calcic Luvisols. The potential mobile fraction (PMF=∑F1−F3) of Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn accounted (% of total) for 39–61, 15–60, 21–57, and 6–44, respectively in the Egyptian soils, while it accounted for 14–70, 11–92, 2–73, and 8–89, respectively in the German soils. The high PMF of the metals in the German Eutric Fluvisols, Haplic Gleysols, and Sodic Fluvisols might reflect that the sources of these metals are of anthropogenic origin here. However, the dominance of the metals residual fraction in the Egyptian soils supports the assumption of the geogenic origin of these metals in these soils. The canonical discriminant analysis as a multivariate statistical procedure was applied and differentiated the soils according to their geochemical behavior into four clusters i.e., 1) Eutric Fluvisols, Calcic Luvisols, and Haplic Calcisols; 2) Egyptian Fluvisols (Eutric and Sodic); 3) Haplic Calcisols; and 4) Tidalic Fluvisols. In conclusion, the potential risk of the metals in the anthropogenic polluted soils is higher than in the soils naturally enriched with these metals. Therefore, remediation approaches may be needed in the German Eutric Fluvisols, Haplic Gleysols, and Sodic Fluvisols.

Environmental Correlates with Germinable Weed Seedbanks on Organic Farms across Northern New England

The northern New England region includes the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine and encompasses a large degree of climate and edaphic variation across a relatively small spatial area, making it ideal for studying climate change impacts on agricultural weed communities. We sampled weed seedbanks and measured soil physical and chemical characteristics on 77 organic farms across the region and analyzed the relationships between weed community parameters and select geographic, climatic, and edaphic variables using multivariate procedures. Temperature-related variables (latitude, longitude, mean maximum and minimum temperature) were the strongest and most consistent correlates with weed seedbank composition. Edaphic variables were, for the most part, relatively weaker and inconsistent correlates with weed seedbanks. Our analyses also indicate that a number of agriculturally important weed species are associated with specific U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones, implying that future changes in climate factors that result in geographic shifts in these zones will likely be accompanied by changes in the composition of weed communities and therefore new management challenges for farmers.

Meta-analyses of oil yield in Cuphea PSR23

Oil content and composition of Cuphea seed are of special economic value as raw materials for industrial and food applications. The inherent unpredictability in determining and predicting Cuphea’s oil yield is attributed, in part, to the indeterminate growth habit and the persistence of the domestication syndrome of this semi-domesticated potential oilseed crop. Meta-analysis using multivariate statistical modeling, computer simulations, and custom profiling was carried out on a database collated from several studies carried out in growth chamber, greenhouse and field experiments. Meta-analyses identified the importance of, and quantified direct and indirect relationships and tradeoffs between and within functional traits classified within five interrelated plant modules. Several multivariate statistical analyses procedures were employed in predicting oil content and oil yield, as performance measures of Cuphea at the plant and population levels of integration. The most parsimonious partial least squares regression model identified plant-, capsule-, and seed-based traits that can be used in reconstructing the best configuration needed for high agronomic performance at the individual plant and population levels. Variance-based structural equation modeling suggested that the variation in relative growth rate was strongly linked to differences in specific leaf area and leaf mass ratio; both traits expressed large positive direct and indirect effects on oil yield, but not oil content. Results of custom profiling suggested that seed yield, oil% and oil yield can be optimized by trait adjustments within the phenotypic and metabolic modules. Adjustments to thousand-seed weight and protein content would influence seed yield, oil yield and oil%, in a decreasing order. Improvements in eco-physiological traits, nutrient ratios and structural traits would lead to a slightly higher oil% and eventually higher oil yield.

A Probabilistic Framework for Risk Analysis of Widespread Flood Events: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study

This article presents a flood risk analysis model that considers the spatially heterogeneous nature of flood events. The basic concept of this approach is to generate a large sample of flood events that can be regarded as temporal extrapolation of flood events. These are combined with cumulative flood impact indicators, such as building damages, to finally derive time series of damages for risk estimation. Therefore, a multivariate modeling procedure that is able to take into account the spatial characteristics of flooding, the regionalization method top-kriging, and three different impact indicators are combined in a model chain. Eventually, the expected annual flood impact (e.g., expected annual damages) and the flood impact associated with a low probability of occurrence are determined for a study area. The risk model has the potential to augment the understanding of flood risk in a region and thereby contribute to enhanced risk management of, for example, risk analysts and policymakers or insurance companies. The modeling framework was successfully applied in a proof-of-concept exercise in Vorarlberg (Austria). The results of the case study show that risk analysis has to be based on spatially heterogeneous flood events in order to estimate flood risk adequately.

Changes in quality and quantity of soil organic matter stocks resulting from wastewater irrigation in formerly forested land

Land use changes often diminish soil carbon stocks and alter soil organic matter (SOM) quality affecting soil productivity. Therefore, intensively managed agricultural systems are intended to maintain and even increase SOM stocks. Here we compared soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and their quality in fields under natural vegetation (mesquite forest and xerophytic shrubs), converted first to rain fed maize cultivation and then to irrigated alfalfa-maize rotation systems in a semiarid region of Central Mexico. Fields under the alfalfa-maize rotation have been irrigated for different lengths of time (15, 35, 51, 85 and 100years) with untreated wastewater from Mexico City. We tested if the SOC stocks of the irrigated land use system were similar or even larger than those found under natural vegetation, and investigated if the quality of the SOM changed under the different covers. We collected composite soil surface samples and soil profile samples from fields under the different land uses and irrigation lengths and determined their organic carbon concentrations; we also quantified root residues and analyzed their bromatological composition. Mid infrared spectra of the soil samples were recorded and analyzed by multivariate procedures to determine changes in SOM quality.We found the smallest SOC stocks in soils under rain fed maize (mean: 45Mgha−1 in 30cm depth). In the alfalfa-maize rotation SOC stocks increased 1.5 fold during the first 40years under wastewater irrigation, thereafter reaching an apparent new steady state, with similar C stocks to soils under xerophytic shrub cover (65Mgha−1). SOM in rain fed soils was more hydrophobic and more metabolized by microorganisms, while the SOM in irrigated soils had a more hydrophilic character. Lignin in surface horizons of long term irrigated soils has a lesser degree of condensation than in deeper soil horizons or in soils irrigated for shorter periods of time, indicating a less intensive microbial degradation. We conclude that wastewater irrigation increases SOM stocks due to the greater lignin rich root biomass produced by alfalfa in this land use system, which helps to recover the SOC loss of 17–34% of the rain fed agriculture system.

The use of Fourier analysis as a tool for Oblada melanura (Linnaeus, 1758) stock unit separation in the south central Mediterranean Sea

For the first time, an otolith shape analysis was used to investigate the stocks of saddled bream (Oblada melanura, Linnaeus, 1758) in three fishing zones along the Tunisian coast (Bizerte, Kélibia and Sayada). Otolith shape analysis was used on 30 otoliths for each site, sampled during the spawning period. Using elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFD) the quantization of the shape otolith was investigated by SHAPE and multivariate statistical procedures. Considering the environmental and the genotypic aspects, the preliminary results of the otolith shape analysis showed dissimilarity in silhouette of otoliths of saddled bream stocks collected from the north (Bizerte), the north-east (Kélibia) and the east (Sayada) of the Tunisian coast. Therefore, these three groups could be considered as three sub-units of the Tunisian stock, which should be managed separately.

Phase II monitoring of changes in mean from high‐dimensional data

The generalized T2 chart (GT‐chart), which is composed of the T2 statistic based on a small number of principal components and the remaining components, is a popular alternative to the traditional Hotelling's T2 control chart. However, the application of the GT‐chart to high‐dimensional data, which are now ubiquitous, encounters difficulties from high dimensionality similar to other multivariate procedures. The sample principal components and their eigenvalues do not consistently estimate the population values, and the GT‐chart relying on them is also inconsistent in estimating the control limits. In this paper, we investigate the effects of high dimensionality on the GT‐chart and then propose a corrected GT‐chart using the recent results of random matrix theory for the spiked covariance model. We numerically show that the corrected GT‐chart exhibits superior performance compared to the existing methods, including the GT‐chart and Hotelling's T2 control chart, under various high‐dimensional cases. Finally, we apply the proposed corrected GT‐chart to monitor chemical processes introduced in the literature.

Endotypes of difficult-to-control asthma in inner-city African American children.

African Americans have higher rates of asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality in comparison with other racial groups. We sought to characterize endotypes of childhood asthma severity in African American patients in an inner-city pediatric asthma population. Baseline blood neutrophils, blood eosinophils, and 38 serum cytokine levels were measured in a sample of 235 asthmatic children (6–17 years) enrolled in the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)-sponsored Asthma Phenotypes in the Inner City (APIC) study (ICAC (Inner City Asthma Consortium)-19). Cytokines were quantified using a MILLIPLEX panel and analyzed on a Luminex analyzer. Patients were classified as Easy-to-Control or Difficult-to-Control based on the required dose of controller medications over one year of prospective management. A multivariate variable selection procedure was used to select cytokines associated with Difficult-to-Control versus Easy-to-Control asthma, adjusting for age, sex, blood eosinophils, and blood neutrophils. In inner-city African American children, 12 cytokines were significant predictors of Difficult-to-Control asthma (n = 235). CXCL-1, IL-5, IL-8, and IL-17A were positively associated with Difficult-to-Control asthma, while IL-4 and IL-13 were positively associated with Easy-to-Control asthma. Using likelihood ratio testing, it was observed that in addition to blood eosinophils and neutrophils, serum cytokines improved the fit of the model. In an inner-city pediatric population, serum cytokines significantly contributed to the definition of Difficult-to-Control asthma endotypes in African American children. Mixed responses characterized by TH2 (IL-5) and TH17-associated cytokines were associated with Difficult-to-Control asthma. Collectively, these data may contribute to risk stratification of Difficult-to-Control asthma in the African American population.

LEI0258 microsatellite variability and its association with humoral and cell mediated immune responses in broiler chickens

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has a profound influence on disease resistance or susceptibility, productivity and important economic traits in chicken. Association of the MHC with a wide range of immune responses makes it a valuable predictive factor for the disease pathogenesis and outcome. The tandem repeat LEI0258 is a genetic marker which is located within the B locus of chicken MHC and strongly associated with serologically defined haplotypes. LEI0258 microsatellite marker was applied to investigate the MHC polymorphism in Ross 308 broiler chicken (N=104). Association of LEI0258 alleles with humoral and cell mediated immune responses to Newcastle disease (ND), Infectious bursal disease (IBD) and Avian influenza (AI) vaccines were also examined. LEI0258 polymorphism was determined by PCR-based fragment analysis, and association of LEI0258 alleles with immune responses were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis and GLM procedures. A total of seven alleles ranging from 195 to 448bp were found, including two novel alleles (263 and 362bp) that were unique in Ross 308 broiler population. Association study revealed a significant influence of MHC alleles on humoral and cellular immune responses in Ross population (P<0.05). Alleles 385 and 448bp were associated with increased peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation response. Alleles 300, 362 and 448bp had a positive effect on immune responses to Infectious bursal disease vaccine, and allele 263bp was significantly correlated with elevated antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine. Results obtained from this study confirmed the important role of MHC as a candidate gene marker for immune responses that could be used in genetic improvement of disease-resistant traits and resource conservation in broiler population.

The innovation and internationalisation processes of family businesses

PurposeThe success of the family firms cannot be detached from the current paradigm where, within the present economic conditions, economic agents struggle to exploit the existing opportunities and need to take into account the risks associated to the international arena and the innovation processes. The internationalisation and innovation processes may trigger resistance within family business due to their relatively higher difficulty to take risks and to invest in industries outside the scope of their original core business. Innovation and internationalisation processes become relevant strategies for the family firms’ continuity and success. In line with such fact, the aim of this paper is to contribute with insights regarding the processes of innovation and internationalisation within family businesses. In particular, this paper aims to assess the propensity of such firms to apply such strategies, to identify the particular business behaviour and to assess the extent to which the particulars of family firms may constraint or lead to the implementation of innovation policies, and thus its internationalisation.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through questionnaires within family business aiming to understand the scope and characteristics of internationalisation and innovation processes within these firms. The 154 replies from such data collection were analysed using different multivariate statistic procedures, although this paper is based on factorial and correlation analysis.FindingsThe analysis of the results shows that there is an association between the processes of innovation and internationalisation within family business. In addition, the results also suggest a typology of firms regarding their innovation and internationalisation strategies and motivations.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this paper are, to some extent, limited because they did not allow comparing the findings with data from non-family business. However, the authors’ aim was not to distinguish family firms, but rather to characterise them.Practical implicationsThis paper expects to contribute with lessons for the management of family business and to raise awareness of the constraints faced by family business. It is important to highlight that family business performance may be affected by a lower propensity to risk-taking attitudes, by the lack of non-family management and to the necessity of separating the family and the business in the business dimensions that the family limits the business growth.Originality/valueAlthough there is a significant amount of the literature devoted to explore family business, innovation and internationalisation studies, very few draw on the relationship between internationalisation and innovation processes within family business. This paper explores such a relationship within a particular business context – the family dynamics that strongly affect management and business development.

GENETIC DIVERGENCE AMONG COTTON GENOTYPES GROWN IN THE MAIN SEASON AND OFF SEASON

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance and estimate the genetic divergence of 18 cotton genotypes grown in the main season (sowed in December, 2012) and off season (sowed in January, 2013), considering their agronomic characteristics and resistance to Ramularia leaf spot. A randomized block experimental design was used, with five replications. The characteristics evaluated were plant height, first branch height, position of first fruiting branch, height of first fruiting branch, length between nodes, number of nodes, average number of bolls per plant, average boll weight, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) related to the Ramularia leaf spot severity, weight of 100-seed from the plant middle third, fiber percentage, average production per plant, yield and cotton fiber quality. The results were subjected to individual and joint analysis of variance and the genetic divergence was estimated according to multivariate procedures (Mahalanobis' generalized distance and Tocher's optimization method). The dissimilarity matrices were summed to estimate the genetic divergence, considering both growing periods. Genetic variability was found among the genotypes evaluated, in both the main season and off season. The characteristic that most contributed to the genetic divergence in the main season was the production per plant and, in the off season, was the fiber percentage. According to the results of the present work, the crosses between the genotypes BRS-335 and FMT-707; FM-910 and FMT-707; and IMA-08-12427 and FMT-707 are recommended.

A new method for 3D geometric morphometric shape analysis: The case study of handaxe knapping skill

The following study presents a novel method for computerized 3D geometric morphometric shape analysis of archaeological artifacts. It consists of a newly developed tool for automated positioning of 3D digital models and the following placement of 3D homologous landmarks for geometric morphometric analysis. It provides a quick and easy method for acquiring high-resolution 3D landmark coordinate data. This tool is applicable to a wide range of objects which have two opposed faces of relatively similar size and can be consistently positioned along their maximal length in planform view. The acquired data can be subjected to common multivariate statistical procedures for the quantitative description and analysis of shape variability in an assemblage. The method is applied here to a case study of experimentally produced assemblages of Acheulian handaxe replicas made by six knappers of differing skill levels. An analysis is performed to test whether the shapes of the handaxes can be used to classify them according to their knapper's skill level. Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) are applied to the landmarks' coordinates. The results indicate that applying DA to PC scores allows a reliable classification of artifacts according to the skill level of their knappers, with a minimal misclassification rate. Thus, this method demonstrates that application of high-resolution 3D geometric morphometric methods can be used for the quantitative differentiation of skill levels based on tool morphology.

Using the predictive distribution to determine control limits for the Bayesian MEWMA chart

ABSTRACTBayesian control charts have been proposed for monitoring multivariate processes with the multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA) statistic. It has been suggested that we use limits based on the predictive distribution of the MEWMA statistic. This analysis, however is based on the erroneous result that the average run length (ARL) is a function of the exceedance probability, that is, the probability that the first point exceeds the control limit. We show how this result can be corrected and we discuss how the Bayesian MEWMA chart with limits based on the predictive distribution compares with other multivariate control chart procedures.