Non-significant Correlation Research Articles

Relationship Between the Tax Burden Structure and Citizens’ Welfare in OECD Countries

This research aims to examine the correlation between the tax burden structure and citizens’ welfare in OECD countries in 2020 and 2021. The hypothesis tested suggests an interconnection between the tax burden structure and citizen welfare, particularly a direct relationship between the income tax share and welfare, and an inverse relationship between the share of indirect taxes and welfare. The study employs correlation-regression, cluster, and structural analysis methods, along with data from OECD.Stat and the World Bank. The calculations were performed by using the “Data Analysis” package in MS Excel for the years 2000, 2018–2019, and 2021. The resulting dataset, comprising 1,540 indicators of welfare and tax burden structure across 38 OECD countries, confirmed a significant connection between the two. The income tax share exhibited the most pronounced unidirectional relationship with welfare, while the share of indirect taxes showed a negative correlation. Conversely, the share of the corporate income tax, property taxes, and social security contributions displayed non-significant correlations with welfare levels. To further categorize OECD countries, the k-means method and the DATAtab web tool were employed based on the parameters of the relationship between welfare and the tax burden structure. In high-income OECD countries, the income tax share averages 37.6%, with indirect taxes comprising 24.1% while in lower-income countries the share of the income tax is 6–20% (average 14.8%), with indirect taxes comprising 35–53% (average 39.7%) of the tax burden. To foster the growth of citizens’ welfare in Russia, it is advisable to increase the share of the income tax by enhancing the progressivity of its scale for the super-rich while maintaining the share of indirect taxes at the pre-crisis average level (≈25%).

Influence of Syphilis Infection on Abortions in Iraq

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, that may be transferred from mothers to infants during pregnancy if it is left untreated. Method: This study was conducted among 65 women who suffered from recurrent abortions in Iraq. Syphilis screening recombinant (IgM + IgG) level by ELISA, RADIM (Italy) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) (positive and negative results) tests were used to analyse the data. Results: A non-significant association was observed with age (p=0.989), and the number of healthy births (p=0.643). Non-significant differences were observed in comparisons between smoker and non-smoker percentages in the study group. The rapid test for syphilis confirmation was applied using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) tests. There was a significant elevation in syphilis level (IgG + IgM) in the positive test (p=0.027). The number of abortions and births had a non-significant correlation (p=0.318 and 0.783 respectively). There was a non-significant weak correlation between syphilis level (IgG + IgM) and age. Syphilis level had a non-significant association with the number of abortions, births, and with duration of marriage. The abortion percentage distribution showed a high percentage in the first trimester (75%) in positive RPR patients and 70.7% in negative results of RPR test. The second-trimester cases were low in the positive and negative RPR results than the first-trimester cases. Conclusion: The current study concluded that syphilis infection didn’t have a significant influence on abortion in women and had a non-significant influence on the number of abortions.

Proximate Body Composition Analysis of Two Commercially Important Members of Cyprinidae Family (Catla catla and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) From Southern Punjab, Pakistan

The present Study proposed to evaluate the body composition of Catla catla and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix collected from southern Punjab, Pakistan. Collected fishes samples werebrought to fisheries lab for further analysis. The mean value for water, fat, protein and ash as water is 75.1%; Ash in wet and dry weight 4.07 and 16.4; Fat in wet and dry weight 5.2 and 20.8; Protein content in wet and dry weight 15.62 and 62.66 respectively in C. catla. The value for mean and ranges for water, fat, protein and ash as water is 77.27%; Ash in wet and dry weight 4.20 and 5.21; Fat in wet and dry weight 1.55 and 6.10; Protein content in wet and dry weight 3.22 and 5.27 respectively in H. molitrix. Percent water showed highly significant correlation with all the body constituents except percent fat dry weight whichshowed non-significant correlation. All of the values showed a negative correlation with percent water except with percent ash wet and dry weight whichshowed positive correlation in C. catla. Body weight showed highly significant positive correaltion with all body constituents except the relationship with percent water, percent ash dry and wet weight in C. catla. A non-significant correlation with percent protein dry weight, a significant positive correlation with percent protein and fat wet; a least significant correlation with percent fat and ash dry weight while highly significant correlation with percent water in H. molitrix. Total length showed a highly significant negative correlation with log water, fat and protein content except ash whichshowed non-significant negative correlation in C. catla while highly significant negative correlation with log water, ash, fat and protein content in H. molitrix.

Relationship between Uric Acid, Creatinine, Urea and Triglyceride Production in Gout

Background: Gout is a disorder that manifests as a spectrum of clinical and pathologic features built on a foundation of an excess body burden of uric acid, Hyperuricemia and gout are two of the most common metabolic diseases, there has been an increase in the prevalence and has attracted attention as an adult lifestyle-associated disease.
 Objective: The present study was carried to determine the prevalence of goat and uric acid, creatinine, urea, and triglyceride production in patients with hyperuricemia.
 Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was done to examine associative between (November 2017 to February 2018). Totally 66 patient attended from ( Hawler Private Hospital, Rezgari Governmental Hospital, Ankawa Private Laboratory) in Erbil and may have hyperuricemia can be developed to gout disease from both males (32) and females (34) .the age 18 up to 70 who included in this study. Biochemical tests were performed for all patients (uric acid test, urea test, creatinine test, triglyceride test). These samples were analyzed by using blood serum rather than urine.
 Results: In male statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high uric acid and age, the age group (41-60) years was significantly higher compared to other age groups (P < 0.05), and in female statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high uric acid and age, the age group (61-80) years was significantly higher compared to other age groups (P < 0.05). In male statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high creatinine and age , the age group (41-60) years was significantly higher compared to other age groups (P < 0.05), in female statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high creatinine and age, the two age groups (41-60) & (61-80) years were significantly higher compared to other age group (P < 0.05). In male statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high urea and age, the age group (41-60) years was significantly higher compared to other age groups (P < 0.05), in female statistical analysis showed that non-significant correlation between high urea and age groups (P > 0.05). In male statistical analysis showed that significant correlation between high TG and age , the age group (41-60) years was significantly higher compared to other age groups (P < 0.05), in female statistical analysis showed that non-significant correlation between high TG and age groups (P > 0.05).
 Conclusion: gout is a very common form of arthritis might be increasing hinderance of activity of daily living, lifestyle and environmental factors. Although not life-threatening, it has a significant impact on quality of life. The results provide support for possible linkage of influencing creatinine and triglyceride and uric acid and triglyceride with gout.

Soil Characteristics Interrelationship with Treated Soil Micronutrients in Nigerian Southern

We investigated the influence of soil properties on the availability or otherwise of micronutrients in agricultural soils impacted by inorganic and organic manures in the South-South Area of Nigeria. The levels of pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the understudy soil were examined. The measured pH, OM, CEC, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn levels revealed: 6.04±0.49, 17.68±4.78 %, 7.97±0.81 Cmolkg-1, 5.27±0.82 mgkg-1, 232.49±16.01 mgkg-1, 109.30±9.85 mgkg-1, and 8.40±1.15 mgkg-1, for pH, OM, CEC, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, respectively. The values were within the acceptable limits set by national and international standards.
 The study revealed variable relationships between the soil properties and micronutrients in the studied soils at p < 0.05. Soil pH exhibited a strong negative association with all the micronutrients except Zn. However, a strong positive correlation (p< 0.10) was recorded between pH and Zn. OM showed a significant positive correlation (p< 0.10) with Fe, a weak positive correlation with Zn, and a non-significant negative correlation (p< 0.10) with Cu and Mn at p < 0.10. CEC exhibited a fair positive association with Fe and Zn, and a non-significant negative correlation (p< 0.10) with Cu and Mn. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified a combination of anthropogenic and natural impact and the impact of agrochemicals applied as the major factors influencing the properties determined in the studied soils. The study concluded that soil properties have a strong influence on the availability or otherwise of micronutrients in the soil.

Correlation Between Prematurity and The Onset of Neonatal Sepsis: A Cross-Sectional Study in NICU of a Tertiary Hospital in East Java, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of neonatal sepsis in developing countries is still high, reaching 170 out of 1000 births. An increased premature birth rate has become the leading cause of death in children under five years old. Studies examining the correlation between prematurity and neonatal sepsis onset have not been widely reported. Therefore, we assessed the correlation between gestational age and the onset of sepsis in neonatal patients.METHODS: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed on all neonates diagnosed with neonatal sepsis in the NICU of a tertiary referral hospital in East Java between 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019. Logistic regression was used to analyze the obtained data. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 241 patients identified with neonatal sepsis at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in 2019, we found that 161 patients met the inclusion criteria, with most patients being early-onset sepsis patients (67.7%), low birth weight (75.8%), premature (65.2%), singleton deliveries (92.5%), and cesarean section births (65.2%). Statistical analysis showed a non-significant correlation between prematurity and the onset of neonatal sepsis (p>0.05).CONCLUSION: Although preterm birth is often reported as one of the most important risk factors of neonatal sepsis, prematurity does not appear to be an independent risk factor of neonatal sepsis onset

Construct Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale Among Saudi Population.

Background Knowledgeable people are more likely to follow their treatment plan and reduce hypertension morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to construct the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) among Saudis. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire research targets hypertensives and non-hypertensives. Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's correlation matrix analysis measured the questionnaire's construct validity. Wilcoxon rank sum tests examined HK-LS tools' discriminant validity. A p<0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 1424 responses were received. However, the 1419 individuals were evaluated after applying exclusion criteria. About 60% of the participants were female, with the most common age groups being 18-29 years (38.5%) and 40-49 years (24.0%). A personal history of hypertension was reported by 26.1%, and a family history of hypertension by73.3% of the subjects. Cronbach's alpha for the whole HK-LS was 0.883, suggesting that the tool was reliable.All the items of the HK-LS questionnaire were significantly correlated with each other, except for a non-significant correlation between statements two and seven (r=0.05, p=0.091). The strongest correlations were apparent between items 19 and 20 (r=0.70, p<0.0001), items one and two (r=0.64, p<0.0001), and items 18 and 19 (r=0.56, p<0.0001). However, the weakest associations were reported among items two and six (r=0.06, p<0.05), items two and nine (r=0.07, p<0.05), and items one and 19 (r=0.07, p<0.05). The discriminant validity showed that a personal history of hypertension was associated with significantly higher scores of two HK-LS subscales, including definitions and complications. In addition, the overall knowledge score was significantly higher among participants with a positive history of hypertension among family and/or friends. Conclusions The Arabic version of the HK-LS was found to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring knowledge about hypertension among the Saudi population. This reliable instrument can assist medical professionals in establishing education programs.

Population Dynamics of Fruit Fly, B. dorsalis (Hendle) on Mango and Correlation with Weather Parameters

Investigation on the population dynamics of fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendle) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was carried out by installing "Nauroji-Stonehouse Fruit Fly Trap" in the mango orchard of organic farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during 2021-22. The population of B. dorsalis prevailed throughout the year in mango orchard with its peak activity from 14th SMW to 31st SMW which coincided with the fruiting and harvesting period of fruits. The population of B. dorsalis decreased from August to February. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of population of B. dorsalis with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average temperature, evening relative humidity, average relative humidity, rainy days, rainfall and wind velocity but a significant negative correlation with duration of bright sunshine hours. However, there was a nonsignificant correlation of population of B. dorsalis with morning relative humidity.

Population Dynamics of Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephretidae) on Mangifera indica (L.) (Anacardiaceae) and Correlation with Weather Parameters

The population dynamics of fruit fly Bactrocera zonata Saunders (Diptera: Tephritidae) was carried out by installing "Nauroji-Stonehouse Fruit Fly Trap" in the mango orchard of organic farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during the period 2021-22. The population of B. zonata prevailed throughout the year in mango orchard with its peak activity from 14th SMW to 31st SMW which coincided with the fruiting and harvesting period of fruits. The population was maximum in 27th SMW and minimum during second SMW. The population decreased from August to January. There was a significant positive correlation of population of B. zonata with maximum temperature (r=0.33), minimum temperature (r=0.83), average temperature (r=0.77), evening relative humidity (r=0.50), average relative humidity (r=0.41), rainy days (r=0.38), rainfall (r=0.37) and wind velocity (0.66). However, there was a nonsignificant correlation of population of B. zonata with morning relative humidity and duration of bright sunshine hours.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the modified nutrition risk in the critically ill (mNUTRIC) score in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a very harmful pandemic, and its recovery process is highly influenced by nutritional status; however, an appropriate nutritional scale has not yet been proposed for these patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill (mNUTRIC) score in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).Material and methodsThis was a cross-sectional study performed on 204 critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the ICU wards. Evaluated indicators include the mNUTRIC Score as well as demographic, and biochemical indicators.ResultsA high percentage of COVID-19 patients (67.2%) had severe disease. Hospital and ICU stay (p > 0.001) and PH (p > 0.001) values were significantly lower in non-survivors than in survivors. mNUTRIC score (p > 0.001), PCO2 (p = 0.003), and CRP levels (p = 0.021) were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors. mNUTRIC score had a direct correlation with age (p > 0.001), AST (p = 0.000), LDH (p = 0.026), and CRP (p = 0.014) and an inverse correlation with hospital duration (p = 0.031), albumin (p = 0.003) and PH (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a non-significant correlation between the mNUTRIC score and mortality chance (OR = 1.085, 95%CI [0.83, 1.42], p = 0.552). While, patients with more severe COVID-19 disease (OR = 8.057, 95%CI [1.33, 48.64], p = 0.023) and higher PCO2 (OR = 1.042, 95%CI [1.01, 1.08], p = 0.023) levels had higher odds of mortality.ConclusionsOur findings revealed that COVID-19 patients with higher CRP levels and lower PH had higher mortality and poor nutritional condition. Moreover, there was a non-significant association between the mNUTRIC score and mortality chance.

Introduction and Clinical Validation of an Updated Biomechanically Corrected Intraocular Pressure bIOP (v2)

Purpose To improve the stability of the Corvis ST biomechanically-corrected intraocular pressure measurements (bIOP) after refractive surgery and its independence of corneal biomechanics. Methods A parametric study was carried out using numerical models simulating the behavior of the eye globe under the effects of IOP and Corvis ST external air pressure and used to develop a new algorithm for bIOP; bIOP(v2). It was tested on 528 healthy participants to evaluate correlations with CCT and age. Its ability to compensate for the geometrical changes was tested in 60 LASIK and 80 SMILE patients with six months follow up. The uncorrected Corvis ST IOP (CVS-IOP) and the two versions of biomechanically corrected IOP; bIOP(v1) and bIOP(v2), were compared. Results In the healthy dataset, bIOP(v2) had weak and non-significant correlation with both CCT (R = −0.048, p = .266) and age (R = 0.085, p = .052). For bIOP(v1), the correlation was non-significant with CCT (R = −0.064, p = .139) but significant with age (R = −0.124, p < .05). In both LASIK and SMILE groups, the median change in bIOP(v2) following surgery was below 1 mmHg at follow-up stages and the interquartile range was smaller than both bIOP(v1) and CVS-IOP. Conclusion The bIOP(v2) algorithm performs better than bIOP(v1) and CVS-IOP in terms of correlation with CCT and age. The bIOP(v2) also demonstrated the smallest variation after LASIK and SMILE refractive surgeries indicating improved ability to compensate for geometrical changes.

Tree-level stomatal regulation is more closely related to xylem hydraulic traits than to leaf photosynthetic traits across diverse tree species

Understanding stomatal regulatory mechanisms across various woody species is helpful for explaining their adaptations to diverse environmental conditions. Stomatal opening and closing are driven by the requirements for maintaining water transport integrity and carbon uptake; however, distinguishing which factor plays a dominant role in the regulation of tree-level stomatal behavior has seldom been explored. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated differences in tree-level iso/anisohydric stomatal regulation among various tree species (61 and 59 species, at daily and hourly timescales, respectively) across diverse biomes, and analyzed the association of tree-level stomatal regulation with xylem hydraulic and leaf photosynthetic traits. Xylem hydraulic traits were closely related to tree-level stomatal regulation, whereas leaf photosynthetic traits showed non-significant correlations. Reduction in tree-level stomatal conductance with the same vapor pressure deficit increment (ranging from 0.6 to 2 kPa; Lcond), representing the degree of iso/anisohydry, was positively correlated to xylem pressure inducing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity and vessel diameter, but negatively correlated to the hydraulic safety margin. The associations between xylem hydraulic traits and Lcond revealed that tree species with greater xylem hydraulic efficiency were more likely to adopt an avoidance strategy for tree-level stomatal regulation, whereas tolerance strategy occurred in species with a stronger hydraulic safety system. Furthermore, Lcond was positively correlated to mean annual precipitation and temperature, suggesting that species inhabiting humid and warm regions rely upon isohydric stomatal regulation. Moreover, Lcond displayed a phylogenetic signal, suggesting that variation in Lcond has been influenced by evolutionary history. Overall, tree-level stomatal regulation is more closely related to xylem hydraulic traits than to leaf photosynthetic traits, and maintaining water transport integrity rather than fulfilling requirements for carbon uptake is the major factor impacting tree-level stomatal regulation.

Relationship between selected characteristics of the farmers and their level of knowledge regarding the soil health management practices

Soil health is the capacity of a soil to function as a living system, with ecosystem and land use boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality and promote plant and animal health. The present study was conducted through Ex-post Facto research design and multistage sampling method. Total 150 farmers were selected from fifteen villages belongs to Deesa, Dantiwada and Palanpur talukas of Banaskantha district of Gujarat state. The present study revealed that the overall farmers had medium level of knowledge about soil health management practices. Whereas, practice-wise knowledge level of soil health management practices indicated that, in case of soil testing nearly three fifth (58.67%) of the farmers were well aware of the soil type of their field. While in Integrated Nutrient management vast majority (94.66%) of the farmers had correct knowledge on primary nutrients needed for soil. Whereas, in case of soil reclamation nearly three fifth (58.66%) of the farmers had correct knowledge on what is added to reclaim acidic soil. In case of agronomical practices vast majority (90.66%) of the farmers had correct knowledge on leguminous crops. Twelve independent and two dependent variables were selected for study. The independent variable viz., education, herd size, occupation, annual income, social participation, crop intensity, source of information and innovativeness had positive and significant with knowledge level on soil health management practices. While, age and farming experience had negative and significant correlation with knowledge level on soil health management practices. Whereas, family size had negative and non-significant correlation with knowledge level on soil health management practices.

Visual tracking speed threshold in NCAA Division I women’s soccer predicting match performance

Correlations between sport performance and visual training have been previously demonstrated. However, it remains unclear if these relationships exist between visual tracking thresholds and in-competition decision-making metrics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual tracking speed (VTS) and soccer-specific performance measures. 19 NCAA Division I soccer players VTS was measured from 1-core session on a 3-demensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) software NeuroTracker (NT) and soccer performance metrics were obtained from WyScout. Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient was utilized to examine potential correlations between criterion variables. There was nonsignificant correlation between VTS score and passing accuracy (r = -0.380). However, there was a strong correlation found between consistency score and passing accuracy (r = 0.650). When examining players based on their positional role, for attacking players there were nonsignificant strong correlation with consistency and passing accuracy (r = 0.730). For defenders, consistency and defensive win rate had a strong correlation (r = 0.731). Although there was no significant correlation seen between VTS and decision-making variables when examining the entire team, there was a significant strong positive relationship between consistency scores and passing accuracy. Future research should seek to include multiple teams for improved sample size.

Is there an Association between the ABO Blood type and Bleeding or Clotting Times?

Introduction: Evaluating blood type, bleeding time (BT), and clotting time (CT) are essential before surgery. Blood type reveals personality. Multiple studies link ABO blood types to digestive (GI) disorders, urinary tract infections (UTIs), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, thrombosis, and epistaxis. BT and CT differ among blood types. This study investigated the relationship between blood types and BT and CT. Aims and Objectives: To investigate the connection between BT and CT and Blood Groups in medical students and identify gender differences in these parameters.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research was carried out between September 2021 and May 2022 on 250 healthy first-phase MBBS students (17–20 years old) of both sexes (batch 2020–2021 &amp; 2021-22) at GMC Jammu’s haematology laboratory. The blood group was determined using a standard antiserum Agglutination test—CT using Wright’s Capillary tube technique and BT using Duke’s filter paper technique. Based on the methodology above, we classify regular BT and CT as 2 to 6 minutes and 3 to 8 minutes, respectively. BT and CT levels were examined for each blood type. The blood group distribution was reported as a percentage, the relationship between BT or CT and blood groups was analysed using Chi-square analysis, and the gender differences between these parameters were analysed using an unpaired t-test in SPSS 26.0. Results: In our investigation, the distribution of ABO blood groups was determined to be: 39.6% B &gt; 34% O &gt; 21.2% A &gt; 5.2% AB. Chi-square analysis revealed a non-significant ABO blood group correlation with BT (p=0.938) and CT (p=0.652). Comparing blood types with BT and CT, the AB and B blood groups had higher mean BT and CT values among the study participants. The blood type influenced BT/CT. Screening and prevention must commence before the onset of bleeding disorders.&#x0D; Conclusion: The most prevalent blood group among medical students was B, whereas AB was the least prevalent. Blood types AB and B have greater levels of BT and CT. Neither BT nor CT were significantly associated with blood type. BT and CT values were found to be greater in females

Comparison of ramal heights in individuals with clinically symmetrical and asymmetrical faces.

To compare the mandibular ramal height differences between clinically symmetrical and asymmetrical face individuals. The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2020 to July 2021 at the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised subjects regardless of age and gender who were divided into two equal groups. Those with a clinically symmetrical face were in Group-I, and those with a clinically asymmetrical face were in Group-II. Mandibular ramal height of both sides of all subjects was measured, and asymmetry index. Differences of both right and left ramal heights of each group were measured and compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Of the 78 subjects, 40(51%) were males and 38(49%) were females. The overall mean age was 18±5.78 years, with 44(56%) aged 16-25 years, 28(36%) <15 years and 6(8%) >26 years. There was high but non-significant correlation between the right and left sides of both the groups (p>0.05). Inter-group differences were significant with respect to ramal height (p=0.000), whereas difference in terms of asymmetry index was not significant (p>0.05). There were significant differences in the mean ramal height between clinically symmetrical and asymmetrical face individuals.

Salivary vitamin D3 in relation to dental caries among pregnant women in Baghdad city

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a problem for pregnant women, and it affects general and oral health. This problem increases as vitamin D requirements increase during pregnancy. This study was conducted among pregnant women in urban and rural areas in order to assess the relation between salivary vitamin D3 and dental caries. Materials and methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, all women participating were attending the primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad city in AL-Karkh sector, they were with age ranged from (15-44) years old. The total number 90 pregnant women in the second trimester only which include: The first group consists of (45) pregnant women attendance seeking dental treatment in urban areas, The second group consists of (45) pregnant women attendance seeking dental treatment in rural areas. Collection of the unstimulated saliva was done according to Tenovuo (1996). After that the clinical examination of Dental caries DMFT/S was performed according to the world health organization in (2013). Results: The findings of this study revealed that the percentage of pregnant women in the age range of 15–29 years was higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas. While those in the age range of 30–44 years were higher in the urban areas. Regarding the age, the percentage of dental caries experience was increased with age. Regarding the area, the percentage of dental caries was higher in the urban area than in the rural area. The highest mean value of DMFT was found in the urban area, with no significant differences. While the highest mean value of DMFS was found in the rural areas with no statistically significant difference, except the FS, where was statistically significant and higher in the urban areas. The mean value of salivary vitamin D3 was found to be higher in rural areas than in urban areas, although statistically non-significant. The correlation between dental caries experience (DMFT/S) and salivary vitamin D3 level was statistically non-significant among urban and rural pregnant women, except in the urban areas where the DMFS was found to be significant with salivary vitamin D3. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, there was a non-significant negative correlation between dental caries and salivary vitamin D3 among pregnant women in urban and rural areas. Except, the correlation between dental caries experience by surfaces and salivary vitamin D3 was negative and significant among urban pregnant women.

Incidence of Aphid on Different Brinjal Germplasm Related to Abiotic and Biotic Factors

The study was conducted with BD-7320, BD-7328, BD-9952, BD-10154, BD- 10158, BARI Begun-1, BARIBegun-4, BARIBegun-5, BARIBegun-6, BARIBegun-7, BARIBegun-8 and BARIBegun-9 germplasms of brinjal with a view to understanding the effect of temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and predators on the incidence of aphid during September 2018 to March 2019. Aphid incidence and infestation started from the last week of November and the highest incidence was recorded during 2nd week of January on BD-10154.At that week, aphid showed lower number of incidence on BARI Begun-5, BARI Begun-6, BARI Begun-8 and BARI Begun-9. The highest infestation of aphid was observed on BARI Begun-5 during 2nd week of March, when the lowest infestation was found on BD-9952. Maximum and minimum temperatures showed significant positive correlation, relative humidity (RH) and rainfall revealed non-significant correlation with aphid incidence. Aphid abundance showed highly significant positive correlation with the abundance of predators on all the tested germplasms.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(4): 371-378, December 2020

Anxiety as a Psychological Barrier to Students’ Speaking Fluency: IELTS as a Case Study

This study investigates the correlation between Foreign language anxiety and speaking fluency among IELTS test-takers at an X English Language centre in Morocco. The main objective of this paper was to examine whether there is a link between Foreign Language Anxiety (the independent variable) and English-Speaking fluency (the dependent variable). To verify whether there is an association between the two variables under investigation, to test the hypothesis, and answer the research question, two tests were used as research instruments. Students were asked to fill in a Foreign language anxiety questionnaire to estimate the frequency of anxiety and take an IELTS Speaking mock exam to measure the smoothness of their oral delivery. The data was collected in the X language centre during the academic year (2020-2021). The participants were 30 male and female students divided into three classes. In order to analyse the scores and frequency of responses that students obtained in the two tests, a Pearson correlation was used as a statistical procedure. The study results indicate a nonsignificant correlation between Anxiety and Fluency in the context under study. Therefore, the study concluded that other factors, such as fear of negative evaluation, are intervening and causing a decline in fluency among IELTS test takers, broadening the spectrum of research within language testing research.

The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF) for rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF). Subjects fulfilling the ACR 2010 classification criteria for RA were enrolled into the study. Scale reliability was investigated using test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient-ICC) and internal consistency approaches (Cronbach's α). Spearman's rank correlation coefficients evaluated relationships between quantitative parameters and validity. Construct validity was assessed by correlating AIMS2-SF with clinical parameters and functional parameters including, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). One hundred and sixteen patients (105 females and 11 males) were recruited. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 52.45 ± 11.48years. Cronbach's α was 0.88 and the ICC was 0.91. There were significant correlations (rho and p values) with parameters directly related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL); NHP subscales (energy levels: 0.54, pain: 0.62, emotional reaction: 0.50, sleep 0.44, social interaction: 0.51, physical activity: 0.61; p < 0.0005), HAQ (0.60, p < 0.0005), BDI (0.63, p < 0.001) and DHI (0.63, p < 0.0005). Poor or non-significant correlations were found for parameters not directly related to QoL, such as age (0.07, p = 0.45) and disease duration (0.12, p = 0.21); however, disease activity (0.43, p < 0.0005) and NRS pain (0.46, p < 0.0005) were correlated with AIMS2-SF as moderate. The Turkish AIMS2-SF version is a reliable and valid tool that may be used to evaluate QoL for RA. The scale can be easily used in daily practice.