Pearson Correlation Coefficient Research Articles

Analysis on Family Business and Succession Planning in Hotel and Hospitality Sector in Uganda: A Case of White Horse Inn Kabale

Purpose: The study was set to examine the relationship between family business and succession planning in hotel and hospitality sector in Uganda, focusing on White Horse Inn Kabale as a case study. The study explored the strategies employed by leaders in family businesses for effective succession planning. Materials and Methods: The study used a mixed research design with quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain in-depth information about family business and succession planning strategies in Uganda. Out of 150, a sample size of 108 (including 93 quantitative and 15 qualitative) was selected from different staff of White Horse Inn Kabale as the established family enterprise selected for the study (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970). The tools used for data collection were questionnaires, an interview guide, and documentary checklist. Data was collected from the managerial and non-managerial staff of the White Horse Inn Kabale. Findings: The Pearson correlation coefficient r=.618, P<0.05 indicates that there is a positive significant correlation coefficient between family business and succession planning. The model summary findings presents that Family Business, β=.618, t=7.666, p<.005. This meant that a unit change in family business would lead to an increase in succession planning in White Horse Inn Kabale. The study findings reveals that the relationship between Family Business and Succession Planning was statistically significant, F=58.775, P<0.05. This means that succession planning in a family business is a crucial process that ensures the long-term sustainability and success of the company. The results from regression model summary explain that family business caused a variation of 38.2% in succession planning. This indicates that succession planning in a family business is a crucial process that ensures the long-term sustainability and success. This therefore means that other factors not studied in this research contribute 61.8% of the succession planning. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that family business should formally document succession plans as an integral component of the business strategy, irrespective of the intentions regarding succession. Furthermore, fostering open and adaptable communication that promotes participatory decision-making is strongly recommended. A clear process for identifying essential competencies, along with a competency catalog, should be established to provide a solid foundation for business owners to evaluate potential successors, pinpoint competency deficiencies, and devise suitable plans for their development.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY - RELIGIOSITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH CANCER

Objective: To verify the correlation between religiosity and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer. Method: Analytical longitudinal, prospective study, conducted between January 2019 and March 2020, on a public hospital in Maranhão. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the instruments EORTC-QLQ-C30, EORTC-QLQ-BR23 and DUREL Scale were applied. The data were verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman. Results: Eighty women, mean age 52 years, married, with high school education, white, Catholic participated in the research. A positive correlation was observed between religiosity and quality of life in all stages of chemotherapy treatment. Conclusion: The positive association between religiosity and quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy was the conclusion of our study. Religiosity is an essential factor of quality of life in oncological diseases.

MODIS Evapotranspiration Forecasting Using ARIMA and ANN Approach at a Water-Stressed Irrigation Scheme in South Africa

The forecasting of evapotranspiration (ET) in some water-stressed regions remains a major challenge due to the lack of reliable and sufficient historical datasets. For efficient water balance, ET remains the major component and its proper forecasting and quantifying is of the utmost importance. This study utilises the 18-year (2001 to 2018) MODIS ET obtained from a drought-affected irrigation scheme in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study conducts a teleconnection evaluation between the satellite-derived evapotranspiration (ET) time series and other related remotely sensed parameters such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalised Difference Drought Index (NDDI), and precipitation (P). This comparative analysis was performed by adopting the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Sequential Mann–Kendall (SQ-MK) test, and Multiple Linear Regression methods. Additionally, the ET detailed time-series analysis with the Keiskamma River streamflow (SF) and monthly volumes of the Sandile Dam, which are water supply sources close to the study area, was performed using the Wavelet Analysis, Breaks for Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST), Theil–Sen statistic, and Correlation statistics. The MODIS-obtained ET was then forecasted using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for a period of 5 years and four modelling performance evaluations such as the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R) were used to evaluate the model performances. The results of this study proved that ET could be forecasted using these two time-series modeling tools; however, the ARIMA modelling technique achieved lesser values according to the four statistical modelling techniques employed with the RMSE for the ARIMA = 37.58, over the ANN = 44.18; the MAE for the ARIMA = 32.37, over the ANN = 35.88; the MAPE for the ARIMA = 17.26, over the ANN = 24.26; and for the R ARIMA = 0.94 with the ANN = 0.86. These results are interesting as they give hope to water managers at the irrigation scheme and equally serve as a tool to effectively manage the irrigation scheme.

Ethnic Differences in Response to Oral Vitamin D Supplementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Individual variability in oral vitamin D supplement response hinders the understanding of its clinical impact, and while ethnicity has been implicated in this variability it has not been well described. The aim was to systematically assess the impact of ethnicity on response to oral vitamin D supplementation. The Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched for articles published from 1960 to the end of 2020. All trials in adults measuring 25(OH)D3 blood levels were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data from the eligible studies. The change in 25(OH)D3 blood levels (95% CI) and P values were extracted, and grouped according to ethnicity, then subjected to random-effects meta-analysis. The primary outcome measurement was mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels and the secondary outcome was dose-adjusted mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels, both compared with baseline. A total of 18 studies were identified, and data from 1131 participants were extracted. Body mass index (BMI) and dose were significant covariates (Pearson correlation coefficient, P = .016 and .017) and were normalized in the meta-analysis to minimize heterogeneity, but latitude was not (P = .66). Meta-analysis showed an effect of ethnicity on dose and BMI-adjusted mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels compared with baseline (P < .00001, I2 = 98%). Asian and White study participants demonstrated a statistically higher increase in dose and BMI-adjusted 25(OH)D3 blood levels (183 nmol/L [95% CI, 163-203] and 173 nmol/L [95% CI, 152-194], respectively), compared with Arab and Black study participants (37 nmol/L [95% CI, 35-39] and 99 nmol/L [95% CI, 90-108]) using repeated t tests. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that these findings were not impacted by potential study bias or the inclusion of immigrant populations. Ethnicity had an impact on oral vitamin D response. Further prospective studies should examine if ethnicity-based dose stratification in both clinical practice and clinical trials is warranted. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023410076.

Validation of a software-based torsional measurement method of the lower limb: A retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a software-based measurement tool of computed tomography imaging to assess torsional alignment of the lower limb-usually used for patients with posttraumatic deformities and patellofemoral issues-and compare these measurements with manual measurements of two experienced raters. This study was a retrospective analysis of 58 lower limbs (47 patients, 20 men and 27 women) aged between 19 and 97 years. Inclusion criteria were the clinical indication for torsion measurement of the lower limb. Legs with incomplete imaging and age less than 18 years were excluded. Femoral and tibial torsion were measured separately. Torsional alignment was assessed software-based at two time points by two raters. Rater one additionally assessed manual-based measurement at two time points. The software used was mediCAD 3D Knee Version 2.5.33 (Hectec). Subsequently, intra- and inter-rater reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity testing was performed by means of precision, concordance correlation coefficient according to Lin (ccc) and Pearson correlation coefficient. High intra-rater reliability for software-based as well as manual-based evaluation of torsional alignment was found for the tibia as well as the femur (ICC ranging between 0.870 and 0.993). Inter-rater reliability also showed highly significant results of both manual and software-based measurements (ICC ranging between 0.851 and 0.993). For almost all comparisons (except the tibia left), software-based measurements showed higher ICC scores above 0.9, and, therefore, classified as 'excellent reliability'. For validity testing, correlation coefficients and precision showed very good correspondence of the measurements (all values > 0.9), without systematic deviations. Software-based measurement of torsional alignment according to the measurement method developed by H.-A. Waidelich proved to be a reliable and valid technique. Especially for inexperienced surgeons, software-based measurement, therefore, might improve confidence in reliable medical decisions in diagnostics and treatment. Level III.

Assessment of left atrial function and left atrioventricular coupling via cardiac magnetic resonance in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes.

Assessment of left atrial (LA) function and the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) have recently been increasingly recognized as important indices for cardiovascular diseases associated with the presence of prediabetes and diabetes. We aimed to evaluate LA function and the LACI in patients with prediabetes and diabetes via cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). In this retrospective study, we included 35 patients with prediabetes, 32 patients with diabetes, and 84 healthy control participants. The LACI and LA total, passive, and active emptying fractions (LATEmF, LAPEmF, and LAAEmF, respectively) were calculated. The LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump strains (εs, εe, and εa), and peak positive, peak early negative, and peak late negative strain rates (SRs, SRe, and SRa) were obtained via CMR-feature tracking (CMR-FT). For the statistical analyses, one-way analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and linear regression were conducted, and Pearson's and interclass correlation coefficients were calculated. Compared with healthy control participants, patients with prediabetes or diabetes presented lower εs and εe values and a relatively preserved LACI. Patients with diabetes presented considerably reduced SRs, SRe, and LAPEmF. Elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were independently associated with decreased magnitudes of εs, SRs, εe, and SRe. No significant associations were found between the LACI and the HbA1c or LA deformation parameters. We observed significant correlations between LATEmF and εs, LAPEmF and εe and between LAAEmF and εa. CMR-FT provides a potential noninvasive approach for the early detection of alterations in the LA reservoir and conduit function in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes.

Pixel-level Terrain Processing of the Martian Surface from Moderate Resolution Images of Tianwen-1

The moderate-resolution camera (MoRIC) of the Tianwen-1 orbiter, China’s first Mars exploration mission, is a frame-imaging scheme color camera. However, generating a precise digital elevation model (DEM) from these images faces challenges due to the presence of featureless and repetitive regions on the Martian surface. Traditional photogrammetric methods often struggle to achieve pixel-level resolution in these areas. To address this, we employ a shape from shading (SFS) algorithm that leverages shading patterns to reconstruct fine-scale terrain details, optimizing photogrammetric initial DEM. This paper presents a novel global bisection search algorithm, based on the Pearson correlation coefficient to determine the smoothing parameter, a crucial element in the SFS process. Comparisons with higher-resolution data from the Mars Express high-resolution stereo camera and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CTX images validate our approach, highlighting the potential of SFS to significantly enhance the scientific value of Tianwen-1 MoRIC data by generating high-resolution, three-dimensional maps of Mars.

Evaluating Employability Skills Integration in a Citizenship Education Textbook

The International Labour Organization (ILO) generated a strategic plan for skills and lifelong learning from 2022 to 2030, aiming to improve students’ access to future jobs. One of the target goals of the ILO's plan was to ensure that educational programs meet the changing needs of labour markets. Therefore, there is a rising need to assess whether teaching programmes can prepare learners for the requirements of future jobs. In this study, we investigate how employability skills are integrated in teaching resources. For this purpose, 54 learning activities from a Grade 6 Citizenship Education textbook in Bahrain were analysed using 56 predefined codes elaborated by the Conference Board of Canada in a document that was developed by the Corporate Council on Education, a program of the National Business and Education Centre since 2000. This study employs quantitative analysis, including Pearson correlation coefficients and regression analysis to evaluate the integration of employability skills in the learning activities using three major factors: Fundamental Skills (FS), Personal Management Skills (PMS) and Teamwork Skills (TS). The results show that Fundamental Skills (Mean = 3.87, Standard Deviation = 1.26) are well integrated, whereas Personal Management Skills (Mean= 3.17, Standard Deviation = 1.54) demonstrate moderate integration with notable variations. In contrast, Teamwork Skills display a low level of integration (Mean = 1.02 Standard Deviation = 1.88). The correlation analysis confirms a relationship (r = 0.615, p &lt; 0.01) between FS and PMS but shows insignificant correlations between TS and the other skill sets. These findings highlight a critical gap in teamwork skill integration and suggest a need for increased focus on teamwork in educational materials, while recommending further research to focus on expanding the sample size, incorporating more qualitative analyses, and exploring effective strategies for integrating employability skills into educational resources.

A distributed photovoltaic short‐term power forecasting model based on lightweight AI for edge computing in low‐voltage distribution network

AbstractRecent years, the tremendous number of distributed photovoltaic are integrated into low‐voltage distribution network, generating a significant amount of operational data. The centralized cloud data centre is unable to process the massive data precisely and promptly. Therefore, the operational status of distributed photovoltaic systems in low‐voltage distribution network becomes difficult to predict. However, edge computing in the distribution network enable local processing of data to improve the real‐time and reliability of the forecasting service. In this regard, this paper proposes a distributed photovoltaic short‐term power forecasting model based on lightweight AI algorithms. Firstly, based on the Pearson correlation coefficient method, an analysis is conducted on the historical operational data in the network to extract important meteorological features that are correlated with the photovoltaic power output. Secondly, a distributed photovoltaic power forecasting model for the distribution network is constructed based on the Xception and attention mechanism. Finally, the model is trained using pruning, which involves removing redundant parts of the model, resulting in a compact and efficient forecasting model. By conducting validation on real‐world datasets, the results demonstrate that the model presented in this article possesses a smaller size and higher forecasting accuracy compared to other state‐of‐the‐art forecasting models.

Investigation and analysis of negative emotion in patients with diabetic retinopathy after vitrectomy.

As the incidence of diabetes continues to increase, the number of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) also increases each year. After undergoing vitrectomy for DR, patients often experience negative emotional problems that negatively affect their recovery. To investigate negative feelings in patients with DR after vitrectomy and to explore related influencing factors. A total of 146 individuals with DR who were accepted for treatment at The Third People's Hospital of Changzhou from May 2021 to April 2023 were recruited to participate in this study. All patients underwent vitrectomy. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the degree of anxiety and depression 2-3 days after the operation. The participants were divided into a healthy control group and a negative emotion group. The patients' general demographic characteristics and blood glucose levels were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing negative feelings post-operation. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the association between SAS scores, SDS scores, and blood glucose levels. The control group included 85 participants. The negative emotion group comprised 40 participants with anxiety, 13 with depression, and eight with both. Logistic regression showed that being female (OR = 3.090, 95%CI: 1.217-7.847), a family per capita monthly income of < 5000 yuan (OR = 0.337, 95%CI: 0.165-0.668), and a longer duration of diabetes (OR = 2.068, 95%CI: 1.817-3.744) were risk factors for negative emotions in patients with DR after vitrectomy (P < 0.05). The concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the negative emotion group exceeded those in the control group (P < 0.05). SAS scores were positively associated with FPG (r = 0.422), 2hPG (r = 0.334), and HbA1c (r = 0.362; P < 0.05). SDS scores were positively correlated with FPG (r = 0.218) and 2hPG (r = 0.218; P < 0.05). Sex, income level, and duration of diabetes were factors that influenced negative emotions post-vitrectomy. Negative emotions were positively correlated with blood glucose levels, which can be used to develop intervention strategies.

Assessing the influence of thermal structure variation on Fe and P mobility in sediments cores using Yellow Spring Instrument, diffusive gradient technology, and HR Peeper for sustainable water quality management.

The freshwater ecological characteristics in terms of the daily inventory of thermal stratification, spatial variation of O2 distribution, and the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) at the water sediment interface (WSI) are prudent freshwater assessment indices for water quality management protocol. The study conducted daily observations within a monsoon-influenced region, utilizing high-resolution techniques such as HR Peeper, Yellow Spring Instrument (YSI), and ZrO-Chelex diffusive gradient technology (DGT) to analyze PTEs, specifically phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe),within the water-sediment interface (WSI) under different temperatures and oxygen conditions. The 66-day field study showed that high thermal structure contributed significantly to production Fe ions and P from sediment under reductive dissolution of FeOOH. The study also revealed that P and Fe exhibited comparable spatial distribution patterns at the WSI, indicating a linked relationship between these PTEs. This correlation was reinforced by high Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 (bilateral, p < 0.05) indicating that the concentrations of labile P were predominantly influenced by the release of phosphorus bound to iron. The fluxes of the PTEs were positive with a range of Fe, 3.3-81.5 mg/m2 day and P, 0.03-0.5 mg/m2 day showing the sediments liberated the PTEs into the benthic water. Again, high positive fluxes (Fe≈60 mg/m2 day, P≈0.5 mg/m2 day) for PTEs were obtained when stratification was high (anoxic conditions) and low (Fe≈5 mg/m2 day, P≈0.08 mg/m2 day) when stratification did not exist. This depicts that Fe/P dynamics were hinged mainly on hypoxic conditions in the benthic water under the reductive dissolution of FeOOH. The findings showed that organic materials (both solid and dissolved) correlated (> 0.7) significantly with (positive high values) Fe. This indicates that their interaction contributed to the reservoir water deterioration. However, Ca2⁺ and Mg2⁺ had little impact on the liberation of Fe-DOC-P from sediments due to their inability to compete with Fe for binding to DOC and P, as shown by their low correlation values. The research provides in-depth insights into the dynamics of PTEs on a daily timescale and offers valuable information for water management practices in inland reservoirs, particularly concerning the cycling of phosphorus (P) and its effects on ecosystem health.

Acute Quetiapine Intoxication: Relationship Between Ingested Dose, Serum Concentration and Clinical Presentation-Structured Literature Review and Analysis.

Over the past decade, quetiapine has become one of the most commonly used psychotropic drugs in acute intoxication events worldwide. A structured literature review and analysis were conducted to assess the relationship between the kinetic and dynamic profiles in acute quetiapine intoxication. The correlation between dose and peak serum concentration (cmax) was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate dose and cmax as predictors of the most common clinical events, signs and symptoms. One hundred and thirty-four cases of acute quetiapine ingestion were included in the analysis, with a median ingested dose of 10 g and a median cmax of 4 mg/L. The typical half-life was estimated to be 16.5 h, significantly longer than at therapeutic doses. For the immediate-release formulation, a biphasic disposition could not be excluded. Dose and cmax demonstrated a weak but significant correlation (r = 0.256; N = 63; p = 0.043). Central nervous system depression and tachycardia were the most common clinical signs. Higher doses and concentrations increased the risk of severe intoxication and were good predictors of intubation, tachycardia, hypotension, QTc prolongation and seizures, but not QRS prolongation, arrhythmia, heart block, hypokalaemia or acidosis. The thresholds for dose and cmax that increased the risk for individual signs and symptoms varied widely. However, doses > 3 g or cmax > 2 mg/L can be considered as alert levels that represent a high risk for severe clinical course of acute quetiapine intoxication.

The Spatiotemporal Variations in and Propagation of Meteorological, Agricultural, and Groundwater Droughts in Henan Province, China

As the global climate changes and droughts become more frequent, understanding the characteristics and propagation dynamics of drought is critical for monitoring and early warning. This study utilized the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and Groundwater Drought Index (GDI) to identify meteorological drought (MD), agricultural drought (AD), and groundwater drought (GD), respectively. Sen’s slope method and Mann–Kendall trend analysis were used to examine drought trends. The Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and theory of run were utilized to identify the propagation times between different types of droughts. Cross-wavelet transform (XWT) and wavelet coherence (WTC) were applied to investigate the linkages among the three types of droughts. The results showed that, from 2004 to 2022, the average durations of MD, AD, and GD in Henan Province were 4.55, 8.70, and 29.03 months, respectively. MD and AD were gradually alleviated, while GD was exacerbated. The average propagation times for the different types of droughts were as follows: 6.1 months (MD-AD), 4.4 months (MD-GD), and 16.3 months (AD-GD). Drought propagation exhibited significant seasonality, being shorter in summer and autumn than in winter and spring, and there were close relationships among MD, AD, and GD. This study revealed the characteristics and propagation dynamics of different types of droughts in Henan Province, providing scientific references for alleviating regional droughts and promoting the sustainable development of agriculture and food production.

Comparing Innervated and Non-Innervated Glabrous Skin Flaps for Volar Digital Defects: Insights from Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Volar soft tissue defects in digits necessitate reconstructions that restore appearance sensation and minimize complications. This study compares innervated toe pulp (TP) and non-innervated medialis pedis (MP) flaps for reconstructing such defects, focusing on objective and subjective outcomes. Between 1998 and 2017, 101 free glabrous skin flap reconstructions were performed at our institution for volar digital soft tissue injuries, comprising 75 TP and 26 MP flaps. Follow-up assessments included the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, Foot and Ankle Disability Index, and sensory testing (static and moving two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test). Data analysis utilized the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation coefficients. The study cohort included 29 participants (15 TP, 14 MP) with an average follow-up of 106 months. Functional and sensory outcomes revealed no significant differences between TP and MP flaps. Both flap types achieved satisfactory function and sensibility, with no statistically significant distinctions in patient-reported outcomes. Subjective complaints were similarly distributed across both groups, with a few reports of cold intolerance and discomfort at the donor site in the TP group. TP and MP flaps provide adequate coverage and sensory outcomes for volar digital defects without significant differences between innervated and non-innervated flap transfers. The flap choice should be tailored to individual patient needs and defect characteristics, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered decision-making in reconstructive surgery. Further research is required to explore the long-term outcomes of these reconstruction methods, especially for larger defects.

Age-specific distribution of oculometric parameters and myopia in children aged 8-12y.

To describe the distribution of ocular biometrics and to evaluate its associations with refractive error and to assess the contribution from ocular parameters to refractive error among Chinese myopic children. This cross-sectional study evaluated subjects aged 8-12y. Keratometry, ocular biometry, and cycloplegic autorefraction were performed on each subject. Spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and ocular biometrics were assessed as a function of age and gender. The Pearson correlation analysis between SER and ocular biometrics was carried out. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the association between SER and ocular parameters. A total of 689 out of 735 participants (321 boys, 48.1%) were analyzed, with a mean SER of -2.98±1.47 diopter (D). Axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal radius of curvature (CR), horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), central corneal thickness (CCT) and lens power (LP) showed normal distribution. The AL, AL/CR ratio, ACD and CR increased from 8 to 12y of age, while SER and LP decreased, HVID and CCT remained stable. There was no difference in gender. SER decreased by 0.929 D for every 1 mm increase in AL and decreased by 1.144 D for every 0.1 increase in AL/CR ratio. The Pearson correlation coefficient between SER and AL was -0.538 (P<0.01) and -0.747 (P<0.01) between SER and AL/CR ratio. For the SER variance, AL explained 29.0%, AL/CR ratio explained 55.7%, while AL, CR, ACD and LP explained 99.3% after adjusting for age and gender. The AL, CR, ACD and LP are the most important determinants of myopic refractive error during myopia progression.

Improved ADHD Diagnosis Using EEG Connectivity and Deep Learning through Combining Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Phase-Locking Value.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neurobehavioral disorder affecting children and adolescents, requiring early detection for effective treatment. EEG connectivity measures can reveal the interdependencies between EEG recordings, highlighting brain network patterns and functional behavior that improve diagnostic accuracy. This study introduces a novel ADHD diagnostic method by combining linear and nonlinear brain connectivity maps with an attention-based convolutional neural network (Att-CNN). Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) and Phase-Locking Value (PLV) are used to create fused connectivity maps (FCMs) from various EEG frequency subbands, which are then inputted into the Att-CNN. The attention module is strategically placed after the latest convolutional layer in the CNN. The performance of different optimizers (Adam and SGD) and learning rates are assessed. The suggested model obtained 98.88%, 98.41%, 98.19%, and 98.30% for accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 Score, respectively, using the SGD optimizer in the FCM of the theta band with a learning rate of 1e-1. With the use of FCM, Att-CNN, and advanced optimizers, the proposed technique has the potential to produce trustworthy instruments for the early diagnosis of ADHD, greatly enhancing both patient outcomes and diagnostic accuracy.

Graph Attention Networks with Local and Global Attention Mechanisms for Learning Single-Shot Omics Data Representations

Aiming at the high-dimensional " size " problem in biological omics data where the number of genes is much larger than the number of samples pn, a graph attention network GATOr with local and global attention mechanisms is proposed. The model first calculates the correlation between features using the Pearson correlation coefficient on omics data and constructs a single-sample network of omics data. Then, a graph attention network combining local and global attention mechanisms is proposed to learn graph-based omics feature representation from the single-sample network, thereby converting the high-dimensional characteristics of omics data into low-dimensional representation. Experimental results show that GATOr has achieved better performance in classification task accuracy and other indicators than other traditional classification algorithms.

Concurrent validity of the Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation and hip-specific patient-reported outcome measures.

The Single Assessment Numerical Evalution (SANE) score is a pragmatic alternative to longer patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the SANE and hip-specific PROMs in a generalized population of patients with hip pain at a single timepoint upon initial visit with an orthopaedic surgeon who is a hip preservation specialist. We hypothesized that SANE would have a strong correlation with the 12-question International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT)-12, the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), providing evidence for concurrent validity of the SANE and hip-specific outcome measures in patients with hip pain. This study was a cross-sectional retrospective database analysis at a single timepoint. Data were collected from 2,782 patients at initial evaluation with a hip preservation specialist using the iHOT-12, HOS, HOOS, and SANE. Outcome scores were retrospectively analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Mean raw scores were iHOT-12 67.01 (SD 29.52), HOS 58.42 (SD 26.26), HOOS 86.85 (SD 32.94), and SANE 49.60 (SD 27.92). SANE was moderately correlated with the iHOT-12 (r = -0.4; 95% CI -0.35 to -0.44; p < 0.001), HOS (r = 0.57; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.60; p < 0.001), and HOOS (r = -0.55; 95% CI -0.51 to -0.58; p < 0.001). The iHOT-12 and HOOS were recorded as a lower score, indicating better function, which accounts for the negative r values. This study was the first to investigate the relationship between the SANE and the iHOT-12, HOS, and HOOS in a population of patients with hip pain at the initial evaluation with an orthopaedic surgeon, and found moderate correlation between SANE and the iHOT-12, HOS, and HOOS. The SANE may be a pragmatic alternative for clinical benchmarking in a general population of patients with hip pain. The construct validity of the SANE should be questioned compared to legacy measures whose content validity has been more rigorously investigated.

Two-Stage Multimodal Method for Predicting Intramuscular Fat in Pigs

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content significantly influences pork tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Maintaining an optimal IMF range not only enhances nutritional value but also improves the taste of pork products. However, traditional IMF measurement methods are often invasive and time-consuming. Ultrasound imaging technology offers a non-destructive solution capable of predicting IMF content and assessing backfat thickness as well as longissimus dorsi muscle area size. A two-stage multimodal network model was developed in this study. First, using B-mode ultrasound images, we employed the UNetPlus segmentation network to accurately delineate the longissimus dorsi muscle area. Subsequently, we integrated data on backfat thickness and longissimus dorsi muscle area to create a multimodal input for IMF content prediction using our model. The results indicate that UNetPlus achieves a 94.17% mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) for precise longissimus dorsi muscle area segmentation. The multimodal network achieves an R2 of 0.9503 for IMF content prediction, with Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.9683 and 0.9756, respectively, all within a compact model size of 4.96 MB. This study underscores the efficacy of combining segmented longissimus dorsi muscle images with data on backfat thickness and muscle area in a two-stage multimodal approach for predicting IMF content.

The quality of life in Thai senior table tennis players

Background Table tennis presented a unique and accessible sport for people of all ages, particularly seniors compared to other sports. Methods This study utilized a quantitative with 136 Table tennis players those who registered for attending in the Thailand Master Table tennis Championships 2024 which hosted in January 2024 at Chiangmai. The questionnaire based on the measurement quality of life, WHOQOL Thai version, and analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation. Results Pearson correlation coefficients between the scores of the quality of life in four dimensions and the overall score revealed significant correlations (p &lt; 0.01) with all dimensions, including physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health. Conclusions Playing Table tennis for senior in the tournament level helped to improve the quality of life in all domains.