Predictive Analytics Software Research Articles

Elucidating distinct roles of chemical reduction and autotrophic denitrification driven by three iron-based materials in nitrate removal from low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio wastewater

Effective nitrate removal is a key challenge when treating low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio wastewater. How to select an effective inorganic electron donor to improve the autotrophic denitrification of nitrate nitrogen has become an area of intense research. In this study, the nitrate removal mechanism of three iron-based materials in the presence and absence of microorganisms was investigated with Fe2+/Fe0 as an electron donor and nitrate as an electron acceptor, and the relationship between the iron materials and denitrifying microorganisms was explored. The results indicated that the nitrogen removal efficiency of each iron-based material coupled sludge systems was higher than that of iron-based material. Furthermore, compared with the sponge iron coupled sludge system (60.6%–70.4%) and magnetite coupled sludge (56.1%–65.3%), the pyrite coupled sludge system had the highest removal efficiency of TN, and the removal efficiency increased from 62.5% to 82.1% with time. The test results of scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction indicated that iron-based materials promoted the attachment of microorganisms and the chemical reduction of nitrate in three iron-based material coupled sludge systems. Furthermore, the pyrite coupled sludge system had the highest nitrite reductase activity and can induce microorganisms to secrete more extracellular polymer substances. Combined with high-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional predictive analysis software, the total relative abundance of the dominant bacterial in pyrite coupled sludge system was the highest (72.06%) compared with the other iron-based material systems, and the abundance of Blastocatellaceae was relatively high. Overall, these results suggest that the pyrite coupled sludge system was more conducive to long-term stable nitrate removal.

Analyzing socio-environmental determinants of bone and soft tissue cancer in Indonesia

BackgroundThis study is designed to explore the potential impact of individual and environmental residential factors as risk determinants for bone and soft tissue cancers, with a particular focus on the Indonesian context. While it is widely recognized that our living environment can significantly influence cancer development, there has been a notable scarcity of research into how specific living environment characteristics relate to the risk of bone and soft tissue cancers.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, we analyzed the medical records of oncology patients treated at Prof. Suharso National Referral Orthopedic Hospital. The study aimed to assess tumor malignancy levels and explore the relationships with socio-environmental variables, including gender, distance from the sea, sunrise time, altitude, and population density. Data were gathered in 2020 from diverse sources, including medical records, Google Earth, and local statistical centers. The statistical analyses employed Chi-square and logistic regression techniques with the support of Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW) Statistics 18.ResultsBoth bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed two significant factors associated with the occurrence of bone and soft tissue cancer. Age exhibited a statistically significant influence (OR of 5.345 and a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05), indicating a robust connection between cancer development and age. Additionally, residing within a distance of less than 14 km from the sea significantly affected the likelihood of bone and soft tissue cancers OR 5.604 and p-value (0.001 < 0.05).ConclusionsThe study underscores the strong association between age and the development of these cancers, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and screening measures in older populations. Moreover, proximity to the sea emerges as another noteworthy factor influencing cancer risk, suggesting potential environmental factors at play. These results highlight the multifaceted nature of cancer causation and underscore the importance of considering socio-environmental variables when assessing cancer risk factors. Such insights can inform more targeted prevention and early detection strategies, ultimately contributing to improved cancer management and patient outcomes.

HUBUNGAN KEKURANGAN ENERGI KRONIS PADA IBU HAMIL DENGAN KEJADIAN STUNTING PADA BAYI BARU LAHIR DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS RAMBIPUJI KABUPATEN JEMBER

Maternal health and nutritional conditions before and during pregnancy and after delivery such as anemia and chronic energy deficiency (KEK) affect fetal growth and the risk of short birth length. Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK) is a nutritional problem that often occurs in pregnant women. This study aims to determine the relationship between chronic energy deficiency in pregnancy and the incidence of stunting in newborns This study was a correlation design with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were all pregnant women with SEZ in the working area of ​​the Rambi Puji Health Center, Jember Regency, involving as many as 84 participants. The sampling technique used is accidental sampling. Data were collected using a data collection sheet. Data were analyzed using Predictive Analytics SoftWare Version 18 with a chi square test at a significance level of &lt;0.05.The results showed that most of the pregnant women did not experience chronic energy deficiency (84.5%) and most of the newborns did not experience stunting or had normal body length (84.5%). Based on the results of the analysis, it is known that there is a relationship between chronic energy deficiency in pregnant women and the incidence of stunting in newborns (p-value = 0.001 (α&lt;0.05) and X2 = 0.403). Pregnant women with chronic energy deficiency are at risk of giving birth to stunting babies 14 times (OR=14,167).

Affecting Factors for Dietary, Exercise and Behavioral Modification of Women on Diet Improvement through Mediating Effects of Improve the Quality of Life

Purpose: This study examined the factors affecting dietary, exercise, and behavioral modification of women on diet improvement using mediating effects of improving the quality of life.Methods: To conduct this study, a survey was conducted on female clients with obesity in eight franchise body-type management rooms in May 2022. Consequently, out of the 318 copies of the questionnaire, 275 copies were used for analysis, excluding false answers. The analysis of this study was conducted using Predictive Analytics SoftWare Statistics by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0 and AMOS 19.0. First, frequency analysis was conducted to analyze the general characteristics of the study subjects, and factor analysis was conducted using Varimax rotation to derive variables as a dimension of factors. Second, reliability analysis was conducted to calculate the reliability coefficient (Cronbach's α). Third, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to analyze the reliability and validity of the model, and model suitability was confirmed using RMSEA, RMR, GFI, NFI, TLI, and CFI values. Fourth, structural model analysis was conducted for the process of confirming the research problem, and lastly, Sobel verification of the mediating effect was conducted.Results: The results of Sobel verification for the intermediate path were as follows: Recognition affecting diet improvement mediating the improved quality of life is 3.017 (p&lt;0.05); attitude is 2.691 (p&lt;0.05); action is 0.997 (p&lt;0.05); durability is 1.607 (p&lt;0.001); and effectiveness is 0.961 (p&lt;0.001), respectively.Conclusion: It is vital to analyze the current status and needs of people with obesity’s diet, exercise, and behavior modification, as well as to supplement them using various devices to conduct the set living rules properly. Thus, attention and efforts from the government, private sector, schools, and local governments are needed to provide conditions for improving the quality of life and continuous diet.

Sex Determination Using Human Sphenoid Sinus in a Northeast Iranian Population: A Discriminant Function Analysis.

Sex determination, using skeletal remains, is of paramount importance in forensic studies. The skull accounts for the most sexual dimorphism after the pelvis. Recent studies have shown that paranasal sinuses are valuable in sex determination and considering the location of the sphenoid sinus, the risk of traumatic injuries to this structure is low. The present study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the sphenoid sinus and determine the validity of sphenoid sinus volume (SSV) in sex determination using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, CBCT images of 469 Iranian patients (186 male and 283 female), aged 24-45 years, were selected. The morphology of the sphenoid sinus was recorded. 3D Slicer software (4.10.0) was used to assess SSVs in coronal and axial planes. For data analysis, t-test, chi-square test, and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were performed using predictive analytics software (ver. 18.0). The most common morphology of the sphenoid sinus in both genders was the sellar type (50.5%). SSV was significantly larger in males than in females (p< 0.001). DFA showed that the capability of SSV in sex identification was 86.0% and 92.9% in males and females, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that SSV is a reliable variable in gender discrimination in a northeast Iranian population. However, since the morphology of the sphenoid sinus and sex were independent of each other, the morphology of the sphenoid sinus is not a suitable indicator for sex determination.

Medical &amp; Dental Students' Perceptions of Health and Well-Being

Objective: As a way to examine how medical &amp; dental students adhere to different dimensions of well-being within the framework of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study of Riphah International University's 300 medical &amp; dental students from each gender was done from January to December 2010. Predictive Analysis Software (PASW) version 18 assessed the replies ranging from "no," "sometimes," "usually," and "yes/always" (numbered 0-4). Results: The study population consisted of 287 out of the 300 questionnaires, or 95.7% of the total. A total of 103 men (35.89 percent) and 184 women (64.11 percent) participated in the poll. P values of 0.0159 and 0.0240 show that illness and athletic participation have an effect on physical well-being based on gender. Mood swings and family friends had p values of 0.0059 and 0.00, respectively, in relation to emotional well-being. P values of 0.0024 and 0.0116 show that prayer and spiritual fasting have an effect on spiritual well-being. It is clear that spiritual wellbeing is distinct from emotional and bodily wellness, as shown by Tukey's simultaneous comparison t-values (d.f. = 858). Conclusion: As part of their basic curriculum, medical students should be taught stress and time management methods in order to better handle the stress and demands of practicing medicine. Colleges and institutions need to increase and enhance their research on gender bias in health and wellness.

Antenatal care is associated with adherence to iron supplementation among pregnant women in selected low-middle-income-countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America & the Caribbean regions: Insights from Demographic and Health Surveys.

Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting 800 million women and children globally. Anaemia is associated with perinatal mortality, child morbidity and mortality, mental development, immune competence, susceptibility to lead poisoning and performance at work. The objective of this article is to identify whether antenatal care-seeking was associated with the uptake of iron supplementation among pregnant women, adjusting for a range of covariates. This article used data from the cross-sectional recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 12 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean regions. The individual-level data from 273,144 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were analysed from multi-country DHS. Multiple Logistic regression analyses were conducted using Predictive Analytics Software for Windows (PASW), Release 18.0. Receiving at least four antenatal care visits was significantly associated with the consumption of 90 or more iron-containing supplements in 12 low and middle incomecountries across three regions after adjusting for different household and respondent characteristics, while mass media exposure was found to be a significant predictor in India and Indonesia. Antenatal care seems to be the most important predictor of adherence to iron intake in the selected countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean regions.

The Effectiveness of Teaching Derivatives in Vietnamese High Schools Using APOS Theory and ACE Learning Cycle

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;The actions, processes, objects, and schemas (APOS) theory is a constructivist learning theory created by Dubinsky based on Piaget's epistemology and used to teach math worldwide. Especially the application of APOS theory to the curriculum of a mathematics class helps students better understand the concepts being taught, which in turn contributes to the formation and development of mathematical competencies. With the aid of the APOS theory and the activity, classroom discussion, and exercise (ACE) learning cycle, this study sought to ascertain the effect of teaching derivatives in Vietnamese high schools. In this quasi-experimental study at a high school in Vietnam, there were 78 grade 11 students (40 in the experimental and 38 in the control classes). As opposed to the control class, which received traditional instruction, the experimental class's students were taught using the ACE learning cycle based on the APOS theory. The data was collected based on the pre-test, the post-test results and a survey of students' opinions. Also, the data that was gathered, both qualitatively and quantitatively, was examined using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26) predictive analytics software. The results showed that students in the experimental class who participated in learning activities based on the APOS theory improved their academic performance and attitudes. Additionally, it promoted the students' abilities to find solutions to problems about derivatives.&lt;/p&gt;

Determination of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Genotype Prevalance and Distrubution in Adana: A Hospital-Based Study Between 2014-2021

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women all over the world. It is accepted that cervical cancer is highly related to the HPV. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 13 HPV types as group 1 carcinogens (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 66), which are commonly referred to as high risk-HPVs (hr-HPVs). Among these, hr-HPV-16 is undoubtedly the most carcinogenic based in the burden of cervical cancer (CC) and its precursor lesions. In our study, we analyzed retrospectively the data of a total of 2329 female patients who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of our hospital over a seven-year-period, whose cervical smear were carried out by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cytology. In this study, it was aimed to determine the data of of HPV prevalence in our region during the seven-year-period from April 2014 to April 2021 and the most common genotypes and to interpret them together with the cervical smears cytology and biopsy results if it is available. HPV 3, 6, 11, 16, 18, 21, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83, 84 were identified by using linear array HPV genotyping test (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) from April 2014 to October 2017. HPV genotypes were identified by using HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant (Qiagen, Germany) between October 2017 and April 2021. This method detected HPV genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 25.0) predictive analytics software. Continuous variables are indicated as mean ± standard deviation, and discrete variables are indicated as number [percentage (%)]. Chi-square test is used to investigate dependencies between variables. All analyzes were evaluated to provide 95% confidence level and 80% test power. p<0.05 was accepted as significant for the analysis results. Out of 2329 patients, 1283 were found to be HPV negative (54.6%) and the others were found to be HPV positive (45.4%) by using real-time PCR in the cervical smears. It was detected that out of 1046 HPV positive patients, 585 of them (55.9%) had one HPV genotype and 461 of them (44.1%) had more than one HPV genotypes. As we divided all of the patients into two groups as <30 (Group I) ve > 30 (Group II) according to age range, HPV positivity was found 134/296 (45.2%) in Group I and 912/2033 (44.8%) in Group II. When we compared the HPV positive/negative results of Groups I and II by using chi-square test, no significant difference was found between the two age groups in terms of HPV positivity (p= 0.894). In our study, the most common HPV types were HPV 16 (14.2%), HPV 68 (8.2%), HPV 56 (8.2%), HPV 52 (7.1%), HPV 51 (6.8%), HPV 31 (6.5%), HPV 66(6.1%), HPV 39 (5.8%) and HPV 18 (5.6%) among the women with normal and abnormal cytology in the cervical smears. ASC-US was the most common abnormal epithelial cell change detected with HPV16 and 18 genotypes and it was detected 26.07% and 21.88% in patients, respectively. In our study, we found HPV prevalance in our region as 45.4% and the most common type was HPV 16. As a result, we concluded that it is important to determine regional HPV prevalance data, which is an important step in cervical cancer prevention strategies, and regional data of detected HPV genotypes.

The application of business analytics in personalized customer experience

Purpose: The purpose of this publication is to present the applications of usage of business analytics in personalized customer experience. Design/methodology/approach: Critical literature analysis. Analysis of international literature from main databases and polish literature and legal acts connecting with researched topic. Findings: The applications of business analytics in personalized customer experiences span data collection, segmentation, predictive analytics, and multi-channel personalization, delivering greater customer satisfaction, revenue, and competitive advantage. Achieving this transformation requires the use of various software solutions, including CRM systems, marketing automation tools, analytics platforms, predictive analytics software, and recommendation engines. Harnessing the power of data and analytics is the key to gaining a competitive edge in this customer-centric era. Businesses that tailor their offerings to each customer's unique preferences and needs can not only meet but exceed customer expectations, ensuring growth and long-term success. Ultimately, personalized customer experiences, driven by business analytics, are not merely a response to customer demands; they are the path to unlocking the full potential of customer relationships and establishing a strong position in the ever-evolving marketplace. Keywords: business analytics, Industry 4.0, digitalization, artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring; customization, personalization. Category of the paper: literature review.

Effect of Low Dose Intravenous Magnesium Sulphate on Sensory Regression Time in Patients undergoing Spinal Anaesthesia- A Randomised Placebo-controlled Double-blinded Study

Introduction: Adjuvants like intravenous (i.v.) Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4 ) are used to improve the efficacy and duration of spinal anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia. But it is unclear, whether this prolongation of duration of analgesia is an independent effect of MgSO4 or it is because of increased duration of spinal anaesthesia itself. Aim: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative i.v. low dose MgSO4 on two-segment regression time of sensory block, regression time up to L2 dermatome from the highest level of sensory block and postoperative analgesic requirement. Materials and Methods: This randomised placebo-controlled blinded study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam, India from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 60 patients, satisfying American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status I and status II, aged between 40-70 years, patients undergoing femur fracture surgery under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled in the present study. Patients in the magnesium group (Group M, n=30) received MgSO4 5 mg/kg infusion, and control group (Group C, n=30) received at the same volume of saline during operation. Unpaired t-test was used to test the significance in normally distributed continuous variable and Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the significance of the difference between the quantitative variables. The software Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) 18.0 was used for statistical analysis and the graphs have been generated using the Microsoft Excel 2007. A p-value of less than 0.05 has been considered to be significant. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient characteristics (age, weight, and height).The mean time for two segment regression in the group M was prolonged by around 13 minutes, as compared to group C (104.96±11.37 minutes versus 91.2±11.86 minutes, respectively, p&lt;0.001). The mean regression time up to L2 dermatome in the group M was prolonged by 15 minutes as compared to the group C. (171.23 minutes versus 156.43 minutes, respectively, p=0.0003). The total consumption of tramadol in the group M was significantly lesser than the control group (192.5±58.03 mg and 245.0±43.74 mg, respectively, p=0.0002). Conclusion: An i.v. infusion of 5 mg/kg MgSO4 prolongs two segment regression time upto L2 dermatome and reduces postoperative opioid consumption without any complication in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery under spinal anaesthesia

JOB SATISFACTION AS A MODERATING VARIABLE BETWEEN THE EFFECT OF COMPENSATION AND LEADERSHIP STYLE ON TURNOVER

The company's goals depend not only on modern equipment, good facilities, and infrastructure but also on the people who carry out this work. A company's success is strongly influenced by human resources, which are the company's driving force. Quality human resources can be seen from how the output is displayed. Therefore, companies must pay attention to the actions and needs of their workers to provide work results that are in line with company expectations. This study aims to see how the effect of compensation and leadership style on turnover is moderated by job satisfaction. This research uses quantitative methods. The sample size for this study was 107 employees of PT. Locco Mandiri Indonesia by collecting data through a questionnaire. SPSS or PASW (Predictive Analytics Software) is used to analyze the data in this report. The findings of this study are: 1) Compensation has a positive and significant effect on turnover intention. 2) Leadership style has a positive and significant effect on turnover intention. 3) Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on turnover intention. 4) Compensation has a positive and significant effect on turnover intention, moderated by job satisfaction. 5) Leadership style has a positive and significant effect on turnover intention moderated by job satisfaction.

How Socio-Economic Status Contributes to Parents’ Views on English Teaching For Young Learners

This study aims at identifying the contribution of parents’ socio-economic status (SES) toward their views on the teaching English for children. A survey technique with questionnaires and interviews was utilized to collect the data from 245 parents as the respondents. SPSS with Predictive Analysis Software (PASW) statistics 18 has been employed to analyze the collected data. Descriptively, the reseacher found that parents with different SES have showed similar beliefs on the importance of English mastery. They made acommitment to keep supporting their children with English. It was also found that although their knowledge on EYL was limited, their views and attitudes were good. Statistically, it showed that parents’ social and economic status either in their education, occupation, or income and their views on EYL were not significantly correlated. It came to the conclusion that parents today have equal vision in preparing their children with good education.

How Socio-Economic Status Contributes to Parents’ Views on English Teaching For Young Learners

This study aims at identifying the contribution of parents’ socio-economic status (SES) toward their views on the teaching English for children. A survey technique with questionnaires and interviews was utilized to collect the data from 245 parents as the respondents. SPSS with Predictive Analysis Software (PASW) statistics 18 has been employed to analyze the collected data. Descriptively, the reseacher found that parents with different SES have showed similar beliefs on the importance of English mastery. They made acommitment to keep supporting their children with English. It was also found that although their knowledge on EYL was limited, their views and attitudes were good. Statistically, it showed that parents’ social and economic status either in their education, occupation, or income and their views on EYL were not significantly correlated. It came to the conclusion that parents today have equal vision in preparing their children with good education.

Validation of IVCM In Measuring Sub-Basal Nerve Plexus and Keratocyte Cell Density in Corneal Wound Healing

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability measurement of corneal stromal thickness, sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) and keratocyte cell density (KCD) in laser refractive surgery patients. Methods: 120 eyes of 60 participants were recruited and both right and left eyes of the myopic subjects were measured separately. Cornea stromal thickness were measured based on the cellular morphology that differs between each corneal layer. Measurement of SBNP and KCD were done using in-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) using corneal stromal thickness as reference. Corneal nerve parameters measured includes nerve fiber density (NFD), nerve branch Density (NBD) and nerve fiber length (NFL) while KCD were measured based the amount per area, depending on the region of interest. All images were captured and processed using ImageJTM Software and NeuronJ. All data were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Statistical analyses were performed using Predictive analytics software. P &lt; 0.05 was set as the level of significance. Intra- and inter-observer intraclass correlation analysis were done to evaluate reliability of measurement in corneal stromal thickness, SBNP and KCD. Results: This study found no significant difference between measurements for corneal stromal thickness, SBNP and KCD measured. (All P &gt; 0.05). Intraclass correlation analysis showed both intra- and inter-observer performance were approximately consistent and reliable (All r &gt; 0.90, P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of corneal stromal thickness, SBNP and KCD using IVCM is valid and reliable.

Artificial intelligence technologies in predicting preeclampsia

The strategy for preserving reproductive potential in the Russian Federation is focused on the personalized women’s health care and based on preclinical identification of gynecological diseases and major obstetric syndromes at the stage of predicting adverse outcomes and subsequent preventive measures able to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, decrease women and neonatal disability as well as profoundly reduce extremely high costs on care of premature infants. The search for effectivepredictive methods of preeclampsia (PE) at the stage of preconception and in the first trimester of pregnancy is driven by the desire to identify women at greater risk of developing hypertensive disorders in order to take the necessary effective measures forpreventing placental pathology as early as possible, thereby preventing or reducing incidence rate of PE. At the same time, identifying a group of high-risk women would allow to rationally plan prenatal care, timely recognize emergence of multiple organdysfunction and immediately begin pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. Taking into account the national and global experience of using predictive analytics software proving their success in reproductive medicine, it is reasonable to assume that converting prognosis into digital format by using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms will open new opportunities for increasing accuracy of individual risk calculation for PE by meeting current paradigm of personalized preventive medicine. Our scientific review on domestic and international publications aims to inform a wide range of obstetricians-gynecologists about advances in AI technologies as well as prospects for machine learning to predict PE.

Factors Influencing Voters’ Choice in Elections in Ghana: A Case study of the Kumbungu Constituency of the Northern Region

Purpose: Globally, and most especially in Africa, researchers seem not to have sufficiently explained the underlying factors that influence electorates’ choices. Thus, studies often reveal a myriad of factors that determine this behavior of voters. While some scholars posit rationality as the underlying factor, others suggest idiosyncratic factors in that regard. These conflicting positions indicate that the motivation of electorates’ choices is multifaceted. In Ghana, few studies have investigated the phenomenon in the Northern part of the country. This study, therefore, explored the phenomenon with regard to elections in the Kumbungu Constituency of Northern Ghana.&#x0D; Methodology: Underpinned by the three dominant theories; the sociological model, the psychological model and the rational-choice theory, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design to gather data thereof. A combination of purposive sampling methods was employed to select information rich cases. The selection of the study region and constituency was based on critical case sampling. Purposeful random sampling was used to select respondents for the survey and interviews. A total of 164 respondents were randomly selected for the survey. Ten key informant interviews were also conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using content and thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using Predictive Analytic Software by employing descriptive statistics and regression. &#x0D; Findings: The findings indicate that the voting behavior of electorates are not primarily influenced by stable and distinctive factors, such as ethnic or regional ties, but rather the electorate make voting decisions based on conscious evaluation of government performance, economic conditions, and campaign issues. Also, the developmental impact of government programs, ethnicity and ideological leaning of voters do play a role. Therefore, politicians need to heed this in their effort to win the hearts of voters.&#x0D; Unique Contribution and Recommendation: This study recommends that ruling political parties should always endeavor to promote and foster policies and programs that improve the living standards of the Ghanaian electorates if they desire to retain and cling on to political power.

STRATCOM PREDICTIVE DATA ANALYSIS FOR STRATEGIC PLAN FORECASTING

The idea of gathering intelligence from open source, human or social media as regular practice for structures in the field has been a frequently debated topic for specialized literature. Unlike this, gathering intelligence from corroborated Strategic Communication (StratCom) sources and instruments so that the information extracted that way be later on stored in databases and sieved through predictive analytics software to then reveal state or non-state actors’ measures and behaviors has recently been shared as a novel thesis of the present author and recently taken over by doctoral schools in the field. The current paper provides an extended insight into the topic, to consolidate the construct.&#x0D;

Thread Type and Stitch Density Suitable for Seams in Ghanaian Public Basic School Uniforms

Background: The serviceability of a sewn garment is influenced by the quality of its seams, which form the basic structural element. The factors that affect seam quality in garments include, sewing thread type and stitch density. Their right choice helps with the achievement of quality seams in garments. However, the choice of suitable sewing threads and stitch densities for particular fabrics can only be determined through testing. Objective: Problems associated with the poor performance of school uniforms include seam failure. The aim of the study was to determine sewing thread brand and stitch density suitable for seams for a selected fabric (79% polyester and 21% cotton) for Ghanaian public basic school uniforms. Methods: A 2×3 factorial design was employed, which involved two brands of sewing threads labelled A` and B` and three ranges of stitch density, 10, 12, and 14. The total number of specimens prepared from the selected fabric was 81. The parameters investigated included fabric weight, strength, and elongation, seam strength, seam elongation, and efficiency. The data were analysed using the Predictive Analytics Software (SPSS). Means and standard deviations of the fabric’s yarn count, weight, strength, elongation and the linear density of the sewing threads were determined. Analysis of Variance and Independent samples t-test at 0.05 alpha levels were employed in testing the hypotheses. Results: Differences in seam strength, efficiency, and elongation were significant for the two sewing thread brands and the three stitch densities in both warp and weft directions of the fabric sample. The sewing thread brand B′ with stitch density 14 performed best in terms of seam strength, elongation, and efficiency. Conclusion: The sewing thread brand B′ and stitch density 14 are recommended to be used for the construction of uniforms with the selected fabric to achieve quality in uniforms.

Effect of washing on performance attributes of fabrics for Basic School Uniforms

The determination of the suitability of fabrics for specific end-uses require the subjection of selected fabrics to conditions they would be exposed to during use and care such as washing. Three different brands of fabrics commonly used for Ghanaian Basic School Uniforms and labelled A, B and C were evaluated after washing to suggest suitable fabric(s) to be used to achieve quality in uniforms. Specimens were subjected to three washing cycles and strength, elongation, dimensional stability and colourfastness tested. Data were analyzed using the Predictive Analytical Software for windows version 22. Means of the performance characteristics of the fabrics were determined and hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance at 0.05 alpha level. Washing had effect on the parameters investigated. In all, fabric brand B performed best as throughout the wash cycles, its strength values were above the standard requirements set by the Ghana Standards Authority for uniform fabrics. Since the fabric brand B performed best with the parameters investigated, it is suggested for use as school uniform fabric. However, further studies can be conducted on these same fabrics where other parameters such as absorbency and abrasion resistance can be evaluated.