Proportional Hypothesis Research Articles

Econometric forecasting of production matrix by total output in the framework of interindustry balance: Evidence from European firms

The paper is devoted to testing the core prerequisite of inter-industry balance methodology which states, that intermediate consumption is strictly proportional to the total output of an industry, or, in other words, production matrix is constant over time. The paper uses standard econometric and statistical tools to test the hypothesis of proportionality of intermediate consumption to the total output. The statistical base of the study is the world input-output tables collected for the period from 2000 to 2022 from European firms. By conducting a rigorous empirical analysis, we find that tested prerequisite cannot be considered as valid. We also propose a methodology of point forecasting of production matrices by total output, which helps to make more accurate forecasts compared to the trivial model, when production matrix is assumed to stay unchanged. The proposed methodology is to extend the input-output methodology by introducing the coefficients of proportionality of changes in intermediate consumption and changes in the total output. Proportionality coefficients are proposed to be obtained by regression equations based on statistical data of input-output tables. The results of this work can be useful for executive authorities in planning large state economic projects, as well as in assessing the impact of external shocks on the country's economy.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

Objective: This study aimed to analyze factors related to the quality of life of hypertensive patients in the working area of the Mulyorejo Community Health Center, Deli Serdang Regency. Theoretical Framework: Complications of hypertension and variables related to the quality of life of hypertensive patients have a major impact on the burden borne by various parties including patients, the economic burden, society and health services. Method: This study used an explanatory survey design, with a population of all hypertensive patients seeking treatment in the working area of the Mulyorejo Community Health Center, Deli Serdang Regency. The sample size was measured using a single population proportion hypothesis test formula of 445 hypertensive patient respondents using a consecutive sampling technique. Results and Discussion: Research respondents were categorized according to age, gender, education, occupation, marriage, duration of suffering from hypertension, comorbidities, cigarette consumption, blood pressure checking, physical activity, salt consumption, body mass index, blood pressure, regular consumption of antihypertensive drugs, support family, self-efficacy, stress and quality of life. Conclusion: Findings showed that there were ten factors that were significantly related to the quality of life of hypertension including stress, self-efficacy, family support, regularity in taking anti-hypertension medication, blood pressure, BMI, salt consumption, physical activity, checking blood pressure and comorbidities. Research Implications: There needs to be a joint commitment through the management of an integrated health service system to handle and prevent factors related to the quality of life of hypertensive patients.

Exploration of anatomical distribution of brain metastasis from breast cancer at first diagnosis assisted by artificial intelligence

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the spatial distribution of brain metastases (BMs) from breast cancer (BC) and to identify the high-risk sub-structures in BMs that are involved at first diagnosis. MethodsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were retrospectively reviewed at our centre. The brain was divided into eight regions according to its anatomy and function, and the volume of each region was calculated. The identification and volume calculation of metastatic brain lesions were accomplished using an automatically segmented 3D BUC-Net model. The observed and expected rates of BMs were compared using 2-tailed proportional hypothesis testing. ResultsA total of 250 patients with BC who presented with 1694 BMs were retrospectively identified. The overall observed incidences of the substructures were as follows: cerebellum, 42.1 %; frontal lobe, 20.1 %; occipital lobe, 9.7 %; temporal lobe, 8.0 %; parietal lobe, 13.1 %; thalamus, 4.7 %; brainstem, 0.9 %; and hippocampus, 1.3 %. Compared with the expected rate based on the volume of different brain regions, the cerebellum, occipital lobe, and thalamus were identified as higher risk regions for BMs (P value ≤ 5.6*10−3). Sub-group analysis according to the type of BC indicated that patients with triple-negative BC had a high risk of involvement of the hippocampus and brainstem. ConclusionsAmong patients with BC, the cerebellum, occipital lobe and thalamus were identified as higher-risk regions than expected for BMs. The brainstem and hippocampus were high-risk areas of the BMs in triple negative breast cancer. However, further validation of this conclusion requires a larger sample size.

Разработка методологии создания энергоэффективных вентиляторов для аппаратов воздушного охлаждения

Introduction. Increasing the competitiveness of enterprises in the mining and oil and gas sectors of the Russian economy in combination with industrial safety requirements actualizes the task of developing a methodology for creating energy-efficient fans for air cooling devices with a dominant nature-like proportionality. Research methods and materials. The research method for creating adaptive fans is based on the scientific hypothesis of a nature-like proportionality in the aerodynamics of the profiles of the impeller blades. The results of the research. In the course of research, it was established that the most significant source of increasing the efficiency of AVO fan installations is an increase in the aerodynamic quality of the profiles of the blades of their impellers as the range of angles of attack increases. Discussion of research results. The use of modifications of conformal transformations with the proposed hypothesis of nature-like proportionality makes it possible to solve the problem of improving the aerodynamic quality of the blade profiles. Conclusions of the article. The creation of fans based on the principle of nature-like proportionality makes it possible to adequately and simultaneously with minimal energy costs ensure the necessary parameters of the cooling air and the stable efficiency of heat exchangers. Suggestions for practical application and direction of future research. The research results can be obtained when creating and modernizing a wide class of high-speed axial fans.

Coalition policy in multiparty governments: whose preferences prevail

AbstractIn coalition governments, parties need to agree on a common policy position. Whose preferences prevail? The proportionality hypothesis, the idea that coalition partners’ influence on policy is proportional to their share of seats, has been used widely in the literature on democratic representation, ideological congruence, and coalition politics. In my analysis of competing theories aimed at determining what influences policy compromise in multiparty governments, I reject the proportionality hypothesis. My results suggest instead that coalition partners exert equal influence on policy compromises, independent of their number of seats. More extensive analysis also provides evidence for increased party influence on policies when the party is the formateur or closer to the parliamentary median, ceteris paribus. As a by-product of my analysis, I provide a simple and better proxy for measuring a government's position when this position is not directly observable.

A Three-Parameter Hydrological Model for Monthly Runoff Simulation—A Case Study of Upper Hanjiang River Basin

Monthly hydrological models are useful tools for runoff simulation and prediction. This study proposes a three-parameter monthly hydrological model based on the proportionality hypothesis (TMPH) and applies to the Upper Hanjiang River Basin (UHRB) in China. Two major modules are involved in the TMPH: the actual evapotranspiration and runoff, in which the coupled water–energy balance equation and the proportionality hypothesis are used for calculation, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the proportionality hypothesis was extended to the partitioning of the available water into water loss and runoff at the monthly scale, which demonstrates that the ratio of runoff to its potential value is equal to the ratio of continuing water loss to its potential value. Results demonstrate that the TMPH model performs well when the NSE values are 0.79 and 0.83, and the KGE values are 0.86 and 0.78 for calibration period and validation period, respectively. The widely used two-parameter monthly water balance (TWBM) model and ABCD model are compared with the proposed model. Results show that TMPH performs better than TWBM model with NSE increased by 0.07 and 0.11, and KGE increased by 0.02 and 0.16, respectively, whereas the TMPH performs similarly as the ABCD model in the calibration period, and performs slightly better in the validation period, with NSE increased by 0.02, and KGE increased by 0.03. Sensitivity analysis show that the simulation result is most sensitive to parameter n, followed by SC and λ. In summary, the proposed model has strong applicability to the study area.

Relationship of Giving Complete Basic Immunization to the Nutritional Status of Toddlers at Integrated Healthcare Centre (Posyandu) of Unra Village, Awangpone District, Bone Regency

The toddler period is a very important period in the process of growth and development which is the basis for determining the quality of the nation's next generation. In addition, during infancy is also the most vulnerable to health problems. This is caused by several factors, one of which is immunization. Immunization is an effort to actively cause/increase a person's immunity against a disease, so that if one day they get the disease they will not get sick or only experience a mild illness. Nutrition is the process of using food normally consumed by an organism through the process of digestion, absorption, transportation, storage, metabolism and release of substances not used to sustain life. Nutritional problems in toddlers are very vulnerable to the incidence of infection, so that infection in toddlers often occurs in children who are not immunized, this is due to immunization as a preventive measure made to induce or actively increase a person's immunity against a particular disease and can prevent death every year in all age groups due to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and malnutrition. This research was conducted at Unra Village, Awangpone District, Bone Regency, on June 2022. This research used a cross-sectional approach with a sample size of 135 people. Determination of the sample using the different proportion hypothesis test formula. Data analysis techniques include univariate analysis and bivariate analysis with the chi square test. The results of the analysis revealed that from 138 respondents, 29.8% were stunted. Keywords: [Immunization, Toddlers, Nutritional Status]

Covid-19 Mortality: The Proportionality Hypothesis

Covid-19 Mortality: The Proportionality Hypothesis

Non invasive hemodynamic monitoring for fluids and blood resuscitation during placenta praevia accreta cesarean delivery: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundWe carry out a retrospective observational analysis of clinical records of patients with major placenta praevia who underwent cesarean section surgery over a period of 20 months in our hospital. Out of a total of 40 patients, 20 were subjected to Goal-Directed Therapy (GDT) implemented with non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring using the EV1000 ClearSight system (Group I) and 20 to standard hemodynamic monitoring (Group II). Given the risk of conspicuous blood loss, this study evaluate the impact on maternal and fetal health of GDT relative to standard hemodynamic monitoring.ResultsAverage total infusion of fluids was 1600 +/− 350 ml. Use of blood products occurred in 29 patients (72,5%), of which 11 had a hysterectomy and 8 were treated with Bakri Balloons. For 2 patients > 1000 mL of concentrated red blood cells were used. When stroke volume index SVI dropped below 35 mL/m2/beat, it responded well to the infusion of at least 2 crystalloid boluses (5 ml/kg) in 7 patients. Cardiac index (CI) increased in 8 patients in concomitance with a reduction in medium arterial pressure (MAP), but the use of ephedrine (10 mg iv) re-established acceptable baseline values. Group I means are higher than Group II means for MAP, lower for RBC usage, end-of-surgery maternal lactates and fetal pH, and for LOS. Statistical analysis determines that the null hypotheses of equalities between Groups I and II can be rejected for all measures apart from MAP at baseline and induction. Proportions of serious complications in Groups I and II are respectively 10% and 32% and Boschloo’s test rejects the null of equality of proportions against the alternative hypothesis of lower proportion of occurrence in Group I than in Group II.ConclusionsHypovolemia can lead to vasoconstriction and inadequate perfusion with decreased oxygen delivery to organs and peripheral tissues and ultimately cause organ dysfunction. Despite the small sample size due to the rarity of the pathology, our statistical analysis finds evidence in favor of more favorable clinical outcomes for patients who received GDT implemented with non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring infusion relative to patients who received standard hemodynamic monitoring.

Brain metastases from small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer: comparison of spatial distribution and identification of metastatic risk regions.

This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution difference of brain metastases (BM) between small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to identify the metastatic risk in brain regions. T1-enhanced MR images of 2997 BM from 728 eligible patients with SCLC and NSCLC were retrospectively reviewed by three independent medical institutions in China. All images were spatially normalised according to the Montreal Neurological Institute space, following BM delineation confirmed by three senior radiologists. The brain regions in the normalised images were identified based on the merged Anatomical Automatic Labeling atlas, and all BM locations were mapped onto these brain regions. Two-tailed proportional hypothesis testing was used to compare the BM observed rate with the expected rate based on the region's volume, and metastatic risk regions were finally identified. In SCLC and NSCLC, BM was mainly present in the deep white matter (22.51% and 17.96%, respectively), cerebellar hemisphere (9.84% and 7.46%, respectively) and middle frontal gyrus (6.72% and 7.97%, respectively). The cerebellar hemisphere was a high-risk brain region in the SCLC. The precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, paracentral lobule and cerebellar hemisphere were high-risk BM in the NSCLC. The inferior frontal gyrus and the temporal pole were a low-risk brain region in the SCLC and NSCLC, respectively. The spatial BM distribution between SCLC and NSCLC is similar. Several critical brain regions had relatively low BM frequency in both SCLC and NSCLC, where a low-dose radiation distribution can be delivered due to adequate preoperative evaluations.

A Modified Two-Parameter Monthly Water Balance Model for Runoff Simulation to Assess Hydrological Drought

Quantitative assessment of the frequency and magnitude of drought events plays an important role in preventing drought disasters and ensuring water security in river basins. In this paper, we modified a parsimonious two-parameter monthly water balance (TPMWB) model by incorporating the generalized proportionality hypothesis with precipitation and potential evapotranspiration as input variables. The modified TPMWB was then used to simulate the monthly hydrological processes of 30 sub-basins in the Han River basin. It is shown that the water balance model can satisfactorily simulate the hydrological regimes in the selected sub-basins. We derived the probability distribution functions of monthly runoff using the principle of maximum entropy to calculate the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI), and assessed the historical hydrological drought conditions. By investigating the correlation between four major drought characteristics (i.e., drought duration, drought severity, drought intensity, and drought inter-arrival time) and four dimensionless parameters representing the climatic and underlying properties of the basin, a conclusion can be drawn that the formation and development of hydrological drought in the Han River basin is mainly controlled by watershed storage factors, and the influence of climatic factors is also significant. The proposed approach provides a potential alternative for regional drought early warning and under changing environmental conditions.

Budyko-Type Models and the Proportionality Hypothesis in Long-Term Water and Energy Balances

In the perspective of Darwinian hydrology, Budyko hypotheses can be the foundation of approaches for developing models. Numerous Budyko-type models meeting established boundary conditions (water and energy limits) have been developed based on the Budyko hypothesis on the long-term-average annual mass and energy balance. Some of these models are grounded on empirical bases, while others have been formulated on sophisticated mathematical developments. We analyze the basic hypotheses underlying some Budyko-type models; we first describe some published models and then examine their underlying hypotheses in a hydrologically intuitive space (precipitation versus runoff). The analyses show that the models studied are a consequence of assuming that two parallel straight lines (of unit slope) of different intercepts are indeed equal (proportionality hypothesis). This hypothesis gives rise to different Budyko-type models that, although mathematically correct and meeting the limits (partially) related to the Budyko hypotheses, do not yield any information about what happens between those limits. To overcome the extreme energy limit, an expolinear model is introduced.

Improved global evapotranspiration estimates using proportionality hypothesis-based water balance constraints

Accurate estimation of global evapotranspiration (ET) is critical to understand the water and energy cycles in the Earth system. Satellite-driven ET algorithms serve as an effective way to estimate the global ET. However, many algorithms have been designed independently of water balance constraints, which potentially limit their ability to estimate ET in water-limited and high interception regions. As ET remains one of the most uncertain terms in the global water budgets, incorporating water balance constraints into algorithms should improve the performance of ET estimates. In this study, we developed a general solution (denoted PEW) based on the proportionality hypothesis to incorporate available water control into the widely used Priestley Taylor-Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL) ET algorithm. Simulated performances of the PEW model and PT-JPL algorithm were evaluated against 106 FLUXNET eddy covariance (EC) towers data at the site scale. Meanwhile, model results were compared at the global scale with the means of the widely used ET products. We found that the PEW model has smaller errors than the original PT-JPL algorithm, with the greatest improvements in water-limited regions and areas characterized by the high interception. Moreover, by incorporating the water balance constraints into the ET algorithm, the PEW model has the ability to distinguish variations in ET affected by El Nino-Southern Oscillation. In summary, our study offers a convincing evidence regarding the incorporation of water balance constraints into remote sensing algorithms for more accurately mapping global terrestrial ET with an enhanced understanding of ET variation under climate change. This model is the first of its kind among remote-sensing models to provide global land ET estimation with the proportionality hypothesis-based water balance constraints.

Association of Evaluated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Incident Diabetes Mellitus: A Secondary Retrospective Analysis Based on a Chinese Cohort Study.

BackgroundPrevious studies have revealed that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes. However, few studies are on the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and incident diabetes, especially in the Chinese population with eGFR>60 mL/min·1.73 m2. This study explored the relationship between eGFR and incident diabetes in a large cohort in the Chinese community.MethodsThis study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1,99,435 adults from Rich Healthcare Group in China were studied, including all medical records for participants who received a health check from 2010 to 2016. The target-independent and target-dependent variables were eGFR measured at baseline, and incident diabetes mellitus appeared during the follow-up. After testing the proportion hypothesis, Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the association between eGFR and incident diabetes. A Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting (the cubic spline smoothing) was used to identify non-linear relationships between eGFR and the risk of diabetes. Additionally, we also performed subgroup analysis and a series sensitivity analysis. It was stated that the data had been uploaded to the DATADRYAD website.ResultAfter adjusting gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), smoking and drinking status, and family history of diabetes, the result showed that eGFR was negatively associated with incident diabetes [HR = 0.986, 95% CI (0.984, 0.988)]. A non-linear relationship was detected between eGFR and incident diabetes, with an inflection point of eGFR of 98.034 mL/min·1.73 m2. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals (Cis) on the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.998 (0.993, 1.003) and 0.976 (0.972, 0.980), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association in the population with FPG <6.1 mmol/L, BMI <24 kg/m2, SBP <140 mmHg, DBP <90 mmHg and family history without diabetes. The same trend was also seen in women and the population who never smoke.ConclusionEstimated glomerular filtration rate is independently associated with incident diabetes. The relationship between eGFR and incident diabetes is also non-linear. eGFR is strongly related to incident diabetes when eGFR was above 98.034 mL/min·1.73 m2.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Tingkat Literasi Kesehatan Pasien Pelayanan Kedokteran Keluarga

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Introduction: Health literacy is crucial for health management, but still has become a problem in many countries. The objective of this study was to assess patient’s health literacy levels in Kiara Family Medicine Clinic of the Medical Faculty University of Indonesia and its determinants. Method: This was quantitative research with cross- sectional design. The population was all patients visiting the clinic during the data collection period. The samples were patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, chosen with consecutive sampling technique. Minimal sample size was counted using different proportion hypothesis test formula, results in minimum of 134 respondents. The independent variables were age, language, ethnicity, sex, level of education, length of education, occupation, income, access to health services, and health information access. The dependent variable was levels of health literacy.The instruments were questionnaires on health literacy determinats and Newest Vital Sign adapted in bahasa Indonesia (NVS-I). Univariate, bivariate (chi-square test), and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were conducted. Results: 27.4% of respondents had high health literacy level and 72.6% of respondents had low health literacy level. Factors associated with health literacy levels were health information access and length of education. The most dominant influencing factor of health literacy was accessibility to health information. Conclusion: Most of the patients had low health literacy level with NVS-I measurement. The factor most associated with health literacy level was health information access. More efforts are needed in promoting patient’s health literacy through improving health information access.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: family medicine, health information access, health literacy

Maximum likelihood estimation of two-sample population proportions under constraint on their difference

We derive the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of a population proportion when it differs from the same of a second population by a known value. This constrained MLE (CMLE) has a closed form in limited scenarios, which are completely characterized. These include the cases when the CMLE takes a boundary value in the parameter space. The existence of solution is established in the other cases and numerical methods are adopted in R and Excel to obtain the estimates solving a nonlinear equation. The standard error of the CMLE is estimated via bootstrap which also yields a confidence interval estimate; this is compared with a second method based on asymptotic distribution. The CMLE is of particular importance in the two sample testing of hypothesis of proportions based on independent samples, when these parameters differ by a non-zero value under the null hypothesis. Numerical computation establishes that the test statistic using the standard error based on this CMLE leads to a more reliable decision than the existing alternatives when the sample sizes are moderate to large.

Exploration of spatial distribution of brain metastasis from small cell lung cancer and identification of metastatic risk level of brain regions: a multicenter, retrospective study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the spatial distribution of brain metastases (BMs) from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) a homogenous sample, and to identify the metastatic risk levels in brain regions.MethodsT1-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from SCLC patients were retrospectively reviewed from three medical institutions in China. All images were registered to the standard brain template provided by the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) 152 database, followed by transformation of the location of all BMs to the space of standard brain. The MNI structural atlas and Anatomical Automatic Labeling (AAL) atlas were then used to identify the anatomical brain regions, and the observed and expected rates of BMs were compared using 2-tailed proportional hypothesis testing. The locations and sizes of brain lesions were analyzed after image standardization.ResultsA total of 215 eligible patients with 1033 lesions were screened by MRI, including 157 (73%) males and 58 (27%) females. The incidence of crucial structures were as follows: hippocampus 0.68%, parahippocampal 0.97%, brainstem 2.05%, cauate 0.68%, putamen 0.68%, pallidum 0.2%, thalamus 1.36%. No BMs were found in the amygdala, pituitary gland, or pineal gland. The cumulative frequency of the important structures was 6.62%. Based on the results of MNI structural atlas, the cerebellum, deep white matter and brainstem was identified as a higher risk region than expected for BMs (P = 9.80 ×10−15, 9.04 ×10−6), whereas temporal lobe were low-risk regions (P = 1.65 ×10−4). More detailed AAL atlas revealed that the low-risk regions for BMs was inferior frontal gyrus (P = 6.971 ×10−4), while the high-risk regions for BMs was cerebellar hemispheres (P = 1.177 ×10−9).ConclusionMany crucial structures including the hippocampus, parahippocampus, pituitary gland and thalamus etc. have low frequency of brain metastases in a population of SCLC patients. This study provides the help to investigate the clinical feasibility of HA-WBRT and non-uniform dose of PCI in a population of SCLC patients.

Variable formation plasticity matrices of a three-dimensional body when implementing a step loading procedure

Nowadays, the task of creating and improving computational algorithms for determining the stress-strain state (SSS) of technosphere objects and systems, taking into account the physically non-linear stage of operation of the material of structures and their elements, is quite relevant. A variational approach to the formation of a plasticity matrix at the loading step for a three-dimensional body is presented on the deformation theory of plasticity. A variant of obtaining the plasticity matrix using the operations of differentiating the covariant components of the stress tensor with respect to the covariant components of the strain tensor is considered. As an alternative to it, an option has been developed for the formation of a plasticity matrix at the loading step, based on the hypothesis of proportionality of the components of the deviator of stress increments to the components of the deviator of strain increments for three-dimensional bodies. The use of such option of forming a plasticity matrix at the loading step in software systems can significantly simplify the programming process and make it more understandable to potential users of computing systems in the design and reconstruction of technosphere objects and systems.

Horton Index: Conceptual Framework for Exploring Multi‐Scale Links Between Catchment Water Balance and Vegetation Dynamics

AbstractThis paper is motivated to understand the multi‐temporal scale characteristics of Horton Index (HI), an indicator of catchment‐scale plant water use defined as the ratio of catchment vaporization (total evapotranspiration) to catchment wetting (precipitation minus surface runoff). Based on the generalized proportionality hypothesis, we first develop an analytical framework of HI applicable at multi‐temporal scales as a single function of ecological aridity index (EAI), defined as the ratio of potential evapotranspiration to catchment wetting. We successfully validate this framework at the long‐term, annual, and monthly scales at 343 natural catchments over the conterminous United States under varying climate and vegetation regimes. We show that vegetation plays an important role in regulating not only the partitioning of catchment wetting into vertical vaporization and horizontal baseflow, but also further partitioning of vaporization into initial and continuing components. Aided by this framework, we reveal emergent space‐time similarity patterns between HI’s spatial (inter‐catchment, regional) and temporal (within‐catchment, inter and intra‐annual) variability. On the one hand, HI increases with EAI, both spatially and temporally, following similar trends predicted by the analytical framework. On the other hand, the slopes of HI ∼ EAI relationships, denoted as d (HI)/d (EAI), decreased with EAI both spatially and temporally and, again, following similar trends suggested by the analytical framework. These findings suggest the promising potential of Horton Index as a conceptual yet quantitative framework for improving understanding and modeling of multi‐scale ecological and hydrological processes and their interactions.

A comparison of insecticide susceptibility levels in 12 species of urban pest ants with special focus on the odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile.

Many ant species are pests in urban, agricultural, and natural habitats around the world. The primary means of reducing or eliminating ant infestations utilizes chemical control, mainly applications of residual insecticides. Control failures with residual insecticides are common, driven in part by a lack of understanding of basic biological and life history characteristics, including interspecific variation in susceptibility to insecticides. The current study evaluated the susceptibility of 12 species of urban pest ants to three classes of insecticides. Results show significant variation in susceptibility across species. Contrary to the hypothesis of proportionality, no significant relationship was detected between body mass and median lethal time (LT50 ) or time to 100% mortality. The odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) was consistently the least susceptible to all insecticides, as indicated by the highest LT50 values and the greatest amount of time required to reach 100% mortality. Comparatively low susceptibility to commonly used spray insecticides may explain why T. sessile is such a persistent pest. Broadcast applications of spray insecticides may kill off the most susceptible species, leaving behind T. sessile. Lack of competition from other ant species, combined with increased access to nesting and feeding resources may allow T. sessile to fill a vacant ecological niche and expand its range. Considering T. sessile's relatively low susceptibility to insecticides, its ability to become established in areas colonized by other invasive ants, and its highly invasive behaviors, it should be watched for by biosecurity programs as it has high potential to become a globally invasive pest. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.