Quantitative Analysis Of Factors Research Articles

Quantitative analysis of factors influencing damage to old-growth hemiboreal stands as a result of a catastrophic windthrow, based on remote sensing and merged data

The consequences of a catastrophic windthrow in a old-growth hemiboreal stands of the Kologrivsky Forest Reserve were investigated. The degree of damage to tree stands was assessed by interpretation of the Sentinel-2 satellite images. Data from the GBIF portal, SRTM global terrain height models, and tree stand heights were used for the quantitative analysis of factors affecting the presence of wind damage. It was found that tree stands on an area of 277.9 hectares (40.5% of the entire massif) were damaged by windthrow. The results of the analysis of height models and regression models showed that spruce stands are more vulnerable to wind damage, as well as stands of greater height or those growing at higher elevation on the ground.

Quantitative Analysis of Factors of Attrition in a Double-blind rTMS Study for Alzheimer Treatment.

Attrition is a particular concern in studies examining the efficacy of a treatment for Alzheimer disease. Analyzing reasons for withdrawal in Alzheimer studies is crucial to ruling out attrition bias, which can undermine a study's validity. In contrast, attrition in studies using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much less attention. Our goal was to identify any commonalities between participants who withdrew for the same reasons. Three independent coders rated each response concerning the reasons for withdrawal, and frequency tables were generated to characterize the participants within each category. This study was conducted on the 28 withdrawn cases from a 7-month study investigating the short-term and long-term therapeutic effects of rTMS for Alzheimer disease among 156 participants across 3 sites of the study. Seven reasons for withdrawal were identified, with health and medical changes being the most commonly reported reason (7 participants). Personal issues involving family or caregivers were the next most common (5 participants), and the remaining 5 categories consisted of 3 participants each. Although the limited sample size prevented the use of inferential statistics, our findings highlight the need for more transparent reporting of attrition rates and withdrawal reasons by rTMS researchers.

Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Damage to Old-Growth Hemiboreal Stands as a Result of a Catastrophic Windthrow, Based on Remote Sensing and Merged Data

Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Damage to Old-Growth Hemiboreal Stands as a Result of a Catastrophic Windthrow, Based on Remote Sensing and Merged Data

Heterogenization of microplastic communities in lakes of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau driven by tourism and transport activities

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has a booming tourism industry and an increasingly sophisticated road system. There is a paucity of studies quantifying the contributions of anthropogenic and natural factors to microplastic pollution in remote plateau areas. In this study, water and sediment samples were collected from eight lake tourist attractions and four remote lakes in northern and southern regions of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with a mean abundance of 0.78 items/L in water and 44.98 items/kg in sediment. The abundance of microplastics in the study area was lower than previously observed in more populated areas of China. Small-sized (<1 mm and 1–2 mm), fiber, and transparent microplastics were predominant, with polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics as the primary polymer types. The compositions of microplastic communities indicated that tourism and road networks were the major sources of microplastics in the lakes. Distance-decay models revealed greater influence of environmental distances on microplastic community similarity than geographic distance. Compared to climate factors, urban spatial impact intensity and traffic flow impact played a leading role in the structuring of microplastic communities in lake water and sediment. Our findings provide novel quantitative insights into the role of various factors in shaping the distribution patterns of microplastic communities in plateau lakes.

Automatic detection of active geohazards with millimeter-to-meter-scale deformation and quantitative analysis of factors influencing spatial distribution: A case study in the Hexi corridor, China

With the escalation of global climate change and human activity, geohazards become increasingly frequent which cause severe casualties and property losses to local communities. To alleviate this situation and provide scientific guidance for risk reduction, it is imperative to address some of the basic questions related to geohazards, including: i) how to detect active geohazards (AGs) rapidly and automatically over a wide area; ii) how to determine the region with a high level of hazard activity; iii) what are the primary conditioning factors (CFs) of AGs; and iv) do factors operate independently or are they interconnected. To tackle these issues, we propose a universally applicable framework for wide area automated detection of AGs. The framework is based on multi-source Earth observations which capture surface deformation ranging from millimeters to meters. Our study has focused on the Hexi Corridor (HXC) in Gansu Province, China, covering an area of 210,000 km2 with a length of 1100 km. First, we construct an AGs database for the HXC with high automatic and rapid update capabilities, including a total of 4492 AGs (3652 active landslides and 840 land subsidence areas). Second, using the Geographic Detectors method, we determine the primary CFs including elevation, land surface temperature, and precipitation. We find that faults exert greater control over very slow-moving landslides, but are less effective over slow-moving landslides. Third, we analyzed the interactive effects of dual CFs on geohazard actives. Any interaction effect of dual CFs contributes to the bivariate enhancement of geohazard activity. This study significantly enhances the capabilities of the wide area automated detection of AGs, and provides a crucial dataset for hazard prediction and mitigation along the HXC.

Farmers’ futures: an application of the Delphi method in the context of Finnish agriculture

In Finland, agriculture is practiced in variable growing conditions that are further challenged by climate change and under external pressure caused by international competition, changing consumer preferences and demands, and the renewal of the European Union Common Agriculture Policy and Paris Agreement climate targets. Futures studies in agriculture have focused on scenario building with expert panels, though usually without farmers’ involvement. This study focuses on farmers’ views of shaping the future of Finnish agriculture. It builds on the disaggregative Delphi method and combines interviews and a representative survey of Finnish farmers. The study is based on a bottom-up process in which a farmer panel of 20 farms defined their views of the future in a semi-structured thematic interview. The views were turned into statements in a structured survey sent to the second panel, which comprised all Finnish farmers who had received agricultural subsidies in 2016, with 4401 respondents. The results were analyzed using quantitative factor analysis, which produced five future images for Finnish agriculture. The images were shown to the original farmer panel for reflection. They considered the probability of each future image and their own role in it. Technology solves as a future image was most favored by farmers, followed by Ecological and specializing small-scale production image. Business-as-usual was the least likely future images according to the interviewed farmers. This paper describes the process and discusses both methodological benefits and pitfalls, as well as farmers’ future views of the forthcoming decades.

Numerical study and orthogonal analysis of optimal performance parameters for vertical cooling of sintered ore

The sinter cooler, essential for cooling hot sintered ore to a specific temperature, has seen recent advancements with the introduction of a vertical sinter cooling furnace. This innovation aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve waste heat recovery. Despite significant research, a quantitative analysis of factors impacting its cooling and heat transfer efficiency is lacking. This study utilizes the Euler model and local non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory to identify key factors affecting the gas–solid cooperative cooling process in the vertical cooler. Through an orthogonal experimental approach, the paper determines the optimal structural and operational parameters for the furnace. Key findings include that a gas–solid ratio of 1200m^3/t, inlet air temperature of 50 ℃, cooling section height of 6m, and diameter of 13.25m maximize efficiency, achieving a weighted range normalization value of 0.962. This configuration meets sintered ore cooling requirements while optimizing waste heat recovery. The study reveals that the impact on heat transfer efficiency is influenced primarily by the gas–solid ratio, followed by the cooling section's height, diameter, and inlet air temperature. These insights are crucial for enhancing the vertical sinter cooler's design, contributing to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly sintering processes.

Assessing Student Satisfaction and Improving Efficiency: A Study on University Cafeteria

ABSTRACT Background The university cafeteria is a crucial element in shaping students’ dining experiences and their physical well-being. This study was conducted at a public university in Bangladesh. Purpose This research has a dual purpose: firstly, to assess student satisfaction with the university cafeteria using key indicators and secondly, to identify critical factors influencing this satisfaction through advanced data analysis employing recursive feature elimination (RFE). The ultimate goal is to enhance cafeteria services, align them with student preferences, and boost overall satisfaction. Methods Data collection involved 150 paper-based questionnaires with mixed data types, including questions based on prior research assessments. The model-building process included the chi-squared test and the recursive feature elimination process. Results The study identifies 12 factors significantly affecting cafeteria food satisfaction, with four factors having a notable impact: meal type and freshness, staff attitude, and wait length. Discussion This research highlights the interconnectedness of seemingly distinct cafeteria factors and their potential to influence health outcomes. Practical recommendations are made for improving cafeteria efficiency and adapting to changing student needs. Translation to Health Education Practice Health education interventions aimed at enhancing the cafeteria experience for university students should include a quantitative analysis of factors impacting students’ overall cafeteria satisfaction.

Quantitative Analysis of Factors of Terrorist Activities: A Systematic Review

Quantitative Analysis of Factors of Terrorist Activities: A Systematic Review

Olympic Games and expectations: The factor analysis model about Olympic Urbanism and Olympic Villages

Editions of the Olympic Games have given rise to an important urban transformation that has opened a new critical perspective on the new urban dimension of the Games, especially in the construction of the three main physical elements: the athletics stadium, swimming facilities and, above all, the «Olympic Village». The study analyses the Winter and Summer Olympic Games in a general way, with particular attention to the relationship between the Olympic spatial dimension and the urban fabric. The relationship of interdependence between the city and the Olympic Games has evolved through new models of development of the Olympic event that have marked the importance of the transformation processes of the city. The lack of previous studies allows us to affirm the importance of the study for the academic debate on the future of the Olympic Village. The study used quantitative factor analysis to investigate the different variables and responses of the Olympic specialists who participated in the sample. The study will observe the perceptions and expectations of respondents through statistical analysis, considering the three elements identified: social, territory and organization.

Factors that are perceived as supporting or hindering active school travel (AST): go-along interviews with primary school children and their parents

ABSTRACT Children’s school journeys can provide a daily source of physical activity, social interaction, and independence. Many studies focus on quantitative analyses of factors influencing active school travel (AST) from an adult-centric perspective. This study analyses children’s and adults’ perspectives on school travel behaviour and route perceptions using qualitative walking interviews. We conducted 14 go-along interviews with primary school children and their parents along different routes to school in Leipzig, Germany. We transcribed the interviews, analysed the factors perceived to support or hinder AST and mapped the route perceptions. The results of our study provide detailed insights into individual, family and route environment-related factors of AST. Perceived traffic safety along the routes was most relevant for all parents we interviewed. The other factors differed according to the mode of transport and accompaniment. Children who regularly walk to school report on numerous positively perceived places, e.g. associated with social interaction, play, and hiding activities. Our findings suggest that enabling children to gain positive experiences along their routes might be a chance to increase active and independent school travel.

A locally explained heterogeneity model for examining wetland disparity

ABSTRACTIdentifying the factors influencing wetland variations is crucial for understanding the relationship of climate change with wetland conservation and management. The wetland distribution is associated with multiple variables, and the interactions among these variables are complex. In this study, we aim to explore an interpretable and quantitative analysis of factors related to wetland spatiotemporal variations on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). By combining SHapley Additive exPlanations with a spatially stratified heterogeneity model, we propose a locally explained stratified heterogeneity (LESH) model that well reveals the effects of multiple variable interactions on the spatiotemporal variations of wetlands. The results show that topographic variables are the most important variables related to the spatial distribution of wetlands on the TP, and climatic variables are the most relevant factors for the increase in the wetland area on the TP from 2015 to 2019. In addition, the interactions among multiple variables strongly influence wetlands on the TP. Among them, when other geographic variables interact with the evaporation variable, its explanatory power on wetland distribution is significantly increased. Knowledge of wetland distribution determinants can help us understand the evolution of wetlands and the impacts of climate change on wetland variations.

How do socioeconomic differentiation and rural governance affect households' land transfer decisions? Evidence from China

AbstractIn rural areas, social and economic differentiation profoundly impact rural development patterns, which, in return, impacts rural village social and economic structures and the land transfer decisions of rural households residing within the village. Research on agricultural land transfer has rarely been discussed under the lens of the differentiated socioeconomic structure of rural villages, as well as rural governance capacities. This paper contributes to the existing body of research on the determinants of rural land transfer by examining the role of village socioeconomic differentiation and rural governance based on a quantitative analysis of factors at different scales. The results show that: (1) compared with clan‐based unity structure, kinship‐based split structure and dispersed structure have a positive effect on household land out‐transfer and a negative effect on land in‐transfer. (2) The homogeneity of residents had a negative impact on out‐transfer, while the financial revenue of the village had significant positive influences on households' out‐transfer. (3) The higher the trust in cadres and the evaluation of the local government, the greater the tendency of households to transfer land in, but none of this effect is significant. (4) The socialized agricultural services and the share of non‐farm have significant effects on land transfer. Moreover, households with better geographical conditions, such as those near the county capital and towns, are more likely to transfer their land out. These findings offer significant insights for the management of agricultural scale and the revitalization of rural areas in China, while also offering valuable ideas for the implementation of differentiated agricultural control and rural governance policies in other countries.

20-Year Ecological Impact Analysis of Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage through Land Use

Changes in the spatial pattern of land use are inextricably linked to the ecosystem environment, and the assessment of regional eco-environment quality can help provide sustainable and healthy development strategies for heritage management organizations. In this study, based on RS and GIS technologies, we quantitatively analyzed the characteristics of land use changes in the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage site from 2000 to 2020, and introduced the regional eco-environment quality assessment index for quantitative factor analysis. The results show that: (1) The heritage site is mainly dominated by forest and shrub, with more aggregated cropland, and impervious surfaces in the buffer zone. The area of shrub has increased during the 20-year period, occupying 12.63% of the total transferred area. Cropland has been basically converted to forest, accounting for more than 60% of the total transferred area, followed by shrubs, which have been basically transferred to ecologically better land types. (2) By analyzing the attitude of motivation, forest, shrub, and water have positive values, while cropland, grassland, and impervious surfaces have negative values. Grassland has the largest absolute value of kinetic attitude, and the smallest is for water. The integrated dynamic attitude is basically maintained at 24%, showing a state of rapid and then stable land category conversion. (3) Over the past 20 years, the regional eco-environment quality index has been stable between 0.68 and 0.71, and shows a trend of rapid growth and stabilization, which is consistent with the comprehensive attitude. The conversion between cropland, forest, and shrubs is the main cause of ecological improvement and deterioration. Overall, the relevant conservation measures at the site and China’s corresponding responses to global climate change have led to a stabilization and increase in the regional ecological quality of the site. The management measures of the relevant authorities have begun to bear fruit, but further promotion of the sustainable development of the site is needed to provide a scientific model for the conservation of other karst heritage sites.

A quantitative analysis of factors related to adolescent cybervictimization in Spain: A multilevel logistic regression approach

Building on ecological systems theory, this study seeks to explain cybervictimization as the result of interactions among microsystems (parents and close friends), mesosystems (the school environment), and potential vulnerability factors of adolescents. Internet addiction is proposed as a key risk factor that increases adolescents’ likelihood of suffering cyberbullying. A multilevel logistic regression is performed using data from a nationally representative sample of school students in Spain aged 14–18 years (n = 35,369). The survey was carried out by the Spanish Government’s Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs. Results show that high levels of Internet addiction and a lack of support from family and friends increase the probability of suffering cyberbullying. The association between being cyberbullied and Internet addiction is stronger when students lack support from family and friends. School factors such as academic grades and repetition as well as vulnerability factors such as parents’ employment and immigrant status are also associated with higher cybervictimization levels. Implications for policymakers and public health managers are highlighted.

Vanishing meadows — Quantitative analysis of factors driving population declines of endangered butterflies

There is a growing number of alarming reports indicating serious declines in biodiversity of invertebrates, mostly manifested through loss of local populations and abundances, and prognosing their regional extinctions. Proper defining of threats is crucial for the effective conservation of endangered species and valuable habitats. Nevertheless, while typically such threats are broadly recognized, their long-term quantitative assessments are rarely available. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the main drivers of population dynamics and habitat loss of two endangered butterfly species of the genus Phengaris within an extensive semi-urban landscape with 70 initial habitat patches. Over two decades of the study, almost half of the habitat patches remained abandoned, whereas a quarter was directly destroyed through conversion to build-up areas. The latter process was most harmful to butterfly numbers, although it occurred only outside Natura 2000 protected sites. Besides, afforestation works, even if rare, caused significant declines in local populations of the investigated butterflies. Similarly, the meadow abandonment led to decrease in butterfly numbers and their local extinctions due to habitat loss. Meadows were threatened mostly by direct human destruction. The habitat area decreased nearly by 15 %, of which ca. 2/3 suffered direct destruction by built-up, especially in most recent years. As meadows are one of globally threatened terrestrial biodiversity hotspots, and meadow abandonment is partially reversible, there is an urgent need to implement conservation-oriented management of remaining fragments as an effective tool ensuring the persistence of these habitats and their species communities.

A quantitative analysis of factors which influence supplement use and doping among adolescent athletes in New Zealand.

Doping is a maladaptive behaviour which poses numerous risks and potentially enhances athletic performance while supplement use poses threats of positive, yet inadvertent, doping control results. Investigation is required to understand factors that influence adolescent supplement use and doping in New Zealand (NZ). A survey was completed by 660 athletes aged 13 to 18 years, of any gender, who competed at any level of any sport in NZ. Forty-three independent variables measured autonomy, confidence sources, motivational climate, social norms and age. Multivariate, ordinal, and binary logistic regression models measured associations between independent variables and five dependant variables: supplement use, doping, doping considerations and intent (soon and in the next year). Confidence through mastery, internally perceived locus of control (IPLOC) and volition decreased the odds of doping while confidence through self-presentation, subjective and descriptive norms increased the odds of supplement use and doping. To decrease the odds of doping, adolescent autonomy should be increased in sport through opportunities for volitional decision making and exposure to mastery as a confidence source.

Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Financial Management among Village Community Banks’ Beneficiaries in Mbeya City, Tanzania

The present study investigated factors that influence participants’ financial administration in Village Community Banks (VICOBA) in Mbeya City. The study employed an experimental research design in which a cross-sectional sample of 100 respondents was collected using both closed and open-ended interview schedules. The study employed STATA in data analysis where descriptive and quantitative outputs were obtained. Findings showed that age, marital status, and personal decisions of VICOBA beneficiaries were positively correlated and significant with financial management at p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01 levels, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that household size, experience, and financial literacy were inversely correlated and statistically significant with financial management at p&lt;0.01 level. It was therefore concluded that age, marital status, and personal decisions of beneficiaries have a positive influence on financial management contrary to household size, experience, and financial literacy. It is therefore recommended that beneficiaries should optimize personal decisions for sustainable financial management contrary to household size and experience.

Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Secondary School Students' Satisfaction with the "Double Reduction" Policy: A Perspective on EGRA

Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Secondary School Students' Satisfaction with the "Double Reduction" Policy: A Perspective on EGRA

An Improved Python-Based Image Processing Algorithm for Flotation Foam Analysis

For industrial flotation foam image processing, accurate bubble size measurement and feature extraction are very important to optimize the flotation process and to improve the recovery of mineral resources. This paper presents an improved algorithm to investigate mineral flotation foam image segmentation for mineral processing. Several libraries implemented for the Python programming language are used for image enhancement and compensation, quantitative analysis of factors influencing the image segmentation accuracy, and suggestions for improvement of the flotation foam image processing. The bubble characteristics-size and morphology-and the influence of the flotation conditions on the flotation foam image are analyzed. A Python implementation of the Retinex image compensation method-region-adaptive and multiscale-is proposed to address known issues of uneven illumination and shadows affecting flotation foam images, thereby improving brightness uniformity. Finally, an improved version of the watershed segmentation algorithm included in the Python Open Source Computer Vision library is used for segmentation analysis. The accuracy of the flotation foam image segmentation is 3.3% higher than for the standard watershed algorithm and the segmentation time is 9.9% shorter.