Rank Order Correlation Research Articles

Socio-demographic Factors and Alienation among Workers in a Nigerian University: A Correlational Analysis

This correlational study examined socio-demographic variables and job alienation among workers in the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Anchored on equity theory, which assumes that alienation occurs when workers are not treated fairly as they expect, data for the study were generated through a 33-item structured questionnaire administered to two hundred and sixty-three (263) respondents. Eight (8) hypotheses were formulated and tested using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation (Spearman rho). Results show that age, gender, marital status, tenure, staff type, and job type positively predict alienation, whereas education and pay/salary negatively predict alienation. In summary, socio-demographic variables predict job alienation. Importantly, management should consider seriously and prioritise the socio-demographic variables of their workers in its bid to stem job alienation and promote job involvement and other positive job behaviours. For instance, education or training of workers on new skills and technology can make them feel less alienated in their jobs. In all, effective and proactive human resource management is needed in controlling socio-demographic variables to achieve decreased job alienation or increased job involvement.

Longitudinal pathways of associations between motor proficiency and physical fitness during earlier and later childhood: The NW-CHILD study.

Understanding the relationships between motor proficiency (MP) and physical fitness (PF) is important for the future health of children, although longitudinal findings of this nature are limited. This study explored the association between MP and PF during earlier childhood (6 and 9 years old) and later childhood (12 years old) in boys and girls. A stratified and randomized research design including a baseline and two follow-up time-point measures (2010, 2013, and 2016) were used. Primary school children (N = 374, boys = 178; girls = 196) were tested with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor-Proficiency-2, Short Form, and the Test of Gross Motor Development- 2, at ages 6 and 9 years, and with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test at age 12. Spearman Rank Order Correlations and stepwise regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Although of a low magnitude, proof of a dynamic longitudinal, but a stable relationship between MP and PF were found and with different gender-specific relationships in this pathway of association. A small but significant percentage of variation in PF at 12 years could be explained by overall motor competence (MC) and object control skills (OCS) at the ages of 6 and 9 years. Among girls, the association with PF at 12 years was influenced by both OCS, and MC, although only MC contributed to the variation found in boys. Socio-economic status made an insignificant contribution at 6 years to later PF in boys, but not in girls. MC, including OCS during early and middle childhood can be considered as possible triggers of physical activity which again, can increase PF during later childhood. Obtaining early competence in these developmental areas is therefore important to promote positive and sustainable trajectories of health with long-term health outcomes.

A Survey of Awareness and Compliance With Occupational Safety and Health Programs Among Contractors and Field Workers in Negros Oriental

The study aimed to determine the contractors’ and field workers’ awareness of and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Programs (OSH) in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The respondents were eight (8) contractors and fifty-six (56) field workers from randomly selected contractors. The study is descriptive as it aimed to illustrate the level of the respondents’ awareness of and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Programs. It is also correlational as it investigated the relationship between two variables: (a) the extent of the field workers’ awareness of and compliance with OSH Programs and (b) OSH compliance and accident rates in the construction site. The researcher used a validated questionnaire and applied statistical tools such as weighted mean, percentage, and Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation to treat the data. The findings underscore commendable levels of awareness among the personnel, although challenges leading to noncompliance are identified. Notably, many field workers attribute non-compliance to discomfort with wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Considering these insights, the study offers recommendations aimed at enhancing safety practices for both the implementing office (DPWH) and contractors.

A Survey of Awareness and Compliance With Occupational Safety and Health Programs Among Contractors and Field Workers in Negros Oriental

The study aimed to determine the contractors’ and field workers’ awareness of and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Programs (OSH) in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The respondents were eight (8) contractors and fifty-six (56) field workers from randomly selected contractors. The study is descriptive as it aimed to illustrate the level of the respondents’ awareness of and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Programs. It is also correlational as it investigated the relationship between two variables: (a) the extent of the field workers’ awareness of and compliance with OSH Programs and (b) OSH compliance and accident rates in the construction site. The researcher used a validated questionnaire and applied statistical tools such as weighted mean, percentage, and Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation to treat the data. The findings underscore commendable levels of awareness among the personnel, although challenges leading to noncompliance are identified. Notably, many field workers attribute non-compliance to discomfort with wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Considering these insights, the study offers recommendations aimed at enhancing safety practices for both the implementing office (DPWH) and contractors.

Scaffolding Students’ Difficulties in Addition and Subtraction of Integers Through Game-Based Instruction

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Integer Math Maze and Intego Card Game in teaching and learning the addition and subtraction of integers. The study also covered the level of the students’ enjoyment of utilizing these game-based instructions. The subjects of the study were the 41 Grade 10 students who were grouped into two based on their prior knowledge of mathematics and were randomly assigned to different interventions. The study utilized the Cluster Randomized Trial (CRT) under the experimental type of research. Mean, Spearman Rank Order Correlation, and a t-test for independent and dependent data were used as statistical tools. The researchers used a validated questionnaire to gather data. The findings of the study indicate that the students lack the foundational skills in integer operations. However, a significant improvement in their performance was observed after the utilization of the game-based instructions. The study further revealed that the level of the students’ enjoyment of the game-based instructions was “very high.” The data from this study indicated that, to scaffold students' difficulties with the various operations of integers, educators and curriculum implementers should examine how well students perform when given game-based instruction.

Mathematics Teachers’ Strategies for Improving Students’ Critical Thinking Skills

This study aimed to determine mathematics teachers’ extent of utilization of strategies in terms of asking questions, analyzing situations, interpretation of data, and panel discussions in improving students’ critical thinking skills. It also examined the level of critical thinking skills of students as well as its relationship to the enumerated strategies. The researchers utilized the descriptive-correlation design and employed the systematic sampling technique in identifying the 320 junior high school respondents from grade 7 to grade 10 of the school year 2023 to 2024 of the four secondary schools of Lazi District in the Division of Siquijor. The researchers used adapted and validated questionnaires and employed mean and Spearman Rank Order Correlation for the data treatment. The findings revealed that the teachers’ extent of utilization in terms of the following strategies is “high”: (a) asking questions, (b) analyzing situations, (c) interpreting data, and (d) panel discussion. It was also found that the level of students’ critical thinking skills is “high”. The data further indicated that the mentioned strategies are significantly related to students’ level of critical thinking skills. These findings implicate that teachers are able to employ teaching strategies that are beneficial for improving the critical thinking skills of the students in the field of Mathematics. By incorporating these strategies, the teachers are creating an engaging and intellectually stimulating learning environment.

Assessment of Stakeholders’ and Universities’ Goal Congruence

This study was with the view of providing information on goals integration that could mitigate the incidence of crises in the universities. It delineated the individual goals of the stakeholders and the institutional goals; also examined the relationship between the individual goals of the stakeholders and goals of public universities in Osun State. The study adopted a correlational survey design. The population comprised students, academic staff members, non-teaching staff members and parents of public university in Osun State. Data collected were analysed using frequency count, percentages, graph and Spearman’s rank order correlation statistic. From the findings, the institutional goals were intellectual development, research among others. The individual goals of the stakeholders of the public universities in Osun State were earning for livelihood, production of independent minded citizens among others. The study showed that there was a moderate correlation between undergraduate education (university goal) and impartation of values into students (individual staff goal), (rs = 0.429**, n = 216, p < 0.05), besides 0.429 > 0.264, so the null hypothesis was rejected. There was also a moderate correlation between student scholarship and scientific research (university goal) and scholarship (individual student goal), (rs= 0.444**, n=2023, p < 0.05), besides 0.444 > 0.264, so the null hypothesis was rejected. The study concluded that aligning personal goals of the stakeholders with the goal of universities through creation of interactive atmosphere between stakeholders and the university management and creating peaceful environment for workers and students would boost industrial peace in universities.

School start times and their association with rurality in British Columbia, Canada: An environmental scan.

Since later school start times are associated with increased sleep duration, our objectives were to identify mean school start times, the proportion of schools that start at 08:30 am or later, and determine if rurality was associated with school start times. We conducted web searches for start times of 1759 standard schools in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Schools were categorized as elementary, elementary-middle, middle, middle-high, or high school and linked to an Index of Remoteness. We calculated descriptive statistics and used Analysis of Variance to assess for start time differences by grade category. We used Spearman's rank-order correlation to assess if there was a relationship between start time and rurality. We found start times for 1553 (88.2%) of the included schools. The mean start time was 08:40 am (SD = 0:15) and ranged from 07:10 am to 09:45 am. There was a significant effect of grade category on start time, F (5, 1600) = 6.03, p < .001, η 2 =.02, 95% CI [.006, .031] such that elementary-middle schools started significantly earlier (M = 08:34 am, SD = 0:17) than other grade categories. Overall, 1388 (86.4%) schools started at 08:30 am or later. Rurality was significantly correlated with school start time (r = -.198), such that more rural schools started earlier. For the most part, school start times in BC meet recommendations that support childhood and adolescent sleep. Future research is needed to understand factors that promote the successful implementation of delayed school start times.

Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire Scores Highlight Specific Benefits of Adjunctive Glottoplasty With Voice Therapy in Treating Voice Feminization.

Treatment options to assist patients to produce a more perceptually feminine voice include voice therapy (VT) and surgeries to elevate pitch such as the Wendler glottoplasty (WG). The Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) is a validated quality of life measure for trans women's self-reported perceptions of their voice and is frequently administered before and after such interventions. The 30 statements broadly pertain to how feminine a patient feels their voice is, how effortful it is to produce their voice, and how their voice impacts them psychosocially, making it a useful and specific outcome measure when treating trans females for voice concerns. To compare quality of life outcomes between VT and VT with adjunct WG (VT+WG) based on changes in ratings of individual statements on the TWVQ. A retrospective case series of 31 trans female patients treated was completed. A total of 17 patients underwent VT and 14 underwent VT with adjunctive WG. Ratings for each of the 30 TWVQ statements were compared before and after treatment for each group. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare rating changes before and after treatment. Spearman rank-order correlation tests were used to assess the association between total TWVQ score and "current voice" rating. WG was associated with statistically significantly improved ratings for every statement on the TWVQ except one. In contrast, VT was associated with statistically significant improvements in 16 of the 30 statements, which largely pertained to patient emotions surrounding their voice rather than physical aspects such as pitch and dysphonia. Furthermore, while both WG+VT and VT improved the "current voice" rating significantly, WG improved the score by nearly 1 unit more. Lastly, we found a positive association between the total TWVQ score and current voice rating, indicating that lower scores were associated with more self-perceived feminine-sounding voices (P < 0.01). Both VT and VT+WG result in improvements in the TWVQ. The specific statements on the TWVQ offer insight into specific quality of life treatment outcomes, with VT associated with improvements in mostly psychosocial aspects of voice production and VT+WG with both psychosocial and physical aspects.

Educational exploration of Generation Z’s systems thinking tendencies and green consumer values

University agricultural educators are challenged to employ innovative approaches to prepare undergraduates in agriculture and natural resources to address complex global problems while understanding interconnected systems. Undergraduates, current members of Generation Z (Gen Z), prefer environmental sustainability and innovation, but solutions for addressing these preferences in educational settings remain elusive. Exploring Gen Z’s environmental consumption values and how those values relate to their systems thinking tendencies may provide university educators with insights on how to best educate Gen Z students. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Gen Z students’ green consumer values and systems thinking tendencies. Data were collected using a web-based survey instrument of 68 undergraduate students at the University of [state]. Findings revealed respondents somewhat agreed they had green consumer values and respondents often used systems thinking when seeking to make an improvement. A Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient indicated a positive, yet weak, association between systems thinking tendencies and green consumer values. The association necessitates further exploration. University agricultural educators should incorporate systems thinking educational tools into classrooms so Gen Z students can effectively engage in systems thinking when addressing complex agricultural issues, like sustainability. Additional implications for systems thinking teaching are explored.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND CONSUMPTION OF JUNK FOOD AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF DISTRICT SIALKOT

The principal cause of early death throughout the world is cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It has been found that, in young adults, high blood pressure (BP) is considered a significant public health concern, with approximately 26.4% of global prevalence. A diet containing junk food is the preliminary cause of obesity, which leads to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in adults. The risk factors are prevailing at an alarming rate and have affected university students' physical and mental health. Moreover, these health concerns have caused low productivity among students as well. This problem has not been studied and analyzed in sufficient profundity. This cross-sectional and correlational study investigated the relationship between fast food consumption, obesity, and hypertension among university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of three hundred participants aged twenty-five to forty. To calculate the BMI, the weight and height of the participants were measured, along with the measurements of their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and age, through standard tools and procedures. Their dietary intake was assessed using a questionnaire of food intake that records a 168-hour food intake. The study results revealed that significant positive correlations of high strength between fast food consumption and obesity were found using Spearman rank order correlations (rs = 0.81) and moderate strength of positive correlation between frequent fast-food consumption and hypertension (rs = 0.58). The resultant conclusion of the study shows that junk food is strongly linked with obesity and prehypertension. The findings of the study can reduce the prevalence of obesity and hypertension.

Academic Procrastination and its Association with Academic Achievement among Undergraduate Health Sciences’ Students

Background: Academic procrastination is the postponement of educational activities. Most university students try to keep themselves away from academic activities which might lead to procrastination and unsatisfactory performance. Objective: To assess the level of academic procrastination and its association with academic performance and the demographic characteristics of undergraduate students. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study using a convenient sampling technique was conducted on 250 health sciences undergraduate students at Sohail University, Karachi, Pakistan from August to October 2022. Ethical approval and data collection permission were obtained. The Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students was used to gather data. The SPSS version-24 was used for statistical analysis. Simple descriptive statistics, spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient tests and independent sample t-test was applied. Results: Mostly participants (53.6%) were female, 93.2% were single, and 46 % in the generic nursing program and 54% were in 3rd &amp; 4th year. Students’ academic performance was insignificant with all the domains except writing a term (p-value 0.22, 0.5, 0.26, 0.37, 0.31 and 0.041 respectively). A significant relationship of students’ gender, education level and study program with academic procrastination was found (p-value 0.004, 0.021 and 0.002 respectively). Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Pharm-D programs did not show as much procrastination as compared to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program (p-value 0.021). Conclusion: This study showed the considerable behaviour of procrastination among undergraduates. There was a significant association between writing a paper and academic achievement. In addition, academic procrastination was significantly associated with gender and the enrolled program of the participants.

Students’ Life Concerns and Graduate School Journey

Pursuing graduate studies is a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and sometimes challenging. Thus, this study examined the life concerns likely to contribute to the students’ graduate school journey. The study was conducted in the College of Graduate Studies, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines, utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, with respondents recruited from the master's and doctoral degree programs. Relevant data were collected using survey questionnaires prepared in Google Forms. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, and the Spearman rank-order correlation. Results showed that the current study sample found their graduate school journey slightly good. Study findings revealed further that two demographic factors - age and work positions, were found negatively correlated with the graduate school journey, and this implies that younger graduate students tend to have better graduate school experience than older ones; and students holding supervisory positions have struggling graduate school experience. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between work-related concerns and graduate school experience. Overall findings pinpoint the need for graduate school practitioners to consider initiatives that address students' life concerns and likewise formulate policies and guidelines that may provide them with a support system that helps students find their graduate school journey smooth, happier, and fulfilling.

Promotional Language (Hype) in Abstracts of Publications of National Institutes of Health–Funded Research, 1985-2020

Investigators applying for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding increasingly use promotional language (or hype) that has the potential to undermine objective evaluation. Whether or not the same investigators use hype in subsequent research reports has yet to be investigated. To assess changes in the use of hype in journal abstracts reporting research funded by the NIH and to compare those trends with previously reported trends in the associated NIH funding applications. This cross-sectional study assessed trends (from 1985 to 2020) in the use of promotional adjectives in abstracts of journal articles reporting NIH-funded research, and then compared those trends with previously reported trends for the associated NIH funding applications. Articles included in analyses had abstracts available in PubMed. Absolute change for the 139 adjective forms that have previously been identified as representing hype in NIH funding applications was measured as the difference in frequency between 1985 and 2020. Relative change was measured as the percentage change in frequency in 2020 relative to 1985, or the first year of occurrence. Consistency of change was measured by the rank order correlation (Kendall τ). Concordance between longitudinal trends in the journal abstracts and NIH funding applications was measured by the rank-order cross-correlation. In a total of 2 394 480 journal abstracts, all 139 adjective forms were identified in 2 793 592 total occurrences. Among these adjectives, 133 increased in absolute frequency by 5335 words per million (wpm), with a mean (SD) relative increase of 1404% (2371%). The largest absolute increases were for novel (524 wpm), important (414 wpm), and key (378 wpm). The largest relative increases were for scalable (22 wpm [19 964%]), unmet (23 wpm [12 126%]), and tailored (40 wpm [8169%]). The mean (SD) correlation for all adjectives was 0.70 (0.30) with 95 adjectives showing a strong positive correlation (τ > 0.7; P < .001), 24 a moderate positive correlation (0.5 < τ < 0.7; P < .001), and 3 a moderate negative correlation (-0.5 < τ < -0.7; P < .001). The mean (SD) cross-correlation was 0.64 (0.19) with 61 of the 139 adjectives showing a strong positive cross-correlations (τ > 0.7; P < .001), 53 a moderate positive cross-correlations (0.5 < τ < 0.7; P < .001), and 3 a moderate negative cross-correlation (-0.7 < τ < -0.5; P < .001). In this analysis of journal abstracts reporting NIH-funded research from 1985 to 2020, levels of promotional language were found to be increasing and trends were closely associated with previously reported trends in the related NIH funding applications. This suggests that increasing levels of salesmanship may in part be a downstream effect of salesmanship infused during earlier stages of the research cascade.

CORRELATION OF SHOULDER RANGE OF MOTION WITH LOWER EXTREMITY PERFORMANCE AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

Abstract More than one-third of older adults have mobility limitations. Yet the impact of shoulder dysfunction on lower extremity performance is only nascent in description. We tested the hypothesis that shoulder range of motion (ROM) correlates with lower extremity performance. Data were collected from 26 community-dwelling older women (80.8%) and men aged ≥ 65 years (mean±standard deviation=71.9±5.3 years) enrolled in a pilot study at one time point. Bilateral shoulder ROM testing for forward flexion (FF), abduction (ABD), and adducted external rotation (Add-ER); and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait speed (GS), 6-meter narrow walk test (6M-NWT), and stair climb power test (SCPT) were performed. The sum of bilateral FF, ABD, and Add-ER was determined (Total-ROM) for each participant. Spearman’s rank-order correlation (rho) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to measure the strength and direction of correlation for Total-ROM with the mobility outcome measures. The study sample demonstrated Total-ROM, 709.5° ± 80.1°; SPPB score, 10.9 ± 1.3; GS, 1.2 ± 0.2 m/s, 6M-NWT time, 7.3 ± 3.9 s; and SCPT, 240.7 ± 90.7 watts. Total-ROM correlated with: SPPB 0.56 (0.22,0.78), p=0.003; GS, 0.59 (0.27,0.80), p=0.001; SCPT, 0.54 (0.20,0.77), p=0.004; and 6M-NWT, -0.63 (-0.82,-0.33), p&amp;lt; 0.001. The results provided preliminary evidence that shoulder ROM correlates moderately with measures of lower extremity performance in community-dwelling older adults. Future studies are warranted in older populations to test for the longitudinal association of shoulder ROM with lower extremity performance and to determine if treatment of shoulder dysfunction provides effective prehabilitation to mitigate age-related declines in mobility.

Relationship between Head Teacher's Motivation Strategies and Teacher's Performance in Secondary Schools in Serere District

Globally, teacher performance is a significant challenge for education, necessitating effective strategies to combat low morale and ensure adequate school performance (Gitonga, 2012). This study investigated the relationship between headteacher motivation strategies and Teacher Performance in secondary schools in the Serere district. Head teachers in Serere District are faced challenges such as lack of supervision, low assessment, absenteeism and non-participation in school activities, leading to a 50% decline in performance. Research was needed to understand the relationship between motivation strategies and teachers’ performance. With a sample size of 246 respondents, including head teachers and teachers, a cross-sectional correlation survey methodology was employed.The Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was utilized to analyze the data that were collected through surveys.The results showed a favorable relationship between head teachers' motivation and secondary school teachers' performance in the Serere district, suggesting that accommodations, salary increases, and capacity building encourage teachers to work hard.The research findings indicated a positive association between the motivational strategies employed by head teachers and the performance of teachers in secondary schools within the Serere District. The study suggested that additional policies should be introduced to bolster and sustain the existing framework of head teachers' motivational strategies. It further recommended revisiting and refining policies related to their implementation to foster continuous improvement in teachers' performance. Additionally, the study proposed the exploration of further research avenues to delve into motivation strategies and teachers' job satisfaction in secondary schools specifically within the Serere District

The β-Blocker Carvedilol and Related Aryloxypropanolamines Promote ERK1/2 Phosphorylation in HEK293 Cells with K A Values Distinct From Their Equilibrium Dissociation Constants as β 2-Adrenoceptor Antagonists: Evidence for Functional Affinity.

The determination of affinity by using functional assays is important in drug discovery because it provides a more relevant estimate of the strength of interaction of a ligand to its cognate receptor than radioligand binding. However, empirical evidence for so-called, "functional affinity" is limited. Herein, we determined whether the affinity of carvedilol, a β-adrenoceptor antagonist used to treat heart failure that also promotes extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, differed between these two pharmacological activities. Four structurally related β-adrenoceptor antagonists (alprenolol, carazolol, pindolol, propranolol) that also activated ERK1/2 were included as comparators to enhance our understanding of how these drugs work in the clinical setting. In HEK293 cells stably expressing the human β 2-adrenoceptor carvedilol and related aryloxypropanolamines were partial agonists of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with potencies ([A]50s) that were lower than their equilibrium dissociation constants (K Bs) as β 2-adrenoceptor antagonists. As the [A]50 of a partial agonist is a good approximation of its K B, then these data indicated that the affinities of carvedilol and related ligands for these two activities were distinct. Moreover, there was a significant negative rank order correlation between the [A]50 of each ligand to activate ERK1/2 and their intrinsic activities (i.e., as intrinsic activity for ERK1/2 phosphorylation increased, so did affinity). Genome editing revealed that the transducer that coupled the β 2-adrenoceptor to ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to carvedilol and other β 2-adrenoceptor antagonists was Gαs. Collectively, these data support the concept of "functional affinity" and indicate that the ability of the β 2-adrenoceptor to recruit Gαs may influence the affinity of the activating ligand. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In HEK293 cells overexpressing the human β2-adrenoceptor carvedilol and four related aryloxypropanolamines behaved as β2-adrenoceptor antagonists and partial agonists of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with rank orders of affinity that were distinct. These data imply that carvedilol and other β-blockers can stabilize the β2-adrenoceptor in different affinity conformations that are revealed when functionally distinct responses are measured. This is the basis for the pharmacological concept of "functional affinity."

Artificial Intelligence-Based Prediction of Renewable Energy Sources Using Correlation Testing

The purpose of renewable energy to generate power and change the composition of the energy mix is becoming more popular in today’s world. The competition of solar power plants in the energy market and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels for socio andeconomic growth are both facilitated by solar energy forecasting, which is a critical component. To overcome this issue, we presented an Adaptive sea lion optimized genetic adversarial network (ASLO-GAN) method. The purpose of the ASLO-GAN method is to predict the renewable energy sources. The dataset of renewable energy sources (RESs) is collected from kaggleand then the collected dataset is preprocessed using decimal scale normalization. When extracting the data, the spearman rank-order correlation (SROC) method is utilized so undesirable data can be omitted from the process. The simulation results include RMSE, MAPE, R-square, CV(RMSE) and NMBE that are evaluated. The main key findings of NMBE were compared to other traditional approaches in order to show the validity and repeatability of the inquiry.

Oxidative Stress Participates in Age-Related Cataract Formation by Disrupting Connection between Lens Epithelial Cells through c-Src/VEGF Pathway

Purpose To observe the effects of oxidative stress on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connections of lens epithelial cells. Methods Human lens epithelium of patients with age-related cataract (ARC), both SRA01/04 cells and whole mice lens stimulated by H2O2 were employed. VEGF in human aqueous humor of ARC-patients and the supernatant of SRA01/04 cells was determined by ELISA. The expressions of VEFG in human lens epithelium were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Multiple linear regression analysis and spearman rank-order correlation were used to determine the associations between VEGF and parameters of ARC individuals. In H2O2-induced SRA01/04 cells, Catalase (CAT), PP1 (inhibitor of c-Src kinase) and Avastin (VEGF antibody) were used to inhibit the effects of H2O2, activation of c-Src kinase and VEGF, which were detected by Western blot. The alterations of ZO-1 and N-cadherin were tested by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. In H2O2-induced whole lens, the changes of opacification area in different treatment of inhibitors were observed. Results The secretion of VEGF in aqueous humor and expression of VEGF in the lens epithelium of ARC patients increased significantly with age. In H2O2-induced SRA01/04 cells, the VEGF in the supernatant was increased with the culture duration and the dose of H2O2. The expressions of p-Src418 and VEGF were also up-regulated, whereas the expressions of ZO-1 and N-cadherin were down-regulated. CAT effectively prevented these changes induced by H2O2, while PP1 inhibited not only p-Src418 but also up-regulation of VEGF, Avastin partially inhibited VEGF up-regulation. Both PP1 and Avastin prevented down-regulation of ZO-1 and N-cadherin, respectively, but Avastin combined with PP1 had no significant synergistic effects. In H2O2-induced cataract, CAT prevented development of opacification area effectively, and PP1 and Avastin did partially. Conclusions Oxidative stress disrupts connections of lens epithelial cells by activating c-Src/VEGF, inhibiting which may prevent cataract.

The Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia Is Reliable and Valid in the Telehealth Setting for Patients With Cerebellar Ataxia.

Health care has increasingly expanded into a hybrid in-person/telehealth model. Patients with a variety of health conditions, including cerebellar ataxia, have received virtual health evaluations; however, it remains unknown whether some outcome measures that clinicians utilize in the telehealth setting are reliable and valid. The goal of this project is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) for patients with cerebellar ataxia in the telehealth setting. Nineteen individuals with cerebellar impairments were recruited on a voluntary basis. Participants completed 2 30-minute testing sessions during which a clinical examination and the SARA were performed. One session was performed in person, and the other session was assessed remotely. Outcome measure performance was video recorded in both environments and independently scored by 4 additional raters with varying levels of clinical experience (ranging from 6 months to 29 years). Concurrent validity was assessed with the Spearman rank order correlation coefficient (α < .05), comparing the virtual SARA scores to their gold standard in-person scores. Interrater reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,4) (α < .05). Fourteen of the 19 participants completed both in-person and telehealth SARA evaluations. We found that the in-person SARA and the telehealth SARA have large concurrent validity (Spearman rho significant at the 2-tailed α of .01 = 0.90; n = 14). Additionally, raters of varying years of experience had excellent interrater reliability for both the in-person SARA (ICC [2,4] = 0.97; n = 19) and the telehealth SARA (ICC [2,4] = 0.98; n = 14). Our results show that the telehealth SARA is comparable to the in-person SARA. Additionally, raters of varying years of clinical experience were found to have excellent interrater reliability scores for both remote and in-person SARA evaluations. Our study shows that the SARA can be used in the telehealth setting for patients with ataxia.