Reliable Coefficients Research Articles

Absolute rate coefficients for dielectronic recombination of Na-like Kr25+

The absolute rate coefficients for dielectronic recombination (DR) of sodiumlike krypton ions were measured by employing the electron-ion merged-beam technique at the heavy-ion storage ring CSRm at the Institute of Modern Physics in Lanzhou, China. The measured DR spectrum covers the electron-ion collision energy range of 0--70 eV, encompassing all of the DR resonances due to $3s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3p$ and part of the DR resonances from $3s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3d(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}n=0)$ and $3s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4l(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}n=1)$ core excitations. A series of peaks associated with DR processes have been identified by the Rydberg formula. The experimental DR results are compared with the theoretical calculations using a relativistic configuration interaction flexible atomic code and the distorted-wave collision package autostructure. A very good agreement has been achieved between the experimental results and the theoretical calculations by considering the strong mixing among the low-energy resonances in both calculations. The experimentally derived DR spectrum is then convolved with a Maxwellian-Boltzmann distribution to obtain the temperature dependent plasma recombination rate coefficients and compared with previously available results from the literature. The present experimental result yields a precise plasma rate coefficients at the low temperature range up to $\ensuremath{\sim}1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and the calculated data by Altun et al. [Z. Altun, A. Yumak, N. R. Badnell, S. D. Loch, and M. S. Pindzola, Astron. Astrophys. 447, 1165 (2006)] provide reliable plasma rate coefficients at high temperature range above $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$.

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MUSCLE TISSUE OF YOUNG PIGS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH CERTAIN BIOCHEMICAL INDICATORS OF BLOOD SERUM

The article presents the results of studies of the physicochemical properties of the muscle tissue of young pigs of the large white breed, taking into account their intrabreed differentiation by some biochemical parameters of blood serum, and the correlation links between the signs are determined. The control fattening of young pigs of large white breed was carried out in the conditions of the farm according to the "Methodology for assessing boars and sows for the yield of offspring in the minds of breeding plants and breeding reproducers". In the blood serum of 5-month-old animals, the cholesterol content (mmol/l) and the concentration of total lipoproteins (mg%) were determined. The physicochemical properties of the longest back muscle (m. Longissimus dorsi) were studied taking into account the following indicators: "water-holding capacity, %", "active acidity 24 hours after slaughter (pH), acidity units", "color intensity, units extract х 1000", "tenderness, s "and" losses during heat treatment, %". Biometric processing of the obtained data was carried out according to generally accepted methods using the Data Analysis software module in Microsoft Excel. It was found that the biochemical parameters of blood serum (cholesterol content (mmol/l) and the concentration of total lipoproteins (mg %) in young pigs of the Large White breed correspond to the physiological norm of clinically healthy animals. The number of samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle (m. Longissimus dorsi) of the category "high quality "according to the indicators" tenderness, s "and" water-holding capacity, % "is 9.09 %, according to the" color intensity, units. х 1000" – 18.18 %. Reliable coef-ficients of pair correlation are established between the following pairs of signs: concentration of total lipoproteins х active acidity 24 hours after slaughter (pH) (+0.618), concentration of total lipoproteins х water-holding capacity (+0.712), cholesterol content х tenderness (+0.726), cholesterol content х losses during heat treatment (+0.784). Key words: muscle, tissue, young pigs, blood, biochemical parameters, serum.

A Technic for Ground Anchor Force Determination from Distributied Strain Using Fiber Optic OFDR Sensor with the Rejection of a Temperature Effect

Anchor systems are widely used to stabilize soil slope and suppress slope failure. Thus, monitoring conditions of an anchor system is important to prevent disasters due to slope failure. The slope condition can be indirectly monitored by sensing the tensile force applied to the anchor because the slope deformation directly affects the anchor force. Previously, we propose a way to monitor the tensile force of the anchor by measuring the strain field on a bearing plate using a distributed fiber optic sensor (OFDR) and experimentally demonstrate that the anchor force has a large correlation with the strain distribution on the bearing plate. However, it was found that a spatial variation of the strain and thermal strain due to temperature change makes it difficult to get a reliable correlation coefficient. In this study, we newly propose a way to get a reliable correlation coefficient between the anchor force and the strain field on the bearing plate. We install a distributed optical fiber sensor in two concentric circles on the bearing plate and measure circumferential strain distribution. We take average values of the strain field in each circle as representative strain values minimizing the spatial variation and takes a difference of the two strains to exclude the temperature effect. We experimentally demonstrate that the proposed method gives a reliable correlation coefficient between the anchor force and the strain field on the bearing plate. This technique can be applied to various anchor systems to monitor the anchor force and manage the anchor systems safely.

Characterizing Ion Transport in Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions for Li-Ion and Li- Metal Batteries

A majority of ionic conductivity in current state-of-the-art liquid electrolytes results from the movement of the anion rather than the electrochemically active Li+ ion. Passing current through such an electrolyte can cause severe ionic concentration gradients to extend into porous electrodes, which at high currents can reduce active material utilization and result in high overpotentials that cause deleterious side reactions to occur (e.g., Li plating on graphite electrodes). The severity of these concentration gradients is directly influenced by the transference number (t+), which describes the ratio of current carried by the electrochemically active Li+ ion to the total current passed. Non-aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions (PESs) are a promising, but underexplored, route to high transference number electrolytes that demonstrate potential for both high ionic conductivity and t+. This combination is achieved by anchoring the anion to a polymer backbone – allowing for high t+ by slowing down the motion of the electrochemically inactive anion – while maintaining high ion conductivity through improved ion dissociation and solvent-mediated Li+ transport. New measurement techniques are necessary to rigorously understand ion-transport and structure-property relationships in this new class of electrolytes.Rigorously measuring the complete set of transport properties of concentrated liquid electrolytes under battery-relevant operating conditions is difficult and sparsely explored in experimental liquid electrolyte literature. Complete transport characterization is particularly challenging for novel electrolytes and additives where cost or synthetic complexity limit the volume of available electrolyte. In particular, small volume characterization is necessary for polyelectrolyte solutions, in order to study many different polymer concentrations and molecular weights. Major challenges limiting full ion transport characterization in liquid systems include significant corrosion of Li metal in the presence of electrolyte solvents, large and unstable interfacial impedance, and difficulty in establishing sufficiently small concentration gradients to ensure measurement validity while maintaining high signal to noise ratio data.In this presentation, we will discuss efforts to understand and address these challenges. Using techniques amenable to small electrolyte volumes, we rigorously measured liquid electrolyte transport properties, including the ideal solution Bruce-Vincent transference number, total salt diffusion coefficients, activity coefficients, and the true transference number under battery-relevant conditions using Newman’s concentrated solution theory framework. While our long-term objective is to fully characterize Li-triflimide-appended polyelectrolyte solutions, we initially attempt to develop the methodology on the well-studied liquid electrolyte system of LiPF6 in an ethylene carbonate:ethyl methyl carbonate blend. Using rigorous statistical analysis, we found that transport coefficients obtained via these measurements were consistently not in agreement with those reported in the literature and prone to significant variation depending on data fitting methodology. We believe the discrepancy can largely be attributed to parasitic corrosion reactions and large interfacial resistances at the lithium electrodes, which appear to dominate at the low current densities necessary to maintain sufficiently small concentration gradients. These experimental findings are supported by COMSOL Multiphysics modeling studies. Additional experimental studies incorporating stabilizing additives indicate that simply improving Li stripping/plating coulombic efficiency does not allow for accurate transport coefficient measurements. This reveals a major roadblock in characterizing liquid electrolyte systems, as methods that rely on Li metal stripping/plating do not readily result in reliable liquid electrolyte transport coefficients, unlike similar methods for solid polymer electrolytes. These results have important implications across the electrolyte engineering field that often relies on similar tests to screen electrolyte candidates.

Characterization method for calculating diffusion coefficient of drug from polylactic acid (PLA) microneedles into the skin

Microneedles are designed for piercing the stratum corneum and delivering drugs into the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. Their micrometric dimension causes minor or negligible stimulations to sensory nerve fibers in the dermis layer of the skin, making drug administration through microneedles less painful compared to conventional hypodermic needle injection. With the advancement of microneedle related research, an increasing number of drugs are using microneedle-mediated drug delivery in the topical area of the skin, including localized delivery of some highly toxic drugs. It is essential to understand drug diffusion from microneedles to skin to avoid unwanted spread of toxic drugs in non-infected areas.This work aims to 1) deliver into the skin tissue fluorescent rhodamine B as a model drug from coated polylactic acid (PLA) microneedles and dissolvable microneedles; 2) detect and depict the concentration distribution of the model drug from two types of microneedles into the skin tissue respectively; 3) determine a reliable diffusion coefficient of the model drug based on a constant source diffusion model and a limited source diffusion model for dissolvable microneedles and coated PLA microneedles, respectively. Dissolvable microneedles and coated PLA microneedles were designed and fabricated by a novel methodology combining 3D printing, chemical etching, micro-molding and drop coating. Rhodamine B was chosen as the model drug to enable fluorescent detection. Two types of microneedles were mounted to a single patch and inserted into porcine skin to deliver the model drug. After microneedle removal, confocal microscopy was used to monitor the fluorescence intensity of rhodamine B in the skin tissue. Based on an intensity-concentration calibration and two diffusion models, the diffusion coefficients of rhodamine B from the constant source (dissolvable microneedles) and limited source (coated PLA microneedles) to the dermis layer of porcine skin were inferred to be from 3.1×10−8 to 3.6×10−8 cm2/s. This characterization method is expected to offer medical personnel a quantitative understanding of the diffusion process related to microneedle-mediated transdermal drug delivery.

The influence of fractionation of REE-enriched minerals on the zircon partition coefficients

Zircon is widely used to simulate melt generation, migration and evolution within the crust and mantle. The achievable performance of melt modelling generally depends on the availability of reliable trace element partition coefficients (D). However, a large range of DREE values for zircon from natural samples and experimental studies has been reported, with values spanning up to 3 orders of magnitude. Unfortunately, a gap of knowledge on this variability is evident. In this study we model the crystallization processes of common REE-bearing minerals from granitic melts and show that the measured zircon DREE would be elevated if there is crystallization of REE-enriched minerals subsequent to zircon. Nevertheless, compared to zircon DREE values measured from experimental studies, this mechanism appears to have a less significant influence on those from natural granite samples since the quantity of crystallized REE-enriched minerals is very low in natural magmatic systems and/or most of them crystallize prior to zircon. Combined with recently published studies, this work supports that analysis of natural zircon/host groundmass pairs provides more robust DREE values applicable to natural systems than those measured from experimental studies, which can be used to constrain the provenance of detrital zircons.

Validitas dan Reliabilitas Skala Psikologis Percaya Diri untuk Mengukur Tingkat Percaya Diri Siswa SMK Kota Kediri

Self confidence is a beliaef that exists in individuals that is able to behave as what is needed in order to get results in accordance with what is needed in order to get results in accordance with what is expected. The form of confidence is shown by; believe in personal abilities, independent, positive self-concept, show up personal opinions. Self confidence is important in personality of SMK students, because SMK education preparing students to enter the workforce and developing professional attitudes. The purpose of this study is to increase self confidence of SMK students in Kediri by using the GURU Process. The validity and reliability is important instruments is carried out to obtain accurate and accountable data in order to determine the level of confidence of SMK students in Kediri. This article is limited just results of validity and reliability from this scale. Based on the results of the validity test distributed to 50 students, 21 valid items with a reliable coefficient of 0.814. Based on the validity and reliability test of the instrument, this scale can be used to measure the self confidence of SMK students in Kediri at the next research stage. 
 Key Word: psychological self confident scale, self confident, GURU process

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ФЕРМЕНТАТИВНОГО ДЕГИДРИРОВАНИЯ ОРГАНИЧЕСКИХ ВЕЩЕСТВ В ПОЧВАХ, ЗАГРЯЗНЕННЫХ ТЯЖЕЛЫМИ МЕТАЛЛАМИ

The influence of heavy metals of hazard classes I (Pb, Cd, Zn) and II (Cu) on the dehydrogenase activity of soils, which plays an important role in the transformation of organic matter in them, was studied. An annual model experiment was carried out on three types of medium-loamy soils (gray forest, typical chernozem, urbanozem) with the introduction of different doses of lead and cadmium in the form of acetic acid salts, zinc and copper in the form of sulfates. A decrease in the intensity of dehydrogenation of organic substances with an increase in the dose of the studied metals on 3, 90, 180 and 360 days from the beginning of the experiment was revealed. This was confirmed by reliable correlation coefficients, which were in the range (-0.63) – (-0.99) at p ≤ 0.05. This pattern was already evident at minimal doses of pollutants. An increase in the content of toxicants increased the inhibitory effect. Lead in different doses reduced the intensity of the processes of dehydrogenation of organic substances by 28-46%, cadmium by 4-42%, zinc by 2-35%, copper by 3-45%. During the experiment, the type of soil with greater resistance of dehydrogenases to pollutants was not identified. In annual dynamics, the intensity of dehydrogenase reactions decreased in gray forest soil by 4-40% and typical chernozem by 4-32% and in urbanozem by 3-45%. The processes of transformation of organic compounds in soils are dynamic in time and proceeded differently depending on their type and metal. The established regularities in the change of dehydrogenase activity allow us to recommend it as a criterion for assessing the negative impact of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper on the dehydrogenation of organic substances in soils due to enzyme systems.

Detection of ochratoxin A by quantum dots-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic metabolite produced mainly by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. A quantitative method was developed for the rapid, simple, and sensitive detection of OTA in corn by quantum dots-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (QDs-ICA). The CdSe/ZnS QDs-labelled anti-OTA monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugates were designed as the fluorescent signal probe. The QDs-ICA included the designation of test line (T line) and control line (C line), which were sprayed with optimal concentrations of the OTA-OVA and staphylococcal protein-A (SPA), respectively. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the QDs-ICA exhibited excellent specificity and good accuracy and precision. For qualitative detection, the cut-off value for the T line of the visual detection method was 2.5ng/mL. For quantitative detection, the linear regression equation of the standard curve was y = 0.366x + 0.514 with a reliable correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.992). Moreover, the 50% inhibition value (IC50) of the QDs-ICA was 0.91ng/mL, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.07ng/mL, and the detection range was 0.05 to 10ng/mL. In addition, the recovery rates ranged from 91.82 to 100.35% with a coefficient of variation (CV) below 3% for intra-assay, whereas the recovery rates for inter-assay changed from 94.29 to 104.62% with a CV below 10%. These results indicate that the QDs-ICA can serve as a potential large-scale preliminary device for rapid determination of OTA. Using CdSe/ZnS QDs as the fluorescent signal for quantum dots-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay, the QDs-ICA provided a novel method for the rapid simultaneous qualitative and quantitative determination of OTA.

A comprehensive diffusion mobility database comprising 23 elements for magnesium alloys

Reliable experimental diffusion coefficients of 10 key alloying elements in Mg obtained by the present authors together with experimental data in the literature enabled us to perform a systematic test of the reliability of diffusion coefficients obtained from DFT calculations. The computed activation energy values were found to be quite accurate (mostly within 0.2 eV) but the computed pre-factors were less reliable. Such insights allowed us to develop a practical and yet robust strategy to perform diffusion mobility assessments by adopting the computed activation energy while fitting only the pre-factor when available experimental data are limited to a narrow temperature range. The overall good agreement between the DFT data and experimental data also gave us the confidence to employ the computed data for those that were still missing or inaccessible from experimental measurements. A systematic assessment of both the measured and computed diffusion data in hcp Mg was performed using the above holistic approach to yield the most comprehensive open Mg mobility database to date, comprising 23 elements (Mg, Ag, Al, Be, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, In, La, Li, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pu, Sb, Sn, U, Y, Zn). This more reliable mobility database will contribute to future development of advanced Mg alloys. The holistic approach developed in this study will be very beneficial to the future establishment of reliable mobility databases for other alloy systems as well.

Modeling Runoff and Sediment Yield in Highly Gullied Regions of Kashmir using SWAT Model: A Case Study of Lolab Watershed

Soil erosion in highly gullied regions of Kashmir valley is a serious global issue due to its impacts on economic productivity and environmental consequences such as land disintegration and one of the most affected areas is Lolab which is flood-prone and has witnessed several disastrous floods in the past. This means assessment of hydrological behavior should be highly prioritized and the most problematic sub-basins contributing to the erosion and excessive runoff identified to formulate and apply proper management strategies. This study integrated the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with Arc software to simulate the runoff and sediment yield of Lolab Watershed. The method was applied due to its flexibility in inputting data requirements and the capability to model larger catchments and mountainous areas. Meanwhile, sensitivity analysis showed the most sensitive four parameters for runoff estimation with the initial soil conservation service curve number II rated to be the highest and two others were found for sediment estimation with channel erodibility factor rated highest. The calibration of the values of these sensitive parameters led to the provision of reliable NashSutcliffe (NSE) and Coefficient of determination(R2) efficiencies which makes SWAT a good analyzing tool to assess the hydrological behavior of highly gullied region and un-gauged basins of Kashmir. These factors were found to be above 0.90 for both runoff and sediment yield and the sediment yield rates were estimated using SWAT at individual sub-basin levels after which a prioritization map was prepared to determine the most problematic sub-basins in the watershed.

Analysis of air humidification process for humid air turbine cycle with a detailed air humidifier model

Humid Air Turbine (HAT) cycle is one of the most efficient humidified gas turbine cycle that shows the potential to be competitive with combined cycle The humidifier is the distinctive component of the HAT cycle, and the air humidification process is of significance for the overall performance. However, due to the lack of reliable mass transfer coefficient, the existing theoretical model of the humidifier cannot reflect the actual humidification process. This work focuses on a method to estimate the heat transfer coefficient for the humidification process based on experimental data. The global and local mass transfer coefficients are obtained, respectively. The results show that the segmented simulation with the local mass transfer coefficients (SL-2) is significantly better than the overall simulation with the global mass transfer coefficients (SL-1). The mass transfer coefficient (hD) distributed along the height of the humidifier is obtained. At the bottom and the top of the humidifier, the sensible heat transfer and the latent heat transfer dominates the air humidification, respectively. In the packing segment of the humidifier, the heat transfer has low effectiveness of 43%, but the exergy efficiency is 96%. At the top and bottom of the humidifier, the effectiveness of heat transfer is higher than 70%, but the exergy efficiency at the bottom of the humidifier is lower than 20%. Adopting appropriate inlet air and water temperature are the available methods to reduce the exergy loss. The thermodynamic analysis in this work can provide a basis for optimizing HAT cycle configuration and humidifier structure.

A Gel Pad Designed to Measure Muscle Volume Using Freehand 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography.

We developed an innovative gel pad that covers the entire lower leg to remove artifacts due to the pressure of the transducer in freehand 3-dimensional ultrasonography. In comparison to the reference method in water, this study showed that this new method was valid (bias, 3.4 mL; limit of agreement, 7.7 mL for a volume of ≈220 mL) and reliable (coefficient of variation, <1.1%) for the measurement of gastrocnemius medialis muscle volume. Considering that it is easier to use than the water tank technique, it has much promise for volumetric measurement of many muscles.

Diffusion Coefficients and Phase Equilibria of the Cu-Zn Binary System Studied Using Diffusion Couples

The diffusion behavior and phase equilibria in the Cu-Zn binary system were investigated using solid–solid and solid–liquid diffusion couples. Heat treatments at temperatures ranging from 100 to 750 °C were performed and the samples were examined using optical microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and electron probe microanalysis to identify the phases and to obtain composition profiles. Solubility limits of both solid solution and intermetallic phases were then evaluated, and a forward-simulation analysis (FSA) was applied to extract interdiffusion coefficients. The composition profiles from Hoxha et al. were also re-analyzed using FSA to obtain more reliable diffusion coefficient data without the assumption of constant diffusion coefficients for the intermetallic phases. A comprehensive assessment of the interdiffusion coefficients in three intermetallic phases of the Cu-Zn system was performed based on the results from the current study as well as those in the literature. Activation energies and Arrhenius pre-factors were evaluated for each phase as a function of composition. The fitted equations based on the comprehensive assessment have the capabilities of computing the interdiffusion coefficients of each of the phases at a given composition and temperature. Suggested modifications to the Cu-Zn binary phase diagram were presented based on the new experimental information gathered from the present study. A clear explanation is provided for the puzzling low Zn concentrations often observed in the Cu-rich fcc phase of Cu-Zn diffusion couples in comparison with the expected high solubility values based on the equilibrium Cu-Zn phase diagram.

Effect of radiation damage on the migration behaviour of europium implanted into polycrystalline SiC at RT, 350 °C and 600 °C

In this work, the effect of radiation damage on the migration behaviour of europium (Eu) implanted into polycrystalline SiC was investigated. Polycrystalline Silicon Carbide (SiC) substrates were separately implanted with europium (Eu) ions of 270 keV to a fluence of 1 × 1016 cm−2 at room temperature (RT), 350 °C and 600 °C. The samples were thermally annealed at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1400 °C in steps of 100 °C for 5 h in vacuum. The as-implanted and annealed samples were characterized by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) to monitor the depth profile of the implanted Eu, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy to monitor surface morphology and structural changes respectively. Raman results indicated that a full amorphization was achieved in the room temperature implanted samples but not in the 350 and 600 °C implanted samples. The radiation damage gradually annealed out with increasing annealing temperature in all implanted samples; however, the full re-crystallization was not achieved up to the highest temperature. The broadening of Eu depth profile indicated some diffusion mechanism taking place in the room temperature implanted sample up to 1300 °C annealing temperature was observed. The diffusion coefficients were determined as 0.015, 0.033 and 0.035 nm2/s for samples annealed at 1000 °C, 1100 °C and 1200 °C, respectively. The 350 °C implanted sample indicated a similar form of diffusion mechanism taking place after annealing at 1000 °C, with no further peak broadening taking place at higher temperatures. A diffusion coefficient of 0.019 nm2/s was obtained at this temperature. A diffusion behaviour due to broadening after annealing at 1100 °C and higher temperatures was also observed in the 600 °C implanted sample which retained most of the implanted Eu. Due to the error limit of our RBS system, no reliable diffusion coefficients could be extracted for this sample.

Exploring the Relationships of Grading Assessment Learning Perceptions Scales to Perceived Added Education Value Required Course Business Scales

This study’s purposes were to: develop added education value required business course scales; and investigate their relationships to four grading assessment learning perception (GALP) scales. Using a sample of spring, 2018, n = 944, graduating business undergraduates, three reliable (coefficient alpha) added education value required business course scales were identified: Lower-level Foundation (.92), Business Administration (.88), and Quantitative (.84). The Quantitative scale had a higher perceived added education value (Mean, M = 4.38 out of 6), versus Lower-level Foundation (M = 4.22), and Business Administration (M = 3.97). However, the relationships for three of the four GALP scales, i.e., exam, individual engagement, and team, were significantly stronger to the Business Administration scale, and the average correlation (r) across all GALP scales was higher to the Business Administration scale (r = .36) versus the Lower-level Foundation (r = .28) and Quantitative (r = .20) scales. Part of curriculum assessment should involve measuring the perceived added education value of each required course, in any school or college, not just business. This can represent a significant portion of a student’s investment in a degree. It is hoped that this study will stimulate continued research on the development of added education value scales. (198 words)

Comparison of Ridge Regression and Least Squares Methods in the Presence of Multicollinearity for Body Measurements in Saanen Kids

Least square (LS) method is a common method used to estimate the coefficients in multiple regression models. The least square multiple regression models produce biased regression coefficients when the multicollinearity is encountered in the studied data sets. Multicollinearity problem can be solved by using some methods. As one of the methods, Ridge Regression (RR) is a biased estimation method that enables to obtain models having more reliable coefficient of determination (R2). This study was conducted on 40 Saanen kids in order to determine some morphological measurements (withers height, rump height, body length, chest width, chest girth and chest depth) affecting body weight. In this study, usability of ridge regression method in the presence of multicollinearity was evaluated. Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values higher than 10 were detected for withers height and rump height. Coefficient of determination (R2) was obtained as 0.88 from LS method and R2 was obtained 0.875 with k=0.0136 from RR method. As a result, the model obtained from RR is more reliable than that obtained from LS.

EFFECT OF JOB SATISFACTION ON JOB PERFORMANCE, WITH QUALITY OF WORK LIFE AS MODERATING AMONG JORDANIAN HOTELS: A PILOT STUDY

Employees in the hotel industry are the key personnel who contribute to giving guests the satisfactory experience they expect. Therefore, it is important that every employee strives to improve his/her job. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of job satisfaction, leadership style, and organisational structure on job performance, with the moderating role of quality of work-life among employees working in Jordanian hotels. The study explores the perceptions of employees working in five-star hotels in Jordan in order to verify the validity and reliability of the study instrument. The study was applied to a small sample, and SPSS analysis software was used. The study validated the reliability of the instrument in conducting a preliminary study, obtaining reasonable normality and highly reliable coefficients of measures (0.927-0.986). The study validated the effectiveness of the instrument that examined different specific antecedents of job performance.

A general approach to quantify the uncertainty of interdiffusion coefficients in binary, ternary and multicomponent systems evaluated using Matano-based methods

In this paper, we developed a general approach to quantify the uncertainties of interdiffusion coefficients in binary, ternary and multicomponent systems evaluated using the Boltzmann-Matano and related other methods together with the distribution functions. Various sources of errors from both experimental and calculation procedures and their propagation were fully considered and quantified in the finally obtained interdiffusion coefficients. Benchmark tests in hypothetical binary systems with three types of the preset D-c relations and three noise levels were utilized to validate the presently proposed approach, which was then successfully applied in the practical binary, ternary and high-entropy alloys. The comprehensive comparison between the presently calculated interdiffusivities in different alloys with the literature data indicated that the integration of Matano-based methods, the distribution function and the present approach represents a general ensemble solution for evaluation of the reliable interdiffusion coefficients and their uncertainties. Further discussion indicates that the accurate interdiffusion coefficients with reliable uncertainty are the “cornerstone” for the subsequent analysis on diffusion properties, i.e., the sluggish diffusion in high-entropy alloys, and the development of high-quality atomic mobility databases, and the impurity diffusion coefficients with uncertainties can be directly retrieved from the evaluated composition-dependent binary interdiffusion coefficients.

Stimulated-echo diffusion-weighted imaging with moderate b values for the detection of prostate cancer.

Conventional spin-echo (SE) DWI leads to a fundamental trade-off depending on the b value: high b value provides better lesion contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) by sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image quality, and quantitative reliability. A stimulated-echo (STE) DWI acquisition is evaluated for high-CNR imaging of prostate cancer while maintaining SNR and reliable apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping. In this prospective, IRB-approved study, 27 patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) were scanned with three DWI sequences (SE b = 800s/mm2, SE b = 1500s/mm2, and STE b = 800s/mm2) after informed consent was obtained. ROIs were drawn on biopsy-confirmed cancer and non-cancerous tissue to perform quantitative SNR, CNR, and ADC measurements. Qualitative metrics (SNR, CNR, and overall image quality) were evaluated by three experienced radiologists. Metrics were compared pairwise between the three acquisitions using a t test (quantitative metrics) and Wilcoxon rank test (qualitative metrics). Quantitative measurements showed that STE DWI at b = 800s/mm2 has significantly better SNR compared to SE DWI at b = 1500s/mm2 (p< 0.0001) and comparable CNR to high-b value SE DWI at b = 1500s/mm2 (p< 0.05) in the peripheral zone. Qualitative assessment showed preference to STE b = 800s/mm2 in SNR and SE b = 1500s/mm2 in CNR. The overall image quality and lesion detectability among most readers showed no significant preference between STE b = 800s/mm2 and SE b = 1500s/mm2. Further, STE DWI had similar ADC contrast between lesion and normal tissue as SE DWI at b = 800s/mm2 (p= 0.90). STE DWI has the potential to provide high-SNR, high-CNR imaging of prostate cancer while also enabling reliable ADC mapping. • Quantitative analysis showed that STE DWI at b=800s/mm2is able to achieve simultaneously high CNR, high SNR, and reliable ADC mapping, compared to SE b=800s/mm2and SE b=1500s/mm2. • Qualitative assessment by three readers showed that STE DWI at b=800s/mm2has significantly higher SNR than SE b=1500s/mm2. No preference between SE b=1500s/mm2and STE b=800s/mm2was determined in terms of CNR with no missed lesions were found in both acquisitions. • A single STE DWI acquisition at moderate b value (800-1000s/mm2) may provide sufficient image quality and quantitative reliability for prostate cancer imaging within a shorter scan time, in place of two DWI acquisitions (one with moderate b value and one with high b value).