Significance Tests Research Articles

Impacts of Sustainable Land Management Intervention on the Soil Condition and Landscape Greenness: Evidence from Jimma Arjo District, Southwestern Ethiopia

Soil degradation has been a major environmental and agricultural challenge in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. Recently, several governmental and nongovernmental organizations have made efforts to reduce the problem and improve the productivity of land through sustainable land management (SLM) practices. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of sustainable land management practices on soil condition and landscape greenness in the Jimma Arjo District, Southwestern Ethiopia. The impact of SLM practices on soil condition was examined by collecting twenty-eight (28) composite and core (28) soil samples from treated (14) and nontreated (14) lands. Landsat satellite images of 2012 and 2022 were used to detect changes in landscape greenness using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). ArcGIS® 10.3, ERDAS® 2014, and Microsoft Excel software packages were used for analysis. The significance test was performed using a one-way ANOVA. The result showed a significant difference in soil physiochemical properties (soil texture, soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorous and calcium) between treated and nontreated lands (P<0.01). However, the landscape greenness result shows that the lowest NDVI value in the SLM-treated kebele during 2012 was −0.15 but increased to 0.09 in 2022. Similarly, the highest value was found to be 0.41 in 2012 and the value rose to 0.53 in 2022. It is concluded that sustainable land management practices implemented in the area have resulted in an important positive effect on improving the soil condition and landscape greenness. Hence, strengthening and scaling up SLM practices and continuous maintenance are advisable for better results in land productivity and livelihood improvement.

Exploring the Morphometric Variations of Knee Menisci: Implications for Meniscal Injury and Surgical Interventions in Orthopedic Practice

Background: The knee menisci are pivotal for knee biomechanics and stability, yet meniscal injuries remain prevalent, necessitating a detailed understanding of meniscal morphology for effective clinical management. This study investigates the morphometric variations of knee menisci and their implications for injury mechanisms and orthopedic interventions. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 cadavers with intact knee joints. Morphometric parameters of the medial and lateral menisci were measured using digital calipers. Statistical analysis, including correlation analyses and significance testing, was performed using SPSS version 23 to explore associations between meniscal dimensions and knee morphology. Results: Significant variations in meniscal dimensions were observed, both within individuals and between the medial and lateral menisci. Correlation analyses revealed nuanced relationships between different morphometric parameters. Notably, weak correlations were found between meniscal dimensions and the lengths of adjacent bones, suggesting a complex interplay between meniscal morphology and knee anatomy. For instance, the correlation coefficient between the length of the femur and the outer circumference of the right medial meniscus was 0.215 (p = 0.291), indicating a moderate positive correlation, although not statistically significant. Similarly, the correlation coefficient between the length of the tibia and the inner circumference of the left lateral meniscus was -0.315 (p = 0.091), suggesting a moderate negative correlation, which also did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into knee meniscal morphometry and its clinical implications. The findings emphasize the importance of considering meniscal dimensions in diagnosing and managing meniscal injuries. Despite limitations such as sample size and the use of cadaveric specimens, the results contribute to orthopedic knowledge and highlight the need for further research to validate and expand upon these findings.

Evaluating the Efficiency of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae in Converting Mackerel Head Waste into Valuable Resources.

The seafood processing industry generates significant waste, including mackerel heads (MH), constituting 20-32% of total waste. This study explored the potential of utilizing MH as a feed source for black soldier fly larvae (BSF larvae). BSF larvae are known for their ability to efficiently convert organic materials into nutrient-rich biomass. Five concentrations of MH (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% in chicken feed) were fed to BSF larvae for eight days. After harvesting, their growth, MH conversion efficiency, nutritional content, and heavy metals reduction potential were measured. BSF larvae showed optimal growth when fed with a feed containing 20% MH, resulting in a 14.36-fold increase in weight compared to the control group, as determined by the Fisher's Least Significant Difference Test. BSF larvae maintained a survival rate of 99.33%. With the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.09 at 20% MH, feed efficiency was improved by up to 65.15%, and feed reduction up to 73.53%. MH enhanced lipid and protein content in BSF larvae. Furthermore, BSF larvae in this study showed higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as other amino acids which are required for breeding animals. The current study highlights the potential of MH as a feed source for BSF larvae, improving nutritional biomass. It also suggests BSF larvae as an eco-friendly option for handling seafood processing waste and as an alternative feed source for animals.

Likelihood Ratio Test and the Evidential Approach for 2 × 2 Tables

Categorical data analysis of 2 × 2 contingency tables is extremely common, not least because they provide risk difference, risk ratio, odds ratio, and log odds statistics in medical research. A χ2 test analysis is most often used, although some researchers use likelihood ratio test (LRT) analysis. Does it matter which test is used? A review of the literature, examination of the theoretical foundations, and analyses of simulations and empirical data are used by this paper to argue that only the LRT should be used when we are interested in testing whether the binomial proportions are equal. This so-called test of independence is by far the most popular, meaning the χ2 test is widely misused. By contrast, the χ2 test should be reserved for where the data appear to match too closely a particular hypothesis (e.g., the null hypothesis), where the variance is of interest, and is less than expected. Low variance can be of interest in various scenarios, particularly in investigations of data integrity. Finally, it is argued that the evidential approach provides a consistent and coherent method that avoids the difficulties posed by significance testing. The approach facilitates the calculation of appropriate log likelihood ratios to suit our research aims, whether this is to test the proportions or to test the variance. The conclusions from this paper apply to larger contingency tables, including multi-way tables.

From significance testing to estimation and Open Science: How esci can help.

We argue that researchers should test less, estimate more, and adopt Open Science practices. We outline some of the flaws of null hypothesis significance testing and take three approaches to demonstrating the unreliability of the p value. We explain some advantages of estimation and meta-analysis ("the new statistics"), especially as contributions to Open Science practices, which aim to increase the openness, integrity, and replicability of research. We then describe esci (estimation statistics with confidence intervals): a set of online simulations and an R package for estimation that integrates into jamovi and JASP. This software provides (a) online activities to sharpen understanding of statistical concepts (e.g., "The Dance of the Means"); (b) effects sizes and confidence intervals for a range of study designs, largely by using techniques recently developed by Bonett; (c) publication-ready visualisations that make uncertainty salient; and (d) the option to conduct strong, fair hypothesis evaluation through specification of an interval null. Although developed specifically to support undergraduate learning through the 2nd edition of our textbook, esci should prove a valuable tool for graduate students and researchers interested in adopting the estimation approach. Further information is at ( https://thenewstatistics.com).

Deep Learning Reconstruction for DWIs by EPI and FASE Sequences for Head and Neck Tumors.

Diffusion-weighted images (DWI) obtained by echo-planar imaging (EPI) are frequently degraded by susceptibility artifacts. It has been suggested that DWI obtained by fast advanced spin-echo (FASE) or reconstructed with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) could be useful for image quality improvements. The purpose of this investigation using in vitro and in vivo studies was to determine the influence of sequence difference and of DLR for DWI on image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) evaluation, and differentiation of malignant from benign head and neck tumors. For the in vitro study, a DWI phantom was scanned by FASE and EPI sequences and reconstructed with and without DLR. Each ADC within the phantom for each DWI was then assessed and correlated for each measured ADC and standard value by Spearman's rank correlation analysis. For the in vivo study, DWIs obtained by EPI and FASE sequences were also obtained for head and neck tumor patients. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and ADC were then determined based on ROI measurements, while SNR of tumors and ADC were compared between all DWI data sets by means of Tukey's Honest Significant Difference test. For the in vitro study, all correlations between measured ADC and standard reference were significant and excellent (0.92 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.99, p < 0.0001). For the in vivo study, the SNR of FASE with DLR was significantly higher than that of FASE without DLR (p = 0.02), while ADC values for benign and malignant tumors showed significant differences between each sequence with and without DLR (p < 0.05). In comparison with EPI sequence, FASE sequence and DLR can improve image quality and distortion of DWIs without significantly influencing ADC measurements or differentiation capability of malignant from benign head and neck tumors.

The Relationship Of Creativity With Student Learning Outcomes In Pastry And Bakery Subjects At Smk Negeri 6 Padang

This research was motivated by students' low curiosity in the material being taught, resulting in low creativity and no new innovations produced by students. This occurs due to students' lack of confidence in their abilities, because they are afraid to take risks when practicing pastry and bakery. From the problems above, many students fail in pastry and bakery subjects which will have an impact on learning outcomes. The aim of this research is to describe: 1) student creativity in Pastry and Bakery subjects, 2) student learning outcomes in Pastry and bakery subjects, 3) the relationship between creativity and student learning outcomes in Pastry and bakery subjects at SMK Negeri 6 Padang . This type of research is quantitative with a correlational approach. The population in this study was class XII culinary students at SMK Negeri 6 Padang for the 2023/2024 academic year, totaling 96 people. The sample consisted of 96 people taken using a saturated sampling technique. The saturated sampling technique is that all members of the population are used as research samples. The primary data collection technique uses a questionnaire and is measured using a Likert scale. Then for secondary data using learning outcomes in the form of grades in pastry and bakery subjects. Analysis requirements test was carried out using normality tests and linearity tests, then hypothesis testing using Pearson product moment correlation analysis, and correlation significance testing with the T test using SPSS Version 21.00. The research results show that: 1) the creativity of class XII students at SMK Negeri 6 Padang is in the medium category (53.1%), 2) the learning outcomes in pastry and bakery subjects for class 4%), 3) based on hypothesis testing, there is a positive and significant relationship between creativity and student learning outcomes in the Pastry and Bakery Products subject with a significant value of 0.001. Keyword: Creativity, pastry and bakery learning outcomes, pastry and bakery subjects.

Predicting preoperative muscle invasion status for bladder cancer using computed tomography-based radiomics nomogram

ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of the established computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics nomogram combined with radiomics and clinical features for predicting muscle invasion status in bladder cancer (BCa).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using data from patients who underwent CT urography at our institution between May 2018 and April 2023 with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder confirmed by postoperative histology. There were 196 patients enrolled in all, and each was randomized at random to either the training cohort (n = 137) or the test cohort (n = 59). Eight hundred fifty-one radiomics features in all were retrieved. For feature selection, the significance test and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approaches were utilized. Subsequently, the radiomics score (Radscore) was obtained by applying linear weighting based on the selected features. The clinical and radiomics model, as well as radiomics-clinical nomogram were all established using logistic regression. Three models were evaluated using analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve. An area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were included in the analysis. Radiomics-clinical nomogram’s performance was assessed based on discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.ResultsAfter obtaining 851 radiomics features, 12 features were ultimately selected. Histopathological grading and tortuous blood vessels were included in the clinical model. The Radscore and clinical histopathology grading were among the final predictors in the unique nomogram. The three models had an AUC of 0.811 (95% CI, 0.742–0.880), 0.845 (95% CI, 0.781–0.908), and 0.896 (95% CI, 0.846–0.947) in the training cohort and in the test cohort they were 0.808 (95% CI, 0.703–0.913), 0.847 (95% CI, 0.739–0.954), and 0.887 (95% CI, 0.803–0.971). According to the DeLong test, the radiomics-clinical nomogram’s AUC in the training cohort substantially differed from that of the clinical model (AUC: 0.896 versus 0.845, p = 0.015) and the radiomics model (AUC: 0.896 versus 0.811, p = 0.002). The Delong test in the test cohort revealed no significant difference among the three models.ConclusionsCT-based radiomics-clinical nomogram can be a useful tool for quantitatively predicting the status of muscle invasion in BCa.

Parental Rearing and Conflict Resolution among College Freshmen Students

The initial foray into college life is a significant stress test of a young adult's ability to resolve conflicts, which is a critical life skill that impacts all facets of their burgeoning independence. As they confront these challenges, the legacy of their parental rearing becomes a potent influence on their capacity to manage conflicts. Moreover, the way students handle disputes and stressors can shape their entire college experience, with ineffective conflict resolution strategies being linked to a host of adjustment difficulties. Despite the central role of conflict resolution in student development, there remains a gap in understanding the precise mechanisms through which parental rearing styles imprint these skills. Addressing this gap is not merely of academic interest but carries substantial practical implications. It is crucial to delve into the intricacies of how early family dynamics shape conflict resolution strategies in college freshmen.

Lost in Statistics

The present paper investigates one aspect of questionable research practices relating to Arabic L1 learners of foreign languages, namely the use of statistics. The objective of the paper is to argue that reproducible research requires adopting wise practices in linguistics and that the excessive focus on quantification does not seem to serve this purpose. Statistical significance tests in quantitative research are routinely used in linguistic inquiry as well as language teaching and learning studies with a view to supporting the relevant explanatory insights in linguistics. In this article, I will expose the misuse of statistics by doctoral students in English departments of Morocco working on Arabic L1 learners&amp;rsquo; data, by highlighting some practices that are at odds with international good practices in academic research in linguistics. I will take stock of the current questionable practices in this regard to dispel some of the misunderstanding about the use of statistics which is now gaining grounds lest this becomes an orthodoxy. I will argue that research on Arabic L1 learners&amp;rsquo; data should be focused more on exploration and discovery, as well as the validation of epistemological insights than on mere descriptive quantification geared to hypothesis verification. These areas of focus constitute the crux of academic research in linguistics, but they seem to be lost in statistics in doctoral students&amp;rsquo; theses. Recommendations and solutions are provided for enhancing transparency and improving reproducibility of doctoral research outcomes to advance theory building and the delivery of new research lines in linguistics as well as to avoid the risk of research waste, in line with the requirements of open science.

ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ON COMPANY VALUE (CASE STUDY AT PT SOLUSI BANGUN INDONESIA, TBK)

This research aims to determine the effect of Financial Performance which referred to Current Ratio (CR), Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Total Asset Turnover (TATO) and Return on Equity (ROE) on Firm Value which referred to Price to Book Value (PBV). The type of this research is quantitative. The population of this research is manufacturing companies sub sector material, however this research is focused on PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk. The sample for this research is financial report of 2019-2022. The data analysis technique used in this research is Classical Assumption Test, while hypothesis test is performed by using Multiple Regression Analysis, which includes a smilutaneous Significance Test (f test) and Partial Significance Test (t test). The results of this research is (1) CR, DER, TATO, ROE simultaneously had a positive and significance effect on Firm Value. (2) CR had no effect on Firm Value. (3) DER had a positive and significance effect on Firm Value. (4) TATO had no effect on Firm Value. (5) ROE had a positive and significance effect on Firm Value.

Influence of Type and Dose of Coagulants on Vehicle Wash Wastewater

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of the type and dosage of coagulant on changes in phosphate and fatty oil levels in liquid waste from motor vehicle wash. The independent variables in this study were the type of coagulant (Al2(SO4)3 and FeCl3) and the dosage of coagulant (0 ml, 3 ml, 5 ml, and 7 ml), while the dependent variables were the content of phosphate and fatty oil. The experiment was conducted in 3 stages; fast stirring, slow stirring, and precipitation. From the preliminary test, it was found that the phosphate content before processing was 12.9 mg/lt and the content of fatty oil was 1.9 mg/lt. The most significant decrease in phosphate content was found when 7 ml of FeCl3 was used as coagulant; it dropped to 0.11 mg/lt (efficiency: 99.2%). Meanwhile, the most effective coagulant for fatty oil was 3 ml of Al2(SO4)3; the fatty oil content dropped to 1.4 mg/lt (efficiency: 30.7%). The addition of Al2(SO4)3 gave the opposite effect on phosphate and fatty oil, making the process ineffective. Meanwhile, the data showed that FeCl3 could be used as an effective coagulant for phosphate and fatty oil. To determine the significance of the differences between the results of the Randomized Complete Block Design analysis, the researcher used Least Significant Design test. The results showed that the variation of the type of coagulant affected the decrease in phosphate and fatty oil levels, while the variation in dosage gave no significant difference.

Scale or effectiveness? The nonlinear impact of talent agglomeration on high-quality economic development in China

Talent agglomeration serves as a vital pathway for achieving high-quality economic development. This paper, based on provincial panel data from China spanning 2011–2020, first analyses the impact of talent agglomeration on high-quality economic development from two dimensions: the talent agglomeration scale and effectiveness. Second, with innovation activity as a threshold variable, this paper explores the nonlinear impact of the talent agglomeration scale and effectiveness on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization. This study finds that (1) the main driving force for high-quality economic development within the sample period comes from the talent agglomeration scale, while the promoting role of talent agglomeration effectiveness has not yet passed significant tests. (2) Under different levels of innovation activity, the talent agglomeration scale has a diminishing marginal utility impact on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization; talent agglomeration effectiveness also has different nonlinear effects on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization.

An Analysis of Relation Among Three Levels of Ala–Tragus Line and Natural Occlusal Plane in Young Dentulous Subjects – A Cross-sectional Photographic Study

ABSTRACT Occlusal plane determination plays an evident role in successful rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients. The most commonly used method is by using Camper’s plane. But the posterior reference point of Camper’s plane is debatable according to available literature. The aim of this study was to determine the most reliable posterior reference point for Camper’s plane. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 60 dentulous subjects with age ranging from 18 to 25 years were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The Fox plane was inserted and lateral photographs were taken. A screen protractor was used to measure the angle between the occlusal plane and three ala–tragus lines. All three ala–tragus lines had the inferior border of ala of the nose as the anterior point of reference and for posterior reference, they used superior, middle, or inferior point of the tragus. The ala–tragus line using the inferior point of the tragus had the least mean angle with the occlusal plane. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test obtained a P-value of &lt; 0.0001, and therefore, a statistically significant difference was present among all three lines. Also, post hoc Tukey’s honestly significant difference test for intergroup comparison of difference in angle among three different lines with the occlusal plane showed a significant P-value on comparing all three groups between each other. The ala–tragus line formed using the inferior point of the tragus was most parallel to the occlusal plane in dentate patients. Therefore, the inferior point of the tragus should be used for Camper’s plane.

A sensitivity indicator screening and intelligent classification method for the diagnosis of T2D-CHD.

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and its significant role in increasing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk highlights the urgent need for effective CHD screening within this population. Despite current advancements in T2D management, the complexity of cardiovascular complications persists. Our study aims to develop a comprehensive CHD screening model for T2D patients, employing multimodal data to improve early detection and management, addressing a critical gap in clinical practice. We analyzed data from 699 patients, including 471 with CHD (221 of these also had T2D) and a control group of 228 without CHD. Employing strict diagnostic criteria, we conducted significance testing and multivariate analysis to identify key indicators for T2D-CHD diagnosis. This led to the creation of a neural network model using 21 indicators and a logistic regression model based on an 8-indicator subset. External validation was performed with an independent dataset from an additional 212 patients to confirm the models' generalizability. The neural network model achieved an accuracy of 90.7%, recall of 90.78%, precision of 90.83%, and an F-1 score of 0.908. The logistic regression model demonstrated an accuracy of 90.13%, recall of 90.1%, precision of 90.22%, and an F-1 score of 0.9016. External validation reinforced the models' reliability and effectiveness in broader clinical settings. Our AI-driven diagnostic models significantly enhance early CHD detection and management in T2D patients, offering a novel, efficient approach to addressing the complex interplay between these conditions. By leveraging advanced analytics and comprehensive patient data, we present a scalable solution for improving clinical outcomes in this high-risk population, potentially setting a new standard in personalized care and preventative medicine.

New model of utility analysis and performance prediction in crowdfunding: A perspective of behavior-related decision

A new model of utility analysis and performance prediction in crowdfunding is proposed in this paper with considering backer’s behavior-related decision. To establish a connection between the backer’s behavior-related decision and crowdfunding performance, the proposed model includes a modeling analysis and an empirical analysis. The modeling analysis focuses on analyzing backer’s backing decision with establishing the utility-driven model, while the empirical analysis verifies the association between the utility-related features and crowdfunding performance, as well as the prediction improvement of the proposed model. Specifically, prospect theory (PT) is applied first in the modeling analysis part to analyze backer’s prospect utilities, and then evidential theory (ET) is applied to aggregate the multi-source dynamic feature’s utility. To validate the proposed model, and based on the results of modeling analysis, we conduct the significant test with regression model and the prediction test with several machine-learning prediction model to verify whether the proposed utility features can improve the prediction results in terms of crowdfunding performance. The empirical results show that the correlation between behavior-related factors and crowdfunding performance is significant. And the area under the curve (AUC) index of the proposed model is, on average, 7.39% higher than the baseline model on several machine-learning prediction models. In addition to providing new insights for predicting crowdfunding results, this research provides a powerful tool to assist crowdfunding platform and fundraisers in operational management with analyzing backers’ backing behavior.

Interrelation of Zakat Literacy, Social Behavior and Perceived Value on Intention of paying Zakat

: Through data from Puskas Baznas (2022), measurement results in the Sulawesi Region were found in general, the value of the Zakat Literacy Index in 2020 falls into the literacy level category moderate, namely 65.73 where the value of basic understanding gets a score of 71.30 (literacy level moderate) and the value of advanced understanding of zakat is included in the literacy level category the low is 55.40. It can be concluded that in the Sulawesi Region the level pRespondents' understanding of aspects of basic knowledge falls into the sufficient category baik, but the respondents' understanding of the aspects of zakat management in the institution official zakat is still relatively low. The purpose of this research is to find out whether Zakat literacy affects the intention to give zakat, how does social behavior influence the intention of paying zakar, then to find out the perceived value as a mediating variable affect the intention to tithe. This research is an associative quantitative, with non-technical probability sampling. The object of this research is muzakki with different backgrounds in Makassar which is easy to reach. Respondents were rounded up to 100 people collected through a questionnaire, with an ordinal scale, which is distributed to respondents to determine literacy, social behavior, perceived value and intention of muzakki. Data analysis method used in this study moderation uses SmartPLS by entering all data and tested convergent validity, discriminant validity, and significance test.

Assessing Management of Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Results and Concordance with Guideline Recommendations in Three US Healthcare Settings.

Follow-up of abnormal results is essential to cervical cancer screening, but data on adherence to follow-up are limited. We describe patterns of follow-up after screening abnormalities and identify predictors of guideline-concordant follow-up. We identified the index screening abnormality (positive human papillomavirus [HPV] test or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC-US] or more severe cytology) among women 25-65 years old at three U.S. healthcare systems during 2010-2019. We estimated the cumulative incidence of surveillance testing, colposcopy, or treatment after the index abnormality and initial colposcopy. Logistic regressions were fit to identify predictors of guideline-concordant follow-up according to contemporaneous guidelines. Among 43,007 patients with an index abnormality, the cumulative incidence of any follow-up was 49.6% by 4 years for those with ASC-US/HPV-negative and higher for abnormalities warranting immediate colposcopy. The 1-year cumulative incidence of any follow-up after colposcopy was 70% for patients with normal results or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I and 90% for patients with CIN II+. Rates of concordant follow-up after screening and colposcopy were 52% and 47%. Discordant follow-up was associated with factors including age, race/ethnicity, overweight/obese BMI, and specific types of public payor coverage or being uninsured. Adherence to recommended follow-up of cytologic and histopathologic abnormalities is inconsistent in clinical practice. Concordance was poor for mild abnormalities and improved, though suboptimal, for more severe abnormalities. There remain gaps in the cervical cancer screening process in clinical practice. Further work is needed to understand barriers to appropriate management of cervical abnormalities.

EFFECTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING PRACTICES ON BIOMASS YIELD AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) IN SEMI-ARID KITUI COUNTY, KENYA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;: Sorghum is an important source of fodder in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its biomass yield has remained low due to the low soil moisture content which is associated with low rainfall. &lt;strong&gt; Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; To evaluate the synergistic effects of combining rainwater harvesting practices on biomass yield and the morphometric traits of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;: The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design under rainfed conditions between March and August 2021 at the Research Farm of South Eastern Kenya University. It had twelve treatments, including three farming systems (conventional flat planting, ridge and furrow, and zai pits) with three soil mulching types (transparent plastic film mulch, black plastic film mulch, and grass mulch). The farming systems without mulching were used as control treatments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s protected Least Significant Difference test at 0.05 %. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The zai pits with black plastic film mulch and flat planting with grass mulch had the highest and lowest moisture content of 68.65% and 52.5% respectively compared to flat planting. The highest biomass yield was observed in ridge-furrow with black plastic film mulch (3283.33kg ha-&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) and ridge–furrow with transparent plastic film mulch (3266.03) and was not significantly different. The lowest biomass yield was recorded in conventional flat planting and zai pits and was not significantly different. In all treatments, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in morphometric traits. &lt;strong&gt;Implications: &lt;/strong&gt;The farming system and the type of soil mulching determined the increase of soil moisture content, biomass yield, and morphometric traits. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: Combining ridge-furrow and black plastic mulch is recommended to improve the biomass yield of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County, and other areas with similar agroecological conditions.&lt;/p&gt;

Clinical markers of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic origin during out-patient regular follow-up: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is present in 25–50% of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Doctors who monitor patients with cardiovascular disorders do not have clearly set criteria for their referral to a neurologist in case of suspected CI. Therefore, CHF patients do not receive treatment for CI on time.&#x0D; Aim: To identify significant clinical markers of CI in patients with CHF of ischemic origin.&#x0D; Materials and methods: This cross-sectional cohort study included 134 patients with CHF of ischemic origin (mean age 63.36 ± 10.63 years; men, 76.12%), who were regularly monitored in a municipal polyclinic. All patients were tested for CI with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA); basic hemodynamic parameters, lipid profile, brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were assessed, and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was measured, echocardiography and a 6-minute walk test (SMWТ) were performed and past history of CHF, arterial hypertension (AH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) was collected.&#x0D; Results: CI (MoCA score ≤ 25) was detected in 85 (63.43%) outpatients with CHF of ischemic origin; the group without CI (MoCA score 26) included 49 (36.67%) patients. There were significant correlations between MoCA and CAVI scores (partial correlation coefficient, r = -0.802, p 0.001; adjusted squared multiple correlation coefficient (adj. R2) = 0.881, p 0.001), MoCA and TyG (r = -0.357, p = 0.029; adj. R2 = 0.363, p 0.001), MoCA and SMWТ (r = -0.211, p = 0.037; adj. R2 = 0.696, p 0.001). The multivariate test for significance of planned comparisons between CAVI and MoCA scores (Wilks' lambda) was 0.005 (F = 4.74; p 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: CAVI, TyG and SMWТ values are the clinical markers of CI in patients with CHF of ischemic origin. There is a direct association between increased CAVI and the presence of CI, regardless of age, lipid metabolism parameters, structural and functional heart parameters, CHF duration, AH and DM. Identification of these markers could be an indication for an in-depth assessment of CHF patients by a neurologist.