Significant Differences In Importance Research Articles

Associations between parental skills and their attitudes toward importance to develop good oral hygiene skills in their children

For many years, poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of sugars is known as key behavioral risk factors for oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Parental attitudes toward children's oral health could be associated with their own oral health skills. We aimed to analyze associations between parental skills and attitudes toward caries development and possibilities to control positive oral health behavior in their children. A cross-sectional study involved 550 parents of 3- to 4-year-old children. A 40-item questionnaire was developed from the Theory of Planned Behavior, Health Belief Model and the Health Locus of Control model, and parental attitudes toward dental caries in their children were analyzed. A total of 397 filled-in questionnaires were collected; the response rate was 72%. Parents with good own oral hygiene skills significantly more often understood the importance of brushing their children's teeth (chi(2)=29.8; df=1; P<0.001). Study results highlighted also significant differences in importance to prevent tooth decay (chi(2)=3.1; df=1; P=0.051), importance to control sugar snacking (chi(2)=10.6; df=1; P=0.001), and parental perceived seriousness of tooth decay in children (chi(2)=9.2; df=1; P=0.002) comparing parents with poor and good oral hygiene skills. Differences in parental efficacy to control proper toothbrushing and parental efficacy to control sugar snacking in children were not significant comparing both groups. More than half (61%) of the parents have reported appropriate own oral hygiene skills. Parental attitudes toward children's oral health were significantly associated with their own oral health behavior and understanding the importance of development of oral hygiene skills in their children.

Describing the ideal Australian companion dog

Dogs have had a long association with humans and are believed to be the first domesticated animal species. Many breeds of dog exist today which vary considerably in physical appearance and temperament. These differences have arisen primarily from selective pressures imposed by humans to create dogs suitable for various working roles. Nowadays, however, few breeds undertake the work they were once bred for; rather dogs are kept primarily as companions. With differing lifestyles and an increase in urban living it is necessary to identify what constitutes an ideal dog in the present day. This study identifies the characteristics important to the Australian public in their “ideal dog”. To determine this, 877 participants (79.8% female) aged 18–82 years (mean = 34.3, SD = 14.5) were surveyed. A number of behavioural and physical characteristics were identified as important to Australians. These included dogs being medium sized, short haired, de-sexed, safe with children, fully housetrained, friendly, obedient and healthy. Participants also wanted their ideal dog to come when called, not to escape from their property, to enjoy being petted and to display affection to their owners. Desirable behavioural characteristics were grouped using Principal Component Analysis into five factors, labelled calm/compliant, sociable/healthy, energetic/faithful/protective, socially acceptable, and non-aggressive. Together these accounted for 45.7% of the total variance. Independent-samples t-tests revealed significant differences in importance of the components for men versus women, dog owners versus non-owners and whether participants lived with children or not. Women preferred a dog who is calm/compliant [ t(870) = −2.33, P = 0.02], sociable/healthy [ t(870) = −2.57, P = 0.01] and non-aggressive [ t(870) = −2.67, P = 0.008] while men preferred a dog which is energetic/faithful/protective [ t(870) = 3.09, P = 0.002]. Overall, however there were also many commonalities. Breeding animals able to tolerate the stresses and demands of today's requirements, training them to behave appropriately, and educating pet dog owners about the characteristics of different dogs and the need for realistic expectations about dog behaviour is likely to help reduce the incidence of problem behaviours, such as separation anxiety, destructiveness and aggression. It is also likely to increase owner satisfaction and reduce the number of dogs relinquished to shelters.

Exploring Perceptions of A Priori Barriers to Entrepreneurship: A Multidisciplinary Approach

This exploratory study integrates the disciplines of economics, psychology, and sociology to identify perceptions of a priori barriers in the entrepreneurial environment. The Central-West of N.S.W., Australia was surveyed to find the proportions of four groups in the general population—potential, intending, actual entrepreneurs, and no wish to start—and the barriers faced by each. A profile analysis across the three disciplines found that the more important barriers are largely non-economic and intractable to government policy. Barriers are different from other regions. Significant differences in importance between groups are identified and the pattern of group differences varies between barriers. Further, the issues of sequentiality and combinations of barriers are important, for there is no panacea to engendering venture creation.

Interrelationships between importance, knowledge and attitude of the inexperienced

This research study reports on the use of a computerized simulation integrated within a preservice methods course for early childhood majors. An experimental design was used to compare the difference in response to importance, knowledge and attitude related to computer utilization in the course between a group exposed to computer simulation, and with groups assigned to sections taught by traditional means. A one way ANOVA combined with t-tests for paired samples revealed a significant difference in experimental students' knowledge about computers ( t=4.65, P=0.000). A fairly high correlation (0.776) for knowledge about computers was also shown through the data analysis. Main effects of ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in importance, knowledge and attitudes among the three groups. Similarly, results of t-tests for paired samples also showed no significant difference among the groups on importance of, or attitudes toward computers.

Comparison of the three-dimensional structures of recombinant human H and horse L ferritins at high resolution

Mammalian ferritins are 24-mers assembled from two types of polypeptide chain which provide the molecule with different functions. H(eavy) chains catalyse the first step in iron storage, the oxidation of iron(II). L(ight) chains promote the nucleation of the mineral ferrihydrite enabling storage of iron(III) inside the protein shell. We report here the comparison of the three-dimensional structures of recombinant human H chain (HuHF) and horse L chain (HoLF) ferritin homopolymers, which have been refined at 1.9 Å resolution. There is 53% sequence identity between these molecules, and the two structures are very similar, the H and L subunit α-carbons superposing to within 0.5 Å rms deviation with 41 water molecules in common. Nevertheless, there are significant important differences which can be related to differences in function. In particular, the centres of the four-helix bundles contain distinctive groups of hydrophilic residues which have been associated with ferroxidase activity in H chains and enhanced stability in L chains. L chains contain a group of glutamates associated with mineralisation within the iron storage cavity of the protein.

Managerial functions of college and university foodservice managers

This study examined managerial roles in college and university foodservice at three organizational levels. The study population included foodservice managers at National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) member schools with a minimum annual budget of +3 million. The 999 managers from 80 colleges and universities who participated were categorized into three groups: assistant, associate, or director of foodservice; unit manager; and manager reporting to unit manager. They rated 51 activity statements on importance and time demand. Maintaining standards of quality was rated most important and most time demanding by all three groups of managers. Perceived importance and time demand of activities increased as managerial level increased. Activity statements were categorized into Mintzberg's 10 managerial roles. Significant differences in importance and time demand ratings among the three managerial groups were indicated for all 10 roles. However, perceived importance and time demand of roles increased as managerial level increased with two exceptions. Disturbance handler and leader roles were rated more time consuming by lower level managers.