A quantitative, longitudinal analysis of the impact of mathematics support in an Irish university

Abstract Mathematics support has become embedded in a large number of higher education institutes in Ireland and UK in particular. Measuring the impact of such support is a challenging task, which can be attempted either qualitatively, through the use of surveys or focus groups, or quantitatively, looking at data such as number of visits and subsequent exam performance. Here, we consider a quantitative analysis of the impact of a mathematics support centre in an Irish university, based on data gathered over the past 12 years. A binary logistic regression was carried out which showed that, when prior mathematical achievement and module studied were kept constant, the odds of a student who attended mathematics support once passing their module were 1.63 times higher than for one who had never engaged with the service. The odds for those who attended 15 or more times were almost 14 times higher. This study also showed that there was a significant difference between those who never engaged with mathematics support and those who attended once, meaning that such cohorts should be considered differently, which has not traditionally been done in other studies conducted to this point.

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Is the use of contraceptives associated with periodontal diseases? A systematic review and meta-analyses

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01180-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Micaele Maria Lopes Castro ◽

Maria Karolina Martins Ferreira ◽

Iasmin Encaua Essashika Prazeres ◽

Paula Beatriz de Oliveira Nunes ◽

Marcela Baraúna Magno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Hormonal Contraceptive ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Hormonal Contraceptives ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Previous studies indicated an impact of hormonal contraceptive use on oral health. This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence supporting the impact of the use of hormonal contraceptives and periodontal diseases. Methods This study is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and based on the PECO acrostic. Inclusion criteria comprised observational studies including women (P), which evaluated hormonal contraceptive users (E) and hormonal contraceptive non-users (C), to verify the association between this hormonal therapy and the periodontal diseases (O). Searches were performed on 5 databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS and grey literature (OpenGrey and Google Scholar). After the selection process, the included studies were evaluated qualitatively. Moreover, quantitative data were analyzed in two meta-analyses for clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing depth (PD). Finally, the level of certainty was measured with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) tool between periodontal clinical parameters. Results 18 articles were eligible for the qualitative synthesis and 7 of them were selected for quantitative analysis. Hence, 15 of the eligible articles reported an association between the use of hormonal contraceptives and severity of periodontal disease. However, 6 articles demonstrated high risk of bias and were excluded from quantitative synthesis. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant difference for CAL (MD 0.24 [0.09, 0.40]; p = 0.002), but in PD (MD 0.05 [− 0.05, 0.15]; p = 0.33) such difference was not identified. A very low level of evidence was found between the clinical parameters. Conclusions The use of hormonal contraceptives may be associated to severity of periodontal diseases. However, the quantitative analysis points to an inconclusive outcome due to the high level of heterogeneity. The association is biologically plausible, however additional studies are warranted to better elucidate the clinical significance of this possible association.

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EPID-34. THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT OF BIOPSY PRECEDING RESECTION IN SURGICALLY ACCESSIBLE GLIOBLASTOMAS: RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER DATABASE

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii85-ii86

Author(s):

Ping Zhu ◽

Xianglin Du ◽

Angel Blanco ◽

Leomar Y Ballester ◽

Nitin Tandon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Failure Time ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Rank Test ◽

Imaging Features ◽

National Cancer Database ◽

Prolonged Length ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Operative Outcomes ◽

The Impact

Abstract OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of biopsy preceding resection compared to upfront resection in glioblastoma overall survival (OS) and post-operative outcomes using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). METHODS A total of 17,334 GBM patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 were derived from the NCDB. Patients were categorized into two groups: “upfront resection” versus “biopsy followed by resection”. Primary outcome was OS. Post-operative outcomes including 30-day readmission/mortality, 90-day mortality, and prolonged length of inpatient hospital stay (LOS) were secondary endpoints. Kaplan-Meier methods and accelerated failure time (AFT) models with gamma distribution were applied for survival analysis. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were performed to compare differences in the post-operative outcomes between these groups. RESULTS Patients undergoing “upfront resection” experienced superior survival compared to those undergoing “biopsy followed by resection” (median OS: 12.4 versus 11.1 months, log-rank test: P=0.001). In multivariable AFT models, significant survival benefits were observed among patients undergoing “upfront resection” (time ratio [TR]: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75–0.93, P=0.001). Patients undergoing upfront GTR had the longest survival compared to upfront STR, GTR following STR, or GTR and STR following an initial biopsy (14.4 vs. 10.3, 13.5, 13.3, and 9.1, months), respectively (TR: 1.00 [Ref.], 0.75, 0.82, 0.88, and 0.67). Recent years of diagnosis, higher income and treatment at academic facilities were significantly associated with the likelihood of undergoing upfront resection after adjusting the covariates. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that 30-day mortality and 90-day mortality were decreased by 73% and 44% for patients undergoing “upfront resection” over “biopsy followed by resection”, respectively (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Pre-operative biopsies for surgically accessible tumors with characteristic imaging features of Glioblastoma lead to worse survival despite subsequent resection compared to patients undergoing upfront resection.

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The second pregnancy has no effect in the incidence of macrosomia: a cross-sectional survey in two western Chinese regions

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-021-00244-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Li Luo ◽

Huan Zeng ◽

Mao Zeng ◽

Xueqing Liu ◽

Xianglong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Western China ◽

Fetal Macrosomia ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Second Child ◽

Child Policy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background After the implementation of the universal two-child policy in China, the increase in parity has led to an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes. The impact of one and two fetuses on the incidence of fetal macrosomia has not been fully confirmed in China. This study aimed to explore the differences in the incidence of fetal macrosomia in first and second pregnancies in Western China after the implementation of the universal two-child policy. Methods A total of 1598 pregnant women from three hospitals were investigated by means of a cross-sectional study from August 2017 to January 2018. Participants were recruited by convenience and divided into first and second pregnancy groups. These groups included 1094 primiparas and 504 women giving birth to their second child. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to discuss the differences in the incidence of fetal macrosomia in first and second pregnancies. Results No significant difference was found in the incidence of macrosomia in the first pregnancy group (7.2%) and the second pregnancy group (7.1%). In the second-time pregnant mothers, no significant association was found between the macrosomia of the second child (5.5%) and that of the first child (4.7%). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that mothers older than 30 years are not likely to give birth to children with macrosomia (odds ratio (OR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4,0.9). Conclusions The incidence of macrosomia in Western China is might not be affected by the birth of the second child and is not increased by low parity.

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Quantitative Analysis of Comprehensive Influence of Music Network Based on Logistic Regression and Bidirectional Clustering

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/2996750 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Yi-Kun Zhao ◽

Guo-Qing Wang ◽

Xiao-Xiao Zhan ◽

Peng-Hui Yang

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Comprehensive Evaluation ◽

Dynamic Network ◽

Measurement Model ◽

Music Similarity ◽

Pagerank Algorithm ◽

Change Factors ◽

Cluster Analysis Method ◽

The Impact

This paper makes a quantitative analysis of the comprehensive influence of music networks. Firstly, 11 music features are selected from energy, popularity, and other aspects to build a comprehensive evaluation index of music influence, and the PageRank algorithm is used to quantify the music influence. Secondly, the multiobjective logistic regression is used to construct the music similarity measurement model and, combined with music influence and music similarity, to judge whether the influence of different musicians is the actual influence. Thirdly, the influence and similarity of the same music genre and different music genres are analyzed by using the two-way cluster analysis method. Finally, the lasso region is used for feature selection to obtain the change factors in the process of music evolution and analyze the dynamic changes in the process of music development. Therefore, this paper uses network science to build a dynamic network to analyze the similarity of music, the evolution process, and the impact of music on culture, which has certain research significance and practical value in the fields of music, history, social science, and practice.

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The impact of the number of visits and the level of satisfaction on the intention to recommend a tourist destination. The example of Gdańsk

Journal of Geography Politics and Society ◽

10.26881/jpgs.2021.1.05 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tomasz Wiskulski

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Tourist Destination ◽

Entire Sample ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

Number Of Visits ◽

The Impact

The article focuses on examining the intention to recommend Gdańsk as a tourist destination to family and friends. The study was based on the results of a survey (Bęben et al., 2018) conducted among 2,508 respondents visiting Gdańsk in 2017. The method of cluster analysis was applied, thanks to which it was possible to divide the respondents into three clusters. Then, logistic regression was used to analyze the variables influencing the intention to recommend a destination. The study shows that for the entire sample the level of satisfaction from a visit to Gdańsk remains the factor supporting the decision to recommend a destination. Importantly, the total number of visits to Gdańsk is negatively correlated with the intention to recommend the destination, which proves only partial loyalty.

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The Impact of Knowledge Sharing Towards Higher Education Performance in Research Productivity

International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development ◽

10.4018/ijskd.2021010109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 121-132

Author(s):

Hilmi Aulawi

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Research Productivity ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Development Program ◽

Higher Education Management ◽

Education Management ◽

Education Performance ◽

The Impact

Research productivity constitutes a key factor in maintaining the sustainability of higher education management. This study aims to identify the impact of knowledge sharing on research productivity in higher education. This research is a mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory case study design. Quantitative analysis of questionnaires was initially performed by using linear regression. The participants included 35 lecturers working for a private university in Indonesia. The following stage involved further verifying the questionnaire results by means of quantitative analysis of interview data, documents, and focus group discussion (FGD). Results substantiated that knowledge sharing positively and significantly influenced the university's research productivity. In addition, it was revealed that existing expert groups, knowledge-sharing agenda, collaborative research, facility support, funds, partnership with external institutions and human resources development program contributed to the enhancement of lecturers' ability to generate ideas and engage in research endeavors.

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Feminization of Boards and Cameroonian Public Enterprise Performance

International Journal of Business and Management ◽

10.5539/ijbm.v11n11p237 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 237

Author(s):

Désirée Ngomesse Njiké ◽

Robert Wanda

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Boards Of Directors ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Public Enterprise ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Enterprise Performance ◽

Public Enterprises ◽

Public Companies ◽

The Past ◽

The Impact

<p>If in the past few years, many authors seek to characterize the boards of directors in connection with performance proposing classifications based on sociodemographic characteristics of administrators, particularly in terms of gender diversity, the results of previous studies show that connection between the feminization of the boards of directors and the performance of the company is not consensual. We then try to test the impact of the feminization of the boards of directors on the performance of the Cameroonian public enterprises.</p>We have formulated a probabilistic model which is tested from a logistic regression based on data from a sample size of 26 public companies in Cameroon over a period of 4 years (2009-2012). Our results demonstrate that Cameroon public enterprise performance cannot be attributed to the gender diversification resulting from their presence at the level of management.

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Clinical Factors Associated with the Diagnosis of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599816685696 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 156 (3) ◽

pp. 484-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erdem Eren ◽

Toygar Kalkan ◽

Seçil Arslanoğlu ◽

Mustafa Özmen ◽

Kazım Önal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Nasal Mucosa ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of

Objective To determine the predictive value of nasal endoscopic findings and symptoms in the diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Study Design A cross-sectional study. Setting A tertiary university hospital. Subjects and Methods A total of 116 adults were enrolled in the study: 19 patients with GPA, 29 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 68 healthy volunteers. All patients were examined with a flexible endoscope, and nasal endoscopic images were recorded and evaluated blindly. The medical history of each patient was taken by a physician blinded to the patient’s diagnosis. Results Univariate analysis indicated a statistically significant difference in rhinorrhea ( P = .002), postnasal drip ( P = .015), epistaxis ( P < .001), and saddle nose ( P = .017). However, binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only history of epistaxis ( P = .012; odds ratio, 5.6) was statistically significant in predicting GPA. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in nasal secretion ( P = .028), nasal septal perforation ( P < .017), nasal crusting ( P < .001), nasal adhesion ( P < .001), nasal granuloma ( P = .017), and hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa ( P < .001). A binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa ( P < .001; odds ratio, 52.9) was a statistically significant predictor of GPA. Conclusions Given the results of this study, we believe that hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa and history of recurrent epistaxis may put patients at risk for GPA and should be investigated accordingly.

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Doing Time Wisely: The Social and Personal Benefits of Higher Education in Prison

The Prison Journal ◽

10.1177/0032885518776380 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 490-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jillian Baranger ◽

Danielle Rousseau ◽

Mary Ellen Mastrorilli ◽

James Matesanz

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Postsecondary Education ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

The Past ◽

The Social ◽

Women's Prison ◽

Women's Imprisonment ◽

Education Effects ◽

Impact Of Higher Education ◽

The Impact

Much of the research on postsecondary education effects on incarcerated individuals has focused on men. However, given the increased rates of women’s imprisonment over the past 40 years, scholars should examine the impact of higher education in prison on women. In this qualitative study, the authors assess the social and personal benefits of participating in a college behind bars program delivered in a women’s prison. Data gathered with both program participants and faculty suggest that students in the program experienced a reduction in criminogenic attitudes and behaviors as well as positive changes in self-perception.

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The impact of demographic, clinical, genetic, and imaging variables on tau PET status

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging ◽

10.1007/s00259-020-05099-w ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rik Ossenkoppele ◽

◽

Antoine Leuzy ◽

Hanna Cho ◽

Carole H. Sudre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

Regression Models ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Clinical Genetic ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Tau Pet ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose A substantial proportion of amyloid-β (Aβ)+ patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are tau PET–negative, while some clinically diagnosed non-AD neurodegenerative disorder (non-AD) patients or cognitively unimpaired (CU) subjects are tau PET–positive. We investigated which demographic, clinical, genetic, and imaging variables contributed to tau PET status. Methods We included 2338 participants (430 Aβ+ AD dementia, 381 Aβ+ MCI, 370 non-AD, and 1157 CU) who underwent [18F]flortaucipir (n = 1944) or [18F]RO948 (n = 719) PET. Tau PET positivity was determined in the entorhinal cortex, temporal meta-ROI, and Braak V-VI regions using previously established cutoffs. We performed bivariate binary logistic regression models with tau PET status (positive/negative) as dependent variable and age, sex, APOEε4, Aβ status (only in CU and non-AD analyses), MMSE, global white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and AD-signature cortical thickness as predictors. Additionally, we performed multivariable binary logistic regression models to account for all other predictors in the same model. Results Tau PET positivity in the temporal meta-ROI was 88.6% for AD dementia, 46.5% for MCI, 9.5% for non-AD, and 6.1% for CU. Among Aβ+ participants with AD dementia and MCI, lower age, MMSE score, and AD-signature cortical thickness showed the strongest associations with tau PET positivity. In non-AD and CU participants, presence of Aβ was the strongest predictor of a positive tau PET scan. Conclusion We identified several demographic, clinical, and neurobiological factors that are important to explain the variance in tau PET retention observed across the AD pathological continuum, non-AD neurodegenerative disorders, and cognitively unimpaired persons.

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