scholarly journals Efficiency of sector sampling for estimating juniper forest attributes vs. fixed area plot

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 463-469
Author(s):  
Seraj Mohammad Hussein ◽  
Kiani Bahman

Juniper forests grow in mountain areas and many difficulties are encountered in their sampling. Sector sampling as an unbiased and cost-effective method was tested for the sampling of a 12.5-ha juniper forest. To begin with, a point-map of trees was created and 50 quadrats were determined systematically. Fixed area plots were measured within these 50 × 50 m quadrats. In each quadrat, eight sectors with 45° angle were determined. One-sector and two-sector scenarios randomly besides four-sector scenario systematically were conducted. Accuracy and precision of sampling methods were compared. Also, statistical analysis was conducted to compare sector sampling scenarios with fixed area plot (FAP) and real data. Results showed that four-sector scenario estimates were close to FAP method in precision and accuracy. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between sector sampling scenarios and FAP and in real data. But in correlation analysis only the four-sector scenario could compete with FAP method. Regarding consumed time and sampling error simultaneously, the efficiency of sector sampling was higher than that of FAP method for estimating density and close to FAP method for estimating crown cover. It can be concluded that in laborious situations such as in juniper forests, sector sampling can be competitive with FAP method with noticeable parsimony. But more study is still needed to decrease sampling error and optimize sector angle with the purpose of cost saving.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin P. Gaikovich ◽  
Elena P. Kropotkina ◽  
Sergey B. Rozanov

Trends in the ozone layer remain among the major problems of the atmosphere physics; thus, results of measurements of the ozone altitude distribution (profile), carried out in the same place and via the same method, are very important. This paper presents the results of the statistical analysis of ensembles of ozone profiles obtained from ground-based microwave radiometry data acquired at the P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute over a period of two decades (1996–2017). The data collected show the significant difference between monthly mean statistical parameters of ozone profiles of the decades 1996–2006 and 2007–2017. The main and unexpected result is the drastic decrease in monthly root-mean-square (rms) variances of ozone profiles over Moscow above 30 km in cold months of the decade 2007–2017 (if compared to the variances in the decade 1996–2006) with the maximum fall by 46% at 39 km in February monthly mean variances. The decade change of variances obtained by averaging over all nine months in the analysis (from September to May) has the same decrease with maximum fall by 25% at 38 km. Additionally, significant decade changes were revealed in other monthly mean statistical parameters: probability density of ozone profile variances, inter-altitude covariance and correlation functions, and time covariance and correlation—as well as their frequency spectra. The decade change of the ozone profile obtained by averaging over the nine months appeared much less significant: the decrease by 5.7% at the altitude of 19 km (with 1.5% sampling error), minor decrease by 2.6% (with sampling error 1.5%) in the profile maximum at 37 km, and increases of 1.7% at 28 km and 2.5% at 47 km (with sampling errors 1.7%)—lower and higher of this maximum. In addition to that, the corresponding averaged mean total column (integral) ozone content above 20 km remained practically unchanged: 4.61 g/m2 for decade 1996–2006 as compared to 4.58 g/m2 for 2007–2017. Possible explanations of revealed offsets are proposed and discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Samah Nasser Abd El-Aziz El-Shora ◽  
Amina Mohamed Rashad El-Nemer

Background and aim: Hypotension during cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia has been a subject of scientific study for more than 50 years and the search for the most effective strategy to achieve hemodynamic stability remains challenging. Aim: The study was carried out to apply leg wrapping technique for the prevention of spinal-induced hypotension (SIH) during CS.Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial design was utilized at cesarean delivery operating room Mansoura General Hospital in El-Mansoura City during the period from May 2018 to November 2018. A purposive sample of 88 pregnant women, assigned randomly to an intervention group (n = 44) in which their legs wrapped with elastic crepe bandage and control group (n = 44) in which no wrapping was done. Data collected for maternal, neonatal hemodynamic and signs of hypotension, the feasibility of application and cost analysis.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of SIH and Ephedrine use among both groups (18.20% in leg wrapping group whereas 75% in control group). In addition, neonatal acidosis and NICU admission were less among leg wrapping group (11.40%, 9.10% respectively). Economically, leg wrapping technique was cost effective compared to the cost of the hospital regimen for treating SIH and admission to (NICU).Conclusion and recommendations: Leg wrapping technique was cost effective and an efficient method for decreasing SIH, neonatal acidosis and Ephedrine administration. It is recommended to apply leg wrapping technique in maternal hospitals' protocol of care for decreasing SIH during CS.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Emily Kell ◽  
John A. Hammond ◽  
Sophie Andrews ◽  
Christina Germeni ◽  
Helen Hingston ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which carries a high cost to healthcare systems. Exercise is a common conservative management strategy for a range of shoulder conditions and can reduce shoulder pain and improve function. Exercise classes that integrate education and self-management strategies have been shown to be cost-effective, offer psycho-social benefits and promote self-efficacy. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an 8-week educational and exercise-based shoulder rehabilitation programme following the introduction of evidence-based modifications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of a shoulder rehabilitation programme at X Trust was conducted, comparing existing anonymised Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) scores from two cohorts of class participants from 2017-18 and 2018-19 that were previously collected by the physiotherapy team. Data from the two cohorts were analysed separately, and in comparison, to assess class efficacy. Descriptive data were also analysed from a patient satisfaction survey from the 2018-19 cohort. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients completed the 8-week shoulder rehabilitation programme during the period of data collection (2018-2019). The 2018-19 cohort showed significant improvements in SPADI (p 0.001) and PSFS scores (p 0.001). No significant difference was found between the improvements seen in the 2017-18 cohort and the 2018-19 cohort. 96% of the 31 respondents who completed the patient satisfaction survey felt the class helped to achieve their goals. CONCLUSION: A group-based shoulder rehabilitation class, which included loaded exercises and patient education, led to improvements in pain, disability and function for patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) in this outpatient setting, but anticipated additional benefits based on evidence were not observed.


Author(s):  
Izabela Gąska ◽  
Katarzyna Sygit ◽  
Elżbieta Cipora ◽  
Marian Sygit ◽  
Anna Pacian ◽  
...  

Introduction: The basic determinant of healthy behaviour—among other human behaviours—is the fact that it consistently affects health. Nowadays, health behaviour studies are considered to be an important method of measuring the health of a population. Objective: To assess the health behaviours and value-based health analysis of people aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease, depending on the selected descriptive variables. Materials and methods: The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2018 among 411 subjects aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease at the Independent Public Health Care Unit in Sanok (Podkarpackie voivodship in Poland). The method used in the study was a diagnostic survey. The study used the authors’ survey questionnaire and two standardized tests: Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour (IHB) and List of Health Criteria (LHC). A statistical analysis was carried out in the R program, version 3.5.1. The obtained results were subjected to thorough statistical analysis using the following tests: Student’s t, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD), Pearson, and Spearman. Results: The strongest correlation between health status and health behaviours (according to the IHB questionnaire) was in the area of ‘health practices’, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. Based on the LHC questionnaire, the most important health criteria according to the subjects were ‘not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. A positive correlation was found in the group of respondents where the ‘preventive health behaviours’ were more intense; herein, the more important criterion for the respondents was ‘eating properly’. Conclusions: Respondents aged 50+ and hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases indicated (based on the IHB questionnaire) that health behaviours in the area of ‘health practices’ had the strongest correlation with their health, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. According to the respondents, the most important criteria determining health (according to the LHC questionnaire) included ’not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. Based on the information collected from the respondents, it was found that the most important criteria determining health depended on selected descriptive variables, such as age, gender, place of residence, education, and marital status.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482198905
Author(s):  
John A. Perrone ◽  
Stephanie Yee ◽  
Manrique Guerrero ◽  
Antai Wang ◽  
Brian Hanley ◽  
...  

Introduction After extensive mediastinal dissection fails to achieve adequate intra-abdominal esophageal length, a Collis gastroplasty(CG) is recommended to decrease axial tension and reduce hiatal hernia recurrence. However, concerns exist about staple line leak, and long-term symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia due to the acid-producing neoesophagus which lacks peristaltic activity. This study aimed to assess long-term satisfaction and GERD-related quality of life after robotic fundoplication with CG (wedge fundectomy technique) and to compare outcomes to patients who underwent fundoplication without CG. Outcomes studied included patient satisfaction, resumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), length of surgery (LOS), hospital stay, and reintervention. Methods This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients from January 2017 through December 2018 undergoing elective robotic hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication. 61 patients were contacted for follow-up, of which 20 responded. Of those 20 patients, 7 had a CG performed during surgery while 13 did not. There was no significant difference in size and type of hiatal hernias in the 2 groups. These patients agreed to give their feedback via a GERD health-related quality of life (GERD HRQL) questionnaire. Their medical records were reviewed for LOS, length of hospital stay (LOH), and reintervention needed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 25. Satisfaction and need for PPIs were compared between the treatment and control groups using the chi-square test of independence. Results Statistical analysis showed that satisfaction with outcome and PPI resumption was not significantly different between both groups ( P > .05). There was a significant difference in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the question on postoperative dysphagia on the follow-up GERD HRQL questionnaire, with the group with CG reporting no dysphagia. There were no significant differences in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the remaining 15 questions ( P > .05). The median LOS was longer in patients who had a CG compared to patients who did not (250 vs. 148 min) ( P = .01). The LOH stay was not significantly different ( P > .05) with a median length of stay of 2 days observed in both groups. There were no leaks in the Collis group and no reoperations, conversions, or blood transfusions needed in either group. Conclusion Collis gastroplasty is a safe option to utilize for short esophagus noted despite extensive mediastinal mobilization and does not adversely affect the LOH stay, need for reoperation, or patient long-term satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Zamanzade ◽  
Xinlei Wang

AbstractRanked set sampling (RSS), known as a cost-effective sampling technique, requires that the ranker gives a complete ranking of the units in each set. Frey (2012) proposed a modification of RSS based on partially ordered sets, referred to as RSS-t in this paper, to allow the ranker to declare ties as much as he/she wishes. We consider the problem of estimating the area under a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve using RSS-t samples. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) is commonly used as a measure for the effectiveness of diagnostic markers. We develop six nonparametric estimators of the AUC with/without utilizing tie information based on different approaches. We then compare the estimators using a Monte Carlo simulation and an empirical study with real data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results show that utilizing tie information increases the efficiency of estimating the AUC. Suggestions about when to choose which estimator are also made available to practitioners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Karl Schwaiger ◽  
Laurenz Weitgasser ◽  
Maximilian Mahrhofer ◽  
Kathrin Bachleitner ◽  
Selim Abed ◽  
...  

Introduction: The transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap has become a popular and reliable alternative for autologous breast reconstruction. Initially described as a valuable tissue source for women with low body-mass index, indications nowadays have widely expanded. The Western civilization demographic development with its aging population and the steady growing average BMI has led to increasing breast reconstructions with TMG flaps in overweight and aged individuals. Patients and Methods: A total of 300 TMG free flaps for unilateral autologous breast reconstruction were evaluated in the form of a retrospective double center cohort study. Data extraction, study group formation and statistical analysis (One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s chi-squared statistical analysis and relative risk calculation) were done specifically to evaluate age and BMI as risk factors for postoperative complications and outcome. Results: No significant differences in patients’ age and BMI in the complication groups compared to the no-complication group could be found. No significant difference regarding the occurrence of complications could be found in any of the formed risk-groups. No significant increase of minor-, major- or overall complications, flap loss or revision surgeries were found in the elderly patient groups or for patients with overweight. Conclusion: Age and overweight do not significantly increase the risk for postoperative complications after breast reconstructions with free TMG flaps. The findings of this study support the fact that microsurgical breast reconstruction with a free TMG flap should not solely be reserved for younger patients and females with a lower BMI.


1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-109
Author(s):  
G Mecheri ◽  
Y Bissuel ◽  
J Dalery ◽  
JL Terra ◽  
G Balvay ◽  
...  

SummaryIn vivo NMR 31p spectroscopy is a non invasive, non ionizing method of exploration of energy and phospholipid metabolism in the brain. This study consisted of comparing 31p spectra in five patients with Senile Dementia of Alzheimer Type (SDAT) with those of four controls of similar ages. Abnormal phosphonionocsters (PME) concentrations, either high or low, were found in the patients, but statistical analysis did not elicit any significant difference relative to controls.


1954 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Braude ◽  
P. M. Clarke ◽  
K. G. Mitchell

1. A survey and. statistical analysis of the records of litters born in the N.I.R.D. herd of Large White pigs over a period of 16 years are presented.2. The mean length of gestation was 114 days for both gilts and sows.3. The mean numbers of pigs born alive and born dead per litter from gilts, 10·0 and 0·2 respectively, were both significantly smaller than the corresponding figures for sows, 11·8 and O·8. No seasonal differences were found.4. The mean total losses of pigs from birth to weaning at 8 weeks were 29·5% of pigs born alive. The losses in litters from gilts, 23·0%, were significantly smaller than in litters from sows, 31·0%. The losses during the winter months both for gilts, 32·5%, and for sows, 35·9%, were significantly higher than during the summer months, 19·4% and 26·7% for gilts and sows respectively.5. Over 50% of the total losses were due to crushing by the dam, 74·1% of the losses from this cause occurring during the first 48 hr. after birth.6. The mean number of pigs weaned per litter was 8·0. The difference between the number weaned per litter from gilts, 7·7, and per litter from number of pigs was weaned per litter from sows during the summer months, 8·7, than during the winter months, 7·4.7. There was no significant difference between the number of male and of female pigs weaned.8. The mean weight at weaning was 29·9 lb., male pigs, 30·3 lb., being significantly heavier than females, 29·51b. Pigs in litters from gilts, 27·81b., were significantly lighter at weaning than those from sows, 30·0 lb., and for both gilts and sows, pigs reared during the summer months, 29·7 and 31·8 lb. respectively, were significantly heavier than those reared during the winter months, 25·9 and 28·2 lb. respectively.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 189-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Dosani ◽  
Sameer K. Khan ◽  
Sheila Gray ◽  
Steve Joseph ◽  
Ian A. Whittaker

This prospective non-randomised two-cohort study compares the use of an absorbable suture (Poliglecrapone [Monocryl]: Group A) and a non-absorbable suture (Polyamide [Ethilon]: Group B) in wound closure after elective carpal tunnel decompression. The primary outcome was scar cosmesis as assessed by the Stonybrook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES); the financial cost of wound closure was compared as a secondary outocome. All fifty patients completed follow-up. At six weeks, there was no significant difference in the two groups regarding scar tenderness (p = 0.5), although residual swelling was more evident in the absorbable group (p = 0.2). The mean SBSES score at six weeks was 4.72 in Group A, and 4.8 in Group B (p = 0.3). The unit cost per closed wound of Monocryl was three times than Ethilon (p < 0.05). Ethilon is thus cost-effective without compromising the cosmetic outcome, and we recommend using this as the preferred suture for closure of carpal tunnel wounds.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document