Analyse Et Illustration De La Valeur Indicatrice Des Espèces Macrobenthiques Du Delta De l’Ouémé Au Bénin

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 333
Author(s):  
Léonce Herman Zinsou ◽  
Hippolyte Agadjihouedé ◽  
Pierre Gnohossou ◽  
Philippe Lalèyè
Keyword(s):  
Indicator Value ◽  
Flood Season ◽  
Biserial Correlation ◽  
Marked Preference ◽  
Species Characteristics ◽  
Highly Correlated

In this work, it was matter of determining the species characteristics of the delta of the Oueme through the illustration of their indicative value. Sampling was carried out in eight heterogeneous stations covering the periods of flood and low water. The various indices including that of biserial correlation IndVal (Indicator Value Index) and the cover sites of groups were used as the basis of analysis. The results showed that the selected significant indicative species are highly correlated and have a preference for stations full of organic and mineralized matter. Also, taxa have a marked preference for the flood season (21 taxa) than low water (5 taxa). Most characteristic taxa highlighted by this procedure should be useful to assess changes in quality of the plants studied. Most taxa characteristics highlighted by this procedure should be useful to assess changes in quality of the plants studied.

scholarly journals Packaging Solutions to Extend the Shelf Life of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) ‘Vegalim’

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Stefania Toscano ◽  
Valeria Rizzo ◽  
Fabio Licciardello ◽  
Daniela Romano ◽  
Giuseppe Muratore
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Color Difference ◽  
Asparagus Officinalis ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Postharvest Life ◽  
Sensory Color ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Enzymatic Changes ◽  
Green Asparagus

The aim of the study was to assess, through a comparative shelf-life test, the suitability of two packaging materials, namely macro-perforated polypropylene (PP MA) and micro-perforated coextruded polypropylene (PP C), for the quality preservation of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L. ‘Vegalim’). Quality of spears was evaluated during 30 days at refrigerated storage by monitoring chemical, physical, and enzymatic parameters as well as sensory descriptors. PP C kept headspace composition close to suggested values for fresh green asparagus. Total color difference increased during the storage and it was highly correlated with chlorophyll-a and carotenoids, however, sensory color perception did not change significantly until 22 days of storage. PP C maintained ascorbic acid concentrations close to the initial levels, limited total phenolic compound loss to 24% (45% in PP MA), determined an increase of 72% in fiber content and small changes in lignin value; enzymatic changes were significantly inhibited. Significant sensorial differences were detected after 22 days of storage, with PP C performing better than PP MA. PP C film was confirmed as the best choice, limiting weight loss and maintaining a fresh-like appearance during 30 days of storage, thus allowing an extension in postharvest life.

Growth and furring of mink (Mustela vison) given diets containing the β-adrenergic agonist, cimaterol

1991 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Slayden ◽  
J. E. Oldfield ◽  
F. Stormshak
Keyword(s):  
Group Treatment ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Adrenergic Agonist ◽  
Guard Hair ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Diet Control ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Fur Quality

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary cimaterol, a β-adrenergic agonist, on growth, carcass characteristics and pelt quality of kit mink. The 40 standard dark and 40 sapphire mink kits were assigned to a control or to one of three treatment groups (five males and five females of each colour phase per group). Treatment consisted of the inclusion of 0·5, 2 and 5 mg cimaterol per kg (dry) of a standard ranch mink diet (control). All animals were weighed at the initiation of the experiment (24 July) and at 28-day intervals until 16 October. At slaughter (12 December) body weights were recorded and pelts measured for length and evaluated for fur colour and quality by experienced fur graders. Samples of fur from similar sites on each animal were removed for measurement of guard hair and underfur diameter. Frozen carcasses were analysed for protein and fat content. Mink final weight decreased with increasing concentrations of dietary cimaterol (P < 0·05). Pelt length, which was found to be highly correlated with body size, was also reduced by cimaterol treatment. Feeding 2 and 5 mg cimaterol per kg diet to male kits, and 5 mg/kg to female kits caused a significant reduction in the proportion of carcass fat and increased the proportion of carcass protein (P < 0·05). Fur fibre diameter for both guard hair and underfur was not significantly affected by dietary cimaterol. There was also no significant effect of cimaterol treatment on fur quality. Cimaterol treatment did not result in diversion of nutrients from body proteins to the synthesis of fur and pelt proteins. Results of this research indicate that oral administration of cimaterol to mink will be of little practical value in fur production.

scholarly journals Investigating User Emotional Responses to Eco-Feedback Designs

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qifang Bao ◽  
Edward Burnell ◽  
Ann M. Hughes ◽  
Maria C. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
Feedback Information ◽  
Feedback Design ◽  
Lab Experiments ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Highly Correlated

Emotional responses to a product can be critical in influencing how the product will be used. This study explores the emotions that arise from users' interaction with eco-feedback products, and investigates links between emotions and users' resource conservation behaviors. In-lab experiments were conducted with 68 participants of varying backgrounds. Each participant was shown sketches of four conceptual designs of eco-feedback products and reported how they would feel and behave in different scenarios using the products. Two styles of eco-feedback design, quantitative and figurative, were compared to each other and were compared to neutral designs, which had little or no feedback information. Results showed that taking resource conservation actions such as turning off lights was highly correlated with negative emotions toward wasting resources, such as guilt, upset, embarrassment, and annoyance. Users' evaluations of esthetics, usefulness, and overall quality of eco-feedback products, however, were highly correlated with positive emotions toward resource conservation, described as satisfied, proud, interested, and joyful. Figurative designs were observed to evoke much stronger emotions among younger participants than older ones. Ultimately, we hope our findings are useful to the designers of eco-feedback products.

scholarly journals Spectrophotometric Analysis of the Resazurin Reduction Test as a Tool for Assessing Canine Semen Quality

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafał Strzeżek ◽  
Krystyna Filipowicz ◽  
Marta Stańczak ◽  
Władysław Kordan
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Spectrophotometric Analysis ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Reduction Test ◽  
Highly Correlated

Abstract The resazurin reduction test (RRT) was subjected to spectrophotometric analysis to evaluate the quality of canine semen. Twenty four samples of canine semen were analysed. The absorption peaks for resazurin and resorufin were determined at 615 and 580 nm, respectively. The RRT ratio (RRTsperm-the ratio for samples containing spermatozoa, RRTplasma-the ratio for samples containing seminal plasma) was calculated by dividing the absorbance at 580 nm by the absorbance at 615 nm. Spearman’s correlation test was used to determine the significance of correlations between the analysed sperm parameters and the results of the resazurin reduction assay. The RRT ratio was highly correlated with sperm motility (r=0.68, P<0.01), progressive sperm motility (r=0.61, P<0.01), the subpopulation of cells with rapid velocity (r=0.72, P<0.01), and the subpopulation of cells with medium velocity (r= -0.54, P<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between the reducing capacity of seminal plasma vs. sperm with plasma membrane integrity (r= -0.60, P<0.01) and sperm with normal morphology (r= -0.58, P<0.01). The RRT test can be used as an additional tool for evaluation of the quality of canine semen.

scholarly journals The Arabic Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale: Development and Validation Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bardus ◽  
Nathalie Awada ◽  
Lilian A Ghandour ◽  
Elie-Jacques Fares ◽  
Tarek Gherbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Highly Correlated

BACKGROUND With thousands of health apps in app stores globally, it is crucial to systemically and thoroughly evaluate the quality of these apps due to their potential influence on health decisions and outcomes. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) is the only currently available tool that provides a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation of app quality, which has been used to compare medical apps from American and European app stores in various areas, available in English, Italian, Spanish, and German. However, this tool is not available in Arabic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to translate and adapt MARS to Arabic and validate the tool with a sample of health apps aimed at managing or preventing obesity and associated disorders. METHODS We followed a well-established and defined “universalist” process of cross-cultural adaptation using a mixed methods approach. Early translations of the tool, accompanied by confirmation of the contents by two rounds of separate discussions, were included and culminated in a final version, which was then back-translated into English. Two trained researchers piloted the MARS in Arabic (MARS-Ar) with a sample of 10 weight management apps obtained from Google Play and the App Store. Interrater reliability was established using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). After reliability was ascertained, the two researchers independently evaluated a set of additional 56 apps. RESULTS MARS-Ar was highly aligned with the original English version. The ICCs for MARS-Ar (0.836, 95% CI 0.817-0.853) and MARS English (0.838, 95% CI 0.819-0.855) were good. The MARS-Ar subscales were highly correlated with the original counterparts (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The lowest correlation was observed in the area of usability (<i>r</i>=0.685), followed by aesthetics (<i>r</i>=0.827), information quality (<i>r</i>=0.854), engagement (<i>r</i>=0.894), and total app quality (<i>r</i>=0.897). Subjective quality was also highly correlated (<i>r</i>=0.820). CONCLUSIONS MARS-Ar is a valid instrument to assess app quality among trained Arabic-speaking users of health and fitness apps. Researchers and public health professionals in the Arab world can use the overall MARS score and its subscales to reliably evaluate the quality of weight management apps. Further research is necessary to test the MARS-Ar on apps addressing various health issues, such as attention or anxiety prevention, or sexual and reproductive health.

scholarly journals Analysis of the interventions adopted due to the COVID-19 on ARI morbility for Colombia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Quijano-Angarita ◽  
Oscar Espinosa ◽  
Marcela M Mercado-Reyes ◽  
Diana Walteros ◽  
Diana Carolina Malo
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Official Declaration

Acute Respiratory Infections are among the leading causes of death globally, particularly in developing countries, and are highly correlated with the quality of health and surveillance systems and effective early interventions in high-risk age groups. According to the World Health Organization, about four million people die each year from mostly preventable respiratory tract infections, making it a public health concern. The official declaration of a pandemic in March 2020 due to the Sars-CoV-2 virus coincided with the influenza season in Colombia and with environmental alerts about low air quality that increase its incidence. The objective of this document is the application of a flexible model for the identification of the pattern and monitoring of ARI morbility for Colombia by age group that shows atypical patterns in the reported series for 5 departments and that coincide with the decisions implemented to contain the COVID-19

scholarly journals Listener Perception of Monopitch, Naturalness, and Intelligibility for Speakers With Parkinson's Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 1134-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supraja Anand ◽  
Cara E. Stepp
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Potential Significance ◽  
Rehabilitation Outcomes ◽  
Rate Method ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Short Utterances ◽  
Speech Naturalness

PurposeGiven the potential significance of speech naturalness to functional and social rehabilitation outcomes, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of listener perceptions of monopitch on speech naturalness and intelligibility in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodTwo short utterances were extracted from monologue samples of 16 speakers with PD and 5 age-matched adults without PD. Sixteen listeners evaluated these stimuli for monopitch, speech naturalness and intelligibility using the visual sort and rate method.ResultsNaïve listeners can reliably judge monopitch, speech naturalness, and intelligibility with minimal familiarization. While monopitch and speech intelligibility were only moderately correlated, monopitch and speech naturalness were highly correlated.ConclusionsA great deal of attention is currently being paid to improvement of vocal loudness and thus speech intelligibility in PD. Our findings suggest that prosodic characteristics such as monopitch should be explored as adjuncts to this treatment of dysarthria in PD. Development of such prosodic treatments may enhance speech naturalness and thus improve quality of life.

scholarly journals Reliability and telephone validity of the Stroke-specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) scale

Stroke ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 339-339
Author(s):  
Linda S Williams ◽  
Gayle Redmon ◽  
D’Anna C Saul ◽  
Morris Weinberger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Domain Score ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Trained Interviewer ◽  
Individual Domain ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Ir Study ◽  
Domain Scores

P3 Background/Purpose: The SS-QOL is a validated 49-item stroke-specific quality of life scale. Scale stability over time, between raters and with different administration modes are necessary for use in large studies. The purpose of this study is to examine SS-QOL test-retest (TR) and inter-rater reliability (IR), and validity of telephone (PH) administration. Methods: Ischemic stroke survivors with no significant language or cognitive impairments were recruited as part of an ongoing study of SS-QOL version 2.0. In the TR study (N=47), a trained interviewer re-administered the SS-QOL within 2 hours of the initial interview. In the IR study (N=24), a second trained interviewer re-administered the SS-QOL within 2 hours of the first interview. The PH interview (N=34) was conducted within 48 hours of a face to face interview. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between the overall SS-QOL scores and individual domain scores. Because scores may be highly correlated yet biased, paired t-tests were used to assess response bias. Overall SS-QOL score and domain scores range from 1.0 (worst) to 5.0 (best). Domains are: Mobility, Upper Extremities, Work, Self-care, Energy, Family Roles, Vision, Language, Social Roles, Cognition, Personality, and Mood. Results: 98–100% of the 3 samples were male, 88–94% were white and mean age was 66–67 years. Mean time since stroke was 4 months in the TR and IR samples and 5 months in the PH sample. SS-QOL scores were highly correlated and unbiased on TR (r=.92), IR (r=.92), and PH (r=.93) testing. All individual domain scores were also highly correlated in IR, TR and PH testing. Cognition and Personality domain scores were slightly higher on re-test and the Language domain score was slightly higher on PH administration. These differences were all < 1/4 of a standard deviation in domain score. Conclusions: The SS-QOL has excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability. Telephone administration of the SS-QOL is accurate and unbiased. Individual domain scores are also highly reliable and observed differences in domain scores are rare and small. Validation of SS-QOL mail administration is ongoing.

Abstract 220: Comparison of 3 Cognitive Exams in Cardiac Arrest Survivors

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Koller ◽  
Jon Rittenberger ◽  
Patrick Morgan ◽  
Melissa Repine ◽  
Jeffrey Kristan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Percentile Score ◽  
Pairwise Correlations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Alpha Error

Background: Cognitive deficits may detract from quality of life after cardiac arrest (CA). The pattern and prevalence of these deficits are not well documented. We used the Computer Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (CAMCI), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and the 41 Cent Test to assess cognitive impairment in survivors of CA. We hypothesized that CAMCI subscales and other scores that were highly correlated could identify specific domains of impairment in CA survivors. Methods: Four researchers administered the CAMCI, MOCA, and/or the 41 Cent Test to CA survivors after discharge from the intensive care unit between 2010 and 2014. Physicians screened patients with the Mini-Mental State Exam to determine when this cognitive testing was feasible. We compared the distribution of scores between patients who presented with coma and those who awoke immediately after CA. Pairwise correlations between the different subscales and tests were considered significant with alpha error of 0.05. Results: Ninety-two participants completed the CAMCI, of which 18 participants completed the CAMCI, MOCA and 41 Cent Test. The mean (SD) percentile score for CAMCI was 32.2 (20.3) out of possible 100, for the MOCA was 20.3 (5.2) out of a possible 30 points and the 41 Cent Test was 5.4 (1.1) out of a possible 7 points. MOCA correlated strongly with the overall CAMCI score (r = 0.82) and with the executive accuracy subscale of the CAMCI (r = 0.75). The executive accuracy subscale and overall CAMCI score correlated with one another (r = 0.81) when all 92 CAMCI exams were considered. The MOCA and 41 Cent Test were correlated with each other (r = 0.63). Conclusion: The CAMCI detects cognitive impairment after CA; the MOCA correlates strongly with the overall CAMCI and the executive function subscale of the CAMCI. The 41 Cent Test may not be as effective as the MOCA in detecting cognitive deficits.

scholarly journals Role of estrogen and stress on the brain-gut axis

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (2) ◽  
pp. G203-G209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Jiang ◽  
Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld ◽  
Anthony C. Johnson ◽  
R. Alberto Travagli
Keyword(s):  
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Visceral Sensitivity ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Acute And Chronic Stress ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Gi Motility

Symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), including fullness, bloating, abdominal pain, and altered gastrointestinal (GI) motility, present a significant clinical problem, with a reported prevalence of 25%–40% within the general population. More than 60% of those affected seek and require healthcare, and affected individuals report a significantly decreased quality of life. FGIDs are highly correlated with episodes of acute and chronic stress and are increased in prevalence and reported severity in women compared with men. Although there is evidence that sex and stress interact to exacerbate FGID symptoms, the physiological mechanisms that mediate these sex-dependent disparities are incompletely understood, although hormonal-related differences in GI motility and visceral sensitivity have been purported to play a significant role in the etiology. In this mini review, we will discuss brain-gut axis control of GI motility and sensitivity, the influence of estrogen on GI motility and sensitivity, and stress modulation of the brain-gut axis.

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