The Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Precipitation During the Driest Year from the Last Decade

Abstract In order to investigate the precipitation chemistry, studies were carried out from January 2013 to December 2013 in Odorheiu Secuiesc and Miercurea Ciuc, Eastern Carpathians, Romania. During a period of eleven years (2006 – 2016), 2013 was the driest year. The rainwater samples were analyzed for pH, major anions and cations. HCO3− concentrations were calculated based on the empirical relationship between pH and HCO3−. NH4+, Ca2+, SO42− were the dominant ions in precipitation at both sites. The pH values varied from 6.75 to 7.46 Miercurea Ciuc, and from 6.69 to 7.67 in Odorheiu Secuiesc. The neutralization was mainly brought by Ca2+ and NH4+. Estimated ratios of sea-salt fraction (SSF), non-sea-salt fraction (NSSF), and results from Spearman’s rank correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), showed that the acidic ions (SO42−, NO3−) were derived from anthropogenic activities, NH4+ from soil fertilization, while Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ originated from terrestrial source. These influence the precipitations ionic content, especially during droughts. Spatial variations and the rim effect of the Eastern Carpathians on precipitation chemistry is also shown.

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Do you see the same cat that I see? Relationships between Qualitative Behaviour Assessment and indicators traditionally used to assess temperament in domestic cats

Animal Welfare ◽

10.7120/09627286.30.2.211 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 211-223

Author(s):

IC Travnik ◽

AC Sant'Anna

Keyword(s):

Rank Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Principal Component ◽

Practical Method ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Emotional Expressions ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Qualitative Behaviour ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Coding Method

This study into the behaviour of domestic cats (Feliscatus) aimed to assess the relationship between behavioural expressions obtained via the Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) and quantitative outcomes of temperament tests. Four behavioural tests were used: Unfamiliar person (UP); Novel object (NO); Conspecific reaction (CR); and Food offering (FO) tests. Tests were filmed and assessed using an ethogram that included 25 discrete behavioural categories, generating quantitative information (coding method) on the existing temperament dimensions. Videos were also assessed by another observer using the QBA method, based on a list of 20 adjectives rated in visual analogue scales (rating method). Data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to relate the principal components (PC) of QBA to the temperament dimensions obtained with the coding method. The QBA allowed us to identify three PC, explaining 76.63% of the total variance. PC1 ranged from 'calm/relaxed/friendly' to 'tense/fearful/alert', reflecting the valence of cats' behavioural and emotional expressions towards the stimuli tested. PC2 ranged from 'indifferent' to 'agitated/active', indicating the level of emotional arousal, and PC3 ranged from 'aggressive' to 'suspicious' and could be interpreted as an axis of 'aggressiveness — caution' in response to the stimuli. The first PC obtained for each test by using the coding method was significantly correlated with the PC1 of QBA, suggesting that the variations in cats' behavioural and emotional expressions identified by QBA were correlated with the main quantitative outcomes of temperament tests traditionally applied for domestic cats. QBA could be a promising tool for identifying and differentiating cat temperament profiles. Further research is required to assess the potential use of QBA as a feasible and practical method for use in shelters.

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Opinions of Polish students on the need for the transition to distance learning when facing the global pandemic Covid-19

Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology Organization and Management Series ◽

10.29119/1641-3466.2021.150.16 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (150) ◽

pp. 213-223

Author(s):

Agnieszka PUTO ◽

Keyword(s):

Distance Learning ◽

Teaching Method ◽

Empirical Relationship ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Internet Survey ◽

Ordinal Scale ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Statistical Measures ◽

Global Pandemic

Purpose: The objective of the article is to present the condition of Polish universities and trends occurring in distance learning and e-learning. The results of the research conducted among students of Polish universities (N-2226), who were forced to the transition to distance learning from day to day, are presented in the article. Using well-known statistical measures, the correlations between the selected factors have been indicated. The research results on the correlations between the following variables have been presented – the opinions on the need for the transition to distance learning during the pandemic and:  gender,  age,  taking up employment in addition to studying,  an opportunity to study in a separate room. Design/methodology/approach: For the research purposes, a well-known Internet Survey Panel was utilized, which was used to create and manage the surveys as well as to collect the results. The bivariate analysis was used, the objective of which was to determine the empirical relationship between the selected variables. In the research, among others, the following were used: Chi-Square Test for Independence, Phi-Square Test for Independence, Spearman’s rank correlation test. For the data with the responses specified on the ordinal scale in the correlation analysis, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used. Findings: The change in the teaching method which has been experienced in relation to the global pandemic may prove to be a breakthrough and give rise to changes in student education So as to educate the future staff of Industry 4.0 using distance learning. Increasing students’ involvement in the learning process may help them acquire competences useful in their professional life more effectively

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A new index for evaluation of G×E interaction in pearl millet using AMMI and GGE biplot analyses

Indian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.18805/ijare.a-5244 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mamata . ◽

B. K. Hooda ◽

Ekta Hooda

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Stability Index ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Genetic Constitution ◽

Gge Biplot ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient ◽

Level Of Significance

Performance of a genotype is the result of its genetic constitution and the environment in which it has been grown. In practice, a particular variety may not exhibit the same phenotypic performance under different environments. Also, different varieties may respond differently to a specific environment. Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and GGE biplot analyses are the most frequently used models to explain G×E interaction of multi-environment cultivar trials. Based on climatic conditions, the pearl millet cultivation in India is divided in 3 major zones A1, A and B for effective evaluation of the pearl millet breeding material. In the present study, the G×E interaction in pearl millet genotypes from zone-A of India has been evaluated using the techniques of AMMI and GGE biplot analyses. A new Weighted Stability Index (WSI) has been proposed for determining the high yielding and stable genotypes based on the normalized indices for grain yield and ASV indices. The three interaction principal component axes (IPCA1, IPCA2 and IPCA3) have been found to be significant for this zone. AMMI Stability Value (ASV) and Stability Index have been used to find the most stable genotypes while indices YSI and WSI have been used to find both the most stable and high yielding genotypes. On the basis of ASV, genotypes MH 2120, MH 2109 and MH 2116 have been found to be the most stable for this Zone. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between YSI and WSI was found to be significant at 1% level of significance indicating that the two indices have almost similar performance in determining high yielding stable genotypes.

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Translation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Capability Assessment for Diet and Activity (CADA) Questionnaire in Saudi University Employed Women

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6246

Author(s):

Jwaher Haji Alhaji ◽

Ghareeb O. Alshuwaier ◽

Nouf Sahal Alharbi ◽

Abdulrahman I. Alaqil ◽

Nora Majed BinSultan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Behavior Management ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Activity Level ◽

Arabic Version ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Diet And Physical Activity

Background: The Capability Assessment for Diet and Activity (CADA) is a questionnaire that was developed in English and designed to measure the practical barriers and opportunities for diet and physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the CADA questionnaire for the Arabic context in a sample of Saudi women employed at a university. Methods: The CADA was translated into Arabic using the forward and backward translation process. The Arabic version was then validated with a sample of 125 female Saudi participants. In order to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was assessed, and a principal component analysis was performed. Results: The translated CADA had good psychometric quality. The content validity analysis revealed a representativeness score of 99.3% and a degree of clarity of 98.6%, indicating excellent compatibility. The principal component analysis showed a single-factor structure. Conclusions: The Arabic version of the CADA questionnaire is now available to assess opportunities to achieve a healthy diet and physical activity level as part of health behavior management, which can lead to more effective interventions for improving people’s health in Arabic-speaking countries.

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Development and Validation of Acupuncture Fear Scale

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/109704 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ho-Sun Kim ◽

Yun-Ji Kim ◽

Hwa-Jin Lee ◽

Song-Yi Kim ◽

Hyangsook Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acupuncture Treatment ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Principal Component ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient ◽

Painful Sensation ◽

Two Factors ◽

Test Retest Reliability ◽

Development And Validation

Objectives. Strong aversions to acupuncture have been an obstacle to understanding its intrinsic action of acupuncture. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the nature and extent of fear of acupuncture treatment. Our study aims to develop and validate an instrument that evaluates a patient’s fear of acupuncture treatment.Methods. We have developed an acupuncture fear scale, a 16-item instrument which assesses the acupuncture fear score and uses it to survey 275 participants in South Korea, thus testing the reliability and validity of the instrument.Results. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.935). Test-retest reliability (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient) among 33 participants out of 275 ranged from 0.565 to 0.797 (P<0.001). Principal component analysis revealed two factors accounting for 68% of the variance, which are painful sensation and possible adverse events, respectively. The acupuncture fear scale was positively correlated with the total of fear of pain questionnaire-III (r=0.423,P<0.001).Conclusions. The acupuncture fear scale can be a valid and reliable instrument that can measure fear of acupuncture treatment. These results strongly suggest that it would be a clinically useful tool to assess fear of acupuncture in the acupuncture clinic setting and an important instrument to understand the complex social-behavioral component of acupuncture modality.

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Metabolome-Based Discrimination Analysis of Shallot Landraces and Bulb Onion Cultivars Associated with Differences in the Amino Acid and Flavonoid Profiles

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25225300 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (22) ◽

pp. 5300

Author(s):

Mostafa Abdelrahman ◽

Nur Aeni Ariyanti ◽

Yuji Sawada ◽

Fumitada Tsuji ◽

Sho Hirata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Absolute Quantification ◽

High Accumulation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Tropical Environments ◽

Bulb Onion ◽

Group I

Shallot landraces and varieties are considered an important genetic resource for Allium breeding due to their high contents of several functional metabolites. Aiming to provide new genetic materials for the development of a novel bulb onion cultivar derived from intraspecific hybrids with useful agronomic traits from shallots, the metabolic profiles in the bulbs of 8 Indonesian shallot landraces and 7 short-day and 3 long-day bulb onion cultivars were established using LC–Q-TOF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and dendrogram clustering analysis showed two major groups; group I contained all shallot landraces and group II contained all bulb onion cultivars, indicating that shallots exhibited a distinct metabolic profile in comparison with bulb onions. Variable importance in the projection and Spearman’s rank correlation indicated that free and conjugated amino acids, flavonoids (especially metabolites having flavonol aglycone), and anthocyanins, as well as organic acids, were among the top metabolite variables that were highly associated with shallot landraces. The absolute quantification of 21 amino acids using conventional HPLC analysis showed high contents in shallots rather than in bulb onions. The present study indicated that shallots reprogrammed their metabolism toward a high accumulation of amino acids and flavonoids as an adaptive mechanism in extremely hot tropical environments.

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Examining Safety Culture among University Employees in the Klang Valley

Journal of Advanced Research in Social and Behavioural Sciences ◽

10.37934/arsbs.22.1.19 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Nur Hairani Abd Rahman ◽

Nurdaliela Razizi ◽

Nurul Liyana Mohd Kamil

Keyword(s):

Safety Culture ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Empirical Relationship ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Public University ◽

Occupational Accidents ◽

University Management ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis

Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia reported that accident and fatality rate are anticipating to rise constantly over next few years. Physical, psychological and social hazards are the factors that cause occupational accidents and illness, subsequently jeopardised workers’ health and safety. There are extensive occupational health and safety studies conducted in various sectors, but it is less focused on the public sector, particularly public university. Therefore, this paper intends to examine the factors impact safety culture, which involve attitude and practice among public sector’s workers particularly in public university. The study employed quantitative approach specifically mail questionnaire were utilised as the main instrument to collect the information. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. In anticipation to investigate association between physical, psychological and social hazards with safety culture, Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient was deployed. Besides that, to scrutinise relationship among variables, ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed. The study finds that only psychological hazards has significant correlation with attitude (?=.272). Further examination on the relationship between variables, the study discovers that only psychological factors have significant influence on practice (p=.002, OD=7.264). This study has exposed empirical relationship between physical hazards, psychological hazards and social hazards factors with safety culture. The university management must diligently address these factors as the exposure to these hazards can cause occupational diseases and work accidents.

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Evaluation of consistency over time of the use of the Animal Welfare Indicators protocol for horses

Animal Welfare ◽

10.7120/09627286.30.1.081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 81-90

Author(s):

I Czycholl ◽

K Büttner ◽

P Klingbeil ◽

J Krieter

Keyword(s):

Animal Welfare ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Intra Class Correlation ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Welfare Indicators ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Smallest Detectable Change ◽

Behavioural Tests ◽

Over Time

Consistency over time is a basic requirement for welfare assessment schemes since consistency must not depend, for example, on the day it is carried out. This study analysed the consistency of the indicators of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol for horses (Equus caballus) over time. Given the multi-dimensionality of animal welfare, the AWIN protocol includes a variety of indicators evaluating, eg the health status or the behaviour of the animals. Fourteen establishments keeping horses in Germany were visited four times each (day 0, day 3, day 42, day 90). For the evaluation of reliability and agreement between the different visits, ie across time, the reference visit on day 0 was compared to the other visits via calculation of Spearman's rank correlation (RS), intra-class correlation (ICC), smallest detectable change (SDC) and limits of agreement (LoA). The indicator, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) was analysed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Most of the indicators demonstrated sufficient consistency over time. Indicators that were inconsistent included parts of the Horse Grimace Scale, outcomes of behavioural tests, the presence of swollen joints as well as the indicators hoof neglect, alopecia on the legs and water cleanliness. The QBA was consistent for the period of 42 days, but not for 90 days. Overall, those indicators with insufficient consistency over time require to be revised or replaced in future welfare assessment schemes.

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Statistical methods to study adaptability and stability of wheat genotypes

Bragantia ◽

10.1590/1678-4499.557 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Elesandro Bornhofen ◽

Giovani Benin ◽

Lindolfo Storck ◽

Leomar Guilherme Woyann ◽

Thiago Duarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Methods ◽

Selection Process ◽

Block Design ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Wheat Crop ◽

Gge Biplot ◽

Stability Parameters ◽

Wheat Genotypes ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation

ABSTRACT The sensitivity of wheat crop to environmental variations frequently results in significant genotype (G) x environment (E) interaction (GEI). We compared statistical methods to analyze adaptability and stability of wheat genotypes in value for cultivation and use (VCU) trials. We used yield performance data of 22 wheat genotypes evaluated in three locations (Guarapuava, Cascavel, and Abelardo Luz) in 2012 and 2013. Each trial consisted of a complete randomized block design with three replications. The GEI was evaluated using methodologies based on mixed models, analysis of variance, linear regression, multivariate, and nonparametric analysis. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to verify similarities in the genotype selection process by different methodologies. The Annicchiarico, Lin and Binns modified methodologies, as well as the Harmonic Mean of the Genetic Values (HMGV) allowed to identify simultaneously highly stable and productive genotypes. The grain yield is not associated with Wricke, Eberhart and Russell stability parameters, scores of the first principal component of the AMMI1 method, and GGE biplot stability, indicating that stable genotypes are not always more productive. The data analyzed in this study showed that the AMMI1 and GGE biplot methods are equivalent to rank genotypes for stability and adaptability.

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A Study of the Relationships between Nursing Students’ Meanings of Life, Positive Beliefs, and Well-Being

International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science ◽

10.23958/ijirms/vol03-i01/02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (01) ◽

Author(s):

Fu-Ju Tsai ◽

Cheng-Yu Chen ◽

Gwo-Liang Yeh ◽

Yih-Jin Hu ◽

Chie-Chien Tseng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Analysis Of Variance ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Meaning Of Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nursing Educators ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation

Background: Nursing educators should train nursing students to pursue physical, psychological, spiritual, and social health promotion. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between nursing students’ meaning of life, positive beliefs, and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study with a quantitative approach was adopted. Purposive sampling was used. A total of 170 nursing students voluntarily participated in this study. A 56-item questionnaire was used to examine nursing students’ meaning of life (1-25 items), positive beliefs (1-11 items), and well-being (1-20 items). The content validity index (CVI) of the study questionnaire was established as 0.95 by seven expert scholars. The reliability values for the three parts of the measure were as follows: meaning of life, Cronbach’s α 0.96; positive beliefs, Cronbach’s α 0.93; and well-being, Cronbach’s α 0.95. Percentages, frequencies, means, SDs, Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by rank, Spearman’s rank correlation, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman’s rho correlation, and regression analysis were used for the data analysis. Results: Nursing students had the following mean scores: meaning of life with 4.02 (SD 0.56); positive beliefs with 3.92 (SD 0.62); and well-being with 3.95 (SD 0.57). The results indicate that for all nursing students, meaning of life was positively correlated with positive beliefs, r=0.83 (P<.01); similarly, all nursing students had positive beliefs that were positively correlated with meaning of life, r=0.83 (P<.01). In the results of the study, the nursing students’ background, meaning of life and positive beliefs explained 63% of the variance in well-being (Adjusted R2 squared =0.63, F=33.41, P<.001). Conclusions: Nursing students’ sense of meaning of life and positive beliefs may impact their well-being. Therefore, nursing educators can promote meaning of life and positive beliefs to nursing students as a way to increase their well-being for physical, psychological, spiritual, and social health promotion.

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