An Exploration of Pathologies of Multilevel Principal Components Analysis in Statistical Models of Shape

3D facial surface imaging is a useful tool in dentistry and in terms of diagnostics and treatment planning. Between-groups PCA (bgPCA) is a method that has been used to analyse shapes in biological morphometrics, although various “pathologies” of bgPCA have recently been proposed. Monte Carlo (MC) simulated datasets were created here in order to explore “pathologies” of multilevel PCA (mPCA), where mPCA with two levels is equivalent to bgPCA. The first set of MC experiments involved 300 uncorrelated normally distributed variables, whereas the second set of MC experiments used correlated multivariate MC data describing 3D facial shape. We confirmed previous results of other researchers that indicated that bgPCA (and so also mPCA) can give a false impression of strong differences in component scores between groups when there is none in reality. These spurious differences in component scores via mPCA reduced strongly as the sample sizes per group were increased. Eigenvalues via mPCA were also found to be strongly effected by imbalances in sample sizes per group, although this problem was removed by using weighted forms of covariance matrices suggested by the maximum likelihood solution of the two-level model. However, this did not solve problems of spurious differences between groups in these simulations, which was driven by very small sample sizes in one group here. As a “rule of thumb” only, all of our experiments indicate that reasonable results are obtained when sample sizes per group in all groups are at least equal to the number of variables. Interestingly, the sum of all eigenvalues over both levels via mPCA scaled approximately linearly with the inverse of the sample size per group in all experiments. Finally, between-group variation was added explicitly to the MC data generation model in two experiments considered here. Results for the sum of all eigenvalues via mPCA predicted the asymptotic amount for the total amount of variance correctly in this case, whereas standard “single-level” PCA underestimated this quantity.

Electron Diffraction Study of the Space Group Variation in the Al–Mn–Pt T-Phase

Binary high temperature “Al3Mn” (T-phase) and its extensions in ternary systems were the subjects of numerous crystallographic investigations. The results were ambiguous regarding the existence or lack of the center of symmetry: both Pna21 and Pnam space groups were reported. Our research on the Al–Mn–Pt T-phase allowed concluding that inside a continuous homogeneity region, the structure of the Al-rich T-phase (e.g., Al78Mn17.5Pt4.5) belongs to the non-centrosymmetric Pna21 space group, while the structure of the Al-poor T-phase (such as Al71.3Mn25.1Pt3.6) is centrosymmetric, i.e., Pnam. Following metallurgical and crystallographic considerations, the change in the symmetry was explained.

Reproducibility, Diversity, and the Crisis of Inference in Psychology

Psychological researchers have long sought to make universal claims about behavior and mental processes. The various crises in psychology—reproducibility, replication, measurement, theory, generalizability—have all demonstrated that such claims are premature, and perhaps impossible using mainstream theoretical and methodological approaches. Both the lack of diversity of samples and simplistic conceptualizations of diversity (e.g., WEIRD, individualism/collectivism) have contributed to an “inference crisis,” in which researchers are ill equipped to make sense of group variation in psychological phenomena, particularly with respect to race/ethnicity. This talk will highlight how the lack of sophisticated frameworks for understanding racial/ethnic differences is a major barrier to developing a reproducible, cumulative psychology.

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in Alcohol Use and Related Problems among Older African Americans

The older African American (AA) population is expected to triple by 2050; however, research on depression, anxiety, and alcohol use among older AAs is lacking. Current mental health and substance use studies involving older AAs often focus on between-race differences, frequently comparing AAs to Whites, without addressing within-group variation in the former. As such, little is known about the associations between depression, anxiety, alcohol use and related disorders in this population. The present study used data from 2016-2017 Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Milwaukee 2 to examine whether depressive and anxiety symptoms and disorders are associated with alcohol use and alcohol problems among 274 African Americans aged 50 to 93 (62.8% women). Of the sample, 9.5%, 3.6%, and 6.6% met criteria for depression, generalized anxiety (GAD), and panic disorders, respectively. About 8.1% had drank heavily and 18.5% binge drank in the past month with 10.2% reporting alcohol problems in the past year. Those with depression and those with panic disorder were more likely to be heavy drinkers; while only those with panic disorder were more likely to be binge drinkers. Meeting criteria for depression or panic disorder but not GAD disorder were both more likely to have had alcohol-related problems than those not meeting criteria. Only panic disorder was associated with increased likelihood of drinking more than intended in the past year. Preliminary exploratory findings suggest that the associations between depressive symptoms, type of anxiety disorder, alcohol use, and problems varied by gender.

PENGEMBANGAN VARIASI LATIHAN KECEPATAN REAKSI PENJAGA GAWANG FUTSAL

This study aims to develop a form of reaction speed training variation in the futsal game in 2021. The population in this study were all SKP Fc goalkeeper athletes, Amir Hamzah, and Bersama Fs. The form of the small group variation that has been made is validated by 3 experts, 1 futsal coach, 1 expert in sports, and 1 expert in language, where the percentage of validity is 58%-97% taken from the smallest to the largest percentage value of the overall results. The method used is the research and development (R&D) method. The form of the large group variation that has been made is validated by 3 experts, 1 futsal coach, 1 expert in sports, and 1 expert in language, where the percentage of validity is 86%-97% taken from the smallest to the largest percentage value of the overall results. The method used is the research and development (R&D) method. The results of the small group test involving 6 futsal goalkeeper athletes SKP Fc and Amir Hamzah showed that the 20 variations of the exercise had met the appropriate criteria. The percentage of validity of the questionnaire that has been distributed to the sample shows that 77%-96% is taken from the smallest to the largest percentage value of the overall results. The results of the large group test of 14 futsal goalkeeper athletes SKP Fc, Amir Hamzah, and Bersama Fs showed that the 20 variations of the exercise had met the criteria for use. The percentage of validity of the questionnaire that has been distributed to the sample shows that 84%-96% is taken from the smallest to the largest percentage value of the overall results. It can be concluded that the 20 models of exercise variations are good for increasing the ability and reaction speed of futsal goalkeepers and interesting exercises, because they are very important in training so that these exercises do not.

Efficacy and Safety of Gabapentine and Duloxetine in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPNP) is not uncommon now a days. As the pathophysiology is not completely understood, symptoms relief is still the main goal of treatment. Gabapentine and Duloxetine are being using around the world for this purpose. But clinical data regarding its efficacy and safety are not sufficiently available. Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative clinical study conducted in Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Sylhet Diabetic Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2013 to December 2013. Diagnosis of DPNP confirmed by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) and Douleur Neuropathic en-4 (DN4). Patients were treated by Gabapentine (Group-A) and Duloxetine (Group-B); and followed up at 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment using 11-point numerical pain rating scale (NRS), clinical global impression of change (CGIC) score and patient’s global impression of change (PGIC) score. Results: A total of 72 patients with DPNP were recruited. Final comparison was done in 64 patients – 33 in Group-A and 31 in Group-B. Changes in NRS (p = <0.001), CGIC (p = <0.001) and PGIC (p = <0.001) were statistically significant during the course of treatment. However, inter-group variation of NRS, CGIC and PGIC were not statistically significant at the beginning and 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment. Insignificant adverse effects were noted between the groups in this study except constipation (p = 0.022) and nausea-vomiting (p = 0.01) of Duloxetine taking group. Conclusion: Gabapentine and Duloxetine are equally effective in the treatment of DPNP with good safety profile. Medicine Today 2021 Vol.33(2): 108-113

Diversity Analysis in Horse Gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] Mutants

Background: Horse gram is the potential rainfed legume in Indian farming. The major limitation in horse gram breeding is the narrow variability. Variability induction and its estimation would sustain food security. Methods: Variability was induced using gamma rays, electron beam and ethyl methanesulfonate and their combinations. The induced variation for the economic traits, their inheritance and genetic gain were ascertained. Result: The analysis of variance indicated the induction of significant variation for yield attributing traits. The population was grouped into 10 constellations by the virtue of induced variation. The groups I, II and V were the largest comprising of 38, 31 and 19 mutants respectively. The mutants exhibited significant intra and inter group variation. The mutagens induced the maximum variability for plant height (32.24%), 100 seed weight (25.42%) and number of pods per plant (19.18%). The mutants possessed high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation for all the characters except flowering traits and duration. The induced variability for the yield attributing traits possessed significant breeding value as the heritability (86.66%-99.72%) and genetic advance as percent of mean (10.65-81.94) were high and the environmental influence was the minimum.

Collective motion diminishes, but variation between groups emerges, through time in fish shoals

Despite extensive interest in the dynamic interactions between individuals that drive collective motion in animal groups, the dynamics of collective motion over longer time frames are understudied. Using three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, randomly assigned to 12 shoals of eight fish, we tested how six key traits of collective motion changed over shorter (within trials) and longer (between days) timescales under controlled laboratory conditions. Over both timescales, groups became less social with reduced cohesion, polarization, group speed and information transfer. There was consistent inter-group variation (i.e. collective personality variation) for all collective motion parameters, but groups also differed in how their collective motion changed over days in their cohesion, polarization, group speed and information transfer. This magnified differences between groups, suggesting that over time the ‘typical’ collective motion cannot be easily characterized. Future studies are needed to understand whether such between-group differences in changes over time are adaptive and represent improvements in group performance or are suboptimal but represent a compromise between individuals in their preferences for the characteristics of collective behaviour.

Pengaruh Paparan Medan Magnet Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) terhadap Perubahan pH Pada Proses Fermentasi Biji Kopi Lanang (Peaberry) Kering

ABSTRAK Kopi lanang (Peaberry) merupakan jenis kopi yang mempunyai biji berkeping satu (monokotil) dengan kafein yang kadarnya lebih tinggi jika dibandingkan dengan kopi jenis lain. Kadar kafein yang tinggi pada biji kopi bisa diturunkan dengan proses fermentasi kopi. Penelitian ini mempunyai tujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh paparan medan magnet ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) terhadap perubahan pH pada proses fermentasi biji kopi lanang (Peaberry) kering jenis robusta dengan penambahan enzim -amilase. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan yaitu penelitian eksperimen dengan desain Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) bertujuan mengkaji pengaruh perlakuan dengan pengulangan percobaan. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuh kelompok sampel meliputi kelompok kontrol dan kelompok eksperimen variasi intensitas paparan medan manet ELF sebesar 200 µT dan 300 µT dan variasi lama pemaparan 30 menit, 60 menit dan 90 menit. Pengukuran data hasil penelitian diambil setelah pemaparan yaitu pada hari ke-1 sampai hari ke-5 selama proses fermentasi berlangsung. Hasil penelitian menyatakan bahwa paparan medan magnet ELF berpengaruh terhadap perubahan pH pada proses fermentasi biji kopi lanang (Peaberry) kering jenis robusta yang ditunjukkan dengan variasi bentuk grafik. Pemaparan medan magnet ELF dengan intensitas 200 µT dan lama pemaparan 30 menit dapat menurunkan pH secara signifikan, sedangkan intensitas 200 µT dan lama waktu paparan 90 menit dapat menaikkan pH secara signifikan pada proses fermentasi biji kopi lanang (Peaberry) kering jenis robusta. Kata kunci : Medan magnet ELF, Fermentasi, Kopi Lanang (Peaberry), pH ABSTRACT Peaberry coffee is a type of coffee that has a single bean (monocotyle) with a higher levels of caffeine if compared whith other types of coffee. High levels of caffeine in coffee beans can be reduced by the coffee fermentation process. The study aims to examine the effect of exposure to the ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) magnetic field on changes of pH in the fermentation process of robusta peaberry dray coffee beans with the addition of -amylase enzyme. The type of research that use in the experimental reseacrh with a randomized subject post test only control grup design, it aiming to examine the effect of treatment by repeating the experiment. This study include seven sample groups covering the control group and the experimental group variation in the intensity of ELF magnetic field with 200 µT and 300 µT and variation of a length 30, 60, 90 minutes. Meansurement of the data research taken after exposure that is on the day one to day five during the fermentation process. The result of the study suggest that exposure to ELF magnetic field has an effect on the pH fermentation prosess of dried peaberry coffee beans, which was shown variations of the shape of the graph. Exposure to the ELF magnetic field with an intensity of 200 µT and the length of 30 minutes can significantly decrease the pH, while the intensity of 200 µT and the length of 30 minutes can significantly increase the pH in the fermentation process of dried robusta paberry coffee beans. Keywords : ELF magnetic field, Fermentation, Peaberry Coffee, pH

The PRU: The Solution for Whom?

In Sweden, pupil referral units (PRUs) have been recommended by the government, suggesting that “inclusion has gone too far”. This governmental recommendation is not based on research focusing on PRUs, as such research is sparse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of evaluations of the efficacy of PRUs, and no national evaluations of such provision have been undertaken. Furthermore, more attention must be paid to PRU students’ own perspectives and experiences as we lack knowledge of their needs and situation. This study aimed to investigate how educational needs have been and should be addressed in one PRU according to nine stakeholder groups, for example, current students, former students, parents, school staff, and various groups of people who, in their work, were responsible for deciding about the PRU (e.g., chief education officers or politicians) or supporting the PRU (e.g., school healthcare unit staff). Comparative analysis of all groups’ perceptions considered similarities and differences of views of this topic. Preliminary results indicate substantial between- and within-group variation concerning the purpose of the PRU and uncertainty about educational quality, partly due to insufficient documentation. Some students described a “Catch-22”: having been told to catch up educationally with peers and that PRU placement would help in this, they were disappointed, as the emphasis on non-educational practices impeded catching up.