The application of orthogonal contrasts to determine homogeneous groups

The paper presents a modified approach to analysis of data obtained from experiments carried out according to classical factorial designs. Four examples were discussed in order to present details of proposed method. Modification of the analysis of variance presented here enables more effective use of information on how studied factors affect the means of dependent variable. The specificity of this approach is based on alternative multiple comparison procedure incorporating orthogonal contrasts to determine homogeneous groups.

Reliability and Validity of Facial Check Sheet (FCS): Checklist for Self-Satisfaction with Cosmetic Acupuncture

Background: In recent years, cosmetic acupuncture has gained popularity among individuals interested in improving their facial appearance. We have created an original facial check sheet (FCS) to obtain cosmetic acupuncture patients’ perspectives on treatment outcomes. This study examined the reliability and validity of FCS. Methods: We conducted an Internet survey on the appearance of the facial region among Japanese women. A reliability analysis was performed between each item of FCS. A multiple comparison procedure was used to determine the relationship between the age group, the FCS score, and the number of terms used in the open-ended question. Results: The most frequently stated concern was blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots (47.2%, n = 67). The FCS items showed reliability (Cronbach α = 0.871). The number of extracted terms and the FCS score showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.407; p < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between age and FCS score (p = 0.005, r2 = 0.255), which indicated that the FCS score increases with aging. Conclusions: The FCS can be used as a practical tool to evaluate facial appearances and assess satisfaction levels of patients who underwent cosmetic acupuncture or other facial skin rejuvenation procedures.

Multiple Comparison Procedures for the Differences of Proportion Parameters in Over-Reported Multiple-Sample Binomial Data

In sequential tests, typically a (pairwise) multiple comparison procedure (MCP) is performed after an omnibus test (an overall equality test). In general, when an omnibus test (e.g., overall equality of multiple proportions test) is rejected, then we further conduct a (pairwise) multiple comparisons or MCPs to determine which (e.g., proportions) pairs the significant differences came from. In this article, via likelihood-based approaches, we acquire three confidence intervals (CIs) for comparing each pairwise proportion difference in the presence of over-reported binomial data. Our closed-form algorithm is easy to implement. As a result, for multiple-sample proportions differences, we can easily apply MCP adjustment methods (e.g., Bonferroni, Šidák, and Dunn) to address the multiplicity issue, unlike previous literatures. We illustrate our procedures to a real data example.

Effect of phoneme variations on blind reverberation time estimation

This study focuses on an unexplored aspect of the performance of algorithms for blind reverberation time (T) estimation – on the effect that speech signal’s phonetic content has on the value of the estimate of T that is obtained from the reverberant version of that signal. To this end, the performance of three algorithms is assessed on a set of logatome recordings artificially reverberated with room impulse responses from four rooms, with their T20 value in the [0.18, 0.55] s interval. Analyses of variance showed that the null hypotheses of equal means of estimation errors can be rejected at the significance level of 0.05 for the interaction terms between the factors “vowel”, “consonant”, and “room”, while the results of Tukey’s multiple comparison procedure revealed that there are both some similarities in the behaviour of the algorithms and some differences, where the latter are stemming from the differences in the details of algorithms’ implementation such as the number of frequency bands and whether T is estimated continuously or only on the selected, the so-called speech decay, segments of the signal.

66 Future-proofing the feedyard workforce: Survey of Texas beef cattle stockpeople indicates positive attitudes towards animals and the workplace while highlighting opportunities for improvement

A survey was administered to Texas cattle feedyard employees (n = 111) from 31 different operations measuring stockperson perception, job satisfaction, and socioeconomic status using Likert statements and multiple-choice questions. Differences among employment roles (manager, pen rider, processor, doctor) were evaluated using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Multiple Comparison procedure. Managers more strongly agreed that “beef cattle are not dirty” than doctors (P = 0.03) and that “cattle behavior is affected by the way we treat them” than pen riders (P = 0.002) or processors (P = 0.01). Managers were less likely than doctors, pen riders and processors to believe they have too many cattle to look after (P = 0.05, P = 0.006 and P = 0.01, respectively). Pen riders reported less confidence in performing euthanasia than doctors (P = 0.02) and managers (P = 0.02), and, along with processors, agreed that cattle were not always euthanized in a timely manner (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02, respectively). While all roles viewed Holstein cattle unfavorably (P < 0.001), processors viewed them more positively than pen riders (P = 0.05) and managers (P = 0.001). Socioeconomic results showed that Texas feedyards have a dedicated, passionate workforce, with 43% of participants having worked in the industry for 9+ years and 49% of participants working at cattle feedyards because they enjoy working with animals. Unfortunately, it was evident that stockpeople are underpaid (57% of participants making between $10–15/hr) and overworked (76% of participants working 50+ hrs/wk). Survey responses identified critical role-dependent knowledge gaps and biases. A disconnect was observed among compensation, workload, and the duration of time stockpeople spend interacting with cattle. Increasing industry investment in feedyard employees and providing breed-specific and employee role-specific education may promote an encouraging workplace that ensures cattle experience good welfare.