One- and multivariable characteristics of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars breed at the Nagradowice Plant Breeding Station of the Poznańska Hodowla Roślin, studied in experiments in 2017-2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield variability of spring barley families grown at the Nagradowice Plant Breeding Station of Poznan Plant Breeding against other families studied in years 2017‒2018 in Team Breeding Experiments. Research material included 250 spring barley families cultivated in 2017 and 2018 in 6 locations. Selection of spring barley families for preliminary experiments was based on synthesis of results obtained in inter-plant experiments established in 2016 and 2017 in 5 locations. Combined (due to location) analysis of variance for experimental data was performed for each year and each series of experiments separately. Best Weighted Linear Unbiased Estimators (BWLUE) for the effects of individual sources of variation were included in ANOVA model. Significant effect of location on mean yield was observed in each research year and each series of experiments. Crucial differences were also observed between tested varieties and breeding lines. Moreover, significant interaction between locations and varieties or breeding families was also observed. Self-organising map (SOM) was applied to develop multivariable characteristic of tested families and cultivars of spring barley. Analyses results, i.e. ranking of BWLUE effects as well as SOM segmentation revealed seven breading lines from Breeding Station Nagradowice, which may be considered for further breeding process.

Analysis of Variance: The Fundamental Concepts and Application with R

The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test has long been an essential tool for researchers conducting studies on multiple experimental groups with or without one or more control groups. This article encapsulates the fundamentals of ANOVA for an intended benefit of the reader of scientific literature who does not possess expertise in statistics. The emphasis is on conceptually-based perspectives regarding the use and interpretation of ANOVA results, with minimal coverage of the mathematical foundations. Data entry, checking basic parametric assumptions of ANOVA, descriptive statistics of the data by treatment groups, fitting ANOVA model, statistical significance of the test based on p-value, and post-hoc analysis are all explored using R-software.

Interaction between Microsatellite Instability (MSI) and Tumor DNA Methylation in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Carcinoma

In colorectal cancer (CRC), the role of microsatellite instability (MSI) is well known. In a genome-wide scale, for the first time, we explored whether differential methylation is associated with MSI. We analyzed 250 paired samples from 125 CRC patients (m = 72, f = 53) at different stages. Of them, 101 had left-sided CRC, 30 had MSI, 34 had somatic mutation in KRAS proto-oncogene (KRAS), and 6 had B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) exon 15p.V600E mutation. MSI was more frequent in right-sided tumors (54% vs. 17%, p = 0.003). Among the microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC, a paired comparison revealed 1641 differentially methylated loci (DML) covering 686 genes at FDR 0.001 with delta beta ≥ 20%. Similar analysis in MSI revealed 6209 DML covering 2316 genes. ANOVA model including interaction (Tumor*MSI) revealed 23,322 loci, where the delta beta was different among MSI and MSS patients. Our study shows an association between MSI and tumor DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of CRC. Given the interaction seen in this study, it may be worth considering the MSI status while looking for methylation markers in CRC. The study also indicates an opportunity for potential use of certain immune checkpoint inhibitors (CTLA4 and HAVCR2 inhibitors) in CRC with MSI.

Adult experience of stress and anxiety and coping in the first phase of the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine adults’ coping with risks and losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account: anxiety level, gender, age and place of residence. Method: For this purpose, research was carried out on a total of 235 adults, divided into five groups based on Levinson's (1978) model of life development, recruited using the snowball technique via remote communication technology. Self-report data was collected using the Covid-19-RL (Risks and Losses) open interview, polish adaptation of Spielberger’s STAI Inventory (assessing anxiety as a state) by Sosnowski et al (2011) and Carver’s COPE inventory adapted by Juczyński and Ogińska (2009). Comparative analyses were performed using the ANOVA model in the SPSS Program. Results: The results show the pandemic is a considerable deprivation factor and a threat to a broad spectrum of needs, and it generates a high level of anxiety in men and women in all adult age groups. Simultaneously, the perception of stressors depends on gender, age and place of residence. It was also found that age and place of residence differentiated people’s choice of the type of coping (confrontational, defensive and ignoring). The paper ends with the discussion of the results and limitations of the study.

The Comparisons between Ethnicity and Poverty Level on Eight Graders’Science Performance

The purposed of this study was to examine the relationships between ethnicity and poverty level with eight graders’ science performance. This study utilized the 8th grade data file (2006 - 2007) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) and had the sample size of 7,305 students. A full 2-way ANOVA model was applied to test the ethnicity and poverty level effects on the students’ science performance. Results indicated that ethnicity and poverty had significant effects on students’ science performance. White students have the highest mean score, followed by Asian, but African American students have the lowest mean scores. The gap on the mean scores between the highest and the lowest group was 20 points. White and Asian students do better on science performance, while Hispanic and African American students have lower scores. The impact among the interactions of ethnicity and poverty persisted within the breakdown of 10 subgroups’ outcomes. The subgroup of Asian “at/above poverty” had the highest mean scores, while the subgroup African American “below poverty” had the lowest scores. Future studies should continue to investigate African American students in conjunction with science performance.

Preparedness and Mitigation Measures for Oil and Gas Pipeline Vandalization in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Owing to poor preparedness and mitigation measures for oil and gas pipeline vandalization in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, there have been series of spills that have now reached life threatening levels. This study set out to investigate factors that affect preparedness and mitigation measures for crude oil pipeline vandalism in the study area. The thrust of the study was to unravel the spatial variation in the preparedness and mitigation measures for crude oil pipeline in the region. The study used the survey research method and primary data was sort using questionnaire. The target population were heads of household and workers of multinational companies working in the area. Analysis of variance was used for hypotheses testing at the 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the companies’ preparedness options were, use of hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment (76%). Both the community (42%) and companies (76%) respondents averred that the preparedness measure adopted in the area were less effective for combating the menace of pipeline vandalism. The mitigation practices against pipeline vandalization adopted included awareness creation, promoting community participation, community policing, community-based pipeline surveillance, community by laws, right of way, punishment for offenders, and excommunication. Majority of the respondent whether community respondents (48%) or companies respondents (84%) suggested that, the adopted mitigation measures were not effective. The ANOVA model was significant at p<0.05 (F, 14 sig 0.000) meaning that there is statistical significant variation in the level of preparedness for oil and gas pipeline vandalization in the study area. Similarly, the ANOVA model that measured the spatial variation in mitigation measures showed that the model is significant at p<0.05(F, 16.83, sig 0.000), meaning there is statistical significant spatial variation in the level of disaster mitigation for oil and gas pipeline vandalization in the study area. The study recommends improvement in surveillance technology, creation of awareness of the dangers of pipeline vandalism to the locals, amongst others.

Rectal Administration of Ibuprofen: Comparison of Enema and Suppository Form

Ibuprofen is a widely used and well-tolerated analgesic and antipyretic. It is desirable to have a formulation with a rapid rate of absorption because it is required for rapid pain relief and temperature reduction. Previous studies have described the pharmacokinetic profiles of ibuprofen suppository and the mean peak times of ibuprofen suppository were around 1.8 hours, indicating a slower rate of absorption. The aim of this study is to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of rectal administration of ibuprofen between enema and suppository form in order to provide evidence for the faster absorption rates of ibuprofen enema. This study was a phase-1 clinical study, open-label, randomized and two-way crossover with one-week washout period comparing the absorption profile of equal dose of ibuprofen administered rectally in two treatment phases: ibuprofen suppository and enema. Blood samples were collected post dose for pharmacokinetic analyses. Tmax was analyzed using a Wilcoxon matched paired test. A standard ANOVA model, appropriate for bioequivalence studies was used and ratios of 90% confidence intervals were calculated. This study showed that Tmax for ibuprofen enema was less than half that of ibuprofen suppository (median 40 min vs. 90 min, respectively; p-value=0.0003). Cmax and AUC0–12 for ibuprofen enema were bioequivalent to ibuprofen suppository, as the ratio of test/reference=104.52%, 90% CI 93.41–116.95% and the ratio of test/reference=98.12%, 90%CI 93.34–103.16%, respectively, which fell within 80–125% bioequivalence limit. The overall extent of absorption was similar to the both, which were all well tolerated. In terms of Tmax, Ibuprofen enema was absorbed twice as quickly as from ibuprofen suppository. Therefore it is expected that an ibuprofen enema may provide faster onset of analgesic and antipyretic benefit.

Comparative Analysis of the Level of Engagement in Palm Oil Processing Among Rural Households in Southeast Nigeria

The study provided empirical evidence of rural household’s engagement in processing of oil palm produce in South east Nigeria. The study specifically identified the methods of processing oil palm produce, ascertained the level of household’s engagement in oil palm processing, identified the constraints to oil palm processing in the study area. Multi-stage random sampling procedure in selecting 540 respondents. Data for the study were collected with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed with the use of both descriptive (frequency, percentage and mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA model). The results showed that 58.1% of the respondents used semi-modern/mechanized in processing of oil palm produce. There was high level of engagement in the processing of oil palm produce (pooled grand mean = 3.67). The result revealed that lack of modern processing equipment (86.5%), instability of government policy (80.0%) and high cost of labour (76.7%) were the major constraints to engagement in oil palm processing. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of engagement of rural households in processing of oil palm produce across the states in South East Nigeria at 5% level of probability. The study concluded that most of the processors used a combination of both traditional and modern method in the processing of their oil palm produce and were highly engaged in the processing of oil palm produce as a profitable livelihood activity. The study therefore recommended that State and Federal Government should gear up efforts in providing basic infrastructure such as electricity and good, motorable roads in the study area so that the efficiency of processing of oil palm products can be guaranteed.

ON THE APPLICATION OF DISPERSION ANALYSIS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF A QUARTZ UV IRRADIATOR

Ensuring and improving the quality of products is currently an urgent task implemented through product quality management. In connection with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Rospotrebnadzor recommends the use of quartz lamps when disinfecting premises. The article discusses the issue of assessing the quality of a device for home use of a quartz ultraviolet irradiator OUFK-01. In accordance with the WHO recommendations, the irradiation indicator became the main one for the study. The study was carried out using an ANOVA model with several iterations. Purpose of the study: to study the variability of the irradiance index in different UV ranges depending on the source of UV radiation (UV lamp) of the ultraviolet irradiator OUFK-01. The main advantage of the analysis of variance was used – the ability to consider the interaction of various factors. The conclusions that were formulated based on the results of analysis of variance suggest that the quality of the OUFK-01 irradiator has changed. Data processing was carried out using the MS EXCEL software package. The article provides a rationale for what is meant by “quality improvement”, namely, in order not to violate the bactericidal effect, it is necessary to reduce the UV-A and UV-B ranges to acceptable values, since the effect of UV-C rays has not been fully studied, then the irradiance should be increased to the permissible wavelength range. A comparative analysis of successively modified products showed that the quality of the device increased with the replacement of the UV lamp.