Community surveys have been widely used to investigate local residents' perceptions and behaviors related to natural resource issues. However, most existing community survey research relies on ...cross-sectional data and is thus unable to capture the temporal dynamics of community processes. Longitudinal analysis has received increasing interest in recent natural resource social science literature. Trend and panel studies are two typical approaches in longitudinal community survey research. Due to limited sampling frames, research design, and respondent attrition, longitudinal community surveys often involve both paired and independent observations across different survey waves. Using previous survey data on community responses to forest insect disturbance in Alaska as an example, this research note shows that the corrected z-test is a more appropriate approach to analyze partially correlated longitudinal data than conventional statistical techniques such as the paired and independent t-tests.
Abstract Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the world with more than 300 million diagnoses. Studies on the contributions that instruments offer in understanding the ...functioning of depressive patients are necessary. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the frequency of codes related to depression in Zulliger R-optimized application in a group of depressive individuals with non-clinical group. The study included 86 participants, 43 depressive patients and 43 non-clinical patients. The Escala Baptista de Depressão (EBADEP-A) was used to identify depressive symptoms in the clinical group and Zulliger was administered with R-optimized application. To compare the groups, the t-test and magnitude of differences (d) were used. The results showed differences between groups in the variables Mixed Determinants, Sum of achromatic color responses, pure color responses (C), Mor and AG. We understood that Zulliger R-optimized application may be useful in understanding the functioning of the depressive subject.
Resumo A depressão é um dos transtornos mentais mais prevalentes no mundo com mais de 300 milhões de diagnósticos. Estudos sobre as contribuições que instrumentos oferecem na compreensão do funcionamento de pacientes depressivos são necessários. Este estudo teve por objetivo comparar a frequência dos códigos relacionados à depressão no Zulliger aplicação R-otimizado em um grupo de depressivos com grupo não clínico. O estudo contou com 86 participantes, 43 pacientes depressivos e 43 não clínico. Foi utilizada a Escala Baptista de Depressão (EBADEP-A) para rastrear sintomas depressivos no grupo clínico e o Zulliger foi administrado com aplicação R-otimizada. Para comparar os grupos foi utilizado o teste t e magnitude das diferenças (d). Os resultados demonstraram diferenças entre grupos nas variáveis Determinantes Mistos, Soma de respostas de cor acromática, respostas de cor pura (C), Mor e AG. Entende-se que Zulliger aplicação R-otimizado pode ser útil na compreensão do funcionamento do sujeito depressivo.
Resumen La depresión es uno de los trastornos mentales más frecuentes en el mundo y actualmente cuenta con más de 300 millones de diagnósticos. Se necesitan estudios sobre las contribuciones de los instrumentos para comprender el funcionamiento de los pacientes deprimidos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar la frecuencia de los códigos relacionados con la depresión en la aplicación R-optimizada en Zulliger entre un grupo de deprimidos y un grupo no clínico. En el estudio participaron 86 personas, de las cuales 43 eran pacientes deprimidos y 43 pacientes no clínicos. La Escala Baptista de Depresión (EBADEP-A) se usó para rastrear los síntomas depresivos en el grupo clínico y el Zulliger se administró con la aplicación R-optimizada. Se utilizaron la prueba t y la magnitud de las diferencias (d) en la comparación entre grupos. Los resultados apuntaron diferencias entre los grupos en las variables Determinantes mixtos, Suma de respuestas de color acromática, respuestas de color puro (C), Mor y AG. La aplicación R-optimizada en Zulliger puede ser útil para comprender el funcionamiento del sujeto deprimido.
Abstract Due to the demand for instruments to assess aspects of the personality of children, we aimed find evidence for the validity of the Zulliger test in the Comprehensive System (ZSC). 173 ...children participated in this study of Fortaleza-CE with ages between 6 years and 11 years and 6 months, 48.5% were from public schools and 53.1% female. The children were divided into three age groups, 6 and 7 years, 8 and 9 years and 10 and 11 years. The instruments used were the Zulliger test and the test of Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices - Special Scale. We made the analysis of descriptive statistics and compared the variables of Zulliger test through the One Way ANOVA test. The significant variables were FQu (p<0.005) and R, ma, D, Xu%, Na, Ls, Fd, (T), GHR and (2) (p<0.05), which contributed with validity evidences of ZSC with children.
Resumo Devido à demanda de instrumentos que avaliem aspectos da personalidade de crianças, objetivou-se buscar evidências de validade para o teste de Zulliger pelo Sistema Compreensivo (ZSC). Participaram dessa pesquisa 173 crianças de Fortaleza-CE com a idade entre 6 e 11 anos e 6 meses, sendo 48,5% de escolas públicas e 53,1% do sexo feminino. As crianças foram divididas em três faixas etárias, a saber, 6 e 7 anos, 8 e 9 anos e 10 e 11 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o teste ZSC e o teste das Matrizes Progressivas Coloridas de Raven - Escala Especial. Foram feitas as análises de estatística descritiva e a comparação das variáveis do teste ZSC por meio do teste One Way ANOVA. As variáveis significativas foram FQu (p < 0,005) e R, ma, D, Xu%, Na, Ls, Fd, (T), GHR e (2) (p < 0,05), dados que contribuíram com evidências de validade do ZSC com crianças.
Resumen Debido a la demanda de instrumentos para evaluar aspectos de la personalidad de los niños, el objetivo de este estudio fue encontrar evidencias de validez del test Zulliger por el Sistema Comprensivo (ZSC). Participaron de esta investigación 173 niños de Fortaleza-CE con edades entre 6 y 11 años y 6 meses, siendo 48,5% de escuelas públicas y 53,1% de sexo femenino. Los niños fueron divididos en tres grupos por edad, a saber, 6 y 7, 8 y 9, 10 y 11 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el test ZSC y el test de las Matrices Progresivas Coloridas de Raven - Escala Especial. Se hicieron análisis de estadística descriptiva y comparación de las variables del test ZSC por medio del test One Way ANOVA. Las variables significativas fueron FQu (p<0,005) y R, ma, D, Xu%, Na, Ls, Fd, (T), GHR y (2) (p<0,05), datos que contribuyeron con evidencias de validez del ZSC con los niños.
We consider the issue of performing testing inferences on the parameters that index the linear regression model under heteroskedasticity of unknown form. Quasi-t test statistics use asymptotically ...correct standard errors obtained from heteroskedasticity-consistent covariance matrix estimators. An alternative approach involves making an assumption about the functional form of the response variances and jointly modelling mean and dispersion effects. In this paper we compare the accuracy of testing inferences made using the two approaches. We consider several different quasi-t tests and also z tests performed after estimated generalized least squares estimation which was carried out using three different estimation strategies. The numerical evidence shows that some quasi-t tests are typically considerably less size distorted in small samples than the tests carried out after the jointly modelling of mean and dispersion effects. Finally, we present and discuss two empirical applications.
Several researchers have emphasized that item response theory (IRT)-based methods should be preferred over classical approaches in measuring change for individual patients. In the present study we ...discuss and evaluate the use of IRT-based statistics to measure statistical significant individual change on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II, Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). We compare results obtained with a simple IRT-based statistical test (Z-test) to those obtained with the Reliable Change Index (RCI) in a sample of clinical outpatients. Mean group differences between the Z-test and the RCI were similar, but for some individuals change classifications differed. Differences were most evident for change scores within the lower range of depression scores. We show that this may have consequences for the measurement of individual change in psychotherapy outcome research and clinical practice.
•Effect of amount of clay content, its dispersion on crystalline structure of PBT.•Regime break temperature shifts to lower temperature for PCN4 up to 197°C.•Tensile modulus enhanced up to 95% for ...PCN3 compared to PBT.
Nanocomposites (PCNs), based on poly(butylene terephthalte) (PBT) and organoclay (Cloisite-15A) MMT were prepared by melt intercalation compounding process. The nanoscale dispersion and the microcrystal structure studied qualitatively using; X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM and AFM). The XRD results indicated that the crystal size is highly dependent on the crystallization temperature. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PBT in PCNs analysis indicated that the overall crystallization of PBT involved heterogeneous nucleated three-dimensional spherical primary crystallization growth process. The crystallization rate, however, is dependent on the PCN-composition, crystallization temperature and the dispersion state of clay in PCNs. Further analysis, based on Hoffman-Lauritzen theory revealed that the neat PBT and PBT in PCNs crystallization follow regime-II kinetics for temperature 195°C–205°C and enters the regime-III kinetics in lower Tc range, 185°C–195°C. The improvement in mechanical properties is highly dependent on the level of clay exfoliation in PBT matrix.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a lethal systemic disease caused by FIP virus (FIPV). There are no effective vaccines or treatment available, and the virus virulence determinants and ...pathogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we describe the sequencing of RNA extracted from Crandell Rees Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells infected with FIPV using the Illumina next-generation sequencing approach. Bioinformatics analysis, based on Felis catus 2X annotated shotgun reference genome, using CLC bio Genome Workbench is used to map both control and infected cells. Kal's Z test statistical analysis is used to analyze the differentially expressed genes from the infected CRFK cells. In addition, RT-qPCR analysis is used for further transcriptional profiling of selected genes in infected CRFK cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from healthy and FIP-diagnosed cats.
This study investigated the potential of applying statistical analysis tests, for example, two sample Z-test and the Factor Analysis (FA) tool, on the TerraSAR-X backscattering coefficient, for ...distinguishing between different types of forests and detecting changes in distribution and extent of them. Two sample Z-test is an inferential statistical test that determines whether there is a statistically significant difference between the means in the data from two independent groups. FA is a multivariate analysis that can examine the structure or relationship between variables. Twelve pilot plots for forests of 17 ha were surveyed in a water protection catchment near Hanover, Germany. The forest types were deciduous, coniferous, and mixed. In order to sustain groundwater quality, deciduous trees were planted over a period of several years to gradually replace the coniferous trees in the catchment area. Regular forest observations were required to ensure that the percentages of deciduous and mixed forests in this catchment area were increasing relative to coniferous forests. Fourteen dual-co-polarized TerraSAR-X (HH/VV) images were used to monitor the forests in the period from March 2008 to January 2009. The values of the backscattering coefficient (σ0) for the test plots were statistically analyzed using the two sample Z-test and the Factor Analysis tools.
The study showed that Factor analysis tools succeeded in differentiating between the coniferous forest and both the deciduous forest and the mixed forest, but failed to discriminate between the deciduous and the mixed forest. Only one factor was extracted for each sample plot of the coniferous forest with approximately equal loadings during the whole acquisition period from March 2008 to January 2009. However, two factors were extracted for each deciduous or mixed forest sample plot, where one factor had high loadings during the leaf-on period from May to October, and the other one had high loadings during the leaf-off period from November to April. Furthermore, the research revealed that the two sample Z-test differentiated the deciduous and mixed forests from the coniferous forest, and discriminated between deciduous forest and mixed forest. Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean backscatter values of the HH-polarized acquisitions for the deciduous forest and the mixed forest during the leaf-off period from November to April, but no statistically significant difference was found during the leaf-on period from May to October. Moreover, plot samples for the deciduous forest had slightly higher mean backscattering coefficients than those for the mixed forest during the leaf-off period.
Applying the Factor Analysis and the two sample Z-test on the backscattering coefficient of multi-temporal TerraSAR-X data facilitates distinction of forest types, tracks changes in forest patterns, and estimates the extent of environmental disasters in forest regions. This accomplishes sustainable forest management, which can play an important role not only in preserving groundwater quality but also in achieving climate change adaptation goals.
•Distinguishing between different types of forests and detecting the changes in their distribution.•Dual-co-polarized TerraSAR-X (HH/VV) images were used to monitor the forests.•Backscattering coefficient (σ0) were statistically analyzed using the two sample Z-test and the Factor Analysis tools.
This paper envelops the notion of yogic breathing and its applications as one of the techniques for stress management through regulation of skin conductivity among Indian engineering students. Stress ...perturbs the normal physiological or psychological functioning of an individual. Thus, it is extremely vital to manage stress.
To explore the consequence of yogic breathing on skin conductivity using galvanic skin response sensor meter (GSRSM) on engineering students, of different universities.
The study uses stratified random sampling technique for the experimental study undertaken to measure skin conductivity. 471 Engineering students, in the age group of 18-22 years who gave informed written consent were screened, of which 71 (15%) dropped out and 400 students (84.9%) completed the study. The GSRSM was used to record skin conductivity (pre and post) among experimental (n = 200) and Control group (n = 200) each comprising of 52 females (26%) and 148 males (74%). The Experimental group underwent yogic breathing whereas the Control group did not do so.
The experimental group reported reduction in mean value in skin conductivity after deep breathing for the time period (t = 300 sec) as compared to the control group, and this was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05).
It is recommended that, this uncomplicated and yet extremely effectual ancient technique of yogic breathing could be included in core curriculum to reduce and manage stress among engineering students. The paper thus highlights the use of yogic technique as an effective mode for Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering students.
In a study by Zare et al. (
2014
), a new earthquake catalog of the Middle East region has been developed consisting of historical, early, and modern instrumental events recorded between 1250 B.C. ...and 2006. This valuable effort was undertaken under the framework of the global earthquake model (GEM) and the earthquake model of the Middle East (EMME) projects. The final goal was to establish a unified catalog of seismicity by incorporating regional and international data to be used for homogeneous estimate of seismic hazards in the region (Erdik et al.
2012
). However, observations show that magnitude of completeness (Mc) is not temporally and spatially homogeneous throughout the catalog. My goal in this commentary is to provide more insights on this important characteristic of the catalog and some suggestions on selection of homogeneous parts of the catalog. This can further aid users in using the catalog for different purposes.
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