bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ET: Statistical study to investigate the descending trend of Live Music Industry in Pakistan
Authors: Sahib Oad  , Mujeeb ur Rehman Abro  , Awais H. Gillani
Published: December 2021

Due to the growing demand for concerts after a decline in recorded music sales, the globally live music industry has become an important income source for music artists and countries’ economies. In Pakistan, neither music artists nor the economy could take advantage of this opportunity due to certain factors. The present study was designed to investigate the influences of factors such as extremism and terrorism (ET) and security issues (SIs) on the live music industry in Pakistan. Data was collected through an online questionnaire from 203 music artists and was statistically analyzed through a regression test using SPSS techniques. The findings of our study depicted that these factors had a negative influence on the live music industry. Besides, the frequency of live music events decreased with the increase in the magnitude of these factors.
PENGEMBANGAN VIDEO PEMBELAJARAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: MARLIANI LITA PUTRI
Published: December 2021

Current technological developments have an influence on the world of education, especially in learning media. With the development of technology, then we should be able to use the technology to solve problems, especially in the world of education. One of the uses of technology in education is to use video media as a medium of learning in the classroom. Based on this description, this article aims to examine the development of learning videos in increasing student motivation in elementary school. Some of the findings from the advantages of this video media include being able to have a positive impact on learning activities, one of which can increase student learning motivation so that learning in the classroom becomes more fun and makes students not feel bored while learning is taking place. The method in this study uses a qualitative approach, with content analysis techniques. The data source in this analysis is about the use of video as a learning medium. With increased learning motivation, student learning outcomes will also increase. So, it can be concluded that the development of this learning video media is effectively used in the learning process.

ABSTRAKPerkembangan teknologi saat ini memberikan pengaruh bagi dunia pendidikan, khususnya dalam media pembelajaran. Dengan adanya perkembangan teknologi, maka kita seharusnya mampu memanfaatan teknologi tersebut untuk memecahkan masalah-masalah, terutama dalam dunia pendidikan. Salah satu pemanfaatan teknologi dalam dunia pendidikan adalah menggunakan media video sebagai media pembelajaran di dalam kelas. Berdasarkan uraian tersebut, artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji tentang pengembangan video pembelajaran dalam meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa di sekolah dasar. Beberapa temuan dari kelebihan media video ini diantaranya dapat membawa dampak positif pada kegiatan belajar, salah satunya dapat meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa sehingga pembelajaran di dalam kelas menjadi lebih menyenangkan dan membuat siswa tidak merasa bosan saat pembelajaran sedang berlangsung. Metode dalam penelitian ini menggunakan metode pendekatan kualitatif, dengan teknik analisis konten. Sumber data dalam analisis ini yakni tentang penggunaan video sebagai media pembelajaran. Dengan meningkatnya motivasi belajar, maka hasil belajar siswa pun akan meningkat. Maka, dapat disimpulkan bahwa pengembangan media video pembelajaran ini efektif digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran.
Anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of the homeopathic complex Homeo-pax® (pre-clinical study)
Authors: Carvalho Jose Carlos Tavares , Vaz Aline Ferreira , Campos Raiza Marques Vieira , Dos Santos KÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©lem Costa , Medeiros Benedito Junior , Viriato Ezequiel Paulo , Perazzo Fabio Ferreira
Published: December 2021

Background: The homeopathic complex Homeo-PaxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® has been used as an antidepressant and anxiolytic homeopathic medicine available in Brazil. It is a complex mixture prepared with Aconitum nap. 6cH, Aurum met. 6cH, Phosphorus 6cH, Argentum nitricum 6cH, Arsenicum alb. 6cH, and Valeriana officinalis 3cH. Aims: This study had evaluated the behavior in rats after treatment with Homeo-PaxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® in pre-clinical models of depression and anxiety. Mathods: Elevated Plus Maze Test (EPM), Forced Swimming Test (FST), Open Field Test (OFT) and the Rota Rod Test (RRT) behavior assays were used to confirm its activity. In the EPM, the animals treated with Homeo-paxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® on the 1st day and until the 20th day of treatment remained longer in the open arms of the maze than on 30th day. This result was statistically significant compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In the FST, the treatment with Homeo-paxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® (0.5 ml, p.o) increased the swimming time, compared to the control group. This effect was dependent on treatment time, resulting in a similar effect to that presented by amfepramone (10 mg/kg, p.o). In the OFT, crossing by the animals was significantly increased by the treatment with amfepramone (10mg/kg, p.o), and also with the 30-day treatment with Homeo-paxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â®. In the RRT, the 30-day treatment with Homeo-paxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® (0.5 ml, p.o) did not affect the animalsÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ motor coordination, compared with the control group, which presented the same behavior. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be suggested that the homeopathic complex Homeo-paxÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties without affecting motor coordination capacity.
Joining efforts to destroy a mighty empire: the Delphic oracle reloaded!
Authors: Zacharias Carlos Renato
Published: December 2021

Whether in short or long term, it seems that history always repeats itself! We started in 2011 under the announcement of another collective suicide attempt by organized by Merseyside Skeptics Society, with followers in various cities all over the world! The reasoning behind this movement is quite clear: if homeopathic medicines are highly diluted, then it can not be found one even molecule of the supposed active substance, inside it. Hence the campaign slogan: Homeopathy: there is nothing in it!

...

It seems that the story wants to repeat again! If we join efforts to satisfy the skeptics, the prophecy of the SkepticsÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ Oracle will be fulfilled: "respect the AvogadroÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s limit and we no longer fight against homeopathyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â! If we go forward with this fight, we will destroy ourselves, the homeopathy and all science behind the high dilutions, leaving nothing for the skeptics do, unless, quietly to observe our self-destruction!

...

If we want to get into a true battle, then we should review and reflect on our scientific approach to the phenomenon of the HD and homeopathy. And we donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t need to bother in requesting a space in the universe of science, because this decision is not entitled to the skeptics. Further, this place is already booked since a long time! We should only be dedicated to the difficult task of uncovering the phenomenon behind the HD and Homeopathy, in order to fill our space in an honorable manner!
The biotherapics Influenzinum and Oscilococcinum in the treatment of influenza virus flu
Authors: De Oliveira Ana Luiza Marques , Holandino Carla , Siqueira Camila Monteiro
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The influenza virus flu is a widespread illness which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. About 20% of children and 5% of adults are infected with this virus every year. The disease is highly contagious and its transmission occurs by saliva particles of the infected person, expelled by breathing, talking and coughing [1]. Flu pandemics are generally caused by the appearance of a new subtype of the virus in humans, which occurs as a result of the existing flu in animal species transmitted to humans [2]. Despite the fact there are antiviral drugs, the virus develops mutations, creating resistance to these drugs in few days. Thus, the development of new therapies, including homeopathy, that can prevent and/or treat this disease becomes increasingly necessary. In this scenario, biotherapics appear as drugs that are made from biological products, such as secretions, tissues, organs whose compounding follows the homeopathic pharmacopeia. Objective: This study is a literature review on the treatment of flu with biotherapics used in clinical medicine, namely Influenzinum and Oscilococcinum. Method: Studies on the prescription of biotherapics for the prevention and cure of the flu as well as literature about the history and evolution of Homeopathy were reviewed in the present work. Influenzinum is a biotherapic made from the influenza vaccine from Pasteur Laboratory, while Oscillococcinum is obtained from the lysate of the liver and heart of the goose Anas barbaries. Results: Preliminary results showed that both medicines are widely used in clinical medicine. Influenzinum 9CH is prescribed for flu prevention and treatment, while Oscilococcinum is more used to reduce the severe symptoms in patients who already have the flu. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is possible to say that Influenzinum has a very important role in the prevention and cure of the influenza and Oscilococcinnum is useful in the relief of the symptoms caused by this disease
Prospective study of ADHD cases with biological confirmation
Authors: Bolognani Fabio de Almeida
Published: December 2021

Based on the large amount of patients that seek alternative treatment for clinical complaints compatible with ADHD diagnosis and above all by the high percentage of non adaptation or risk that officially proposed drugs may bring, we developed a laboratorial clinical investigative profile that favors a safe homeopathic treatment.
Semiotic processes implied in the High Dilution phenomena
Authors: Jurj Gheorghe
Published: December 2021

Semiotic processes ( or semiosis) refer to those process which are carriers of meaning and are performed through signs. A sign is something that stands for something else, and is the main mediating factor between an object and an interpreter, able to connect them and give rise to significations. The semiotic perspective, according to Charles Sanders Peirce, is basically triadic: all aspects of reality are triadic, comprising the categories of Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness in a continue and virtually infinite process of semiosis, i.e of various forms of giving rise to meanings that accordingly will generate reactions, actions and transformations. The aim of the present paper is to examine the possible levels of semiosis implied in the high dilution phenomenon, beginning with the process of so called ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œpotencyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â of substrata (where every potency may be considered a sign for the next one) and arriving to the complex responses of the living bodies to infinitesimal signs.
Biosemiotics and Body Signifier Theory: a way to understand High Dilutions
Authors: Bonamin Leoni Villano
Published: December 2021

Since the 80Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â´s Madeleine Bastide and AgnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨s Lagache have worked on the idea of the Body Signifier Theory, in which the living systems could be defined as ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œsensibleÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â systems not only able to self-organize, but also to receive and process non-molecular information according to the Pierce semiotic triad: matrix, receiver and carrier. These ideas were built along 20 years of experimental observations, whose results presented some kind of stereotyped pattern that emerged from cells or animals exposed to high dilutions, according to the similia principle. Curiously, at the same time, classical scientific communities have developed the concept of biosemiotics after the observation that living systems are semiotics entities able to deal with codes and meanings, even in molecule-driven processes. Not only the genetic code, but all regulatory functions in living systems represent coding processes. The development of methodologies to identify and understand these codes and its outputs is the aim of biosemiotic science. Putting both concepts together (body signifiers and biosemiotics), it is possible to recognize strong similarities between their approaches and methodology, allowing logical connections between non-molecular signals and changes in cell interactions patterns. Thus, the general concept of biosemiotic could be a theoretical platform on which the construction of a solid phenomenological description of high dilutions effects could be done.
Seasonal variation of the effect of extremely diluted agitated gibberellic acid (10-30) on wheat seedling development
Authors: Scherer-Pongratz Waltraud , Endler Peter Christian
Published: December 2021

Objective: Performing a study on a wheat growth bio assay with a homeopathic dilution of gibberellic acid at different seasons of the year.

Methods: Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, Capo variety) were observed under the influence of extremely diluted gibberellic acid (10-30, 30x). Analogously prepared water was used for control. 15 experiments were performed, 9 in autumn season (5 researchers, 4,440 grains per group), and 6 in winter / spring (4 researchers, with 3,140 grains per group).

Results: All 9 autumn experiments showed less stalk growth in the verum group (p > 0.01 in 4 cases, p > 0.05 in 3, trend in 2 cases). Mean stalk lengths (mm) were 46.97 + 20.50 for verum and 50.66 + 19.77 for control at grain level (N = 4,440 per group) and + 3.87 and + 3.38 respectively at dish level (217 cohorts of 20 or 25 grains per treatment group). Verum stalk length (92.72%) was 7.28% smaller than control stalk length (100%). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring (less stalk growth in 1 case, no difference in 1, more growth in 3 cases). Overall verum stalk length (103.64%) was 3.64% slightly greater than control stalk length (100%). Data were found to be homogeneous within the control groups as well as within the verum groups.

Conclusion: Results suggest that especially in the experiments performed in autumn, there was an influence of gibberellic acid 30x on wheat seedling development. The effect size is small when calculation is done on the basis of grains (d = 0.18) but high when done on the basis of dishes (d = 1.02). In contrast, no reliable effect was found in experiments performed in winter / spring. Further experiments should thus be performed in the autumn season.
From the informational paradigm to the paradigm of corporeal signifiers : a topical tool for the researcher on High Dilution
Authors: Blostin Richard
Published: December 2021

The paradigm of corporeal signifiers of Madeleine Bastide and AgnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¨s Lagache is very close to the informational paradigm of Claude Levy-Strauss. We will show that this paradigm is compatible with the main results of the research on High Dilution. It can be a very good tool to locate the differents studies on HD and can be of great help for the researcher. The paradigm shows us that the future must also be part of basic research; but it seems important to differentiate experimental studies and basic research. This basic research has to be organized along with conventional researchers, experts in their own areas
Effect of 7DH biotherapic of Toxoplasma gondii in mice infected with the protozoan
Authors: Braga Caroline Felicio , Drozino Ricardo Nascimento , Moreira Neide Martins , Aleixo Denise Lessa , AraÃƒÆ’Ã‚Âºjo Silvana Marques de
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii worldwide distributed [1]. In both, men and animals, the infection with T. gondii can lead to important pathologies [2]. The study of alternative treatments is important to set new therapeutic protocols, especially for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of a biotherapic 7DH T. gondii in mice infected with T. gondii.

Material and methods: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Protocol nÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â° 036/2009. Fourteen mice were used ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ swiss male aged 57 days divided into two groups according to the treatment (or its diluent biotherapic): BIOT-200DH and Control (cereal alcohol-7%).The biotherapic was prepared with homogenized mouse brain (20 cysts of T.gondii/100ÃƒÅ½Ã‚Â¼L-average 242 bradyzoites / cyst), according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [3] in laminar flow. The experiment was performed as a blind randomized controlled trial. The animals were treated for 3 days immediately prior to infection. The oral treatment schedule was of 0.1mL/4x/ day, on the first day, followed by 2x/day. Animals aged 57 ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ 59 days were treated with biotherapic and were clinically evaluated. The animals were orally infected at the age of 60 days (20 cysts ME49-T. gondii). Within18-21 days of infection the clinical parameters were evaluated. On the 55th day of infection the eye fundus was examined (Ophthalmoscope Welch Allyn Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â®) and the intraocular pressure was measured (Tonometer TONO-PEN Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â® XL). After 60 days of post-infection the animals were killed in a chamber saturated with halothane, the brains were homogenized and resuspended in 1 ml of saline solution. The cysts were counted according to a rate of 25 mL of suspension, covered with 24x24 mm glass, examined in its full length.

Results and discussion: The table 1 summarizes the clinical data. There was no significant difference among the groups for clinical parameters during treatment, although it was recorded the death of an animal in the biotherapic 7DH group. The dead animal presented distended stomach and liquid feces in the intestine. After the infection it was observed reduction of water consumption (p
Use of an electronic tongue in the assessment of highly diluted systems
Authors: Laranjeira Mateus Silva , Lara Marilisa GuimarÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â£es , Chaud Marco Vinicius , Fontes Olney Leite , Riul Jr AntÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â´nio
Published: December 2021

Introduction: ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œEletronic tongueÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â is a device commonly used in the analysis of tastants, heavy metal ions, fruit juice, wines and also in the development of biosensors [1-3]. Briefly, the e-tongue is constituted by sensing units formed by ultrathin films of distinct materials deposited on gold interdigitated electrodes, which are immersed in liquid samples, followed by impedance spectroscopy measurements [1]. The e-tongue sensor is based on the global selectivity concept, i.e., the materials forming the sensing units are not selective to any substance in the samples, therefore, it allows the grouping of information into distinct patterns of response, enabling the distinction of complex liquid systems [1].

Aim: Our aim was to use e-tongue system for the assessment the homeopathic medicine Belladonna at different degrees of dilution, in attempt to differentiate highly diluted systems.

Methods: Ultrathin films forming the sensing units were prepared by the layer-by-layer technique [4], using conventional polyelectrolytes such as poly(sodium styene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine) hydrochloride (PAH), chitosan and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Homeopathic medicines (Belladonna 1cH, 6cH, 12cH and 30cH) were prepared by dilution and agitation according to HahnemannÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â´s method [5], using ethanol at 30% (w/w) as vehicle. Experimental data acquisition was conducted by blind tests measurements involving Belladonna samples and the vehicle used in the dilutions. Five independent and consecutive measurements were taken for each solution at 1 kHz, which were further analysed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a statistical method largely employed to reduce the dimensionality of the original data without losing information in the correlation of the samples [3].

Results: Figure 1 shows that the five independent measurements are grouped quite closed each other for each solution analysed, with a clear distinction of them. Therefore, it was noticed a change in the observed pattern measured at different days, indicating a reduced reproducibility, although the groups of data could still be identified.

Discussion: PCA is a powerful tool highly employed to extract relevant information in the correlation of data analysis of e-tongue systems. PCA plots showed a good statistical correlation of the systems (PC1 + PC2 Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â³ 90%), with the solutions being straightforwardly distinguished each other and also from the vehicle used.

Conclusion: Despite the differences of data obtained along distinct days of analysis, the e-tongue could detect differences among the samples tested, even considering the highly diluted cases studied.
Violent behavior patterns: possible homeopathic remedies
Authors: Barollo CÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©lia Regina , Bignardi Fernando AntÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â´nio Cardoso , Osielski Jussara Meyer , Pedalino Carmela Maria Vieira
Published: December 2021

The authors discuss violence as a current epidemics and violent behavior in children and adolescents. They present a repertory study including the characteristic and peculiar symptoms of 12 patients, with clinical diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and the symptoms corresponding to the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-IV transcribed in repertory language. The result is a materia medica for patterns of violent behavior. Keywords: Violent behavior, homeopathy, children and adolescents, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â  PadrÃƒÆ’Ã‚Âµes de conduta violenta: possíveis medicamentos homeopáticos Resumo Os autores abordam a violéncia como epidemia contemporÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢nea e estudam a conduta violenta em crianÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â§as e adolescentes. Apresenta-se uma análise repertorial, incluindo os sintomas característicos e peculiares de 12 pacientes com diagnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³stico clínico de Transtorno de DÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©ficit de AtenÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â§ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â£o com Hiperatividade (TDAHI), Transtorno de Conduta e Oposicional Desafiador, e os sintomas correspondentes aos critÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©rios diagnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³sticos no DSM-IV transcritos em línguagem repertorial. O resultado ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â© uma matÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©ria mÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©dica para padrÃƒÆ’Ã‚Âµes de conduta violenta. Palavras-chave: Comportamento violento, homeopatia, crianÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â§as e adolescentes, TDAH, Desordem de conduta, Transtorno Oposicional Desafiador. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â  Modelos de conducta violenta: posibles remedios homeopáticos Resumen Los autores abordan la violencia como epidemia contemporánea y estudian la conducta violenta en niÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â±os y adolescentes. Se presenta un análisis repertorial, incluyendo los síntomas característicos y peculiares de 12 pacientes con diagnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³stico clínico de Trastorno de DÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©ficit de AtenciÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³n con Hiperactividad (TDAHI), Trastorno de Conducta y Oposicional Desafiador, y los síntomas correspondientes a los criterios diagnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³sticos en el DSM-IV transcriptos en lenguaje repertorial. El resultado es una materia mÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©dica para modelos de conducta violenta. Palabras-clave: Comportamiento violento, homeopatía, niÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â±os, niÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â±as y adolescentes, TDAH, trastorno de conducta, trastorno de oposiciÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â³n desafiante. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â  Correspondence author: CÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©lia R. Barollo, crbarollo@ajato.com.br; http://www.nephsp.org How to cite this article: Barollo CR, Bignardi FAC, Osielski JM, Pedalino CMV.Violent behavior patterns: possible homeopathic remedies. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(22):7-21. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/257/341. Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â
Anxiolytic effect of the homeopathic complex Tepeex®
Authors: Carvalho Jose Carlos Tavares , Campos Raiza Marques Vieira , Vaz Aline Ferreira , Dos Santos KÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©lem Costa , Viriato Ezequiel Paulo
Published: December 2021

Aims: Homeopathic complex TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® is a compound of Actaea racemosa 4cH, Natrum muriaticum 2cH, Pulsatilla nigricans 3cH, Chamomilla 3cH and Sepia succus5cH. This study evaluated the effect of TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® in pre-clinical models of depression and anxiety. Methods: the following tests were performed: elevated plus maze test (EPM); forced swimming test (FST); open field test (OFT) and Rotarod test (RRT). Results: In EPM, animals treated with TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® on days 20 and 30 stayed longer in the open arms of the maze than the control group (p < 0.05, Dunnett test). In FST, treatment with TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® did not increase swimming time compared to the control group in any phase of treatment. In OFT, crossing increased significantly with treatment with amfepramone, and also with 30-day treatment with TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® (p < 0.05, Dunnette test). In RRT, treatment with amfepramone significantly reduced latency time. 30-day treatment with TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® did not affect motor coordination when compared to the control group. Conclusion: results suggest that homeopathic complex TepeexÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® has anxiolytic properties without affecting motor coordination.
Estimation of power function distribution based on selective order statistic
Authors: Alodat Mohd , Al-Rawwash Mohammad , Al-Subh Sameer
Published: December 2021

In this article, we present the selective order statistic sampling scheme as a promising approach to estimate the parameter of the univariate power function distribution. We derive the maximum likelihood estimator and the method of moments estimator of the power function distribution parameter as well as the reliability parameter and the ratio of two means. Moreover, we derive the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators. Finally, we conduct simulation studies to investigate the performance of the selective order statistic scheme and concluded that it suits the power function distribution and we found that the maximum likelihood estimator is better than the method of moments estimator under the selective order statistic sampling scheme.
Empirical option weights for multiple-choice items
Authors: Sočan Gregor
Published: December 2021

In scoring of a multiple-choice test, the number of correct answers does not use all information available from item responses. Scoring such tests by applying empirically determined weights to the chosen options should provide more information on examinees' knowledge and consequently produce more valid test scores. However, existing empirical evidence on this topic does not clearly support option weighting. To overcome the limitations of the previous studies, we performed a simulation study where we manipulated the instruction to examinees, discrimination structure of distractors, test length, and sample size. We compared validity and internal consistency of number-correct scores, corrected-for-guessing scores, two variants of correlation-weighted scores and homogeneity analysis scores. The results suggest that in certain conditions the correlation-weighted scores are notably more valid than the number-correct scores. On the other hand, homogeneity analysis cannot be recommended as a scoring method. The relative performance of scoring methods strongly depends on the instructions and on distractors' properties, and only to a lesser extent on sample size and test length.
Analysis of the relationship between pineal hormone melatonin level and occupational mercury exposure in ex-miners with machine learning methods
Authors: Osredkar Joško , Ženko Bernard , Kobal Grum Darja , Krsnik Mladen , Džeroski Sašo , Horvat Milena , Kobal Alfred
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was an analysis of the relationship between pineal hormone melatonin level and long-term occupational exposure to elemental mercury vapour (Hg°) of ex-mercury miners. Melatonin (MEL) is a hormonal product of the pineal gland. Hg accumulation in the pineal gland in ex-miners could modify the synthesis of melatonin and there are no data available in the scientific literature on the possible effects of Hg on melatonin excretion. Regression/model trees were used to perform the analyses and investigate the interactions between melatonin secretion and excretion on one hand, and various indicators of occupational Hg exposure and some other medical variables on the other. The results point us towards some previously unknown factors that influence the excretion of melatonin and support some assumptions that melatonin also has antioxidative effect. In the process of antioxidation activity melatonin decomposes and we assume this is the reason for decreased excretion of melatonin in mercury miners.
Measuring ego-centered social networks
Authors: Kogovšek Tina , Hlebec Valentina
Published: December 2021

In measuring ego-centered social networks, two general approaches can be distinguished. A very simple way to evaluate membership in a social network is to ask an ordinary survey question where response categories are types of relationships (e.g., partner, parents, children, friends, etc.). This approach is very appealing as it saves time and money. However, information obtained by this approach is very limited. Most often, when evaluating ego-centered networks, the name generator approach is used. The list of egos (respondents) is obtained in the first step. In the second step, existing ties are identified - all alters with whom the focal ego has some sort of relationship. When all ties have been identified, the contents and the characteristics of ties are assessed. In most cases the characteristics of the alters are also measured. The name generator approach yields more data and is also of higher quality. However, it is very time and money consuming, and it requires either considerable effort from respondents, when it is applied in self-administered mode, or complex coordination between interviewer and respondent, when it is applied in personal interviews (e.g., Kogovšek et al., 2002). In a series of studies, network composition was estimated using both approaches. Test-retest and split-ballot experiments on convenience samples of respondents were used to assess the stability of network composition. Findings are discussed with regard to survey complexity, respondent burden, costs and quality of network composition estimates.
Approximate confidence interval for the reciprocal of a normal mean with a known coefficient of variation
Authors: Panichkitkosolkul Wararit
Published: December 2021

An approximate confidence interval for the reciprocal of a normal population mean with a known coefficient of variation is proposed. This has applications in the area of nuclear physics, agriculture and economic when the researcher knows the coefficient of variation. The proposed confidence interval is based on the approximate expectation and variance of the estimator by Taylor series expansion. A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to compare the performance of the proposed confidence interval with the existing confidence interval. Simulation results show that the proposed confidence interval performs as well as the existing one in terms of coverage probability. However, the approximate confidence interval is very easy to calculate compared with the exact confidence interval.
Qualitative and quantitative approaches to the measurement of complex social phenomena
Authors: Pavlin Samo , Kogovšek Tina
Published: December 2021

The article begins with a description of the triangulation principle in the social sciences. The main goal is to demonstrate the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in the case of occupational professionalisation. The argumentation is built around the operationalisation of indicators of professionalisation of 63 occupations based on two different theoretical approaches, as well as the process of data collection presented in each case. The level of agreement of the two approaches is presented. In the final section, the findings are discussed, and outlines for potential new research in this field are presented.
Measurement quality of social support survey measurement instruments
Authors: Hlebec Valentina , Kogovšek Tina , Coenders Germà
Published: December 2021

Social network items have been included in several cross-national surveys (e.g., Generations and Gender Programme, European Quality of Life Survey, International Social Survey Programme). In these surveys, several different methods and questionnaire items are applied to measure similar or identical constructs. These methods are the name generator method and the simplified role relation method. These methods differ significantly in terms of complexity, cost and respondent (and interviewer) burden. In this paper, we would like to establish whether an estimation of network composition, assessed in percentages of family members, partner, friends etc. can be obtained by a simpler method than the name generator method without reducing the measurement quality of network composition indices. The study uses data from two experiments conducted in 2006 and 2008 on convenience quota samples. The correlated uniqueness model for multitrait-multimethod designs adapted to compositional data is used for estimating data quality indices. Besides the name generator and simplified role relation methods, we also compare the event-related method. The main findings are that the name generator method offers the highest measurement quality followed by the simplified role relation methods with two provider choices and the simplified role relation method with one provider choice. The event-related method has the lowest measurement quality. The partner over the family ratio was measured with the highest quality amongst all methods while the non-family over family ratio had the lowest. The strength of a tie is an important factor when it comes to measurement quality.
Robust scale estimation for the generalized Gaussian probability density function
Authors: Dahyot Rozenn , Wilson Simon
Published: December 2021

This article proposes a robust way to estimate the scale parameter of a generalised centered Gaussian mixture. The principle relies on the association of samples of this mixture to generate samples of a new variable that shows relevant distribution properties to estimate the unknown parameter. In fact, the distribution of this new variable shows a maximum that is linked to this scale parameter. Using nonparametric modelling of the distribution and the MeanShift procedure, the relevant peak is identified and an estimate is computed. The whole procedure is fully automatic and does not require any prior settings. It is applied to regression problems, and digital data processing.
Delphi method
Authors: Fink-Hafner Danica , Dagen Tamara , Doušak May , Novak Meta , Hafner-Fink Mitja
Published: December 2021

The paper presents the Delphi method and tests its usefulness when searching for a consensus on definitions, especially in a particular social science field. Based on an overview of the characteristics and uses of the Delphi method, a special Delphi design for searching for minimal common definitions of globalisation, Europeanisation and internationalisation in higher education and their mutual relationships is presented in detail. While the method proved valuable, its strengths and weaknesses are also discussed. Finally, ideas for adjusting the Delphi method are proposed.
influence of social support and personal networks on doctoral student performance
Authors: Hlebec Valentina , Kogovšek Tina , Ferligoj Anuška
Published: December 2021

In the paper the effects of individual and social factors on the performance of doctoral students (young researchers) in Slovenia are studied. The paper starts with an overview of theoretical models and empirical studies that originate in educational research and psychological research. The paper continues with a description of theoretical models and empirical studies that originate from organizational research and focus on explaining job performance. The Job Demands-Resources model (Xanthopoulou et al., 2007; Bakker and Demerouti, 2007) is used to explain why some doctoral students perform better than others. Social support networks and social support from a doctoral student's research group (supervisor and co-workers) are operationalized as job resources. The proportion of explained variance of the doctoral students' academic performance is 0.14. Social support and personal networks have the largest effect, following by work motivation.
Conducting consistent laddering interviews using CLAD
Authors: Korenini Bojan
Published: December 2021

Consistent Laddering is an interviewing technique that is build on top of Laddering technique, which has been used most often in psychotherapy, consumer research, and knowledge acquisition. This paper points out distinctions and advantages of Consistent Laddering over the original technique, as well as some difficulties that concern both techniques. The main purpose of this article is to show how Consistent Laddering interviews are conducted, and how measures employed in this technique are used to detect difficulties that can occur in an interview. Because it is not possible to conduct Consistent Laddering interviews without a computer program, corresponding software, named CLAD, has been developed.
On bagging and estimation in multivariate mixtures
Authors: Pakyari Reza
Published: December 2021

Two bagging approaches, say \(\frac{1}{2}n\)-out-of-\(n\) without replacement (subagging) and \(n\)-out-of-\(n\) with replacement (bagging) have been applied in the problem of estimation of the parameters in a multivariate mixture model. It has been observed by Monte Carlo simulations and a real data example, that both bagging methods have improved the standard deviation of the maximum likelihood estimator of the mixing proportion, whilst the absolute bias increased slightly. In estimating the component distributions, bagging could increase the root mean integrated squared error when estimating the most probable component.
Home team advantage in the English Premier League
Authors: Marek Patrice , Vávra František
Published: December 2021

The home team advantage in association football is a well known phenomenon. The aim of this paper is to offer a different view on the home team advantage. Usually, in association football, every two teams—team A and team B—play each other twice in a season. Once as a home team and once as a visiting, or away team. This gives us two results between teams A and B which are combined together to evaluate whether team A, against its opponent B, recorded a result at its home ground—in the comparison to the away ground—that is better, even, or worse. This leads to a random variable with three possible outcomes, i.e. with trinomial distribution. The combination and comparison of home and away results of the same two teams is the key to eliminate problems with different squad strengths of teams in a league. The bayesian approach is used to determine point and interval estimates of unknown parameters of the source trinomial distribution, i.e. the probability that the result at home will be better, even, or worse. Moreover, it is possible to test a hypothesis that the home team advantage for a selected team is statistically significant.
Mode effects on socially desirable responding in web surveys compared to face-to-face and telephone surveys
Authors: Berzelak Nejc , Vehovar Vasja
Published: December 2021

This paper elaborates upon differences in socially desirable responding as being the result of mode effects between web, telephone, and face-to-face survey modes. Social desirability is one of the main threats to comparability of data between different modes. The paper conceptualises socially desirable responding as a specific type of mode effect, which is not only a result of inherent characteristics of a survey mode, but is also mediated and moderated by complex interdependencies of specific survey implementations, contextual factors, and characteristics and behaviours of respondents. While web surveys are generally less prone to socially desirable responding, it is essential to be wary of circumstances that may reduce the perceived privacy of the survey situation and lead to biased reporting. The presented empirical study analyses the answers to a large number of items used in a pilot implementation of the Generations and Gender Survey across the three modes to gain insights into the incidence of socially desirable responding and its role in the observed differences in estimates. The comparison of means, distributions, and proportions of extreme responses to scale questions is performed across 89 survey items. The results are in line with the previous findings on lower susceptibility of web surveys to social desirability bias. More importantly, the findings suggest that the problem of socially desirable responding is likely to be a major contributor to the differences in mean estimates, response distributions, and the level of extreme responding between the studied modes.
Comparing different types of web surveys
Authors: Silber Henning , Lischewski Julia , Leibold Jürgen
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to compare different types of web surveys in terms of response behaviour and data quality. To do so, the data of four online samples, two online access panels, a student sample, and a generated mail sample—randomly drawn from a systemically generated pool of email addresses—were contrasted. To investigate expected sample differences in drop-out rates, non-response, and data quality, closed and open-ended questions of varying levels of sensitiveness were employed. The main findings were that the two access panels lead to lower item non-response, but especially when sensitive questions were asked, data quality problems were revealed. Moreover, the access panelists showed a tendency to take short-cuts in the response process and to edit their answers in favour of social desirability.
Hierarchical clustering with concave data sets
Authors: Francetič Matej , Nagode Mateja , Nastav Bojan
Published: December 2021

Clustering methods are among the most widely used methods in multivariate analysis. Two main groups of clustering methods can be distinguished: hierarchical and non-hierarchical. Due to the nature of the problem examined, this paper focuses on hierarchical methods such as the nearest neighbour, the furthest neighbour, Ward's method, between-groups linkage, within-groups linkage, centroid and median clustering. The goal is to assess the performance of different clustering methods when using concave sets of data, and also to figure out in which types of different data structures can these methods reveal and correctly assign group membership. The simulations were run in a two- and threedimensional space. Using different standard deviations of points around the skeleton further modified each of the two original shapes. In this manner various shapes of sets with different inter-cluster distances were generated. Generating the data sets provides the essential knowledge of cluster membership for comparing the clustering methods' performances. Conclusions are important and interesting since real life data seldom follow the simple convex-shaped structure, but need further work, such as the bootstrap application, the inclusion of the dendrogram-based analysis or other data structures. Therefore this paper can serve as a basis for further study of hierarchical clustering performance with concave sets.
Quality guidelines for mixed methods research in intervention studies
Authors: Kopač Gizela , Hlebec Valentina
Published: December 2021

Among researchers' many investigations of the use of mixed methods in intervention studies, more recent discussions especially concern the roles played in such studies by qualitative research, intervention phases, procedures, and integration (Gallo and Lee, 2016; Woolcock, 2018; O'Cathain, 2018; Creswell and Plano Clark, 2018). One can find the basic procedures to follow while realizing a mixed methods experimental design (Creswell and Plano Clark, 2018), practical guidance (O'Cathain, 2018) for using qualitative research with a randomized control trial (RCT), and a mixed methods appraisal tool for appraising the methodological quality of RCTs, non-randomized studies, and mixed methods – MMAT (Hong et al., 2018). However, no model exists to assess the quality of mixed methods research in intervention studies, particularly experimental and quasi-experimental research in complex interventions. Our aim is to develop such a theoretical model. Today, the number of interventions relying on mixed methods methodology is growing exponentially. A theoretical model is called for to help assess the quality of mixed methods research in intervention studies, and in this respect our aim is to: (1) provide an overview of guidelines, recommendations, models, and quality criteria for mixed methods research; (2) overview the guidelines for intervention studies; (3) give a summary of guidelines and models for mixed methods research in such studies; (4) evaluate the mentioned guidelines, models, and quality criteria; (5) identify and describe the key elements of these guidelines, models, and quality criteria; and (6) develop a theoretical model for assessing the quality of mixed methods research designs used in intervention studies.
Generalized blockmodeling of sparse networks
Authors: Žiberna Aleš
Published: December 2021

The paper starts with an observation that the blockmodeling of relatively sparse binary networks (where we also expect sparse non-null blocks) is problematic. The use of regular equivalence often results in almost all units being classified in the same equivalence class, while using structural equivalence (binary version) only finds very small complete blocks. Two possible ways of blockmodeling such networks within a binary generalized blockmodeling approach are presented. It is also shown that sum of squares (homogeneity) generalized blockmodeling according to structural equivalence is appropriate for this task, although it suffers from "the null block problem". A solution to this problem is suggested that makes the approach even more suitable. All approaches are also applied to an empirical example. My general suggestion is to use either binary blockmodeling according to structural equivalence with different weights for inconsistencies or sum of squares (homogeneity) blockmodeling with null and constrained complete blocks. The second approach is more appropriate when we want complete blocks to have rows and columns of similar densities and differentiate among complete blocks based on densities. If these aspects are not important the first approach is more appropriate as it does in general produce "cleaner" null blocks.
Statistical forecasting of high-way traffic jam at a bottleneck
Authors: Grabec Igor , Švegl Franc
Published: December 2021

Maintenance works on high-ways usually require installation of bottlenecks that disturb traffic. The article presents a new mathematical model for analysis and forecasting of traffic jam evolution in front of a bottleneck. The model is comprised of two partial differential equations for the mean velocity and density of cars. The first equation describes relaxation of velocity to its equilibrium value determined by a new fundamental diagram. The second is the continuity equation and describes adaptation of the density to the input traffic flow that is forecast statistically. Numerical treatment of the model yields distributions of traffic variables that exhibit characteristic properties of jam evolution. The performance of the method is demonstrated by forecasting the jam that would develop during rush-hour if a bottleneck were installed on a high-way close to Ljubljana. Beside the model a new method is presented for approximate prediction of jam length based upon input flow and bottleneck capacity that is specified by the fundamental diagram. The corresponding computer programs represent a new tool by which experts can analyze properties of bottlenecks in order to optimize them.