Air Quality and COVID-19 Prevalence/Fatality

To investigate the association of real-time/observed ozone/PM2.5 levels with COVID-19 prevalence/fatality, meta-regression of data from the Northeast megalopolis was conducted. Daily Air Quality Index (AQI) values based on available ozone/PM2.5 data in these counties/cities (3/15/2020–5/31/2020) were extracted from US Environmental Protection Agency and World Air Quality Project. In each county/city, total confirmed COVID-19 cases/deaths (5/31/2020) were available from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, and total population was extracted from US Census Bureau. Random-effects meta-regression was performed using OpenMetaAnalyst. A meta-regression graph depicted COVID-19 prevalence and fatality (plotted as logarithm-transformed prevalence/fatality on the y-axis) as a function of mean ozone/PM2.5 AQI (plotted on the x-axis). Coefficients were not statistically significant for ozone (P = 0.212/0.814 for prevalence/fatality) and PM2.5 (P = 0.986/0.499). Although multivariable analysis had been planned, it was not performed because of non-significant covariates of interest in the univariable model. In conclusion, ozone/PM2.5 may be unassociated with COVID-19 prevalence/fatality.

Meteorological Conditions and Covid-19 in Large U.S. Cities

To determine whether prevalence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is modulated by meteorological conditions, we herein conducted meta-regression of data in large U.S. cities. We selected 33 large U.S. cities with a population of >500,000. The integrated numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country to which the city belongs on 14 May 2020, the estimated population in 2019 in the country, and monthly meteorological conditions at the city for 4 months (from January to April 2020) were obtained. Meteorological conditions consisted of mean temperature (F), total precipitation (inch), mean wind speed (MPH), mean sky cover, and mean relative humidity (%). Monthly data for 4 months were averaged or integrated. The Covid-19 prevalence was defined as the integrated number of Covid-19 cases divided by the population. Random-effects meta-regression was performed by means of OpenMetaAnalyst. In a meta-regression graph, Covid-19 prevalence (plotted as the logarithm transformed prevalence on the y-axis) was depicted as a function of a given factor (plotted as a meteorological datum on the x-axis). A slope of the meta-regression line was significantly negative (coefficient, -0.069; P < 0.001) for the mean temperature and significantly positive for the mean wind speed (coefficient, 0.174; P = 0.027) and the sky cover (coefficient, 2.220; P = 0.023). In conclusion, lower temperature and higher wind speed/sky cover may be associated with higher Covid-19 prevalence, which should be confirmed by further epidemiological researches adjusting for various risk and protective factors (in addition to meteorological conditions) of Covid-19.

Evaluation of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulteration with Edible Oils using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is categorized as expensive oil due to high-quality nutritional value. Unfortunately, EVOO is easily adulterated with other low-quality edible oils. Therefore, this study was done to differentiate and analyze the adulteration of EVOO with other edible oils using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The study was used several edible oils included canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil as an adulterant for EVOO. The adulterant EVOO samples were prepared by mixing with dissimilar concentrations of the solely edible oils (20 %, 40 %, 60 % and 80 % (v/v)). The main functional groups of EVOO and other edible oils are O-H, C-H, C=C and C=O groups were assigned around 3500 cm-1, 2925 cm-1, 3006 cm-1 and 1745 cm-1 wavenumbers, respectively. From the comparison of EVOO and other adulterant edibles oil spectra, it showed that the EVOO has the lowest absorbance intensity at around 3006 cm-1 represented double bond which is closely related to the composition of oil sample. The adulteration of EVOO was evaluated by analysing the changes in the absorbance based on the linear regression analysis graph of the bands at 3006 and 2925 cm-1 and the limit of detection (LOD) was measured. The graph of A3008/A2925 with good relative coefficients (R2) and lower LOD is more favourable than the linear regression graph of A3006 versus percentage of edible oils added in EVOO. This study showed that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is a convenient tool for analysing the adulteration of EVOO.

Conditional and marginal relative risk parameters for a class of recursive regression graph models

In linear regression modelling, the distortion of effects after marginalizing over variables of the conditioning set has been widely studied in several contexts. For Gaussian variables, the relationship between marginal and partial regression coefficients is well established and the issue is often addressed as a result of W. G. Cochran. Possible generalizations beyond the linear Gaussian case have been developed, nevertheless the case of discrete variables is still challenging, in particular in medical and social science settings. A multivariate regression framework is proposed for binary data with regression coefficients given by the logarithm of relative risks, and a multivariate Relative Risk formula is derived to define the relationship between marginal and conditional relative risks. The method is illustrated through the analysis of the morphine data in order to assess the effect of preoperative oral morphine administration on the postoperative pain relief.

PENGARUH KECERDASAN EMOSIONAL TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR

Kecerdasan emosi terhadap pembelajaran matematika ada suatu kemampuan untuk mengendalikan emosi diri mengola dan mengekspresikan emosi terhadap orang lain, kecerdasan emosi sangat diperlukan untuk memahami pelajaran yang disampaikan oleh guru. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakahada pengaruh positif antara kecerdasan emosional terhadap hasil belajar matematikapeserta didik, dan mengubah pandangan peserta didik tentang pelajaran matematika. Penelitian ini meruapakan penelitian ex-post facto. Subjek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas tinggi yang berjumlah 30 peserta didik yang terdiri dari 5 peserta didik dari tiga kelas paralel. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh positif antara kecerdasan emosional terhadap hasil belajar matematika. Hal ini dapat dilihat dari grafik regresi bahwa titik-titik yang tersebar mendekati garis regresi dan searah miring dengan garis regresi. Nilai koefisien determinan (r2) yang diperoleh sebesar 0,229 yang menandakan bahwa faktor kecerdasan emosional memberikan pengaruh terhadap hasil belajar matematika sebesar 22,9% selebihnya 77,1% dipengaruhi oleh faktor lain. Hasil analisis regresi diperoleh nilai konstan sebesar 39,993 koefisien regresi untuk vareiabel kecerdasan emosi sebesar 0,229, sehingga diperoleh persamaan regresi sederhana Y= 39,993 + 0,229X. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut maka kesimpulan dapat diambil adalah peserta didik yang memiliki kecerdasan emosional yang tinggi akan lebih terampil dalam menenangkan diri dan memusatkan perhatian dalam memahamai materi pelajaran. Kegiatan ini sangat penting utamanya bagi guru untuk mengetahui keesulitan peserta didik. Hal ini sejalan dengan kemampuan guru untuk lebih mengenal karakter peserta didik.Emotional intelligence to the learning of mathematics there is an ability to control self-emotion mengola and express emotions to others, emotional intelligence is needed to understand the lessons conveyed by the teacher. This study aims to determine whether there is a positive influence between emotional intelligence on mathematics learning outcomes and students, and change the views of learners about math lessons. This research is an ex-post facto research. The subjects of this study were high school students who numbered 30 students consisting of 5 students from three parallel classes. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive influence between emotional intelligence on mathematics learning outcomes. It can be seen from the regression graph that the dots are scattered near the regression line and in the same direction with the regression line. The value of determinant coefficient (r2) obtained by 0.229 indicating that the emotional intelligence factor gives effect to the learning result of mathematics equal to 22,9% 77,1% is influenced by other factor. Regression analysis results obtained constant value of 39.993 regression coefficient for vareiabel emotional intelligence of 0.229, so obtained a simple regression equation Y = 39.993 + 0.229X. Based on these results, the conclusions can be drawn are learners who have high emotional intelligence will be more skilled in calming down and focusing attention in comprehending the subject matter. This activity is very important especially for teachers to know keesulitan learners. This is in line with the ability of teachers to be more familiar with the character of learners

Comparing the Effects of Atorvastatin on LDL Reduction through Systematic Review Method and Meta-Analysis

<p><strong>BACKGROUND </strong><strong>&amp; GOAL: </strong>LDL is one of the important risk factors that cause cardiovascular diseases. Improving one's lifestyle accompanied by taking medicine can be effective in reducing the amount of LDL. This study aims at comparing the effects of Atorvastatin on reducing LDL using systematic review method and meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>MATERIALS </strong><strong>&amp; METHODS: </strong>In this systematic review, Pub Med, Scopus, Elsevier and Google Scholar search engine were applied to do a search within the time span of 2003-2014 using standard key words. Articles which met the entrance criteria were studied. Random effects model was used to integrate the results through meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using Stata software (version 11.1).</p><p><strong>FINDINGS: </strong>In a systematic review, 11 articles were passed through the process of meta-analysis with a sample size of 3662 individuals and a mean of 333 subjects per study. The rate of LDL reduction was 33.32 milligrams per Deciliter by Atorvastatin. The meta-regression graph based on age showed that in the studies where the age of the sample has been younger, the amount of LDL has been higher and in studies with older sample age, the LDL rate has been lower. The meta-regression graph to BMI showed that people with higher BMI, showed more reduction in LDL and individuals with lower BMI, indicated less LDL reduction.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>According to the results of the study, LDL reduction takes place better and more quickly in the elderly and fat individuals. Atorvastatin was more effective in reducing the rate of LDL.</p>

Detection of Amitraz Resistance inRhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplusfrom SBS Nagar, Punjab, India

The resistance status ofRhipicephalus (Boophilus) micropluscollected from SBS Nagar, Punjab, was evaluated against amitraz by Adult Immersion Test (AIT). The regression graph of probit mortality of ticks plotted against log values of progressively increasing concentrations of amitraz revealed the slope of mortality (95% CI) as2.36±0.61(0.38 to 4.33). The LC50(95% CI) and LC95(95% CI) values were recorded as 332.52 ppm (305.06–362.44) and 1646.93 ppm (1383.97–1959.84), respectively, and the resistance factor (RF) was 13.17 which indicated level II resistance status. The dose response curves for egg mass weight, reproductive index, and percentage inhibition of oviposition were also validated by AIT and the slopes (95% CI) were-7.17±2.41(−14.85 to 0.50),-0.009±0.02(−0.16 to −0.031), and19.99±4.77(4.81 to 35.17), respectively. The current study reports the development of resistance inR. (B.) microplusto amitraz from Punjab state and the data generated would be useful in formulation of effective control strategies against ticks of this region.

Effect of Various Acaricides on Hatchability of Eggs ofRhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

The effect of commonly used acaricides (amitraz, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, and flumethrin) on the eggs ofRhipicephalus (Boophilus) micropluscollected from Ludhiana, Punjab, was evaluated by egg hatch assay (EHA). The regression graph of probit hatchability and per cent inhibition of hatching (IH%) of eggs was plotted against log values of concentration of various acaricides. All concentrations of flumethrin and amitraz caused complete inhibition of hatching, whereas a hatchability of31.0±6.1,40.0±5.2and19.3±1.7% was only recorded at the highest concentration of cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and fenvalerate, respectively. An increase in the concentration of the acaricide showed a significant effect on the IH% of eggs for cypermethrinP<0.01and deltamethrinP<0.05but was nonsignificant for fenvalerate. The slope of the regression curve of IH% was utilized for the calculation of the dose of various acaricides causing inhibition of hatching for 95% eggs (LC95) and the discriminating dose (DD). Results indicated that maximum DD was recorded for fenvalerate (2.136%), followed by cypermethrin (0.214%) and deltamethrin (0.118%). The results of the current study will be helpful in formulating effective control strategies against ticks.