Individualized Growth Hormone Treatment - Using Two Different Prediction Models in a Clinical Setting

BackgroundDiagnosing growth hormone deficiency (GHD) can be challenging; hence, prediction models on growth outcome from growth hormone (GH) treatment have shown to be useful. We aim to compare the accuracy of the more readily available KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Study) prediction model to the previously clinically validated Gothenburg model.MethodsPrepubertal children with GHD who started GH treatment at Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital between 2004 and 2016 were considered for the study. Exclusion criteria were short stature due to syndrome, chronic disease, oncology disease, or known bad adherence. Growth predictions were made according to the Gothenburg model and the KIGS model. Growth data from birth until one year after start of GH treatment were collected from medical charts. Predicted height and observed height were then compared. ResultsA total of 123 children, 47 girls (38%) and 76 boys (62%) were included, with a mean age of 5.71 (±1.81 SD) years at start of GH treatment. The Pearson correlation of predicted first-year growth versus growth outcome were r = 0.990 for the Gothenburg model and r = 0.991 for the KIGS model. Studentized residuals were 0.10 ± 0.81 SD and 0.03 ± 0.96 SD, respectively, for the models. The comparison between the two models showed r = 0.995.ConclusionThe Gothenburg model and the KIGS model are equally accurate at predicting height outcome from GH treatment for our study cohort. We therefore promote the use of either model in clinical settings.

Can We Explain Cost Growth in Major Defense Acquisition Programs?

This question asked in this article is whether the shared intellectual property of the acquisition community includes an adequate theory of cost growth in major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs). This question is given concrete form by cost growth data for 123 MDAPs. These data are grouped into categories, which range from very small—negative, in fact—cost growth to cost growth in excess of 100%. Potential explanations for this broad range of cost growth considered are: the conventional wisdom about cost growth; a recent RAND study that closely examined cases at both ends of the distribution, along with some possible extensions of that study; and a recent model of the root causes of cost growth. The author argues that each of these falls short; in particular, it seems that the defense acquisition community at large does not have a good explanation of cost growth in the broad range of 30% to 100%.

Pendekatan Univariate Time Series Modelling untuk Prediksi Kuartalan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Indonesia Pasca Vaksinasi COVID-19

The development of COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on Indonesia’s economic growth based on the indicator of the value of the quarterly year of year data in 2020 and 2021. Economic growth is still experiencing a recession per first quarter with a percentage of - 2.19 percent at the beginning of 2021. The government has to take vaccination measures for the community gradually with the aim of reducing the number of sufferers of these cases. The purpose of this study is to predict economic growth quarterly after vaccination using 3 (three) univariate time series models, namely ARIMA, Holt-Winters and Dynamic Linear models for policymaking. Holt-Winters and Dynamic Linear models make it possible to handle time-series data containing trends and seasonality. The data is divided into training data and test data obtained from the ministry of finance and the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The goodness of the model uses MSE, MAE and U-Theil criteria. Based on the results of the analysis using the R library, the results show that the best modelling for economic growth data is the ARIMA model with the lowest MSE, MAE and U-Theil values with the difference between the models being 0.000242. The ARIMA model looks better than other models because the economic growth data only contains trends and assumes a seasonal element in the data. In addition, the Holt-Winters and Dynamic Linear models produce a forecast for Indonesia’s economic growth to still experience a recession (negative growth) in the next four quarterly data, while the ARIMA model produces a positive growth forecast in the fourth quarter.

Effect of the Amount and Timing of Ammonium Sulfate Single Top-dressing Application on Growth and Yield of Akitakomachi Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The effect of the amount and the timing of single top-dressing application of Ammonium sulfate fertilizer on the growth and yield of Akitakomachi rice (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated in this study. Two amounts (20kg.ha-1 and 50kg.ha-1) of Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) fertilizer were applied at three timings;14 days after transplanting, panicle initiation, and flowering respectively, giving six treatments (14DAT:20, 14DAT:50, PI:20, PI:50, FL:20 & FL:50). A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. Growth data were collected on plant length, number of tillers and leaf color, and calculated yield and yield components were determined. Plant length was significantly higher in 14DAT:50 and PI:50, and lowest in FL:20 and FL:50. Tiller number was higher in 14DAT:50 compared to the other treatments. 14DAT:50 and PI:50 produced the highest number of panicles per m2. PI:20 and PI:50 had the highest number of spikelets per panicle. The 1000 grains weight was highest in PI:50 and lowest in 14DAT:50. The highest yields were obtained in 14DAT:50 and PI:50, while FL:20 and FL:50 produced the lowest yields. The results showed that for nitrogen (N) single top-dressing application, high amounts increase both the plant growth and the grain yield if the application is done at vegetative stage or at panicle initiation stage. However, if the nitrogen (N) amount is too high, there exist the risk that the plants may lodge.

INFLUENCE OF LOW VIGOUR ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH AND FRUITING PROCESS OF ‘REGINA’ CULTIVAR

The aim of this paper was to study the influence of low vigor rootstocks on the 'Regina' cherry cultivar. The study was conducted at Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Arges county, Romania between 2019 and 2021. A bifactorial experiment was set up, with A factor-the rootstock ('Gisela 3', 'Gisela 5', 'Gisela 12' and 'Weigi 2') and B factor-the study year (2019, 2020 and 2021). Fruiting and vegetative growth data (fruit production, the trunck cross-section area-TCSA, the annual increase of TCSA, the productivity index and the ratio between the fruit production and the annual increase of TCSA), as well as fruit quality data (fruit mass, firmness, pH, total soluble content, chromatic coordinates of epicarp color and chlorophyll fluorescence) were collected. 'Gisela 5' rootstock recorded the highest value of TCSA annual increase (11.46 kg/cm2) and had also the highest cromatic coordinates values: colour brightness (25.68), red pigment (15.61) and yellow content (4.12).The highest vigor of the cultivar 'Regina' was observed in 'Weigi 2' rootstock variant (with an TCSA value of 44.71 cm2), given that 'Weigi 2' TCSA annual increase was similar to 'Gisela 5'. 'Gisela 3' rootstock stood out for its fruit highest pH (3.97), fruit yield (13.51 t/ha), lowest vigor (TCSA=24.19 cm2), smallest annual TCSA increase (6.11 cm2), highest productivity index 0.219 kg/cm2) and highest fruit production to annual TCSA increase ratio (1.79 kg/cm2). Taking into account climatic accidents that marked the spring of 2021, on the average of the study years, the cultivar 'Regina' grafted on the rootstock 'Gisela 12' was distinguished by fruit weight (10.02 g), firmness (66.53 units HPE Bareiss) and TSS (16.03°Brix) on the background of the lowest fruit yield. A negative very signifficant correlation between fruit yield and fruit quality traits (weight, firmness and total soluble solids) was found.

Tree Rings Reveal the Impact of Soil Temperature on Larch Growth in the Forest-Steppe of Siberia

Dendroclimatology has focused mainly on the tree growth response to atmospheric variables. However, the roots of trees directly sense the “underground climate,” which can be expected to be no less important to tree growth. Data from two meteorological stations approximately 140 km apart in southern Siberia were applied to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil temperature and the statistical relationships of soil temperature to the aboveground climate and tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies of Larix sibirica Ledeb. from three forest–steppe stands. Correlation analysis revealed a depth-dependent delay in the maximum correlation of TRW with soil temperature. Temperatures of both the air and soil (depths 20–80 cm) were shown to have strong and temporally stable correlations between stations. The maximum air temperature is inferred to have the most substantial impact during July–September (R = −0.46–−0.64) and early winter (R = 0.39–0.52). Tree-ring indices reached a maximum correlation with soil temperature at a depth of 40 cm (R = −0.49–−0.59 at 40 cm) during April–August. High correlations are favored by similar soil characteristics at meteorological stations and tree-ring sites. Cluster analysis of climate correlations for individual trees based on the K-means revealed groupings of trees driven by microsite conditions, competition, and age. The results support a possible advantage of soil temperature over air temperature for dendroclimatic analysis of larch growth in semiarid conditions during specific seasons.

Come into Bloom: A Grounded Theory of Well-Being among Filipino University Students

Most studies in positive psychology focused on psychological factors and their impact on mental health based on Western models and quantitative approaches (Datu et al., 2018). Thus, there is a need to develop further the knowledge and application of concepts and theoretical models grounded in the lived experiences of the Filipino population. The present study utilized a grounded theory method to build a Filipino-based well-being model among university students. The BLOOMS Model of Well-being proposed that holistic well-being comprises five interconnected dimensions (Academic, Psycho-emotional, Physical, Social, and Spiritual). The study found that personal factors, social influences, and unexpected life events influenced well-being. Also, the study suggested that the following strategies enhanced well-being: building, leveraging, owning, opening, molding, and self-enhancing practices, leading to holistic growth. Data from this study can serve as a resource for further exploration of positive psychology and developing mental health policies and programs for university students.

Amendment of organic compost proprieties through composting-vermicomposting integration

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of integrating composting-vermicomposting to improve the organic compost as from the physicochemical analyses and by their application on Brachiaria decumbens growth. Experiments carried out in composting unit used 30:1 ratio of nitrogen-rich organic waste (raw vegetables, fruits and cooked food) and carbon (dry grass) in 2 pile configurations (with, or without passive aeration). After 60 days, product was subjected to vermicomposting for 45 days. Composts were analyzed to check their quality (temperature, pH, moisture, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus levels), as well as compared to each other as biofertilizers (10% (w/v)) for B. decumbens growth. Data have suggested that the vermicomposting process improved the compost pile by increasing its nitrogen (1.26% to 1.95%), phosphorus (0.64% to 1.2%) and organic carbon contents (17.1% to 18.9%). B. decumbens growth showed no significant differences between those treatments, which indicates that organic fraction should be increased (>10%) to release their nutrients to plant.

Business Trust and Communication as Predictors of Business Growth

Increased globalization and competition in most industries has greatly changed the execution of different duties and responsibilities most especially the flow of communication in businesses. This has further affected the level of trust in most businesses most especially among the employees and between the business and customers. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect if business communication and business trust on business growth. Data was collected using an online survey questionnaire from 100 employees of Intrasoft International in Greece. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS and Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient was based on to establish the relationship between variables. The level top which the independent variables predict the dependent variables was established using regression analysis. The study established a positive relationship between business communication and business. A significant and positive relationship was also confirmed between business trust and business growth.

Using Sigmoid Growth Curves to Establish Growth Models of Tomato and Eggplant Stems Suitable for Grafting in Subtropical Countries

In subtropical regions, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is mainly produced in autumn and winter. To enhance the off-season production of tomato, summer cultivation has become a prime objective. Grafting tomato scions onto eggplant (Solanum melongena) rootstocks is a key method to overcome the difficulties of tomato cultivation in summer. In this study, we collected seedling growth data over six growing seasons in Taiwan and established growth models by employing three commonly used sigmoid growth curves, namely the Gompertz, Richards, and Logistic curves. Cumulative temperature was introduced as an independent variable and its relationship with plant stem diameter determined. The R2 values of the growth models were 0.74–0.85 and 0.72–0.80 in calibration and validation, respectively. Performance did not differ markedly among models in the same growing season, but notable differences were observed among models for different growing seasons. In addition, the estimates of several model parameters differed significantly among the seasons; hence, separate models should be established for different seasons. The results of this study can be used in prediction of tomato and eggplant seedling growth and arrangement of the grafting schedule to improve the efficiency of seedling production in subtropical countries.