Search

Groundwater heavy metal pollution is a major concern all around the world. For the assessment of heavy metals and physico-chemical characteristics, groundwater samples were collected from different locations of the Karak District, Pakistan. With the help of the global information system device (GIS), groundwater samples were collected and studied from 47 locations. The present study focused on the water table (WT), water source depth (WSD), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), lead (Pb(II)), silver (Ag(I)), iron (Fe(II)) and chromium (Cr(VI)) parameters. Heavy metals were analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Pearsonâs matrix of correlation showed relationships between several parameters, such as the EC and the TDS which had close interactions between all the three different groundwater samples (collected by hand pump (HP), bore holes (BH) and tube wells (TW)). The strong correlation was detected in all the sources of water between the TDS and the EC, the regression coefficient (r) of which was 1. In the hierarchical clustering (by dendrograms) the HP samples show two clusters: Cluster 1 contains seven parameters and Cluster 2 has four parameters. The BH samples have two clusters: Cluster 1 contains three parameters and Cluster 2 has eight parameters. The TW dendrogram also shows two clusters: Cluster 1 contains six parameters while Cluster 2 has five parameters.

Copyright of Research Papers of the Wroclaw University of Economics / Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wroclawiu is the property of Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny we Wroclawiu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Groundwater heavy metal pollution is a major concern all around the world. For the assessment of heavy metals and physico-chemical characteristics, groundwater samples were collected from different locations of the Karak District, Pakistan. With the help of the global information system device (GIS), groundwater samples were collected and studied from 47 locations. The present study focused on the water table (WT), water source depth (WSD), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), lead (Pb(II)), silver (Ag(I)), iron (Fe(II)) and chromium (Cr(VI)) parameters. Heavy metals were analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Pearson's matrix of correlation showed relationships between several parameters, such as the EC and the TDS which had close interactions between all the three different groundwater samples (collected by hand pump (HP), bore holes (BH) and tube wells (TW)). The strong correlation was detected in all the sources of water between the TDS and the EC, the regression coefficient (r) of which was 1. In the hierarchical clustering (by dendrograms) the HP samples show two clusters: Cluster 1 contains seven parameters and Cluster 2 has four parameters. The BH samples have two clusters: Cluster 1 contains three parameters and Cluster 2 has eight parameters. The TW dendrogram also shows two clusters: Cluster 1 contains six parameters while Cluster 2 has five parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aims of the paper are to asses and evaluate the effectiveness of environmental economics efforts on increasing the convergence between the EU and Romania in terms of environmental protection, from an economic perspective, using a cluster analysis applied for all the EU28 Member States (MS). In the paper are constructed seven clusters considering five determinant and topic related variables by using Hierarchical Clustering methodology, starting from the hypothesis of identifying presumptive environmental economic patterns among all the EU-28 countries. The results obtained during the research confirm the existence of determinant and significant elements that shapes a proactive environmental protection policy by grouping the MS in appropriate clusters. The paper suggested also that, despite of important financial efforts related to environmental protection and resilience, there is still a small impact on GDP growth.

The main aims of the paper are to asses and evaluate the effectiveness of environmental economics efforts on increasing the convergence between the EU and Romania in terms of environmental protection, from an economic perspective, using a cluster analysis applied for all the EU- 28 Member States (MS). In the paper are constructed seven clusters considering five determinant and topic related variables by using Hierarchical Clustering methodology, starting from the hypothesis of identifying presumptive environmental economic patterns among all the EU-28 countries. The results obtained during the research confirm the existence of determinant and significant elements that shapes a proactive environmental protection policy by grouping the MS in appropriate clusters. The paper suggested also that, despite of important financial efforts related to environmental protection and resilience, there is still a small impact on GDP growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Objectifs Les personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH) sont particulièrement affectées dans leur vie sexuelle. La prise en charge médicale de leur sexualité se développe, mais aucune donnée n'est disponible. Évaluation de l'intérêt pour des consultations de santé sexuelle et affective au sein d'une unité ambulatoire de prise en charge des PVVIH. Patients et méthodes Questionnaire anonyme proposé aux patients fréquentant le service. Cinq types de consultations évaluées : santé sexuelle et affective, modes de transmission et de prévention, infections sexuellement transmissibles, pratiques sexuelles, drogues récréatives. Analyse de cluster pour identifier des patients ayant des besoins similaires. Résultats Au total, 138 questionnaires complétés. Le pourcentage des intéressés par au moins un type de consultation est de 64,5. Pas de différence en termes d'âge, de sexe ou d'orientation sexuelle entre les clusters. Conclusion Cette étude met en évidence le besoin des patients concernant la prise en charge de leur santé sexuelle et affective. Summary Objectives People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected in their sexual life. Medical support of PLWH's sexuality is increasingly proposed however no data are available. We assessed the interest of PLWH for sexual and emotional health support within a French HIV outpatient care facility. Population and methods Anonymous questionnaire proposed to PVWH attending our facility. Five types of consultations were investigated: overall sexual and emotional health; HIV transmission and prevention; sexually transmitted diseases; sexual practices; recreational drugs. Cluster analysis in order to identify groups of PLWH with similar expectations. Results A total of 138 questionnaires completed: 64.5% were interested by at least one type of consultation. No significant differences between clusters by gender, age, or sexual orientation. Conclusion These results confirm patients' demand for sexual and emotional health support in the frame of PLWH's health care. Patients declaring no interest for this type of consultation were no different from those interested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected in their sexual life. Medical support of PLWH's sexuality is increasingly proposed however no data are available. We assessed the interest of PLWH for sexual and emotional health support within a French HIV outpatient care facility. Population and methods Anonymous questionnaire proposed to PVWH attending our facility. Five types of consultations were investigated: overall sexual and emotional health; HIV transmission and prevention; sexually transmitted diseases; sexual practices; recreational drugs. Cluster analysis in order to identify groups of PLWH with similar expectations. Results One hundred and thirty-eight questionnaires completed: 64.5% were interested by at least one type of consultation. No significant differences between clusters by gender, age, or sexual orientation. Conclusion These results confirm patients' demand for sexual and emotional health support in the frame of PLWH's health care. Patients declaring no interest for this type of consultation were no different from those interested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the potentially distinct defense profiles of athletes in order to provide insight into the complex associations that can exist between defenses and other important variables tied to performance in sports (e.g., coping, perceived stress and control) and to further our understanding of the complexity of the adaptation process in sports. Two hundred and ninety-six (N = 296) athletes participated in a naturalistic study that involved a highly stressful situation: a sports competition. Participants were assessed before and after the competition. Hierarchical cluster analysis and a series of MANOVAs with post hoc comparisons indicated two stable defense profiles (high and low defense profiles) of athletes both before and during sport competition. These profiles differed with regards to coping, stress and control. Athletes with high defense profiles reported higher levels of coping strategies, perceived stress and control than athletes with low defense profiles. This study confirmed that defenses are involved in the psychological adaptation process and that research and intervention should not be based only on coping, but rather must include defense mechanisms in order to improve our understanding of psychological adaptation in competitive sports.

Characterization of breeding dairy cattle systems from the Mediterranean basin was conducted on 16 farms in the north center region of Algeria through a survey. Results are highly variable both structurally and in techno- economic management terms. The principal component analysis and clusters analysis have identified four groups of farms that differ in feeding strategies. The first group contains four farms that promote the use of forages (61.8% of the total dry matter (DM) intake). The costs are above the general averages (cost of production: 38.4 DA / liter ≈ 0.34 € and cost of food in total production costs = 71.8%). The average annual productivity is about 4328.6 kg. Five farms of group 2 are characterized by milk yields below average (4146.5 kg). The concentrates represent only 39.3% of total DM intake. The cost of production (37.1 DA ≈ 0.33 €/ liter of milk) and food costs are the lowest (65.17% of total production costs). The third group contains 5 farms dominated by profitable farms (4833.4 kg) and the lower cost of production (35.2 DA ≈ 0.31 €). A relatively high proportion of DM is provided by forages (53.6%). Food accounts for 69.2% of the total production cost. The fourth group consists of two farms whose main characteristic is the total absence of forage production. This is associated with a significant contribution of concentrates in the global feed balance (48.8% of total DM intake). These concentrated foods were poorly converted into milk as recorded yields are the lowest (3561.2 kg). Production costs are highest (45.1 DA ≈ 0.40 €) and relation price of food/total cost of production is very high (79.3%). So there are areas for improvement via land restructuring and the adoption of healthy feeding practices in order to ensure the profitability and sustainability of farms identified in this study.

In order to investigate the genetic diversity present in the pea germplasm stored in the Albanian genebank, we analyzed 28 local pea genotypes of Albanian origins for 23 quantitative morphological traits, as well as 14 retrotransposon-based insertion polymorphism (RBIP) molecular markers. The study of morphological characters carried out during three growing seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012) had the objective of characterization of traits useful in breeding programs. RBIP marker analysis revealed the genetic similarity in range from 0.06 to 0.45. ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis was used to visualize the association among different traits. Most of the quantitative morphological traits showed significant differences. PCA and cluster analysis (Ward's method) carried out for morphological traits divided the local pea genotypes into three clusters. Finally, the study identified the agronomicaly important traits which will facilitate the maintenance and agronomic evaluation of the collections.

Background Standing postural alignment in children with cerebral palsy is usually altered by central postural control disorders. The primary aim of this study is to describe body alignment in a quiet standing position in ambulatory children with bilateral cerebral palsy compared with children with typical development. Methods Fifty-eight children with bilateral cerebral palsy (aged 7–13 years) and 45 age-matched children with typical development underwent a surface topography examination based on Moiré topography and were classified according to their sagittal postural profiles. Findings The following eight grouping variables were extracted using a data reduction technique: angle of trunk inclination, pelvic tilt, and lordosis, the difference between kyphosis and lordosis, angle of vertebral lateral curvature, shoulder inclination, and shoulder and pelvic rotation. According to the cluster analysis results, 25% of the participants were classified into Cluster 1, 9% into Cluster 2, 49% in Cluster 3, and 17% in Cluster 4. Interpretation Three different postural patterns emerged in accordance with the sagittal postural profiles in children with bilateral cerebral palsy and were defined as follows: 1) a lordotic postural pattern corresponding to forward-leaning posture; 2) a swayback postural pattern corresponding to backward-leaning posture; and 3) a balanced postural pattern corresponding to balanced posture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study for characterization of genetic diversity present in the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) germplasm stored in genebank was carried out in the Experimental Field of Agriculture University of Tirana during the growing 2015-2016 season. The study analyzed 99 durum wheat accessions genotypes of local origin for 15 quantitative morphological characters and had the objective to characterize and select those with favorable characteristics for use in breeding programs and for accomplishment of farmer requests. Variance analysis, and correlation and cluster analysis reveal presence of significant variability between and the association among different traits. Most of the quantitative morphological characters (11 traits) showed significant differences for the important agronomic traits. Cluster analysis for morphological data divide the whole-wheat genotypes into six cluster groups in respect of genetic diversity and similarity among durum wheat accessions. Higher number of the wheat accessions was included into the fifth and the sixth cluster groups (21 and 24 accessions respectively). The study identifies traits with agronomic interest that account for genetic diversity and which will facilitate the maintenance and agronomic evaluation of the wheat collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of functions of multivariate analysis is to group data. Multivariate analysis often used in grouping data are cluster analysis and biplot analysis. In this paper, a comparative analysis will be made between clusters analysis and biplot analysis for grouping the data. Technique used in the cluster analysis is k-mean method and biplot analysis used two-dimensional display. The results ware that biplot analysis produces are better in grouping accuracy than clusters analysis. But in general, biplot analysis can not be said to be better than clusters analysis in grouping the data and vice versa.

The research proposes a methodology for assessing broiler breeder response to changes in rearing thermal environment. The continuous video recording of a flock analyzed may offer compelling evidences of thermal comfort, as well as other indications of welfare. An algorithm for classifying specific broiler breeder behavior was developed. Videos were recorded over three boxes where 30 breeders were reared. The boxes were mounted inside an environmental chamber were ambient temperature varied from cold to hot. Digital images were processed based on the number of pixels, according to their light intensity variation and binary contrast allowing a sequence of behaviors related to welfare. The system used the default of x, y coordinates, where x represents the horizontal distance from the top left of the work area to the point P, and y is the vertical distance. The video images were observed, and a grid was developed for identifying the area the birds stayed and the time they spent at that place. The sequence was analyzed frame by frame confronting the data with specific adopted thermal neutral rearing standards. The grid mask overlapped the real bird image. The resulting image allows the visualization of clusters, as birds in flock behave in certain patterns. An algorithm indicating the breeder response to thermal environment was developed.Esta pesquisa propõe uma metodologia para avaliação da resposta de matrizes pesadas a mudanças no ambiente térmico de criação. A gravação contínua em vídeo de um grupo de aves, quando analisada, pode oferecer evidências interessantes de conforto térmico, bem como outras indicações de bem-estar. Um algoritmo foi desenvolvido para classificar o comportamento de matrizes de frangos de corte. Vídeos foram registrados sobre três boxes onde 30 matrizes foram alojadas. Os boxes foram montados dentro de uma câmara climática onde a temperatura ambiente variou de frio para quente. As imagens digitais foram processadas com base no número de pixels, de acordo com sua variação da intensidade de luz do contraste binário, permitindo uma sequência de comportamentos relacionados com o bem-estar. O sistema utilizou o padrão de coordenadas x, y, em que x representa a distância horizontal a partir da esquerda superior da área de trabalho para o ponto P, e y é a distância vertical. As imagens de vídeo foram observadas e uma grade foi desenvolvida para identificar a área ocupada pelas aves e o tempo que elas ocupavam o lugar. A sequência foi analisada quadro a quadro, confrontando os dados com as normas específicas adoptadas para criação dentro da região termoneutra. A máscara quadriculada foi sobreposta à imagem real da ave. A imagem resultante permite a visualização de aglomerações, de como o bando de aves se comporta sob determinado padrão. Um algoritmo indicando a resposta da matriz ao ambiente térmico foi desenvolvido.

The main aim of this article is to analyse the differences of tax systems across European countries based on 2015 data. The analysis was conducted by means of the application of five diagnostic variables describing tax systems' corporate, individual and indirect tax rates, and employee social security and employer social security rates. The research was conducted using the hierarchical clustering method to identify a homogenous group of countries, and Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) in order to identify existing spatial interaction. Applying cluster analysis has enabled us to identify seven homogenous clusters with significantly different tax rates, and by applying ESDA, we have identified hot spot and cold spot clusters for diagnostic variables in corporate and individual income tax rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Theoretical & Applied Mechanics is the property of Theoretical & Applied Mechanics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to investigate the genetic diversity present in the pea germplasm stored in the Albanian genebank, we analyzed 28 local pea genotypes of Albanian origins for 23 quantitative morphological traits, as well as 14 retrotransposonbased insertion polymorphism (RBIP) molecular markers. The study of morphological characters carried out during three growing seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012) had the objective of characterization of traits useful in breeding programs. RBIP marker analysis revealed the genetic similarity in range from 0.06 to 0.45. ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis was used to visualize the association among different traits. Most of the quantitative morphological traits showed significant differences. PCA and cluster analysis (Ward's method) carried out for morphological traits divided the local pea genotypes into three clusters. Finally, the study identified the agronomicaly important traits which will facilitate the maintenance and agronomic evaluation of the collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study for characterization of genetic diversity present in the pea germplasm stored in Albanian genebank was carried out in the Experimental Field of Agriculture University of Tirana during three growing seasons (2010, 2011, and 2012). The study analyzed 12 local pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes of different origins for 23 quantitative morphological characters and had the objective to characterize and select those with favourable characteristics for use in breeding programs. ANOVA, PCA and cluster analysis reveal considerable extent of diversity, and the association among different traits. Most of the quantitative morphological characters showed significant differences among important agro economic traits. Cluster analysis for morphological data divide the whole pea genotypes into three groups in respect of genetic diversity and similarity among pea accessions of different origin. Relationships analysis between the morphological characters and pea genotypes using Principal Coordinates' analyses show that there are nine morphological characters with larger values in PC1 that account for 57.4% of total variance. The study identifies traits with agronomic interest which account for genetic diversity and the demarcation of distinguishable morphological groups which will facilitate the maintenance and agronomic evaluation of the collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the authors want to illustrate the advantages of the combined use of the Conjoint Analysis and the Cluster Analysis in market segmentation. The benefits are easily understand- able since the Conjoint Analysis allows researchers to know the structure of the consumer’s preferences and the Cluster Analysis allows grouping those consumers by their preferences. So, with the enormous diversification that characterizes tourism, it doesn’t make sense segmenting market with a priori proce- dures. It’s preferable to carry out a post hoc segmentation in order to know more detailed and relevant information like tourists preferences (estimated with the Conjoint Analysis). This procedure creates a competitive advantage. Hence, segmenting markets based on the preferences of consumers allows re- searchers and professionals to better evaluate which the real preferences are (by clusters) and to better develop marketing strategies that better suit the consumers’ preferences.

Identifying both Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related and co-morbid symptoms experienced by people living with HIV (PLWH) who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment is a major challenge for healthcare providers globally. Yet, little research to date has examined the symptoms of illness experienced by PLWH including patients living in Central and South American. To address this gap, this study was designed to identify symptoms of HIV by socio-demographic and/or clinical characteristics among Chilean patients living with the virus. A convenience sample of 209 Chilean PLWH was recruited from an outpatient clinic in Santiago, Chile. A structured interview was used to elicit socio-demographic information and HIV symptoms status. Additional clinical information was obtained through a review of the participants' medical records. Results show that patients’ most commonly reported HIV-related symptoms were fear/worries (66%), anxiety (52%), gas/bloating (50%), and thirst (50%). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive association between the number of reported HIV-related symptoms and number of years living with HIV. Having completed college was negatively associated with number of symptoms. Latent class analysis indicated that PLWH in the sample who had completed college were two times more likely to experience a mild intensity of HIV-related symptoms than their lesser educated counterparts. Similarly, logistic regression revealed that college-educated PLWH were twice as likely to be classified in the subgroup reporting mild intensity of symptoms than those who lacked a college degree. Overall, the study's results reveal that many Chilean PLWH, even those with high CD4 counts and low or undetectable viral loads, are not symptom free. The findings point to the need for clinicians to tailor a plan of care for individuals living with HIV that is based on their symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Exploitation of available germplasms particularly in the developing countries is still limited despite the availability of rich gene pools. Canavalia species are underutilized legumes of wide importance for humans and livestock feed. Field and laboratory studies were carried out on evaluation of variability in proximate compositions within and between fifteen genotypes of Canivalia species collected from Genetic Resources Centre, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The study was a randomized complete block design replicated three thrice. Harvested mature seeds were analysed for proximate composition. The results revealed that moisture content ranged from 26.97 to 30.05, crude protein 15.45-21.85%, lipid 7.05-29.70%, ash 10.18-17.43%, sugar 0.75-1.37%, starch 7.40-0.26% and energy levels 1016.56-1825.82 kJ 100 g-1 DM. Significant (p<0.05) variability was observed in sugar, lipid and energy contents among the accessions based on analysis of variance (ANOVA). The first principal component analysis (PCA) had the highest contribution of 31.4% to the total variation. Based on proximate composition, the 15 accessions clustered into six main groups. Lipid varied widely and significantly (p<0.05) correlated to energy. Aggregation of accessions within the same species into a cluster revealed high similarity within a biological and taxonomic unit. The similarities among these 15 accessions could allow for inter specific hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos de Saude Publica is the property of Escola Nacional de Saude Publica Sergio Arouca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An analysis of droughts in mainland Portugal based on monthly precipitation data, from September 1910 to October 2004, in 144 rain gages distributed uniformly over the country is presented. The drought events were characterized by means of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) applied to different time scales (1, 6, and 12 consecutive months and 6 months from April to September and 12 months from October to September). To assess spatial and temporal patterns of droughts, a principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering (KMC) were applied to the SPI series. In this way, three different and spatially well-defined regions with different temporal evolution of droughts were identified (north, central, and south regions of Portugal). A spectral analysis of the SPI patterns obtained with principal component analysis and clusters analysis, using the fast Fourier transform algorithm (FFT), showed that there is a manifest 3.6-year cycle in the SPI pattern in the south of Portugal and evident 2.4-year and 13.4-year cycles in the north of Portugal. The observation of the drought periods supports the occurrence of more frequent cycles of dry events in the south (droughts from moderate to extreme approximately every 3.6 years) than in the north (droughts from severe to extreme approximately every 13.4 years). These results suggest a much stronger immediate influence of the NAO in the south than in the north of Portugal, although these relations remain a challenging task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the issues of multi-stage process planning within facilities of definite processing capabilities, under the consideration of multiple choices of process routings. The process alternative based on operation concentration, accomplished by integrating burnishing into machining operations, is compared to a process with operation differentiation, assuming part finishing in separate grinding operations. A modelling approach to manufacturing knowledge representation, an average linkage clustering procedure of defined machine capability patterns and a set of validation criteria are proposed to enable the cellular decomposition of the facilities and optimum part flow allocation. Simulation investigations of alternative process flows have been performed using stochastic type models and data sets derived from industrial practice. The investigations show the distinct prevalence of the design solutions with operation concentration in terms of assumed performance measures. The results of this work indicate the practical usability of the developed modelling framework applied to exploring the total operational issues of cellular flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss two distance concepts between q -ary n -sequences, 2 ≤ q [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Counting and differentiating cell clusters is a tedious task when performed with a light microscope. Moreover, biased counts and interpretation are difficult to avoid because of the difficulties to evaluate the limits between different types of clusters. Presented here, is a computer-based application able to solve these problems. The image analysis system is entirely automatic, from the stage screening, to the statistical analysis of the results of each experimental plate. Good correlations are found with measurements made by a specialised technician. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Immuno-epidemiological studies in schistosomiasis continue to generate large amounts of immunology data, whose analysis requires sophisticated statistical approaches. Here cluster analysis, is used to explore the relationship between immune responses and observed epidemiological patterns of schistosome infection in two Zimbabwean communities. Analysis of cross-sectional antibody data (IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgM directed against Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg antigen (SEA)) showed that cluster analysis partitioned the data into distinct epidemiological groups based on all seven antibody isotypes (defined by age, infection intensity, treatment status and history of infection) confirming an already known partitioning based on IgA/IgG1 production. All treated participants (children) changed cluster membership following treatment from clusters where IgA was the predominant antibody to clusters where IgG1 predominated. There was a differential distribution of IgE and IgG4 between clusters consistent with the recently proposed balance between T-helper cells (Th) 1, Th2 and regulatory T cells. The analysis suggested that naturally acquired anti-schistosome responses associated with resistance to infection were different from drug-induced responses associated with resistance to re-infection. Furthermore, the analysis suggested that parasite-specific immune responses were dynamic. The analysis conducted on data from participants resident in the S. mansoni endemic area who were all children partitioned the data into two clusters, one with predominately pre-treatment data (cluster 1) and the other with post-treatment data (cluster 2). The antibody profiles of both clusters were most similar to the profile of people with a modified Th2 response. Following treatment 43% of the children in cluster 1 moved to cluster 2, which generally had higher levels of antibodies. A detailed study of factors determining which children moved between the clusters showed that it was mostly the older, infected children who moved to cluster 2. The results of the analysis are discussed in terms of current theories of the development of acquired immunity to schistosomiasis. The relative merits of cluster analysis as a statistical tool for analysing these data are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sexting consists of sending, receiving, and distributing images of sexually suggestive content through electronic devices. This practice is one of the new ways of linking sex affectively through virtual environments, especially in adolescence. However, not all young people have the same relationship with the practice of sexting. This study of a sample of 603 Spanish and Moroccan adolescents residing in Andalusia analyzes beliefs towards sexting as part of a virtual sexuality and the perception of those who carry it out, defining profiles of affinity to sexting. The cluster analysis reveals the existence of three predominant profiles: adolescents who show a sexting-philia, perceiving it as a fun, flirty, and daring practice; sexting-phobes, who consider sexting to be characteristic of people, or attitudes, who are desperate, impolite, and conflicting; and a third ambivalent profile of people who appreciate the practice as something fun but conflicting. The majority discourse is one that presents a positive view of this phenomenon. Young people also recognize that sexting has some characteristics of virtual sexuality, such as a loss of privacy and a distance between virtual and real behavior. These findings allow us to deepen our understanding of the new practices of relationships and offer measures for the prevention of the associated risks., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify types of production system and their main indicators on bioeconomic efficiency, using qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate beef cattle farms in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A survey was carried out with 43 farmers operating in the western region of that state. All farms operated with complete cycle production systems in areas larger or equal to 900 ha. A qualitative questionnaire with binary answers and a quantitative questionnaire with numerical answers were applied. Technology and Management drivers were used for the calculation of the efficiency index of farmers obtained by both questionnaires. Farmers were divided into three clusters: low-efficiency level (LEL), intermediate-efficiency level (IEM), or high-efficiency level (HEL), as a result of the comparison of the scores obtained for the analyzed parameters. Subfactors resulting from each comparison (LEL × IEL; LEL × HEL, and IEL × HEL) were different as a function of the comparison and of the methods applied. Low-efficiency level farmers need to improve essential production processes, such as technology and management, as well as health management practices together with the financial management of the production system. Intermediate-efficiency level farmers need to improve their routine animal management, pasture management, and calculation of financial indicators to become highly efficient. The quantitative method allowed to identify underestimation (39.3%) or overestimation (24.2%) when farmers were are classified in clusters. Different methods may be used, but those based on quantitative information have stronger discrimination power to identify different types of farmers.