• Advances in environmental research
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 2013

The study examined the effect of urbanization on the water quality of Nwaorie and Otamiri Rivers in Owerri metropolis, Imo State, South-East Nigeria. Water samples were collected from Nwaorie and Otamiri Rivers from four sampling stations up and down stream. Water parameters analyzed using standard procedures were: color, turbidity, temperature, pH, total hardness, total solids, metals (Iron and magnesium), anions (nitrate and ammonia) and Fecal coliform. Results showed increased levels of coloration, iron, ammonia, turbidity and fecal coliform which exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits for drinking water. Increase in these parameters indicated influx of industrial effluent from the nearby industries and indiscriminate disposal of wastes at the bank of the rivers. Application of ANOVA showed various degree of variation in pollutants levels between the two rivers and at different sampling points. River Nwaorie was observed to be more impacted than River Otamiri. High values of iron observed from the study could be deleterious to human health if the river water is consumed without treatment. The study, therefore, recommended proper waste management and disposal as well as effluent treatments in Owerri municipal against pollution of surface water.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.309-328
• /
• 2010

This study has analyzed the trend of the quantitative research by analyzing domestic dissertations on information literacy that were published since 2000. The procedures, regulations, and descriptive elements of the quantitative study were compared and analyzed for this study. In addition, the study used 5 variables and criterions to measure these items. Based on the calculations, the study has examined the general characteristics of the thesis, research method, sampling method and sampling population of the dissertations. The study has also analyzed the trend of the measurement variables by categorizing the characteristics by published year and majors. Furthermore, the study has also presented the trend of the usage of statistic analysis method on research purpose by classifying the method into each purpose.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.9 no.7
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2022

Combining the strength of both Mixed Data Sampling (MIDAS) Regression and realized variance measures, this paper seeks to investigate two objectives: (1) evaluate the post-sample performance of the proposed weekly Realized Variance-MIDAS (RVar-MIDAS) in one-week ahead volatility forecasting against the established Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model and the less explored but robust STES (Smooth Transition Exponential Smoothing) methods. (2) comparing forecast error performance between realized variance and squared residuals measures as a proxy for actual volatility. Data of seven private equity mutual fund indices (generated from 57 individual funds) from two different time periods (with and without financial crisis) are applied to 21 models. Robustness of the post-sample volatility forecasting of all models is validated by the Model Confidence Set (MCS) Procedures and revealed: (1) The weekly RVar-MIDAS model emerged as the best model, outperformed the robust DAILY-STES methods, and the weekly DAILY-GARCH models, particularly during a volatile period. (2) models with realized variance measured in estimation and as a proxy for actual volatility outperformed those using squared residual. This study contributes an empirical approach to one-week ahead volatility forecasting of mutual funds return, which is less explored in past literature on financial volatility forecasting compared to stocks volatility.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of sports center members' lifestyles on participation promotion and choice behavior. To this end, more specifically, we intend to establish and clarify a hypothetical model based on the preceding studies of facilitating factors and factors that continue to participate according to the lifestyle of sports center members. In order to achieve this research purpose, the study subjects were set as the population of male and female adults over 20 who are using sports centers in Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do in 2021. As for the sampling method, the sample was extracted using cluster random sampling, and 300 people were used for the actual analysis, excluding 60 copies of double-entry and insincere or unreliable questionnaires. The survey tool was modified and supplemented according to this study based on the questionnaire that had been verified for reliability and validity in previous studies, and all questionnaire items were composed of a 5-point scale. The statistical analysis used for data analysis was frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS Windows 21.0 Version. The conclusions obtained in this study through data analysis by such methods and procedures are as follows. First, according to the lifestyle of sports center members, participation promotion factors were found to have a partial influence. Second, according to the lifestyle of sports center members, the selection behavior was found to have a partial influence. Third, it was found that the participation promotion factors of sports center members partially affected the choice behavior.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.113-123
• /
• 2013

The carbon-offset mechanism based on forest management has been recognized as a meaningful tool to sequestrate carbons already existing in the atmosphere. Thus, with an emphasis on the forest-originated carbon-offset mechanism, the accurate measurement of the carbon stock in forests has become important, as carbon credits should be issued proportionally with forest carbon stocks. Various remote sensing techniques have already been developed for measuring forest carbon stocks. Yet, despite the efficiency of remote sensing techniques, the final accuracy of their carbon stock estimations is disputable. Therefore, minimizing the uncertainty embedded in the application of remote sensing techniques is important to prevent questions over the carbon stock evaluation for issuing carbon credits. Accordingly, this study reviews the overall procedures of carbon stock evaluation-related remote sensing techniques and identifies the problematic technical issues when measuring the carbon stock. The procedures are sub-divided into four stages: the characteristics of the remote sensing sensor, data preparation, data analysis, and evaluation. Depending on the choice of technique, there are many disputable issues in each stage, resulting in quite different results for the final carbon stock evaluation. Thus, the establishment of detailed standards for each stageis urgently needed. From a policy-making perspective, the top priority should be given to establishinga standard sampling technique and enhancing the statistical analysis tools.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.7-20
• /
• 2019

Purpose - This study provides appropriate procedures for EFA to help researchers conduct empirical studies by using PLS-SEM. Research design, data, and methodology - This study addresses the absolute and relative sample size criteria, sampling adequacy, factor extraction models, factor rotation methods, the criterion for the number of factors to retain, interpretation of results, and reporting information. Results - The factor analysis procedure for PLS-SEM consists of the following five stages. First, it is important to look at whether both the Bartlett test of sphericity and the KMO MSA meet the qualitative criteria. Second, PAF is a better choice of methodology. Third, an oblique technique is a suitable method for PLS-SEM. Fourth, a combined approach is strongly recommended to factor retention. PA should be used at the onset. Next, it is recommended using the K1 criterion. In addition, it is necessary to extract factors that increase the total variance explanatory power through the PVA-FS. Finally, it is appropriate to select an item with a factor loading into 0.5 or higher and a communality of 0.5. Conclusions - It is expected that the accurate factor analysis processed for PLS-SEM as previously presented will help us extract more precise factors of the structural model.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.467-476
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of the exchange of saline used in surgical procedures on surgical site infections. Method: Patients with stomach cancer were assigned to the experimental group or to the control group by random sampling, respectively. The experimental group received an exchange of saline during the operation right after the excision of the stomach in a gastrectomy but the control group did not. Data were collected from the medical charts of 34 patients from Dec. 1, 2002 through May 31, 2003. Result: The surgical site infection rate of the experimental group was 5.9% while surgical site infection rate of the control group was 17.6%. In total, the surgical site infection rate was 11.8%. The experimental group maintained a normal level of WBC on post operative day 3; however, the control group, showed an increase of WBC on post operative day 3. Conclusion: The exchange of saline used in an operation immediately after the excision of the stomach in a gastrectomy decreases the contamination level of saline used in the operation, and can prevent surgical patients from a surgical site infection.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.545-552
• /
• 2002

In order to investigate the influence of nuclear power plant operation on its nearby environment, soil, stream and marine sediment samples were collected in the vicinity of the Youngkwang Nuclear Power Plant in Korea, and analyzed for artificial and natural radionuclide radioactivity. From the analytical result, Cs-137 was detected in most soil samples. but it may have been derived fiom past nuclear weapon tests because Cs-134 having short half-live was not detected. The radioactivities of Cs-137 in the sediment samples were also detected which are within the normal range in the sediments based upon the published literature between 1997 and 1999. For the quality control of radioactivity analysis of environmental samples, sets of marine sediments in the Gamami area were analyzed using two HPGe Gamma-ray Spectroscopes (30% and 45%) according to the geostatistical sampling strategy, and Cs-137 and K-40 results were interpreted by analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the two-way ANOVA, variances derived from the geochemical variation were significant, but errors from sampling and analytical procedures are negligible. In conclusion. all the radioanalytical procedures of this study including sampling are validated to be acceptable.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.103-112
• /
• 2015

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a step-by-step approach to factor analytic procedures, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and to offer a guideline for factor analysis. Authors have argued that the results of PCA and EFA are substantially similar. Additionally, they assert that PCA is a more appropriate technique for factor analysis because PCA produces easily interpreted results that are likely to be the basis of better decisions. For these reasons, many researchers have used PCA as a technique instead of EFA. However, these techniques are clearly different. PCA should be used for data reduction. On the other hand, EFA has been tailored to identify any underlying factor structure, a set of measured variables that cause the manifest variables to covary. Thus, it is needed for a guideline and for procedures to use in factor analysis. To date, however, these two techniques have been indiscriminately misused. Research design, data, and methodology - This research conducted a literature review. For this, we summarized the meaningful and consistent arguments and drew up guidelines and suggested procedures for rigorous EFA. Results - PCA can be used instead of common factor analysis when all measured variables have high communality. However, common factor analysis is recommended for EFA. First, researchers should evaluate the sample size and check for sampling adequacy before conducting factor analysis. If these conditions are not satisfied, then the next steps cannot be followed. Sample size must be at least 100 with communality above 0.5 and a minimum subject to item ratio of at least 5:1, with a minimum of five items in EFA. Next, Bartlett's sphericity test and the Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) measure should be assessed for sampling adequacy. The chi-square value for Bartlett's test should be significant. In addition, a KMO of more than 0.8 is recommended. The next step is to conduct a factor analysis. The analysis is composed of three stages. The first stage determines a rotation technique. Generally, ML or PAF will suggest to researchers the best results. Selection of one of the two techniques heavily hinges on data normality. ML requires normally distributed data; on the other hand, PAF does not. The second step is associated with determining the number of factors to retain in the EFA. The best way to determine the number of factors to retain is to apply three methods including eigenvalues greater than 1.0, the scree plot test, and the variance extracted. The last step is to select one of two rotation methods: orthogonal or oblique. If the research suggests some variables that are correlated to each other, then the oblique method should be selected for factor rotation because the method assumes all factors are correlated in the research. If not, the orthogonal method is possible for factor rotation. Conclusions - Recommendations are offered for the best factor analytic practice for empirical research.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.532-541
• /
• 2016

The National Environmental Specimen Bank (NESB) has been collecting broad leave samples to monitor environmental pollution from five different designated sampling areas. In order to ensure the reproducibility and comparability of the results, all the procedures from selecting trees and pooling leaves to make the representative sample are defined in the standard operation procedures(the SOP). The representative samples were subjected to the chemical analyses for some heavy minerals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs). The uncertainty levels involved in each step of the SOP, that is, the sampling and the chemical analysis, were derived using the Robust ANOVA, which enables the relative comparison among the different levels of pollutants concentrations with confidence. Furthermore, the effect of the varying degrees of precipitation on the pollutants concentration of the leaves was also examined. Overall, the biological difference estimated from the duplicate samples was found to exceed the variation across the site, implying even aerial deposition over site. Samples from Gwanak Mt. showed highest heavy metal concentrations than the other sites. Washing off effect of the pollutants adhering in the form of particles on the leaf surface was found to be affected by the cumulative precipitation.