An Exploratory Statistical Method For Finding Interactions In A Large Dataset With An Application Toward Periodontal Diseases

It is estimated that Periodontal Diseases effects up to 90% of the adult population. Given the complexity of the host environment, many factors contribute to expression of the disease. Age, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, Smoking Status, and Race/Ethnicity are all known risk factors, as well as a handful of known comorbidities. Certain vitamins and minerals have been shown to be protective for the disease, while some toxins and chemicals have been associated with an increased prevalence. The role of toxins, chemicals, vitamins, and minerals in relation to disease is believed to be complex and potentially modified by known risk factors. A large comprehensive dataset from 1999-2003 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) contains full and partial mouth examinations on subjects for measurement of periodontal diseases as well as patient demographic information and approximately 150 environmental variables. In this dissertation, a Feasible Solution Algorithm (FSA) will be used to investigate statistical interactions of these various chemical and environmental variables related to periodontal disease. This sequential algorithm can be used on traditional statistical modeling methods to explore two and three way interactions related to the outcome of interest. FSA can also be used to identify unique subgroups of patients where periodontitis is most (or least) prevalent. In this dissertation, FSA is used to explore the NHANES data and suggest interesting relationships between the toxins, chemicals, vitamins, minerals and known risk factors that have not been previously identified

A Study on the Personality Characteristics of Dreamers

Nightmares are frightening dreams that cause the dreamer to wake, with the events that occur within the nightmare well remembered after awakening. There are those who experience nightmares frequently (at least one nightmare a week). While studying nightmares, Hartmann (1989, 1991) theorized a distinct personality trait he referred to as boundaries of the mind, and conceptualized a boundary continuum ranging from thin boundaries to thick boundaries. Those with thin boundaries were hypothesized to express permeability between cognitive processes, whereas those with thick boundaries are thought to better separate cognitive processes. Those who experience frequent nightmares are typically shown to report thinner boundaries than those who do not experience frequent nightmares. Those who frequently lucid dream — which has been defined as the ability for a dreamer to recognize that he or she is asleep while in a dream and then manipulate the content of the dream, or observe the dream passively — have also been reported to have thin boundaries. Among other things, people may engage in lucid dreaming in order to cope with nightmares. The current study sought to explore shared personality traits of those who experience frequent nightmares and frequent lucid dreams. Results and potential benefits of the research findings are discussed

A Study on the Personality Characteristics of Dreamers

Nightmares are frightening dreams that cause the dreamer to wake, with the events that occur within the nightmare well remembered after awakening. There are those who experience nightmares frequently (at least one nightmare a week). While studying nightmares, Hartmann (1989, 1991) theorized a distinct personality trait he referred to as boundaries of the mind, and conceptualized a boundary continuum ranging from thin boundaries to thick boundaries. Those with thin boundaries were hypothesized to express permeability between cognitive processes, whereas those with thick boundaries are thought to better separate cognitive processes. Those who experience frequent nightmares are typically shown to report thinner boundaries than those who do not experience frequent nightmares. Those who frequently lucid dream — which has been defined as the ability for a dreamer to recognize that he or she is asleep while in a dream and then manipulate the content of the dream, or observe the dream passively — have also been reported to have thin boundaries. Among other things, people may engage in lucid dreaming in order to cope with nightmares. The current study sought to explore shared personality traits of those who experience frequent nightmares and frequent lucid dreams. Results and potential benefits of the research findings are discussed

A Look Into Process Optimization

The goal for this paper is to inform the reader on the optimization process in chemical engineering design. The reader will gain knowledge about the step-by-step process as well as terminology of the optimization journey. Optimization takes a great amount of work, and it can be a daunting task if one gets caught up in the minute details. However, I will show that looking at the big picture will drastically ease the process and make optimizing much simpler. A base case will first be presented. The base case should be modeled using a process simulator, and then an economic analysis should be performed. The objective function of the base case will then be compared to future optimizations. Next, changes may be presented to the case. Changes must then be simulated and analyzed. Finally, different processes throughout the facility must be optimized to present even more cases. The case that optimizes the objective function is the case that will be chosen as the best. In the final section of the paper, I will present an ethylbenzene plant optimization that was performed earlier. There were decisions that were made based on the performance of the process. I chose to buy a lower grade of benzene feed and used a new catalyst that was offered. Also, I decided to operate the reactor train at high temperature and pressure due to the high benzene conversion. These are my recommendations. The net present value (NPV) of the process is increased by approximately $50 million

The Information-Seeking Habits of Baptist Ministers

The aim of this article is to determine how Baptist ministers seek information. Further research questions were used to narrow down the broad aim to a workable level. What causes ministers to seek and stop seeking information? What sources do they use? How do the information-seeking habits change as they pursue their various roles? A multiple-case study design was used. Ten ministers were interviewed with a protocol that used the Critical Incident Technique. Interviews were transcribed and coded in order to identify patterns. Baptist ministers sought information in order to accomplish a wide variety of administrative tasks, prepare for sermons, and provide counsel. When ministers searched for information in the role of administrators, they preferred informal sources of information but often used formal sources also. When searching as preachers, they used formal sources. Level of effort was influenced by experience, potential impact, and the importance of the task. When they had enough information to complete a task and when collecting more information was not worth the effort, ministers stopped looking for information. I concluded that Baptist ministers varied their information-seeking process based upon the roles they played, primarily the roles of administrator and preacher

Reading Ability and Success in Algebra 1: Using Reading Scores and Regression to Predict Success on the Ohio Algebra 1 EOC

The state of Ohio requires high school students to meet course credit and testing requirements in order to graduate. The purpose of standardized testing is to ensure all students are being taught and learning the same standards at the same proficient level. An algebra teacher who is already teaching the Ohio algebra standards would assume that students would be successful on the algebra 1 EOC exam. When students are not successful, it becomes necessary to determine where instruction has failed, or what interventions must be used to supplement learning to achieve success. Because these are high-stakes tests, being able to determine before instruction which students need more attention and supplementing that instruction from the start can be much more beneficial. One goal of this study was to use data that can be easily accessed to determine which students are more likely to need additional support to improve student achievement. The other main purpose was to determine the need to include reading intervention strategies, content specific reading, working on interpreting word problems, and putting a focus on vocabulary within our lessons will help to improve reading strategies and comprehension. Linear regression techniques were used to determine that a Star instructional reading level reliably predicts scores for the algebra 1 EOC exam. Combined with other predictors, multiple regression analysis compiled an equation to predict algebra 1 EOC scores. A statistically reliable model included Star instructional reading level, eighth-grade course grade and math EOC score, and school district to predict the algebra 1 EOC score. Logistic regression methods were used to create a model to predict success on the algebra 1 EOC exam. Success is defined as a score of 684 or higher on the Ohio algebra 1 EOC. The full model was statistically significant with all predictors, but the reduced model was a better fit with the data. The backward step regression reduced the model to four predictors: 8th grade English course grade and EOC, math EOC, and gender. Again, as predicted reading and comprehension skills are predictive of success on the algebra 1 EOC exam. The results confirmed that reading and comprehension skills are necessary, foundational skills needed to be successful in algebra. The researchers determined formulas to be used to help predict scores on the algebra 1 EOC or predict success on the algebra 1 EOC. Using these formulas, students can be identified before starting algebra to better supplement instruction and provide strategies to support struggling readers. Ultimately if students are below a certain reading level additional reading support could be provided in addition to differentiations in the algebra course. The results imply that there is an undeniable literacy component to the algebra 1 EOC exam

Quantitative Skills and Reasoning (Armstrong)

This Grants Collection for Quantitative Skills and Reasoning was created under a Round Five ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process. Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials: Linked Syllabus Initial Proposal Final Reporthttps://oer.galileo.usg.edu/mathematics-collections/1021/thumbnail.jp

Antitrust (Over-?) Confidence

On October 5, 2007, a group of antitrust scholars convened on Chicago\u27s Near North Side to discuss monopolization law. In the course of their freewheeling but fascinating conversation, a number of broad themes emerged. Those themes can best be understood in contrast to a body of antitrust scholarship that was born six miles to the south, at the University of Chicago. Most notably, the North Side discussants demonstrate a hearty confidence in the antitrust enterprise - a confidence that is not shared by Chicago School scholars, who generally advocate a more modest antitrust. As scholars who are more sympathetic to Chicago School views, we are somewhat skeptical. While we applaud many the of the insights and inquiries raised during the conversation, and certainly this sort of discussion in general, our task in this article is to draft a critical analysis of the October 5 conversation. In particular, we critique the North Side discussants\u27 vision of a big antitrust that would place equal emphasis on Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act and would expand private enforcement of Section 2

Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Kentucky, 2001‐2012

The data sources, methods, and definitions used in this report are based on the State Injury Indicators report: Instructions for Preparing 2011 Data, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2013, a publication of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

\u3cem\u3ep\u3c/em\u3e-Value Histograms: Inference and Diagnostics

It is increasingly common for experiments in biology and medicine to involve large numbers of hypothesis tests. A natural graphical method for visualizing these tests is to construct a histogram from the p-values of these tests. In this article, we examine the shapes, both regular and irregular, that these histograms can take on, as well as present simple inferential procedures that help to interpret the shapes in terms of diagnosing potential problems with the experiment. We examine potential causes of these problems in detail, and discuss potential remedies. Throughout, examples of irregular-looking p-value histograms are provided and based on case studies involving real biological experiments