When data are collected via anonymous Internet surveys, particularly under conditions of obligatory participation (such as with student samples), data quality can be a concern. However, little guidance exists in the published literature regarding techniques for detecting careless responses. Previously several potential approaches have been suggested for identifying careless respondents via indi...

BACKGROUND The validity of self-report data is an area of continuing concern in the substance abuse treatment field. It is uncertain how well self-report of alcohol relapse corresponds with more objective indices. METHODS We compared the self-report of alcohol relapse to collateral reports and biological indices of relapse. Twelve-month post-treatment follow-up data were collected from 94 mal...

To determine suitable indices for vegetation cover and production assessment based on remote sensing data, simultaneous digital data with field data belonged to summer rangeland of southern part of Isfahan province were analyzed. During 2 years of monitoring, annuals, grasses, forbs and shrubs vegetation cover and total production data from sixty 1 square meter plots in each site were collected...

Dry grassland sites are amongst the most species rich habitats of Central Europe. In Switzerland, they are home to a large number of plant and animal species that are classified as endangered or threatened. A key component for designing optimal and effective management schemes ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems, is knowledge of their biomass production. In this study we explored th...

In this study we propose a novel method for the estimation of ecological indices describing the habitat suitability of brown trout (Salmo trutta). Traditional hydrological tools are coupled with an innovative regional geostatistical technique, aiming at the prediction of the brown trout habitat suitability index where partial or totally ungauged conditions occur. Several methods for the assessm...

the purpose of present paper was to examine the relationship between central bank independence and inflation rate in iran over 1960-2008. first, central bank independence has been accomplished through three indices including legal and real cbi indices and turnover rate of central bank governor index. then, augmented dickey-fuller test for model stationary of variables has been done by applying ...

unsuccessful experiences of two major exhibitions with more than 300 investment projects in mashhad organized with municipalities in 2010 and 2011 and weak implementation of 20 projects, propose the use appropriate methods to identify themes and patterns for components investment projects. this study aims to determine the priorities for investment in the district three of mashhad municipality. ...