bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting intellectual engagement from academic resilience: mediating moderating role of academic diligence and learning support
Authors: Azila-Gbettor Edem Maxwell
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The paper aims to propose a mediation moderated model to examine the influence of academic reliance on students' intellectual engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Four hundred and seventy-one respondents who completed a self-reported questionnaire were chosen to participate in the study using a convenient sampling technique. The hypotheses were tested using PLSc.

Findings

Findings from the study reveal academic resilience and academic diligence positively predicts students' intellectual engagement. Academic diligence positively predicts students' intellectual engagement and further mediates the effect of academic resilience on intellectual engagement. Finally, learning support positively predicts intellectual engagement and further moderates the effect of the association between academic resilience and academic diligence on intellectual engagement.

Practical implications

This research shows that higher education administrators must establish effective and efficient policies that integrate students' academic resilience, academic diligence and learning assistance.

Originality/value

This paper is amongst the first to have tested a model including resilience, academic diligence, intellectual engagement and learning support in a university setup from a developing country perspective.
Non-linear dynamics in finance–inequality nexus: time series evidence from the Indian economy
Authors: Amin Aadil , Tariq Asif , Ahmad Masroor
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The principal aim of this study is to examine the relationship between financial development and income inequality in India using the financial Kuznets curve (FKC) hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and the Toda–-Yamamoto causality test to investigate the long-run and short-run relationship and causality between financial development and income inequality. In addition, this study employs a principal component analysis (PCA) to construct a comprehensive financial development index.

Findings

The study found a long-run relationship between financial development and income inequality in India for the period under consideration. Trade is found to improve the income distribution, while inflation worsens income distribution. Moreover, the empirical results revealed a feedback causality between financial development and income inequality. The study results confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship between financial sector development indicators and income inequality, thus validating the FKC hypothesis for the Indian economy.

Research limitations/implications

The study draws attention of the government and policymakers, urging them to focus on building a strong financial sector by improving its efficiency. This, in turn, will lead to enhanced financial stability and a reduction in income inequality. They should prioritise the development of high-quality and sustainable financial products and services to ensure the robust growth of the financial sector.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the latest of its kind to empirically test the financial development on income inequality and the FKC hypothesis simultaneously for the Indian economy using financial proxy variables from financial institutions (FIs) and financial markets (FMs) for the measurement of financial depth.
How do muzakki pay professional zakat? (the qualitative inquiries using the Bloom model)
Authors: Kamal Safwan , Berakon Izra , Hamid Abdul , Muttaqin Zainal
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Previous studies described the professional zakat had been limited. Generally, the past authors conducted a quantitative method with general results and did not focus on the behaviour of people who pay the professional zakat. As a result, the purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the general public can pay their zakat using Bloom’s theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses primary data with in-depth interviews from five informants, including civil servants (PNS) and private employees. Spiral analysis was used to analyse the data, arrange it, read it frequently, take brief notes, find categories, interpret and summarise it.

Findings

The results show Bloom’s theory can accommodate muzakki’s behaviour by paying professional zakat. It can be seen from the following conclusions: firstly, in the cognitive domain, muzakki’s behaviour of paying the professional zakat was motivated by their memories (experiences), the ability to interpret, the ability to understand the principles of zakat, the ability to understand the relations and the ability to understand the role of zakat from its norms. Secondly, in the affective domain, muzakki’s behaviour in paying the professional zakat was motivated by their ability to receive, give positive value, call others and dare to take risks. Thirdly, in the psychomotor domain, guided practice, mechanised practice and adoption drive muzakki’s behaviour of paying zakat.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations regarding the number of samples (informants). In addition, the results of the research are designed to be very subjective so that they cannot be generalised to phenomena that exist in other places and countries that also require zakat in the profession. In the future, the results of this study can be used as a variable development with quantitative methods so that it can involve more samples to get maximum and a broader result.

Practical implications

This research has a valuable managerial impact on the zakat management institutions, particularly in Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia and all zakat institutions worldwide. Therefore, the central government can evaluate the zakat gap through various socialisation activities by promoting the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Socialisation should improve people’s behaviour to pay zakat so that the amount of zakat collected will be higher and will reduce the gap between the potency of zakat and the zakat in reality which has been unequal so far.

Originality/value

This research will contribute to the significant development of zakat in terms of studying the behaviour of muzakki paying the professional zakat. Although the theory of planned behaviour was dominated by previous research, this research reveals other aspects of muzakki behaviour using Bloom’s model by elaborating on cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains.
The influence mechanism of real estate enterprises' status on debt default risk
Authors: Liu Guangping , Zhou Kexin , Sun Xiangzheng
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to analyze the influence mechanism of real estate enterprises' status on debt default risk and explore the heterogeneity effect of the characteristics of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Against the background of the “three red lines” regulation of the financing of real estate enterprises and the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors select 123 real estate enterprises listed on China's Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares markets from the first quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022 as a research sample. The social network analysis method and Z-score financial risk early warning model are used to measure real estate enterprises' status and debt default risk. The authors construct a panel regression model to analyze how the status of real estate enterprises influences their debt default risk.

Findings

The results show that the status of real estate enterprises negatively and significantly affects their debt default risk. Economic policy uncertainty and financing constraints play negative moderating and mediating roles, respectively. Further research has found that the effect of real estate enterprises' status on debt default risk is characterized by heterogeneity in equity characteristics, i.e. it is significant in the sample of nonstate-owned enterprises but not in the sample of state-owned enterprises.

Practical implications

It is helpful for real estate enterprises to attach importance to the value of social networks, and the authors provide policy suggestions for real estate enterprises to constantly improve their risk management systems.

Originality/value

Using economic policy uncertainty as the moderating variable and financing constraints as the mediating variable, the authors analyze how the status of real estate enterprises influences debt default risk, which contributes to a better understanding of the formation of the debt default risk of real estate enterprises.
Do cultural values influence how we perceive the police? Examining the cultural impact of Confucian values on the perception of police legitimacy
Authors: Lee Sung , Kim YeonSoo
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to expand the normative model of police legitimacy literature by assessing the impact of cultural values and their role as a driver of the perception of legitimacy. Specifically, the current study assessed cultural values like Confucianism and their impact on the perception of police legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study used convenience sampling of South Korean university students from all seven metropolises. A perception survey regarding their perception of the legitimacy of Korean police was asked via a six-point scale. For statistical analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the hypotheses.

Findings

The authors' results indicate that Confucian values like social hierarchy and social harmony impacted various stages of police legitimacy. In particular, Confucian values significantly impacted procedural justice, the obligation to obey and cooperation. However, it failed to predict legitimacy in any capacity.

Originality/value

First, by assessing Confucian values and their impact on police legitimacy, the current study aimed to expand the police legitimacy literature. Second, police legitimacy research in non-Western settings is still lacking and has not reached a consensus regarding the primary driver of legitimacy. Furthermore, South Korea in particular is still at an infant stage regarding police legitimacy research. The current study aimed to add to the literature by examining police legitimacy in the Korean context.
Economic sustainability: a solution to the financial problems of football clubs
Authors: Atghia Nahid , Nazarian Ali
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Financial problems of football clubs during economic crises (such as COVID-19 pandemic) highlight the necessity of achieving economic sustainability. In addition, the economic sustainability of football clubs is accepted as a principle of the development of sports business. Therefore, it is reasonable to conduct a study with the aim of examining economic sustainability in the field of sports club management.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopted a qualitative approach to research and used semi-structured interviews in order to develop a framework for the economic sustainability of football clubs. A total of 13 members of football clubs in the Iranian premier league participated in this study.

Findings

The findings highlighted the fact that a number of factors, including media and social networks, entrepreneurship and development of club business, commercialization of the club, privatization, investment and ownership, strategic communication plan, financial management and management instability, promoted the economic sustainability of football clubs and improved their financial performance.

Originality/value

This study highlighted the importance of the changes in the structure of football clubs and the strategic plans for promoting entrepreneurship and commercialization. Moreover, it underlined the major role of the environmental and management components of football clubs in their financial sustainability.
How much, what and how: three-dimensional discourse analysis of Saudi women and men's self-disclosure
Authors: Al Mufarreh Raniah
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the behavior of self-disclosure among Saudi women and men in an attempt to understand gender differences in language. The study also gives insights about the cultural norms and how they affect language production.

Design/methodology/approach

The author utilized Levi-Belz and Kreiner's (2019) three-dimensional tool of self-disclosure; namely, the HOW MUCH dimension, the WHAT dimension and the HOW dimension. The HOW MUCH dimension is measured through word count of self-disclosure and the duration of self-disclosure in spoken discourse. The WHAT dimension is measured through analyzing the topics, emotions and social actors that are discussed during self-disclosure episodes. The HOW dimension is measured through examining the acoustic features of self-disclosure such as intonation, loudness and fluency.

Findings

Saudi women tend to engage in more self-disclosure than Saudi men, and their self-disclosure tends to be longer and more detailed. Women also tend to use more intonation variability and softer loudness, reflecting the cultural norms of politeness and reservation. Both genders tend to use similar frequencies of positive and negative emotion words in their self-disclosure, with positive emotion words correlating more with personal self-disclosure and negative emotion words with self-disclosures about loss, failure, conflict, rejection and uncertainty. The data also show that the use of reflective verbs leads to more authentic and empathetic communication and that pronoun use correlates with the type of emotional experience being discussed.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations due to a small sample size. Future research should use larger and diverse samples to explore self-disclosure in Saudi televised interviews comprehensively. The study focused solely on televised interviews; future research can examine self-disclosure across various media platforms. Findings have practical implications for Saudi media and policymakers. Understanding self-disclosure in interviews can guide content creation, fostering open communication. Presenters consciously act as role models, influencing Saudi youth, emphasizing the role of positive self-presentation.

Originality/value

This study utilized Levi-Belz and Kreiner's (2019) three-dimensional tool of self-disclosure in a way that could be used for other languages and cultures. The study examines the Saudi cultural norms in self-disclosure, which has never been tackled before.
A review on plasma‐activated water and its application in the meat industry
Authors: Hadinoto Koentadi , Niemira Brendan A. , Trujillo Francisco J.
Published: October 2023

Meat is a nutritious food with a short shelf life, making it challenging to ensure safety, quality, and nutritional value. Foodborne pathogens and oxidation are the main concerns that lead to health risks and economic losses. Conventional approaches like hot water, steam pasteurization, and chemical washes for meat decontamination improve safety but cause nutritional and quality issues. Plasma‐activated water (PAW) is a potential alternative to thermal treatment that can reduce oxidation and microbial growth, an essential factor in ensuring safety, quality, and nutritional value. This review explores the different types of PAW and their physiochemical properties. It also outlines the reaction pathways involved in the generation of short‐lived and long‐lived reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RONS) in PAW, which contribute to its antimicrobial abilities. The review also highlights current studies on PAW inactivation against various planktonic bacteria, as well as critical processing parameters that can improve PAW inactivation efficacy. Promising applications of PAW for meat curing, thawing, and decontamination are discussed, with emphasis on the need to understand how RONS in PAW affect meat quality. Recent reports on combining PAW with ultrasound, mild heating, and non‐thermal plasma to improve inactivation efficacy are also presented. Finally, the need to develop energy‐efficient systems for the production and scalability of PAW is discussed for its use as a potential meat disinfectant without compromising meat quality.
Electrospun zein nanofibers containing anthocyanins extracted from red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.)
Authors: Khalafi Narges , Gharachorloo Maryam , Ganjloo Ali , Yousefi Shima
Published: October 2023

This study aims to fabricate and characterize the zein nanoribbons loaded with different concentrations (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5°wt%) of the anthocyanins extracted from red cabbage through the electrospinning technique. It was demonstrated that an increase in anthocyanin concentration caused an increase in viscosity and electrical conductivity without any significant change in the surface tension of the electrospinning solution. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy that an increase in anthocyanins concentration reduced the porosity of the bead‐free ribbons compared with blank zein. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, X‐ray diffraction patterns, and differential scanning calorimetry results reflected the presence of significant molecular interactions between zein and anthocyanins. Zein–anthocyanins showed high encapsulation efficiency of close to 100%. As a result, it can conclude that electrospinning is a promising method to encapsulate functional ingredients like anthocyanins.
The Forms of Error in Defoe's Tour: Culpable and Venial Mistakes
Authors: Rogers Pat
Published: October 2023

The article explores forms that error may take in a historical work, here Daniel Defoe's Tour thro' Britain. An introduction attempts to place the book in relation to the production of knowledge, as compared with books in allied genres. The first main section considers the nature and causes of error, divided into categories of culpable and venial mistakes. The second looks at the way in which the Tour textualizes the author's doubts concerning the accuracy of sources. The third reviews in detail three cases where Defoe's error has become evident in the light of modern scholarly knowledge, techniques, and procedures. A brief conclusion suggests implications for our approach to literature of the past.
Advances in the discovery of genetic elements underlying longissimus dorsi muscle growth and development in the pig
Authors: Zeng Qingjie , Du Zhi‐Qiang
Published: October 2023

As a major source of protein in human diets, pig meat plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. Key determinants of meat production refer to the chemical and physical compositions or characteristics of muscle fibers, such as the number, hypertrophy potential, fiber‐type conversion and intramuscular fat deposition. However, the growth and formation of muscle fibers comprises a complex process under spatio‐temporal regulation, that is, the intermingled and concomitant proliferation, differentiation, migration and fusion of myoblasts. Recently, with the fast and continuous development of next‐generation sequencing technology, the integration of quantitative trait loci mapping with genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) has greatly helped animal geneticists to discover and explore thousands of functional or causal genetic elements underlying muscle growth and development. However, owing to the underlying complex molecular mechanisms, challenges to in‐depth understanding and utilization remain, and the cost of large‐scale sequencing, which requires integrated analyses of high‐throughput omics data, is high. In this review, we mainly elaborate on research advances in integrative analyses (e.g. GWAS, omics) for identifying functional genes or genomic elements for longissimus dorsi muscle growth and development for different pig breeds, describing several successful transcriptome analyses and functional genomics cases, in an attempt to provide some perspective on the future functional annotation of genetic elements for muscle growth and development in pigs.
Responsiveness of a rural Aboriginal community controlled health organisation: A qualitative study
Authors: Beks Hannah , Mc Namara Kevin P. , Mitchell (Mununjali) Fiona , Charles (Kaurna) James A. , Versace Vincent L.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Responsiveness of health care systems is a global concept defined as the ability of systems to function in a manner that meets the expectations of individuals, and is under‐studied. In Australia, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) are valued by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for the provision of holistic culturally safe primary health care and are well positioned to be responsive to community needs.

Objective

To develop a conceptual framework examining the responsiveness of a rural ACCHO to the health care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their service region.

Design

A qualitative interview study using abductive reasoning was conducted. Interviews conducted with Aboriginal clients, key informants, and ACCHO health personnel from two evaluations undertaken in partnership with a rural ACCHO located in Victoria, Australia, were analysed through an iterative process of identifying key concepts from the data and evidence. Key concepts were used to develop a conceptual framework.

Findings

Across the two evaluations, 22 participants were involved in data collection and 28 interviews were undertaken. A conceptual framework examining the responsiveness of a rural ACCHO to the health care needs of Aboriginal Peoples within their service region was developed and encompassed three concepts: operating within a complex adaptive system, mechanisms of responsiveness used by the ACCHO, and challenges experienced by the ACCHO when being responsive.

Discussion

The developed conceptual framework expands on research supporting the value of ACCHOs in providing holistic culturally safe health care to their communities, particularly in rural settings. A key finding is the importance for ACCHOs to meet the health care needs of their community whilst navigating needs in the context of the broader health care system. When dissonance is encountered between external system components and community needs, challenges can be experienced such as adequately resourcing models of service delivery and maintaining the provision of services.

Conclusion

Conceptualising the health care system as a complex adaptive system in which an ACCHO operates and is responsive, highlights the competing demands experienced. Findings expand on mechanisms of responsiveness used at the service–user interface. Future research should examine how the broader health care system can support the role and functions of ACCHOs in being responsive to the health care needs of their communities.
Retinal neurodegeneration in eyes with NPDR risk phenotypes: A two‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Reste‐Ferreira Débora , Marques Inês Pereira , Santos Torcato , Ribeiro Maria Luísa , Mendes Luís , Santos Ana Rita , Lobo Conceição , Cunha‐Vaz José
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is both a microangiopathy and a neurodegenerative disease. However, the connections between both changes are not well known.

Purpose

To characterise the longitudinal retinal ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) changes and their association with microvascular changes in type‐2 diabetes (T2D) patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods

This two‐year prospective study (CORDIS, NCT03696810) included 122 T2D individuals with NPDR identified as risk phenotypes B and C, which present a more rapid progression. Phenotype C was identified by decreased VD ≥ 2SD in healthy controls, and phenotype B, identified by subclinical macular oedema with only minimal vascular closure. The GCL + IPL thickness, vessel density, perfusion density and area of intercapillary spaces (AIS) were assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). Linear mixed effects models were employed to evaluate the retinal GCL + IPL progression and its associations.

Results

Regarding GCL + IPL thickness, T2D individuals presented on average 80.1 ± 7.49 μm, statistically significantly lower than the healthy control group, 82.5 ± 5.71 (p = 0.022), with only phenotype C differing significantly from controls (p = 0.006). GCL + IPL thickness steadily decreased during the two‐year period in both risk phenotypes, with an annual decline rate of −0.372 μm/year (p < 0.001). Indeed, phenotype C showed a higher rate of progression (−0.459 μm/year, p < 0.001) when compared to phenotype B (−0.296 μm/year, p = 0.036). Eyes with ETDRS grade 20 showed GCL + IPL thickness values comparable to those of healthy control group (83.3 ± 5.80 and 82.7 ± 5.50 μm, respectively, p = 0.880), whereas there was a progressive decrease in GCL + IPL thickness in ETDRS grades 35 and 43–47 associated with the increase in severity of the retinopathy (−0.276 μm/year, p = 0.004; −0.585 μm/year, p = 0.013, respectively). Furthermore, the study showed statistically significant associations between the progressive thinning of GCL + IPL and the progressive increase in retinal capillary non‐perfusion, with particular relevance for AIS (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that, in eyes with NPDR and at risk for progression, retinal neurodegeneration occurs at different rates in different risk phenotypes, and it is associated with retinal microvascular non‐perfusion.
Trust in entrepreneurial teams: The role of team narratives
Authors: Kakatkar Aishwarya , Patzelt Holger , Breugst Nicola
Published: October 2023

Although trust within the entrepreneurial team is critical for its success, we have limited insights into the antecedents of a founder's trust in the team. Taking a social information processing perspective, we theorize how entrepreneurial team narratives can play an important role in building a founder's cognition‐based trust in the team. We hypothesize that the team‐level structural dimensions of diversity and distinctiveness of topics in entrepreneurial team narratives are positively related to a founder's cognition‐based trust in the team and that these relationships are less positive when the founder perceives higher levels of resource scarcity. To test our hypotheses, we apply an automated topic modeling approach to quantitatively analyze interview and survey data from 102 founders across 43 complete entrepreneurial teams. Our study has implications for research on trust in entrepreneurial teams and entrepreneurial narratives, as well as methodological implications for using topic modeling to analyze other texts in entrepreneurship research.
Do children imitate even when it is costly? New insights from a novel task
Authors: Zhao Mingxuan , Fong Frankie T. K. , Whiten Andrew , Nielsen Mark
Published: October 2023

Children have a proclivity to learn through faithful imitation, but the extent to which this applies under significant cost remains unclear. To address this, we investigated whether 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children (N = 97) would stop imitating to forego a desirable food reward. We presented participants with a task involving arranging marshmallows and craft sticks, with the goal being either to collect marshmallows or build a tower. Children replicated the demonstrated actions with high fidelity regardless of the goal, but retrieved rewards differently. Children either copied the specific actions needed to build a tower, prioritizing tower completion over reward; or adopted a novel convention of stacking materials before collecting marshmallows, and developed their own method to achieve better outcomes. These results suggest children's social learning decisions are flexible and context‐dependent, yet that when framed by an ostensive goal, children imitated in adherence to the goal despite incurring significant material costs.
Targeted modification of furan‐2‐carboxaldehydes into Michael acceptor analogs yielded long‐acting hemoglobin modulators with dual antisickling activities
Authors: Omar Abdelsattar M. , Abdulmalik Osheiza , El‐Say Khalid M. , Ghatge Mohini S. , Cyril‐Olutayo Mojisola , Paredes Steven , Al‐Awadh Mohammed , El‐Araby Moustafa E. , Safo Martin K.
Published: October 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide. Aromatic aldehydes, which increase the oxygen affinity of human hemoglobin to prevent polymerization of sickle hemoglobin and inhibit red blood cell (RBC) sickling, have been the subject of keen interest for the development of effective treatment against SCD. However, the aldehyde functional group metabolic instability has severly hampered their development, except for voxelotor, which was approved in 2019 for SCD treatment. To improve the metabolic stability of aromatic aldehydes, we designed and synthesized novel molecules by incorporating Michael acceptor reactive centers into the previously clinically studied aromatic aldehyde, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF). Eight such derivatives, referred to as MMA compounds were synthesized and studied for their functional and biological activities. Unlike 5‐HMF, which forms Schiff‐base interaction with αVal1 nitrogen of hemoglobin, the MMA compounds covalently interacted with βCys93, as evidenced by reverse‐phase HPLC and disulfide exchange reaction, explaining their RBC sickling inhibitory activities, which at 2 mM and 5 mM, range from 0% to 21% and 9% to 64%, respectively. Additionally, the MMA compounds showed a second mechanism of sickling inhibition (12%–41% and 13%–62% at 2 mM and 5 mM, respectively) by directly destabilizing the sickle hemoglobin polymer. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained pharmacologic activities of the compounds compared to 5‐HMF. These findings hold promise for advancing SCD therapeutics.
Eye movements reveal that young school children shift attention when solving additions and subtractions
Authors: Masson Nicolas , Dormal Valérie , Stephany Martine , Schiltz Christine
Published: October 2023

Adults shift their attention to the right or to the left along a spatial continuum when solving additions and subtractions, respectively. Studies suggest that these shifts not only support the exact computation of the results but also anticipatively narrow down the range of plausible answers when processing the operands. However, little is known on when and how these attentional shifts arise in childhood during the acquisition of arithmetic. Here, an eye‐tracker with high spatio‐temporal resolution was used to measure spontaneous eye movements, used as a proxy for attentional shifts, while children of 2nd (8 y‐o; N = 50) and 4th (10 y‐o; N = 48) Grade solved simple additions (e.g., 4+3) and subtractions (e.g., 3‐2). Gaze patterns revealed horizontal and vertical attentional shifts in both groups. Critically, horizontal eye movements were observed in 4th Graders as soon as the first operand and the operator were presented and thus before the beginning of the exact computation. In 2nd Graders, attentional shifts were only observed after the presentation of the second operand just before the response was made. This demonstrates that spatial attention is recruited when children solve arithmetic problems, even in the early stages of learning mathematics. The time course of these attentional shifts suggests that with practice in arithmetic children start to use spatial attention to anticipatively guide the search for the answer and facilitate the implementation of solving procedures.

Research Highlights

Additions and subtractions are associated to right and left attentional shifts in adults, but it is unknown when these mechanisms arise in childhood.

Children of 8–10 years old solved single‐digit additions and subtractions while looking at a blank screen.

Eye movements showed that children of 8 years old already show spatial biases possibly to represent the response when knowing both operands.

Children of 10 years old shift attention before knowing the second operand to anticipatively guide the search for plausible answers.
The impact of type 2 diabetes and glycaemic control on mortality and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 in the capital region of Denmark
Authors: Kliim‐Hansen Vivian , Johansson Karl S. , Gasbjerg Lærke S. , Jimenez‐Solem Espen , Petersen Tonny S. , Nyeland Martin E. , Winther‐Jensen Matilde , Ankarfeldt Mikkel Zöllner , Pedersen Miriam G. , Ellegaard Anne‐Marie , Knop Filip K. , Christensen Mikkel B.
Published: October 2023

Aim

To explore the impact of type 2 diabetes (T2D), glycaemic control and use of glucose‐lowering medication on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19.

Materials and Methods

For all patients admitted to a hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark (1 March 2020 to 1 December 2021) with confirmed COVID‐19, we extracted data on mortality, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), demographics, comorbidities, medication use and laboratory tests from the electronic health record system. We compared patients with T2D to patients without diabetes using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for available confounding variables. Outcomes were 30‐day mortality and admission to an ICU. For patients with T2D, we also analysed the association of baseline haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and use of specific glucose‐lowering medications with the outcomes.

Results

In total, 4430 patients were analysed, 1236 with T2D and 2194 without diabetes. The overall 30‐day mortality was 19% (n = 850) and 10% (n = 421) were admitted to an ICU. Crude analyses showed that patients with T2D both had increased mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.37; 95% CI 1.19‐1.58] and increased risk of ICU admission (HR 1.28; 95% CI 1.04‐1.57). When adjusted for available confounders, this discrepancy was attenuated for both mortality (adjusted HR 1.13; 95% CI 0.95‐1.33) and risk of ICU admission (adjusted HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.79‐1.29). Neither baseline haemoglobin A1c nor specific glucose‐lowering medication use were significantly associated with the outcomes.

Conclusion

Among those hospitalized for COVID‐19, patients with T2D did not have a higher risk of death and ICU admission, when adjusting for confounders.
Comparison of supraclavicular brachiocephalic and femoral vein approaches for tunneled dialysis catheter placement in patients with thrombosed internal jugular veins
Authors: Oguslu Umut , Gümüş Burçak , Yalçin Murat , Sahin Osman Zikrullah , Yilmaz Gökalp
Published: October 2023

Introduction

There is still debate on the best access route in case of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis. We aimed to compare the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of tunneled dialysis catheter placement via supraclavicular brachiocephalic and femoral vein approaches in patients with bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis.

Methods

Between January 2018 and December 2021, data of the patients in whom tunneled dialysis catheters were placed via the supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein (n = 42) and femoral vein (n = 57) approaches were extracted. Patient demographics, technical and clinical success rates, complications, and outcomes were noted. The Likert scale was used to assess patient satisfaction.

Findings

Forty two (42.4%) patients were men, and the mean age was 61.9 (range, 12–93) years. The technical and clinical success rate was 100% for both groups. No major complication was encountered. The mean follow‐up period was 497.5 (range, 32–1698) catheter days. Thirty‐day patency was similar for the brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein group (40 [95.2%] vs. 55 [96.5%], p = 0.754). Also, primary and cumulative patency rates were comparable (p = 0.158; p = 0.660). The infection rate was 2.6 and 4.1 per 1000 catheter days for the brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein group. The infection‐free survival was significantly higher in the brachiocephalic vein group (71.9% vs. 35.3% at 12 months, p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was higher in the brachiocephalic vein group (median satisfaction, 5 vs. 4, p < 0.001).

Discussion

Both supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein and femoral vein approaches have high technical and clinical success with comparable patency rates. However, low infection rate and high patient satisfaction make the supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein approach a reasonable alternative before proceeding to the femoral vein access.
UV filter occurrence in beach water of the Mediterranean coast – A field survey over 2 years in Palavas‐les‐Flots, France
Authors: Thallinger Delphine , Labille Jerome , Milinkovitch Thomas , Boudenne Jean‐Luc , Loosli Frédéric , Slomberg Danielle , Angeletti Bernard , Lefrançois Christel
Published: October 2023

Objective

A 2‐year sampling campaign was realized on French Mediterranean beach (Palavas‐les‐Flots Hérault) in order to measure the concentration of UV filters released from the sunscreen used by bathers. Multiple factors suspected of playing determining roles in the UV filter pattern in water were explored, such as the seasonal and daily time evolutions, or the vertical and horizontal distributions, and they were regarded through the UV filter characteristics.

Methods

The beach was monitored during periods of high and low tourist attendance, typically before, during and after the summer peak. The beachgoers attendance was counted. Bathing water was sampled distinctly from the bulk column and from the top surface layer, testing different sampling tools. Sediments and mussels were also sampled and analysed as potential UV filter sinks. Three organic UV filters (octocrylene OCR, avobenzone BMDBM and octyl methoxycinnamate OMC) and one mineral (titanium dioxide TiO2) were studied here as representatives of the current cosmetic market.

Results

Summer peak attendance on the beach was confirmed associated with peak levels of UV filter concentration in the bathing water, even more pronounced during a heat wave period. This relation was also observed at day scale with an afternoon peak, suggesting a rapid evolution of the UV filter pattern in water. Contrasted fates were measured between the four studied UV filters, that could be mainly explained by their respective characteristics, i.e. particulate or dissolved, hydrophilic or lipophilic, lifetime. Generally, this resulted in a concentration ranking TiO2 > OCR > OMC > BMDBM, ranging from 0.5 to 500 μg/L. The most lipophilic and recalcitrant OCR was found most vertically differentiated and over concentrated in the top surface layer of water. Finally, a large horizontal heterogeneity was also observed in the UV filter concentration pattern, raising the need for sample replicates that cover a significant area.

Conclusion

This work fulfils some knowledge gaps on the issue of UV filter release in coastal environments, not only by providing original field data and methodological recommendations but also importantly in the comparison made of organic and mineral UV filters, which are often considered separately and rarely evaluated at the same time.
Renal cell carcinoma outcomes in end‐stage renal disease: A 40‐year study from two Japanese institutions
Authors: Ishihara Hiroki , Ikeda Takashi , Fukuda Hironori , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Hirohito , Iizuka Junpei , Nagashima Yoji , Kondo Tsunenori , Takagi Toshio
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The objective of the study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arising in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) over a 40‐year span.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated data of patients with ESRD‐RCC diagnosed between 1979 and 2020 at two institutions. We assessed changes in stage, surgical approaches, and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) following nephrectomy according to era between ESRD‐RCC and sporadic RCC. Furthermore, perioperative outcomes in patients with ESRD‐RCC were compared between laparoscopic and open surgery.

Results

Patients with ESRD‐RCC (n = 549) were diagnosed at an earlier stage (p = 0.0276), and the ratio of laparoscopic nephrectomy was increased (p < 0.0001) according to eras. Since 2000 (i.e., after implementation of laparoscopic nephrectomy), patients with ESRD‐RCC (n = 305) had significantly shorter CSS (p = 0.0063) after nephrectomy than sporadic RCC (n = 2732). After adjustment by multivariate analysis and propensity score matching, ESRD status was independently associated with shorter CSS (p = 0.0055 and p = 0.0473, respectively). Improved CSS in sporadic RCC (p < 0.0001), but not ESRD‐RCC (p = 0.904), according to era contributed to this difference. Laparoscopic nephrectomy showed favorable outcomes, including shorter surgery time, lower estimated bleeding volumes, transfusion rates, and readmission rates, and shorter postoperative hospitalization than open nephrectomy (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities potentially enable early diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery for patients with ESRD‐RCC. As ESRD‐RCC may not present indolently, careful post‐operative monitoring is needed.
Practitioner Review: Clinical utility of the QbTest for the assessment and diagnosis of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bellato Alessio , Hall Charlotte L. , Groom Madeleine J. , Simonoff Emily , Thapar Anita , Hollis Chris , Cortese Samuele
Published: October 2023

Background

Several computerised cognitive tests (e.g. continuous performance test) have been developed to support the clinical assessment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we appraised the evidence‐base underpinning the use of one of these tests – the QbTest – in clinical practice, by conducting a systematic review and meta‐analysis investigating its accuracy and clinical utility.

Methods

Based on a preregistered protocol (CRD42022377671), we searched PubMed, Medline, Ovid Embase, APA PsycINFO and Web of Science on 15th August 2022, with no language/type of document restrictions. We included studies reporting accuracy measures (e.g. sensitivity, specificity, or Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve, AUC) for QbTest in discriminating between people with and without DSM/ICD ADHD diagnosis. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS‐2). A generic inverse variance meta‐analysis was conducted on AUC scores. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a random‐effects bivariate model in R.

Results

We included 15 studies (2,058 participants; 48.6% with ADHD). QbTest Total scores showed acceptable, rather than good, sensitivity (0.78 [95% confidence interval: 0.69; 0.85]) and specificity (0.70 [0.57; 0.81]), while subscales showed low‐to‐moderate sensitivity (ranging from 0.48 [0.35; 0.61] to 0.65 [0.52; 0.75]) and moderate‐to‐good specificity (from 0.65 [0.48; 0.78] to 0.83 [0.60; 0.94]). Pooled AUC scores suggested moderate‐to‐acceptable discriminative ability (Q‐Total: 0.72 [0.57; 0.87]; Q‐Activity: 0.67 [0.58; 0.77); Q‐Inattention: 0.66 [0.59; 0.72]; Q‐Impulsivity: 0.59 [0.53; 0.64]).

Conclusions

When used on their own, QbTest scores available to clinicians are not sufficiently accurate in discriminating between ADHD and non‐ADHD clinical cases. Therefore, the QbTest should not be used as stand‐alone screening or diagnostic tool, or as a triage system for accepting individuals on the waiting‐list for clinical services. However, when used as an adjunct to support a full clinical assessment, QbTest can produce efficiencies in the assessment pathway and reduce the time to diagnosis.
Comparative stable isotope analyses of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) and white sturgeon (A. transmontanus) in the San Francisco estuary
Authors: Miller Emily A. , Singer Gabriel P. , Peterson Matthew L. , Webb Molly , Klimley A. Peter
Published: October 2023

Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) and white sturgeon (A. transmontanus) are closely related, sympatric species that inhabit the San Francisco estuary. Green sturgeon have a more marine life history but both species spawn in the Sacramento River and reside for some duration in San Francisco Bay. These sturgeons are of conservation concern, yet little is known about their dietary competition when they overlap in space and time. To examine evidence of dietary differentiation, we collected whole blood and blood plasma from 26 green sturgeon and 35 white sturgeon in San Francisco Bay. Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses, we compared their relative trophic levels and foraging locations along the freshwater to marine gradient. Sampling blood plasma and whole blood allowed comparison of dietary integration over shorter and longer time scales, respectively. Plasma and whole blood δ13C values confirmed green sturgeon had more marine dietary sources than white sturgeon. Plasma δ15N values revealed white sturgeon fed at lower trophic levels than green sturgeon recently, however, whole blood δ15N values demonstrated the two species fed at the same trophic level over longer time scales. Larger individuals of both species had higher δ13C values than smaller individuals, reflecting more marine food sources in adulthood. Length did not affect δ15N values of either species. Isotope analyses supported the more marine life history of green than white sturgeon and potentially highlight a temporary trophic differentiation of diet between species during and preceding the overlapping life stage in San Francisco Bay.
Validation of a short food group questionnaire to determine intakes from healthy and unhealthy food groups in 5–9‐year‐old South African children
Authors: Kruger H Salome , Makore Persuade , van Zyl Tertia , Faber Mieke , Ware Lisa J. , Monyeki Makama A. , Kruger Ruan
Published: October 2023

Background

Reliable dietary data for children are necessary to investigate associations with health outcomes. The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to determine the frequency of intakes of specific healthy and unhealthy food groups in young children.

Methods

Participants were 5–9‐year‐old South African children (n = 920) from 10 urban schools. Their parents completed a demographic questionnaire and the food intake questionnaire with food pictures. Based on the literature, four healthy food groups (fruits, vegetables, milk, meat/fish/poultry/eggs) and six unhealthy food groups (hot and cold sugar‐sweetened beverages, candy, salty snacks, cakes and fast foods) were included, with five different frequency responses. Six experienced nutritionists assessed the face validity and content validity. After pilot testing, construct validity and homogeneity were determined in the participants. Convergent validity was determined using urinary sodium and potassium concentrations as biological intake markers.

Results

Nutritionists confirmed face and content validity. Caregivers confirmed understanding of the questionnaire. Three factors explained 50.2% of the variance, with most unhealthy food groups as factor 1, fruits and vegetables as factor 2, and animal source protein and milk groups clustered with sugar‐sweetened beverages as factor 3. The frequency of milk group, fruits and vegetables intake correlated negatively, whereas the frequency of salty snacks and fast foods intakes correlated positively with the urinary sodium:potassium ratio.

Conclusions

The healthy and unhealthy food group questionnaire has advantages of low respondent burden, as well as acceptable content and convergent validity in South African children. The questionnaire may be used to investigate associations between food intakes and health outcomes.