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2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joep Hofhuis

PurposeThe Netherlands' national government (Rijksoverheid) is an example of a large public organization that strives to recruit and retain employees from different cultural groups, and aims to reap the benefits of workplace diversity. Research has shown that a major predictor of the effectiveness of diversity policy and interventions is the diversity perspective of employees, i.e. which outcomes they associate with cultural diversity in their work environment.Design/methodology/approachThe present study compares public servants' diversity perspectives in two similar independent samples, from 2008 (n = 1,617) and 2018 (n = 2,024), using the Benefits and Threats of Diversity Scale (BTDS; Hofhuis et al., 2015).FindingsResults show that in 2018, employees of the Netherlands' national government perceived more benefits of diversity for gaining insight about and access to different groups within society. Additionally, contributions of cultural diversity to creativity and innovation within teams are reported significantly more often in 2018 than in 2008.Originality/valueThe findings may be of interest to diversity scholars, since data on changes in cultural diversity perspectives across time are rare, and the paper provides a unique comparison of measurements at two time points, one decade apart, within the same organization.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Pradier ◽  
Stephanie Bedhomme

Antibiotics consumption and its abuses have been historically and repeatedly pointed out as the major driver of antibiotic resistance emergence and propagation. However, several examples show that resistance may persist despite substantial reductions in antibiotic use, and that other factors are at stake. Here we study the temporal, spatial, and ecological distribution patterns of aminoglycoside resistance, by screening more than 160,000 publicly available genomes for 27 clusters of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEGs). We find that AMEGs are ubiquitous: about 25% of sequenced bacteria carry AMEGs. These bacteria were sequenced from all the continents and terrestrial biomes, and belong to a wide number of phyla. By focusing on several European countries between 1997 and 2018, we show that aminoglycoside consumption has little impact on the prevalence of AMEG-carrying bacteria, whereas most variation in prevalence is observed among biomes. We further analyze the resemblance of resistome compositions across biomes: soil, wildlife, and human samples appear to be central to understand the exchanges of AMEGs between different ecological contexts. Moreover, the genomic distribution of AMEGs suggests a selection for widening resistance spectra, mostly driven by mobile genetic elements. Together, these results support the idea that interventional strategies based on reducing antibiotic use should be complemented by a stronger control of exchanges, especially between ecosystems.


2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Garzia ◽  
Valentina Galiano ◽  
Giovanni Marfia ◽  
Stefania Navone ◽  
Enzo Grossi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Moving from the correlation between insulin-resistance and PCOS, metformin has been administered in some PCOS women improving ovulatory and metabolic functions and decreasing androgen levels. Inconsistency and unpredictability of response to metformin limit its extensive use. Aim of this study was to identify reliable predictors of response to metformin therapy for weight loss and reduction in plasma androgen levels using ANNs (artificial neural networks). Methods One hundred eight consecutive women with PCOS (ESHRE/ASRM 2003 Rotterdam criteria) treated with metformin 1500 mg/day, at inclusion and every 6 months underwent to a complete clinical, endocrine/metabolic assessment and ultrasonographic evaluation. Therapy outcomes were BMI reduction (≥1 kg/m2) in overweight/obese and free-androgen-index (FAI) decrease (≥1%) in hyperandrogenemic women. Semantic connectivity maps (SCMs) were obtained through Auto-CM, a fourth generation ANN, to compare patients’ baseline clinical features to the treatment outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the major predictor in drop-out patients and the associated risk. Results At 6 months 54 out of 103 (52,4%) obese patients showed BMI reduction and 45 out of 89 (50,6%) hyperandrogenemic women showed FAI decrease. The further response rates at 12 months were 30,6 and 47%, respectively. SCMs showed a clear polarization for both the outcomes with elevated accuracy. Treatment responsiveness resulted strictly related to oligo-amenorrhea and hyperandrogenemia at baseline. In addition, lower serum testosterone levels at baseline were found to be the major predictor of treatment discontinuation. Conclusions In women with PCOS, menstrual pattern imbalance and ovarian androgens excess are the best predictors of metformin response. They may pave the way for a rethinking of the criteria for evaluating hyperandrogenism in order to better define the large population included in the diagnosis of PCOS. Baseline plasma testosterone level can serve as a sensitive marker to predict treatment compliance.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Jesús M. Antoñanzas ◽  
Aida Perramon ◽  
Cayetana López ◽  
Mireia Boneta ◽  
Cristina Aguilera ◽  
...  

Background: Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is neither always accessible nor easy to perform in children. We aimed to propose a machine learning model to assess the need for a SARS-CoV-2 test in children (<16 years old), depending on their clinical symptoms. Methods: Epidemiological and clinical data were obtained from the REDCap® registry. Overall, 4434 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed in symptomatic children between 1 November 2020 and 31 March 2021, 784 were positive (17.68%). We pre-processed the data to be suitable for a machine learning (ML) algorithm, balancing the positive-negative rate and preparing subsets of data by age. We trained several models and chose those with the best performance for each subset. Results: The use of ML demonstrated an AUROC of 0.65 to predict a COVID-19 diagnosis in children. The absence of high-grade fever was the major predictor of COVID-19 in younger children, whereas loss of taste or smell was the most determinant symptom in older children. Conclusions: Although the accuracy of the models was lower than expected, they can be used to provide a diagnosis when epidemiological data on the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is unknown.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Karen J. Baehler ◽  
Marquise McGraw ◽  
Michele J. Aquino ◽  
Ryan Heslin ◽  
Lindsay McCormick ◽  
...  

In the U.S., approximately 9.3 million lead service lines (LSLs) account for most lead contamination of drinking water. As the commitment to replace LSLs with safer materials grows, empirical evidence is needed to understand which households are benefitting most from current replacement practices. This exploratory study analyzes factors predictive of whether an LSL was replaced fully (from water main to premise) or partially (only the portion on public property). Conventional ordinary least squares, negative binomial, and geographically weighted regression models are used to test the hypothesis that full lead service line replacements (LSLRs) were less common in lower-income, higher-minority neighborhoods under a cost-sharing program design in Washington, D.C. between 2009 and 2018. The study finds supportive evidence that household income is a major predictor of full replacement prevalence, with race also showing significance in some analyses. These findings highlight the need for further research into patterns of full versus partial LSLR across the U.S. and may inform future decisions about LSLR policy and program design.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Prieto ◽  
Laura Barrios ◽  
José M. Pascual

Objective: Papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCPs) represent a rare histological variant of craniopharyngiomas (CPs) usually involving the hypothalamus. This study systematically analyzes the clinical-anatomical correlation between tumor topography and symptoms related to hypothalamic dysfunction in the largest series of PCPs ever gathered. Methods: From 5,346 CP reports published from 1856 to 2021, we selected 350 well-described cases of the squamous-papillary type. Clinical presentation, tumor topography, severity of hypothalamic adhesion, patient outcome and tumor recurrence were thoroughly analyzed. Results: PCPs predominantly occur in adult (96.3%), male (61.7%) patients presenting with headache (63.4%), visual alterations (56.2%) and psychiatric disturbances (50.4%). Most PCPs are solid (50%), round (50%) lesions that occupy the third ventricle (3V, 94.8%) and show low-risk severity adhesions to the hypothalamus (66.8%). Two major topographical categories can be found: strictly 3V (57.5%), growing above an intact 3V floor (3VF) and not-strictly or infundibulo-tuberal (32.9%), expanding at the infundibulum and/or tuber cinereum. The hypothalamic syndrome predominated among strictly 3V PCPs (p<0.001). Psychiatric symptoms (p<0.001) and high-risk hypothalamic attachments (p=0.031) related to unfavorable postoperative outcomes among patients treated from 2006 onwards. The not-strictly 3V topography was identified as the major predictor of high-risk hypothalamic attachments (71.2% correctly predicted), which, along with incomplete tumor removal (p=0.018), underlies the higher tumor recurrence of this topography (p=0.001). Conclusions: This systematic review evidences that PCP topography is a major determinant of hypothalamic-related symptoms, type of hypothalamic attachments and tumor recurrence rate. Accurate preoperative definition of PCP-hypothalamus relationships is essential for the judicious, safe management of these complex lesions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-280
Author(s):  
Janghui Lee ◽  
Bumjin Lim ◽  
Dalsan You ◽  
In Gab Jeong ◽  
Cheryn Song ◽  
...  

Purpose: To identify the risk factors leading to radical cystectomy in patients who had undergone nephroureterectomy (NUx).Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent NUx during 2011–2019 and excluded patients with metastatic cancer. In total 646 patients were included in this study; of these, 532 had no previous bladder cancer history. Follow-up was performed every 3 months for 2 years after NUx was administered, and recurrence was confirmed using cystoscopy, urine cytology, computed tomography, and chest radiography. Bladder recurrence was confirmed through biopsy, urine cytology, or radiologic examination. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyzes were performed for statistical analysis of risk factors leading to radical cystectomy in patients undergoing NUx.Results: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (hazard ratio [HR], 4.728; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.463–15.570; p=0.011), previous transurethral resection of bladder tumor history (HR, 3.825; 95% CI, 1.164–12.571; p=0.027), and intravesical recurrence (IVR) within 6 months (HR, 3.733; 95% CI, 1.091–12.778; p=0.036) in patients undergoing NUx are predictors of radical cystectomy implementation. In a multivariate analysis of patients without bladder cancer history, bladder recurrence was identified as a predictor of radical cystectomy implementation, if it occurred within 6 months of NUx (HR, 8.608; 95% CI, 1.545–47.976; p=0.014).Conclusions: LVI and IVR within 6 months and previous bladder cancer history are factors that can predict the need for radical cystectomy after NUx. Even in patients without bladder cancer history, early bladder recurrence within 6 months is a major predictor of radical cystectomy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Diotaiuti ◽  
Giuseppe Valente ◽  
Stefania Mancone ◽  
Fernando Bellizzi

Deficit in the management of time continues to be an important difficulty students are faced with. The present work aimed to test the hypothesis that self-regulation is the major predictor of academic performance and that this effect can be mediated both by the student’s emotional regulation and his propensity for procrastination. Participants were 450 university students who were administered MPP and AIP. The procedures involved the administration of instruments and the collection of average exam grades as a measure of academic performance. The effect of a specific component of self-regulation on academic performance, namely action orientation, was significant, while procrastination showed a limiting effect on the performative quality of the student. The model confirmed the mediation role of emotional balance on the effect that action orientation exerts on procrastination, and the mediation of procrastination in the relationship between action orientation and Academic Performance. Results of the study suggest focusing on student support and on prevention of procrastinating behavior through programs that enhance first of all student’s proactive attitude, planning skills, self-monitoring and effective/efficient time management, and secondly, emotional awareness and regulation of emotional response in situations of stress and performance anxiety.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Jinni Wang ◽  
Jialan Wu ◽  
Lizhu Liang ◽  
Rui Ye ◽  
Xiaoyan Liao

Objective:This study aimed to identify predictors of limitations in basic activities of daily living (BADL) among people with severe disabilities.Methods:4075 long-term care beneficiaries with severe disabilities in Guangzhou, China, were included during July 2018 and March 2019. BADL was assessed using the Barthel index (BI). Muscle strength was measured by using the Lovett Rating Scale. Age, gender, comorbidities, and muscle strengths were collected as independent variables. Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) method was used to examine associations between independent variables and item scores of the BI.Results:Muscle strength and history of stroke were parent node and child node for most of BADL limitations, respectively. Upper limb muscle strength (≤ 3) was a major predictor for dependence in feeding, grooming, toileting, dressing, and transfer, while lower limb muscle strength (≤ 3) was a major predictor for limitation in mobility.Conclusions:Muscle strength was the strongest predictor of BADLs among people with severe disability. Muscle strength grading may be optimal for designing supporting strategies for people with severe disabilities.


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