Different Timing of Prenatal Organophosphate Pesticides Exposure Is Influenced Different Aspects of Infant Developmental Performance

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides can transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta and amniotic fluid and may affect the development of infants. This study aims to evaluate the associations between maternal OP concentrations collected in the 1st–2nd trimester and the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and the infant developmental performance. The Screening Test of the Bayley Scales of Infants and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID–III screening test) was used to assess development performance at 2 and 6 months of age. Multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between cognitive performance at 2 months and maternal diethylthiophosphate (DETP) levels in the 1st–2nd trimester (β ± SE = −0.012 ± 0.004, p < 0.05). We also found that expressive communication and fine motor performance at 6 months were negatively associated with maternal diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) levels in the 3rd trimester (β ± SE = −0.047 ± 0.016, p < 0.05, and β ± SE = −0.044 ± 0.017, p < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that maternal ethylated OP concentrations at different timing of exposure during pregnancy may influence different aspects of infant developmental performance.

Child Diet and Household Characteristics Relate Differently to Child Development at the Beginning and the End of the Second “1000 Days” in Rural Nepal

The “second 1000 days” is a period of rapid brain growth which consolidates developmental foundations and establishes school readiness. Understanding the relation between household characteristics, child diet, and child development remains incomplete, especially in resource-poor settings where >250 million children risk not achieving their full developmental potential. Child developmental performance was assessed (Ages & Stages Questionnaire [ASQ]) at ages 2 and 5 years in a cohort of Nepali children (n = 207) whose families participated in a nutrition/livestock management+community development intervention trial. Relationships between child developmental performance and mother’s education, family wealth, child diet (animal source food [ASF] consumption, dietary diversity score [DDS]), school attendance, and intervention group were examined by adjusted linear regressions. These relationships varied at the 2 ages. At age 2 years, ASQ scores related positively to “Full Package Intervention” and negatively to “Partial Package Intervention” membership. At age 5 years, intervention group did not relate to ASQ scores. Mother’s education did not relate to developmental findings for 2-year-olds. Mother’s education, wealth, and school attendance positively predicted ASQ scores for these same children as 5-year-olds. Animal source food consumption was related to child development more strongly at age 5 than at 2 years. DDS had a less pronounced relationship to development than ASF consumption at both ages. Over this time span bracketing the second 1000 days, household characteristics and child diet related differentially to developmental performance depending on child age. Better understanding of the timing and mechanisms of these relationships is needed to effectively design interventions targeting improved child development in resource-poor settings.

Business strategy, performance appraisal and organizational results

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze how the design of performance appraisal is influenced by the competitive strategy of the firm. Then, this paper examines if the alignment between appraisal and strategy impacts firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample includes 258 Spanish firms in the manufacturing and services sectors. This information was gathered through questionnaires addressed to the CEO and the senior human resources manager. Several econometric models are estimated, using robust regression analysis and including a set of relevant control variables.FindingsA positive relationship is found between an innovation strategy and developmental performance appraisal. A cost strategy has a negative impact on the adoption of developmental performance appraisal. The findings also confirm that firms with a quality strategy and developmental appraisal have higher performance. In addition, firms adopting an innovation strategy and administrative appraisal enjoy higher return of equity.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should analyze the dynamics of the relationships between appraisal, strategy and performance to rule out the flaws of cross-sectional data. Another potential extension is the analysis of the interactions of the design of other human resources management practices with both competitive strategy and firm performance.Practical implicationsFirms can improve performance by aligning performance appraisal design with strategy. Those with an innovation strategy should choose administrative appraisal, and those competing on quality should focus on developmental appraisal.Originality/valueThis paper compares the theoretical recommendations on performance appraisal for different competitive strategies, what firms actually do, and the impact that the alignment between appraisal and strategy has on firm performance.

Exploratory Bifactor Measurement Models in Vocational Behavior Research

We provide an overview of and guidance for applying exploratory bifactor models to vocational research. First, we describe bifactor models and highlight their potential and actual applications in vocational psychology. Second, we review the theoretical bases of bifactor models and offer methodological guidance to correctly implement and interpret these models in practice. Third, we estimate a bifactor model in two vocational datasets to illustrate the concepts reviewed in this manuscript. The resulting models highlight novel insights in careers research (e.g., developmental performance feedback and personality [conscientiousness] modeling) that are made possible by leveraging bifactor measurement models. Overall, this manuscript provides a useful introduction to bifactor models to facilitate vocational behavior scholars and practitioners in thoughtfully producing and consuming bifactor models in their own research.

Agronomic characteristics of Serapias vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq. salep orchids

Although salep orchids are annual plants, each new generation emerges larger than their parents. There are no data on the developmental performance of these species that cannot be cultivated due to production difficulties. This study discusses Salep vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq., one of the most common species in temperate climate regions. Tubers obtained from natural flora were divided into seven groups according to their size. Morphological characteristics of the seedlings developed from these tubers were determined and observed up to the harvest stage. The study was carried out in a randomized plot design with three replications and for two years. As a result of statistical analysis, all parameters were found to be significant. The canonical correlation between the first pair of canonical variables was 0.995 (p<0.01). The data obtained from the length of the planted tuber made the biggest contribution to the explanatory power of the canonical variables. Additionally, the mathematical relationship between width, height and area values of salep leaves was determined.

Developmental Performance Ranking of SAARC Nations: An Application of TOPSIS Method of Multi-Criteria Decision Making

To be developed, nations are trying to cope up with the fast-changing economy and technology of the world. But the development of a nation does not depend only on these two factors rather several other indicators are essential to a country’s development. The present study deals with the progress of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries towards development through social, economic and environmental stability. This study aims at analyzing the comparative developmental performance of the SAARC nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we have prioritized the 8 SAARC nations based on 4 indicators (economic, demographic, health and environment indicators) and 20 variables using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). The result showed that Sri Lanka has prioritized 1st followed by Bhutan. India has been ranked 4th and Afghanistan was least prioritized.