Search

Background: Endometriosis, a complex gynecological condition, involves inflammation and immune dysregulation. The vaginal microbiota, characterized by its diversity, is an integral part of the vaginal microecology—interacting with vaginal anatomy, the endocrine system, and local mucosal immunity. Imbalances in this microecology are known to precipitate various inflammatory diseases. Despite extensive research, the connection between vaginal microbiota dysbiosis and endometriosis remains a subject of debate. Our study assesses the association between vaginal microecology dysbiosis and endometriosis. Methods: We systematically searched major electronic databases in English, including Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (Ovid), BIOSIS (Ovid), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang, up to August 15, 2023. Selected articles underwent screening based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Normal vaginal microecology was defined as a negative Amsel/Spiegel test or Nugent score of 0–3, or Lactobacillus predominance determined by 16S rRNA gene amplification sequencing. Deviations from this norm were classified as dysbiosis, further categorized into bacterial vaginosis (BV) and intermediate BV. Data analysis utilized Revman 5.4, with effect sizes presented as Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: Out of 1081 articles, eight met the inclusion criteria. Utilizing fixed-effect models due to low heterogeneity, the analysis revealed a positive association between dysbiosis and endometriosis (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.81–1.70; I2 = 0%), but showed a slight negative association between normal vaginal microecology with endometriosis (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.55–1.46; I2 = 29%). However, the association was not significant. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses corroborated the stability of these associations. Conclusion: A positive correlation exists between vaginal microecology dysbiosis and endometriosis, notably with intermediate BV. However, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain elusive, highlighting the need for further research to overcome limitations. Trial registration: Registration number: CRD42023445163. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are associated with cardiovascular benefits. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the influence of SGLT2i on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and to ascertain whether it is affected by confounding variables such as age, baseline renal function and concurrent use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing the influence of SGLT2i versus placebo/ blank treatment on AKI in the adult population. A fixed-effect model was used if the heterogeneity was not significant; otherwise, a randomized-effect model was used. Results: Eighteen studies comprising 98,989 patients were included. Compared with placebo/blank treatment, treatment with SGLT2i significantly reduced the risk of AKI (risk ratio [RR]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71 to 0.84, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis suggested consistent results in patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure (for subgroup difference, p = 0.32). Finally, univariate meta-regression suggested that the influence of SGLT2i on the risk of AKI was not significantly modified by variables such as age (coefficient: 0.011, p = 0.39), baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (coefficient: -0.0042, p = 0.13) or concomitant use of RAASi (coefficient: 0.0041, p = 0.49) or MRA (coefficient: -0.0020, p = 0.34). Conclusion: SGLT2i may be effective in reducing the risk of AKI, and the effect might not be modified by age, baseline renal function and concurrent use of RAASi or MRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the prolonged, uneven, and evolving nature of the Covid‐19 pandemic, this study provides one of the first dynamic, multilevel perspectives of women's fertility intentions in response to the pandemic and its multifaceted impacts. We examine how evolving individual‐ and community‐level Covid‐19 risk mechanisms and socioeconomic and life‐course conditions are associated with continuity and change in women's fertility intentions. We combine individual‐level panel data from a population‐based sample of women aged 18–34 in Pernambuco, Brazil in 2020 and 2021 with corresponding administrative data from 94 municipalities. We use multinomial logit regressions to model continuity and change in fertility intentions across waves. We then estimate fixed effect models to highlight the time‐varying determinants of changing fertility intentions while accounting for unobserved, time‐invariant individual factors. We find that high and/or increasing individual and community‐level Covid‐19 exposure is associated with a greater likelihood of abandoning initial childbearing plans and a greater likelihood to maintain intentions to forego versus to intend having additional children. We advance the literature by highlighting how individual‐level Covid‐19 infection risk perceptions matter for fertility intentions, net of community‐level exposure, and the necessity of dynamic perspectives for understanding how fertility intentions have changed (or not) in response to the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The introduction of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has altered smoking status, particularly among adults of reproductive age. Despite perceptions of ENDS as safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes (CCs), their impact on perinatal outcomes remains poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to elucidate the effects of ENDS use during pregnancy on fetal health and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using Scopus, Medline (PubMed) and Web of Science, focusing on studies that examine the effects of ENDS on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We limited the search to publications in English. We selected articles based on their relevance to pregnancy outcomes associated with ENDS use. Due to the low heterogeneity among the included studies, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) using fixed effects models. Results: The search identified six relevant studies. Our meta-analysis included 4 studies for the outcome small-for-gestational age (SGA), 3 for the outcome preterm birth (PB) and 2 for the outcome low birth weight (LBW). The meta-analysis provided further statistical evidence, indicating that women who used e-cigarettes during pregnancy had significantly higher risks of SGA (OR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.07–1.99, I2=31.55%), PB (OR=1.40; 95% CI:1.03–1.91, I2=0%), and LBW (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.15–2.09, I2=0%) compared to nonusers. Conclusions: ENDS use during pregnancy is associated with significant adverse perinatal outcomes. These findings support public health policies promoting complete abstinence from both CC and ENDS among pregnant women to ensure the best perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the complex dynamics of cultural and creative industries and their potential to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The dual nature of these industries is reviewed, recognizing their potential to have a positive impact on sustainable development while addressing the risks they pose, including environmental threats and the potential for increased social inequality. The main goal of the study was to identify the determinants of asymmetric shocks that influenced the development of cultural and creative industries. To achieve the goal, we used an integrated modeling approach based on panel models with fixed and random effects, as well as a two-stage dynamic panel model. The results of the study made it possible to identify asymmetric shocks that influenced the development of cultural and creative industries, such as the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which led to the energy and migration crises, slower economic growth and increased inflation. The results obtained indicate that the influence of the selected factors on sustainable development is complex and depends on time dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital finance plays a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion and decreasing income inequality within developing countries. Given the digital and financial attributes that characterize digital finance, digital financial literacy (DFL) is a critical factor that influences the extent to which this function can be exploited. There is relatively little empirical evidence linking DFL to rural income inequality. Based on the 2017 and 2019 China Household Finance Survey data and two-way fixed effect panel model, this study focuses on rural China and examines the effect of DFL on income inequality. Meanwhile, this study also explores the mechanism of this effect from the perspectives of financial asset allocation and entrepreneurship. The empirical results show that (1) increasing DFL within rural households contributes to decreasing income inequality; (2) DFL can decrease income inequality by enriching the variety of household financial assets and enlarging the proportion of risky financial assets in rural households; and (3) improving DFL can ameliorate rural income inequality by increasing the probability of entrepreneurship. The study's findings put forward fresh empirical evidence for understanding the relationship and mechanism that exist between DFL and income inequality, and more significantly, provide new suggestions for designing and enhancing financial policies that aim to decrease income inequality in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging and the digital economy are two major elements affecting socio-economic development, and it is necessary to explore how these two factors interact and affect the labor market. From the perspective of the digital economy, and based on the twostage generation overlap model, this study integrated population aging, the digital economy, and employment structure into the same framework for theoretical analysis. Based on this, this study constructed panel data from 279 cities in China from 2010 to 2019 and used the two-way fixed effect model and threshold model to test the impact of population aging on employment skill structure. The study further discussed the moderating effect of the digital economy on this impact. The findings were as follows: ① Population aging increased employment in low-skilled industries and decreased employment in medium- and high-skilled industries, resulting in a unipolar trend biased towards low-skilled industries in the employment skill structure. ② The digital economy strengthened the positive role of aging in increasing employment in medium and low-skilled industries, weakened the negative role of aging in reducing employment in high-skilled industries, and shifted the employment skill structure from single-polarization in low-skilled industries to polarization between high and low-skilled industries. ③ With the acceleration of the development of the digital economy, population aging would first affect the employment of low-skilled industries, then medium-skilled industries, and lastly high-skilled industries. ④ The digital economy mainly adjusted the influence of aging on the employment skill structure through human capital upgrading and industrial upgrading. ⑤ Heterogeneity analysis showed that the digital economy mitigated the impact of aging on the employment skill structure. Therefore, it is suggested that local governments should combine the development direction of the aging industry with the characteristics of consumer demand, rationally plan the development path of the digital economy, give full play to the new development momentum brought by the digital economy, promote the integrated development of the digital economy and aging, and mitigate the negative impact of the aging population on the employment structure. At the same time, policies should be formulated and improved to provide the corresponding childcare guarantee of the ‘three-child policy’, vigorously develop universal childcare services, slow down the deepening speed of population aging, and promote the long-term balanced development of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The allocation of land resources plays an important role in guiding and supporting industrial development, and optimizing the allocation of industrial land is important and fundamental for China to realize the green transformation of its development mode. From the perspective of combining environmental policies with the performance assessment of local leading officials, this study took the panel data of 280 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2020 as a research sample and empirically investigated the impact of environmental target constraints on local governments' land transfers in clean-production industries and its mechanisms by using the fixed effect model, instrumental variable method, and mediation effect model, respectively. The moderating effect model was further used to analyze the moderating role of economic growth pressure and financial pressure faced by local governments. The results showed that: ① Environmental target constraints could significantly encourage local governments to increase land transfers in clean-production industries. The result remained robust after addressing potential endogeneity and performing a series of robustness tests. From the perspective of differences in land supply policies, industrial structure, and characteristics of leading officials, the promoting effect of environmental target constraints on local governments' land transfers in clean-production industries was particularly prominent in cities having sufficient land resources, whose economy was highly dependent on the industrial sector, and whose incumbent mayors were not locals or no more than 55 years old. ② The mechanism analysis revealed that environmental target constraints incentivized local governments to increase land transfers in clean-production industries by improving the intensity of environmental regulation and increasing the supervision of environmental monitoring. ③ Further research showed that economic growth pressure faced by local governments undermined the promoting effect of environmental target constraints on land transfers in clean-production industries, while financial pressure had a synergistic effect with environmental target constraints. The above conclusions indicate that the ‘strict constraint’ policies on environmental targets implemented by the central government can incentivize local governments to favor the allocation of green industries when transferring industrial lands, which provides important practical implications for China to achieve a win-win goal of environmental pollution control and resource allocation optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy plays an important role in promoting the high quality and sustainable development of the marine fishery economy. Based on the panel data of the digital economy and marine fishery development from 2011 to 2022, we firstly adopted the entropy method to comprehensively evaluate the economy quality level of the digital economy and marine fishing. Secondly, we constructed a two-way fixed effect model to empirically analyze the impact of digital economy development on the marine fishery economy quality and the mediating role of marine green science and technology innovation, and further explored the regional heterogeneity of the digital economy on the marine fishery economy quality. Several findings emerge. The digital economy and the marine fishery economy quality level was relatively low and showed a fluctuating increase. The development of the digital economy can significantly improve the economy quality of marine fishing, and the conclusion was still valid after considering a series of robustness tests. The digital economy can drive the development quality of the marine fishery economy through marine green technology innovation. This paper proposes fostering the advancement of digital technology in the marine fishery sector, to effectively harness the innovation-driven potential of the digital economy, so as to facilitate the harmonious development of both the marine and digital economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth who display elevated callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at risk for negative developmental outcomes. Previous studies demonstrate that environmental conditions contribute to elevated levels of CU traits, but the majority of this work focuses on a single source of environmental influence. To better understand how environmental conditions contribute to changes in CU traits during adolescence, the current study examined the time-varying relation between CU traits, parent, peer, and community conditions. Using data from the longitudinal Pathways to Desistance study (N = 1,026 males, Mage = 15.98, SD = 1.16; 40.94% Black, 34.11% Latino, 20.66% White, 4.29% Other), full-factorial fixed effect regression models were implemented to examine how parental hostility, antisocial peers, community violence, and neighborhood disorder are individually and interactively associated with within-person changes in CU traits during adolescence (15–21 years). Results indicated that proximal conditions (i.e., negative parenting, antisocial peers) had more consistent associations with CU traits than distal conditions (i.e., neighborhood disorder, community violence). Affiliation with antisocial peers was not significantly related to CU traits when youth were simultaneously exposed to high community violence and low neighborhood disorder. Further, the association between CU traits and impact of living in high disordered, high violence neighborhoods was stronger for younger youth. Results indicate that the association among parents, peers, and CU trait development is more nuanced than previously suggested, such that the risk that each environmental condition poses is moderated by a youth's age and their exposure to distal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anthracyclines have a central role in anti-cancer therapy, but their side effects of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) during systemic administration have always been a problem for both patients and clinicians. The application of anthracycline agents leads to arrhythmias, causing nonspecific ECG changes. And the incidence rates of abnormal QT changes could be early markers of AIC. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis to evaluate the arrhythmic risk of anthracyclines and the comparative risk for each agent. We included 4 cohort studies, 8 RCTs, and 18 single-arm studies, and the result shows anthracyclines were associated with a statistically significant 90% increase in the risk of arrhythmia and a 114% increase in the risk of supraventricular arrhythmia. Among them, epirubicin ranked the most likely to have the highest risk of arrhythmia compared with non-anthracycline antineoplastic drugs in the analysis. The purpose of this research is to improve the monitoring of ECGs by clinicians while applying anthracyclines and to try to use molecular imaging technology to study the mechanism of drug action on cardiac electrophysiology in the future. The effects of anthracycline agents on the electrophysiological properties of cardiac cells can be better understood with the help of imaging molecular targets in cardiac cells, which may result in safer and more effective clinical use of the drugs. Background: Chemotherapy is the main first-line treatment, but there is a problem of adverse reactions to systemic drugs. Chemotherapeutic agents may cause adverse effects on the body, influencing the prognosis. Whether the clinical application of anthracyclines is associated with an increased arrhythmic risk remains controversial. To evaluate the arrhythmic risk of anthracyclines as a class, and the comparative risk for each drug, we conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched, up to March 2022, for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case–control studies that investigated the association between anthracyclines treatment and the risk of arrhythmia. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for data selection and extraction. Outcomes were pooled using fixed effects models in cohort studies and randomized controlled studies, and random models in single-arm studies. Direct and indirect comparisons in network meta-analysis were performed using frequentist methods. Results: In total, 4 cohort studies, 8 RCTs, and 18 single-arm studies were included in our analysis. Anthracyclines' use was associated with a statistically significant 90% increase in the risk of arrhythmia (odds ratio [OR] 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62–2.24) and a 114% increase in the risk of supraventricular arrhythmia (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.18–3.89). And the single-arm studies also indicated that the incidence of arrhythmia rate is 20% and the 95% CI is 15/100–25/100. Epirubicin ranked most likely to have the highest risk of arrhythmia compared with non-anthracycline antineoplastic drugs in the analysis (OR 43.07 [95% CI 2.80–2105.83]) by network meta-analysis. Conclusions: Our findings show a significant association between anthracyclines' use and an increased risk of arrhythmia, especially supraventricular arrhythmia. Epirubicin ranked with the highest probability of arrhythmia. These results indicated that cardiac rhythm should be strictly monitored during the application of anthracyclines in clinical practice, and a possible therapy for anthracycline-associated arrhythmia should be explored. Molecular imaging technology is an important means to study the mechanism of drug action on cardiac electrophysiology in the future. By imaging molecular targets in cardiac cells, the effects of drugs on the electrophysiological properties of cardiac cells can be understood, which provides information for the development of safer and more effective drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have described variations in lactose content (LC) in dairy cows during udder quarter health disorder or negative energy balance (NEB). However, their joint effects on LC have never been described. This was the aim of a longitudinal observational study performed on 5 Quebec dairy farms using automatic milking systems. Quarter milk samples were collected every 14 d from 5 to 300 DIM. Quarter health status was described by combining SCC level (SCC− or SCC+: < or ≥100,000 cells/mL, respectively) and infectious status (Patho− or Patho+: absence or presence of pathogens on a milk culture, respectively). Cows with NEB in early lactation (DIM <70) were identified using milk BHB content: <0.15 m M = BHB−; 0.15 to 0.19 m M = BHB+; >0.19 m M = BHB++. A total of 14,505 quarter cisternal milk samples were collected from 380 lactating cows. The quarter LC was analyzed using a mixed linear regression model with the following fixed effects: quarter health status, parity, time interval between last milking and sampling, quarter milk yield (in kg/d), DIM, and herd. A random quarter intercept with a repeated measures correlation structure and a cow random intercept were also specified. The LC of SCC+ quarters was lower (−0.17 ± 0.013 percentage points) compared with LC of SCC- quarters for both primiparous and multiparous cows. Of the 162 bacterial species identified, only 8 species had a prevalence greater than 4.0%, and just 5 of them were associated with a reduction in LC: Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus chromogenes , Streptococcus dysgalactiae , Staphylococcus epidermidis , and Staphylococcus simulans. Cows identified as BHB+ and BHB++ in early lactation had a lower LC (−0.05 ± 0.019 and −0.13 ± 0.020 percentage points, respectively) compared with BHB− cows. For BHB++ cows, in both parity groups the decrease in LC (−0.20 ± 0.025 percentage points) was higher in SCC+ quarters compared with SCC− quarters. Moreover, the additive effect of the quarter health status and NEB on milk LC was greater with larger increases in BHB. Our findings highlight the necessity to jointly take into consideration both quarter health status and milk BHB concentration when using LC as a biomarker for NEB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to set up a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach at the level of individual animals to assess the effects of a 3-breed crossbreeding program on the environmental impact of cows. The study involved 564 cows, 279 purebred Holstein Friesian (HO) and 285 crossbred cows (CR), that originated from a 3-breed crossbreeding program based on the rotational use of Viking Red, Montebèliarde, and HO sires and kept in 2 dairy herds of northern Italy (224 and 340 cows/herd, respectively). The reference unit of the LCA model was the lifetime of cows, from the birth to culling or death. Data were collected at different levels: individual animal-based data referred to the whole life (birth, calving, dry, cull or death dates, and milk production); individual test-date collection of body measures and BCS, used to predict BW and to estimate energy requirements; common farm-based data concerning herd management (diets composition, and materials used). Data were used to compute DMI, milk and milk components production, gross income (GI), and income over feed costs (IOFC) pertaining to the lifespan of cows. An individual LCA-derived approach was set up to compute global warming potential (GWP), acidification and eutrophication potential (AP and EP, respectively), and land occupation (LO), which have been associated with different functional units (cow in her whole life or per day of life; kilograms of milk fat plus protein, and GI and IOFC [in euros] produced in the herd life). Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model including the fixed effects of genetic group (CR vs. HO), farm, and their interaction (genetic group × farm). Compared with HO, CR cows completed more lactations (+12%), had earlier first calving (−2 wk), yielded more fat plus protein in milk both in the lifespan (+8%) and per day of life (+4%). Concerning the environmental impact, when compared with HO herd mates, CR cows had nominal greater emissions per cow in the whole life, similar emissions per day of life and ∼3% lower GWP, AP, and EP per kilogram of fat plus protein yielded in lifespan. Income over feed costs per unit of emission tended to be ∼4% greater in CR compared with HO cows. Also, the use of land tended to be lower in CR compared with HO in most indicators considered. In conclusion, LCA could be adapted to represent individual animals. Moreover, managing dairy cows according to a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding scheme may be regarded as a strategy that can contribute to mitigate the emissions and to improve the environmental impact of dairy operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enteric CH 4 produced from dairy cows contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases from anthropogenic sources. Recent studies have shown that the selection of lower CH 4 -emitting cows is possible, but doing so would be simpler if performance measures already recorded on farm could be used, instead of measuring gas emissions from individual cows. These performance measures could be used for selection of low emitting cows. The aim of this analysis was to quantify how much of the between-cow variation in CH 4 production can be explained by variation in performance measures. A dataset with 3 experiments and a total of 149 lactating dairy cows with repeated measures was used to estimate the between-cow variation (the variation between cow estimates) for performance and gas measures from GreenFeed (C-Lock, Rapid City, SD). The cow estimates were obtained with a linear mixed model with the diet within period effect as a fixed effect and the cow within experiment as a random effect. The cow estimates for CH 4 production were first regressed on the performance and gas measures individually, and then performance and CO 2 production measures were grouped in 3 subsets for principal component analysis and principal component regression. The variables that explained most of the between-cow variation in CH 4 production were DMI (R2 = 0.44), among the performance measures, and CO 2 production (R2 = 0.61), among gas measures. Grouping the measures increased the R2 to 0.53 when only performance measures were used, and to 0.66 when CO 2 production was added to the significant performance measures. We found the marginal improvement to be insufficient to justify the use of grouped measures rather than an individual measure because the latter simplifies the model and avoids over-fitting. Investigation of other measures that can be explored to increase explanatory power of between-cow variation in CH 4 production is briefly discussed. Finally, the use of residual CH 4 as a measure for CH 4 efficiency could be considered by using either DMI or CO 2 production as the sole predicting variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Genetic factors are important in terms of athletic performance. Recent studies to determine the relationship between the genes that lead to physiological responses have attracted attention. In this respect, this meta-analysis study was designed to examine the relationship between genetic polymorphism (BDKRB2 rs5810761, GNB3 rs5443, HIF1A rs11549565, MCT1 rs1049434, NOS3 rs2070744) and endurance athlete's status. Methods: The search included studies published from 2009 to 2022. To determine the relevant studies, Pubmed, Web of Science databases were systematically scanned. Only case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. To determine the relevant studies, Pubmed, Web of Science databases were systematically scanned, and a total of 31 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Relevant data from the included studies were collected and analyzed using a random effects or fixed effects model. The effect size was calculated as the odds ratio or a risk ratio the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: According to the results of the analysis, BDKRB2 rs5810761 + 9 allele, and NOS3 rs2070744 T allele were significantly more prevalent in endurance athletes (p < 0.05). Genotype distributions of BDKRB2 rs5810761, MCT1 rs1049434, and NOS3 rs2070744 showed significant differences in the dominant model (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between endurance athlete status and GNB3 rs5443 and HIF1A rs11549465 polymorphisms. Conclusion: These results show that some gene polymorphisms play an important role in endurance athlete status and suggest that having a specific genetic basis may also confer a physiological advantage for performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze whether isoinertial flywheel training (FWT) is superior to traditional resistance training (TRT) in enhancing maximal strength and muscle power in healthy individuals. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases up to 21 April 2024. Outcomes were analyzed as continuous variables using either a random or fixed effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of sixteen articles, involving 341 subjects, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analyses. The pooled results indicate no statistically significant differences between FWT and TRT in developing maximal strength in healthy individuals (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI [−0.26, 0.74], p = 0.35). Additionally, the pooled outcomes showed a small-sized effect in muscle power with FWT (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.10, 0.84]), which was significantly higher than that with TRT (p = 0.01) in healthy individuals. Subgroup analysis revealed that when the total number of FWT sessions is between 12 and 18 (1–3 times per week), it significantly improves muscle power (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI [0.12, 1.09]). Significant effects favoring FWT for muscle power were observed in both well-trained (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI [0.04, 1.13]) and untrained individuals (SMD = 1.40, 95% CI [0.23, 2.57]). In terms of exercise, performing flywheel training with squat and lunge exercises significantly enhances muscle power (SMD = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.02–0.84, and p = 0.04). Interestingly, FWT was superior to weight stack resistance training (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI [0.21, 1.00]) in enhancing muscle power, while no significant differences were found compared to barbell free weights training (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI [−0.22, 0.94]). Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirms the superiority of FWT compared to TRT in promoting muscle power in both healthy untrained and well-trained individuals. Squats and lunges for FWT are more suitable for improving lower limb explosive power. It is recommended that coaches and trainers implement FWT for six weeks, 2–3 times per week, with at least a 48 h interval between each session. Although FWT is not superior to free weights training, it is advisable to include FWT in sport periodization to diversify the training stimuli for healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative management after surgery for perforated peptic ulcer is still burdened by old traditions. All available data for fast‐track recovery in this setting are either very unspecific or underpowered. The aim of this study was to evaluate fast‐track recovery in this diagnosis‐specific context in a larger sample. Methods: Electronic data sources were searched. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing fast‐track recovery and traditional management after surgery for perforated peptic ulcer in adults. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines regulated the process. Quality and risk of bias assessments of individual RCTs were performed by means of the Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision criteria and the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool. Primary endpoints were length of hospital stay and risk of complications. Random or fixed effects modeling were applied as indicated. Outcomes were measured by mean difference and risk difference. Results: Six RCTs with a total cohort of 356 patients were included. Results of our meta‐analysis showed significantly shortened length of hospital stay (mean difference −3.50 days [95% CI ‐4.51 to −2.49], p ≤ 0.00001), significantly less superficial and deep surgical‐site infections (risk differences −0.12 [95% CI −0.20, −0.05], p = 0.002 and −0.03 [95% CI −0.09, 0.03], and p = 0.032, respectively), and significantly fewer pulmonary complications (risk difference −0.10 [95% CI −0.17, −0.03], p = 0.004) in the fast‐track group. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows that fast‐track recovery after surgery for perforated peptic ulcer significantly shortened hospital stay in the studied cohort without increasing the risk of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has indicated that certain environmental exposures may increase the risk of unprovoked seizures and new onset epilepsy. This study aimed to synthesize the literature that has estimated the associations between short‐ and long‐term exposure to outdoor air and noise pollution and the risk of unprovoked seizures and new onset epilepsy. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, conference abstracts, and the gray literature and conducted citation tracing in June 2023. Observational and ecological studies assessing the associations of air and noise pollution with unprovoked seizures or new onset epilepsy were eligible. One reviewer extracted summary data. Using fixed and random effects models, we calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) for the studies assessing the associations between short‐term exposure to air pollution and unprovoked seizures. Seventeen studies were included, 16 assessing the association of air pollution with seizures and one with epilepsy. Eight studies were pooled quantitatively. Ozone (O3; RR =.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] =.99–.99) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure adjusted for particulate matter (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01–1.02) on the same day, and carbon monoxide (CO) exposure 2 days prior (RR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02–1.22), were associated with seizure risk. A single study of air pollution and epilepsy did not report a significant association. The risk of bias and heterogeneity across studies was moderate or high. Short‐term exposure to O3, NO2, and CO may affect the risk of seizures; however, the effect estimates for O3 and NO2 were minimal. Additional research should continue to explore these and the associations between outdoor air pollution and epilepsy and between noise pollution and seizures and epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with neurodegenerative diseases. Data Source: This review followed the guidelines of the updated PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020. A systematic search in five electronic databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, and OTseeker) was performed. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Randomized control trials (RCTs) examining Tai Chi interventions to improve HRQoL in patients with neurodegenerative diseases published through March 2023 were included. Data Extraction: Data were extracted from each study by two independent researchers into a data extraction form based on the Cochrane recommendations. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. Data Synthesis: A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results: Of the 439 records that were screened, eight RCTs met the eligibility criteria. They assessed cognitive decline (n = 2) or Parkinson's disease (n = 6). RCT comparison groups included active interventions or usual care. The duration of Tai Chi therapy ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. A sensitivity analysis using a fixed effect model indicated that Tai Chi therapy significantly increased HRQoL [ P < 001, SMD (95% CI) =.41 [.21,.60], I2 = 4%]. Conclusion: Tai Chi can effectively improve the HRQoL of people with neurodegenerative diseases, but the heterogeneity across intervention was relatively high. Further studies are needed as research into the benefits of Tai Chi in neurodegenerative disease rehabilitation is still limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing zero variance components is of utmost importance in various applications empowered by the use of mixed-effects models. Focusing on generalized linear models, this article proposes a permutation test using an analogue of the ANOVA test statistic that merely requires fitting the null model with independent observations. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that the new test has correct Type-I error rate and that its power compares favorably to an existing bootstrap score test. A real data application illustrates the advantageous capability of the proposed test in detecting the need for random effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic effects on parameters of the Brody and Richards growth curves using body weight records from birth to 12 months of age on 2287 Muzaffarnagari lamb for a period of 29 years (1976–2004). Estimated growth curve parameters were analysed using six univariate animal models, and genetic correlations among and between the parameters of each function and between parameters of the functions and observed birth and yearling weights were estimated using bivariate analyses. Significant environmental factors including birth year, sex, season, birth status and dam parity were included as fixed effects in all models. Likelihood ratio tests indicated that maternal genetic effects were significant only for birth weight (BW) and degree of maturity at birth (u0) for the Brody and Richards functions. For these traits, direct heritabilities were similar (0.21, 0.19 and 0.17, respectively), but the estimated maternal heritability for BW (0.18) was twice that of u0 for both functions. Heritabilites for yearling weight and asymptotic final body weights for the Brody and Richards functions were 0.28, 0.17 and 0.21, respectively. The remaining growth curve parameters were lowly heritable, ranging from zero for the predicted degree of maturity at the age of maximum growth rate for the Richards function to 0.08 for the maturing rate parameter of the Brody function. Genetic correlations between corresponding parameters for different growth functions exceeded 0.88. Our results showed that the Brody and Richards functions had similar genetic architecture, but the Richards function had no apparent advantages over the more easily interpreted Brody function. Failure to identify maternal genetic effects on maturing rate parameters suggested that both functions failed to identify potentially important maternal genetic effects. Therefore, there is no usefulness of estimated growth curve parameters in selection compared to the simple multi‐trait genetic evaluations of individual body weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy (DE) is characterized by high efficiency and being green, intelligent and innovative, which means that it can reduce carbon emissions and empower the green development of the sports industry. Therefore, exploring the relationship between digital economy and carbon emissions in the sports industry holds great significance. Based on 2010-2021 panel data covering 30 provinces in China, the digital economy development level (DEL) and carbon emissions of the sports industry (CESI) are measured. Then, a two-way fixed effect model, threshold effect model and spatial Durbin model are used to examine the impact of the digital economy on the carbon emissions of the sports industry. The results show the following: (1) After multiple tests, the development of the digital economy has a significant inhibitory effect on the CESI; in other words, the development of the digital economy can drive the low-carbon development of the sports industry. (2) The influence of the development of the digital economy on the CESI has a nonlinear feature of an increasing marginal effect and a spatial spillover effect. (3) From the perspective of regional heterogeneity, the development dividend of the digital economy in the developed eastern region of China is greater than that in the less developed central and western regions, having a more significant impact on the low-carbon development of the sports industry. Therefore, it is necessary for China to speed up the construction of digital infrastructure, build an integrated layout of digital infrastructure, give full play to the radiating role of the digital economy, and implement differentiated development paths based on regional comparative advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. A benefit of L-carnitine (LC) supplementation for athletes' performance remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate an effect of LC supplementation on a postexercise blood lactate level and aerobic capacity in athletes/trained individuals. Methods. A systematic review and metaanalysis study was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest were searched for relevant studies from database inception to November 2023. An overall effects estimation was performed using random and fixed effects models for a blood lactate level and maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2 max). Pooled effects were presented as standardized mean difference or mean difference. Results. A total of 257 athletes from 14 studies were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated that a supplementation group had significantly lower blood lactate levels (SMD = -0.52 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.85 to -0.19, p = 0.002) and higher V̇O2 max (MD = 2.16 ml/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.45 to 3.87, p = 0.01) compared to a placebo group. Subgroup analysis showed that chronic LC supplementation resulted in lower post-exercise blood lactate levels than placebo (SMD = -0.69 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.21, p = 0.004). Conclusions. This study suggests that athletes may benefit from chronic LC supplementation by decreasing post-exercise blood lactate levels and increasing V̇O2 max. However, acute LC supplementation only resulted in an increase in V̇O2 max. Nevertheless, more scrutinous studies are needed to ascertain its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banks play an important role in the development and prosperity of countries' economies. We cannot carry out daily transactions, whether individual or business, without their presence. The purpose of current study is to investigate whether a relationship exists between insolvency risk and Islamic banks’ profitability in the MENA region. Previous researchers covered this risk individually, however, in this study the risk is taken into consideration including the deposit ratio which are the control variables in this study. For this purpose, data were obtained from 12 MENA countries covering 20 Islamic banks as panel data over ten years period from 2011 till 2020. The fixed effect models were relied upon to analysis data. In the study, the results of two profitability measures (ROA and ROE) were discussed to explain how they are distinct from each other using insolvency risk as independent variable. The results show that insolvency risk has insignificant effect on the profitability of Islamic banks measured by ROA and ROE, regarding control variable, the outcome demonstrate that deposit ratio has insignificant effect on ROA and ROE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to examine if the profit earned by Jordanian banks influenced by change in working capital turnover. Previous researchers depend on different metrics to evaluate how working capital turnover affects earnings, however, in this study utilize return on assets and return on equity as indicators of profitability, and use the ratio of revenue attributed to average working capital as a metric for measuring the working capital turnover. To achieve this objective, The chosen sample consists of 7 traditional banks operating in Jordan, and panel data analysis is utilized to examine the period spanning from 2015 to 2019. Data analysis was conducted using fixed effect models. In this research, we used profitability as dependent variable and working capital turnover as independent variable. The results show that profitability measured by ROE was negatively impacted by working capital turnover, while insignificant impact on ROA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the effects of technological infrastructure and a business-friendly environment on economic growth in the Arab world from 2004 to 2021 using a detailed panel data analysis approach. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study chooses the fixed effect model based on the Hausman test with additional diagnostic tests confirming the absence of serial correlation and heteroscedasticity employing fixed and random effect models on data from thirteen Arab countries. Findings: Findings reveal a negative relationship between ease of doing business and GDP growth (Gross Domestic Product) suggesting that improvements in the business environment paradoxically decrease economic growth. Conversely, a positive relationship exists between the human development index and economic growth underscoring the significance of human capital. Notably, no significant relationship is detected between technological infrastructure and economic growth. Conclusion: The study concludes that regulatory reforms and human capital investment are pivotal for economic growth in the Arab world challenging the assumed positive impact of ease of doing business on economic expansion. It underscores the need for a strategic focus on developing human resources and technological infrastructure to foster sustainable economic growth. Contribution to the Literature: This research contributes to the economic literature by highlighting the nuanced effects of the ease of doing business and the essential role of human capital in driving economic growth within the Arab region offering new insights for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The importance of harmonious human-land dynamics and the practical value of investigating the interplay between demographic urbanization and land development. Methods: The study area (110 prefecture-level cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt) and the integrative methodology employed (coupled coordination model, exploratory spatial data analysis, and fixed effects model). Results: The main findings, including the progression in the coupled coordination level, the spatial gradient, and the factors influencing the coupled coordination level. Discussion: Recommendations for surmounting institutional and policy impediments, fostering resource exchange, and facilitating the integrated evolution of human-land dynamics within the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the substantial economic potential, ASEAN faces challenges in meeting its infrastructure investment needs, resulting in suboptimal logistics performance for several countries. This study proposes an analysis of the contribution of logistics infrastructure and infrastructure investment in ASEAN countries to the overall economic growth of ASEAN. This study also aims to provide valuable insights for formulating effective policies that promote regional connectivity and accelerate economic integration in the ASEAN region. This study employs a fixed effect model with panel data from eight ASEAN nations (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam) gathered between 2021 and 2022. The results show that ASEAN countries’ logistics infrastructure is yet to affect ASEAN economic growth optimally. However, ASEAN countries’ domestic infrastructure investment significantly and negatively affects ASEAN economic growth. ASEAN governments must prioritize and actively develop logistics infrastructure, both nationally and regionally, to help develop regional linkages and promote sustainable economic growth rates. They should also intensify coordination efforts, optimize regional financial integration, identify alternative funding sources, and assess regulations restricting private sector participation to maximize private sector investments in infrastructure development, including public-private partnership (PPP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of optimal medical therapy (OMT) with or without revascularization therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared OMT with or without revascularization therapy for SCAD patients. Methods: Studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials from January 1, 2005, to December 30, 2023. The main efficacy outcome was a composite of all-cause death, myocadiac infarction, revascularization, and cerebrovascular accident. Results were pooled using random effects model and fixed effects model and are presented as odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Ten studies involving 12,790 participants were included. The arm of OMT with revascularization compared with OMT alone was associated with decreased risks for MACCE (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.38–0.80], I²=93%, P = 0.002), CV death (OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.73–0.97], I²=36%, P = 0.02), revascularization (OR 0.32 [95% CI 0.20–0.50], I²=92%, P < 0.001), and MI (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.76–0.96], I²=45%, P = 0.007). While there was no significant difference between OMT with revascularization and OMT alone in the odds of all-cause death (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.84–1.05], I²=0%, P = 0.30). Conclusions: The current updated meta-analysis of 10 RCTs shows that in patients with SCAD, OMT with revascularization would reduce the risk for MACCE, cardiovascular death, and MI. However, the invasive strategy does not decrease the risks for all-cause mortality when comparing with OMT alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has led to a notable increase in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, the fact that severely raised the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere and significantly contributed to the global warming. Digital economy was thought to be a key element here. The European Union has made significant commitments in this area and has acknowledged the need for the economy to become less carbon-dependent. Therefore, this paper has explored the role of digitalization on carbon emissions in 27 European countries from 2017 to 2022. Using various statistical methods of panel data, such as the fixed effect model, OLS, and GLS models, using five linear equations, the results have demonstrated that the digital economy (measured by the Digital Economy and Social Index) and its components (connectivity, human capital, digital technology, and digital public services) are statistically significant and negative. Therefore, digitalization, connectivity, human capital, digital technology, and digital public services reduce carbon emissions in the European countries. Our research aims at providing policymakers with a theoretical frame of reference so that they may adopt carbon reduction techniques. Various solutions are proposed, that can be used by governments to minimize the effects of carbon emissions and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy through digitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Uluslararasi Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi is the property of Karadeniz Technical University, Depertmant of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human development is a central focus and objective for countries worldwide. Comprehensive human development is reflected in rising living standards and easier access to essential services like education and health. Accelerating human development requires adopting technology, particularly ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), which is increasingly utilized by societies. The main objective of this study is to estimate the impact of ICT Skills, ICT Access, domestic investment, and the democracy index on the Human Development Index (HDI) using provincial-level data in Indonesia. The study employed panel data from 34 provinces from 2016-2022. Based on the Chow and Hausman test results, the fixed effect model was the best fit compared to the common and random effect models. The findings demonstrate that ICT Skills and ICT Access significantly positively affected human development throughout the research period, with their coefficients being almost equal. This highlights the rapid advancement of ICT and its vital role in the lives of the Indonesian population. The results further revealed that democracy was insignificant, while domestic investment positively and significantly impacted human development. Based on these findings, ICT development policies are essential, particularly in investment, infrastructure improvement, and the effective implementation of ICT initiatives. The use of ICT should be tailored to each province's unique characteristics and potential to promote equality and reduce disparities. A key recommendation from this study is the adoption of ICT in societal activities to enhance equality across all regions of Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angel wing is a developmental wing deformity that can influence breeding and reproduction in the commercial duck industry. Therefore, genetic diversity studies and detection of the genomic region related to angel wings in duck populations are essential. In this regard, powerful tools, such as next-generation sequencing technology, have made it possible to decode genome information in this species. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been a powerful tool in detecting loci associated with complex traits and diseases; however, it also has some limitations. Complex traits are controlled by many genes, and hence, significant SNPs in general represent only a small fraction of genetic variation. Moreover, studies often report only the most significant SNPs and their neighboring genes, hence some smaller genetic variants and disease risks are unlikely to be detected. Alternatively, pathway-based analysis has been proposed as a complementary approach to investigate complex traits from a genetic and biological perspective. In contrast to a GWAS, pathway-based analysis considers factors that contribute simultaneously to the complex trait and looks beyond the most significant SNPs and genes. To complement GWAS studies, it is becoming common to use gene-set enrichment and pathway analyses. Such an approach helps alleviate problems related to GWAS (e.g., GWAS ignores the fact that genes work together in networks in various biological pathways), and to deepen the understanding of the biological pathways affecting quantitative traits. Integration of F, GWAS, and pathways analyses might address some aforementioned issues and has been already used in human studies, whereas its potential application in livestock breeding and genetics remains still unexplored. In addition, studies are available that performed GWAS or GWAS plus pathway analysis. Methods: A total of 63 adult purebred Pekin ducks from the same population were selected for this study, of which 33 were ducks that could be identified as having angel wings (case) and 30 were ducks with normal wings (control). Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples by DNA extraction using a kit (QIAampR DNA Blood Mini Kit; QIAGEN), following the manufacturer's protocol. Whole-genome re-sequencing data were generated on the Illumina Hiseq 4000 platform with 150 bp paired-end reads. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling was performed using the GATK (v4.1), and all parameters were kept at default settings, except for stand_callconf 30. VCFTOOLS (v0.1.16) and plink (v 1.90) were used for the quality control of the data. The 14 064 984 SNPs passed quality control that excluded SNPs using the following criteria: --min- alleles 2, --max- alleles 2, --minDP 3 –minQ 30 with VCFtools, minor allele frequency >0.01, and SNP call rate ≥ 0.95 with plink. An independent SNP set was used via the plink command --indep- pairwise 50 5 0.2 for principal component analysis. After quality control, 686 449 SNPs were used for the GWAS. The gene set analysis consists basically of three different steps: (i) the assignment of SNPs to genes, (ii) the assignment of genes to functional categories, and (iii) an association analysis between each functional category and the phenotype of interest. 1. The SNPs were assigned to bovine genes based on the CAU_duck1.0 duck genome sequence assembly using the Bioconductor R package biomaRt2. A given SNP was assigned to a particular gene if it was located within the gene or at most 15 kb either upstream or downstream of the gene. An arbitrary threshold of P-value ≤ 0.005 was used to define significant SNPs (based on the results of the GWAS); in this context, significant genes were defined as those genes that contained at least one significant SNP. 2. The databases Gene Ontology (GO) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used to define functional categories of genes. The idea is that genes assigned to the same functional category can be considered the members of a group of genes that share some particular properties, typically their involvement in the same biological or molecular process. 3. The significant association of a given term with angle wing was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Finally, a gene enrichment analysis was performed with the GOstats Bioconductor from R software for the assignment of the genes to functional categories. Results: The random effect was estimated from the groups clustered based on the kinship among all accessions, and the first two PCs, including PC1 with normal wings and PC2 with angel wings derived from whole-genome SNPs, were used as fixed effects in the mixed model to correct for stratification. In this research, SNP markers were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11, 18, 20, 27, and 31. Different sets of candidate genes related to the angle wing trait, namely ATP11A, UBE2E2, ITPR2, GUCA1C, ATP2C1, PLCG1, and BMPR1A, were also identified in ducks. Some of the found genes are consistent with some of the previous studies related to wing traits. According to pathway analysis, 21 pathways from GO and biological pathways were associated with the angle wing trait. Some of the detected genes are consistent with some previous studies and are involved in biological pathways related to skeletal muscle growth and development, calcium ion response, bone growth and development, bone minerals, and calcium signaling pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of our research can be used to understand the genetic mechanism controlling the angle wing trait. This study supports previous results from the GWAS of reproductive traits, revealing additional regions. Using these findings could potentially be useful for genetic selection in ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY QUESTION What are the factors influencing the decline in the birth rates observed in higher-income countries in the later phase of the COVID-19 pandemic? SUMMARY ANSWER Our results suggest that economic uncertainty, non-pharmaceutical policy interventions, and the first wave of the population-wide vaccination campaign were associated with the decline in birth rates during 2022. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY During the COVID-19 pandemic, birth rates in most higher-income countries first briefly declined and then shortly recovered, showing no common trends afterwards until early 2022, when they unexpectedly dropped. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study uses population-wide data on monthly total fertility rates (TFRs) adjusted for seasonality and calendar effects provided in the Human Fertility Database (HFD). Births taking place between November 2020 and October 2022 correspond to conceptions occurring between February 2020 and January 2022, i.e. after the onset of the pandemic but prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The data cover 26 countries, including 21 countries in Europe, the USA, Canada, Israel, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS First, we provided a descriptive analysis of the monthly changes in the TFR. Second, we employed linear fixed effects regression models to estimate the association of explanatory factors with the observed seasonally adjusted TFRs. Our analysis considered three broader sets of explanatory factors: economic uncertainty, policy interventions restricting mobility and social activities outside the home, and the progression of vaccination programmes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We found that birth trends during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with economic uncertainty, as measured by increased inflation (P  < 0.001), whereas unemployment did not show any link to births during the pandemic (P  = 0.677). The stringency of pandemic policy interventions was linked to a postponement of births, but only in countries with lower institutional trust and only in the early phase of the pandemic (P  = 0.003). In countries with higher trust, stricter containment measures were positively associated with birth rates, both for conceptions in the first year of the pandemic (P  = 0.019) and, albeit only weakly significant, for conceptions later in the pandemic (P  = 0.057). Furthermore, we found a negative association between the share of the population having received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and TFRs (P  < 0.001), whereas the share of the population having completed the primary vaccination course (usually consisting of two doses) was linked to a recovery of birth rates (P  < 0.001). LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our research is restricted to higher-income countries with relatively strong social support policies provided by the government as well as wide access to modern contraception. Our data did not allow analyses of birth trends by key characteristics, such as age, birth order, and social status. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first multi-country study of the drivers of birth trends in the later phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, periods following epidemics and health crises were typically associated with a recovery in births. In contrast, our results show that the gradual phasing out of pandemic containment measures, allowing increased mobility and a return to more normal work and social life, contributed to declining birth rates in some countries. In addition, our analysis indicates that some women avoided pregnancy until completion of the primary vaccination protocol. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study did not use any external funding. The authors acknowledge funding from their home institution, the Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and from the Open-Access Fund of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. For the purpose of open access, the authors have applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript versions arising from this submission. All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the effect of banking stability, exchange rates, and external debt on economic growth in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) during the period 2011-2020. The data used in this study is panel data from five BRICS countries, obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The method used is a panel data regression model using the Fixed Effect method. This model makes it possible to account for the fixed effects of time as well as the fixed effects of individual states in regression analysis. The results of the analysis show that banking stability has a significant negative influence on economic growth in BRICS countries. On the other hand, exchange rates and external debt have a significant positive impact on economic growth. These findings indicate that policies that promote banking stability, prudent exchange rate management, and effective use of external debt can support sustainable economic growth in BRICS countries. The results of the analysis show that banking stability has a significant negative influence on economic growth in BRICS countries. On the other hand, exchange rates and external debt have a significant positive impact on economic growth. These findings indicate that policies that promote banking stability, prudent exchange rate management, and effective use of external debt can support sustainable economic growth in BRICS countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the impact of the characteristics of sustainable boards and NGO directors on biodiversity disclosures. This research uses data from 481 US companies that are taken from Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P), ASSET4, for the period 2009–2020 (5616 company‐year observations). Data on NGO directors is provided by MSCI's GMI Rankings database. A panel data analysis with fixed effects models is used to estimate the results. The results also indicate that a sustainable board structure (proxied by Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) and Sustainability‐related executive compensation) is positively correlated with biodiversity disclosure. Our empirical results also show that the moderating role of NGO directors has a greater interaction effect with the characteristics of sustainable boards and biodiversity information disclosure initiatives. The results are also consistent for exploitative and nonexploitative industries, as well as for the pre‐ and post SDG (14–15) of the agenda 2030. In addition, the framework of SDG (14‐15) and the strategic plan of partnership with the Agenda of 2030 show a positive relationship with biodiversity disclosure. We then develop a causal relationship through the positive impact of NGO directors serving on the board of directors on a strategy of partnerships, onboarding, and increase/decrease of NGO directors—possible mechanisms by which NGO directors can influence biodiversity disclosure. Overall, our findings suggest that while NGO directors can potentially be appointed to a company's board of directors for legitimization reasons, these directors are associated with better biodiversity disclosure. The study has valuable implications for enduring board members, practitioners, and scholars. The results are supported by theories of legitimacy, stakeholders and resource dependence. However, evidence on this research question is still unknown and critical, especially in the context of stakeholder‐emphasized governance systems (continental Europe, Japan) and developing countries where there is a lack of knowledge application of regulations related to the disclosure of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability-linked discussion has gained international importance, with the banking sector being an essential pillar of the new economy, particularly through channeling financial resources to environmentally friendly economic activities. It is, however, still unclear if ESG is profitable, both for the economy and banks. This paper aims at filling this gap by presenting, from a macroeconomic perspective, the impact of ESG efforts and the banking sector's contribution to a sustainable economy. Using panel regression models with fixed effects, the study investigates the impact of ESG factors and banking activity on economic growth. The results show a negative relationship between country-level ESG scores and economic growth, both in the short and long run, while increased financial intermediation by the banking sector, used as a proxy of potential green lending activity, does not necessarily enhance economic growth. Through delving into the interplay between the ESG score, economic development, and banking activity, this research could serve as a discussion point for economists, bankers, and policymakers when designing the economic and financial strategies for transitioning to a green economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As economic development continues to advance globally, countries are increasingly focused on the green transformation of their economies. This paper employs a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and entropy weighting methodology to construct and assess an indicator system for economic green transformation, taking into account environmental pollution. The analysis is based on panel data from 215 prefecture-level cities in China between 2015 and 2019. The two-way fixed effects model and moderating effect model are employed to investigate the influence of land finance on economic green transformation and to ascertain the moderating effect mechanism of local government debt. The study's conclusions are as follows: (1) Land finance impedes the transition to a green economy. (2) Local government debt is a major factor that restricts the influence of land finance on the transition to a green economy; as local government debt levels rise, land finance's role in impeding the transition to a green economy rises, and a positive moderating effect occurs. (3) Depending on the urban geographic location, the size of the economy and other factors, the impact of local government debt and land finance on the economic green transition varies. This empirical study demonstrates that the more local government debt there is in an eastern region or city with a bigger economic output scale, the more of an inhibitory influence land finance has on the economic transition to a green economy. In light of this, the paper suggests that the land finance policy be updated at the appropriate time, that the land market be regulated, that the government's reliance on land finance be gradually decreased, that the nature and amount of public debt be actively optimised, that the industrial infrastructure be enhanced to facilitate the transition towards a more environmentally sustainable economy, and that other suggestions be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the impacts of unstable off-farm employment on the probability and stability of farmland rent-out and explore its mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach: The paper adopts Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Probit, Tobit, Order probit models with two-way fixed effects to conduct empirical analysis based on the balanced panel data collected in 2016 and 2023 with a national representativeness sample of 1,206 rural households in 100 villages across 5 provinces in China. Findings: The empirical results showed that unstable off-farm employment had negative effects on the probability of farmland rent-out, but it had no effects on the stability of farmland rent-out. The mechanism analysis showed that unstable off-farm employment affected the probability of farmland rent-out by decreasing the probability of purchasing houses in city and endowment insurance with high pension. Heterogeneity analysis indicated that the negative effect of unstable off-farm employment was much larger for the households with higher share of labor engaging in off-farm employment outside home county, elder members in the households and those located in the villages of mountain areas. Originality/value: This paper is the first to define the unstable off-farm employment from the perspective of incontiguous off-farm employment for several years, which could capture the normality rather than particular case in a certain year of off-farm employment among rural labors. Using these new measurements of unstable off-farmland, this paper examined the impacts and mechanisms of share of unstable off-farm employment on the probability and stability of farmland rent-out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to discern the role of digital finance in driving rural industrial integration and revitalization. Specifically, it intends to shed light on how the deep development of digital finance can contribute to the optimization and transformation of the rural industrial structure. The research further explores the particular effects of this financial transformation in the central and western regions of China. Design/methodology/approach: This research studies the influence of digital finance on rural industrial integration across 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2020. Utilizing the entropy weight method, a comprehensive evaluation index system is established to gauge the level of rural industrial integration. A two-way fixed effects model, intermediary effect model, and threshold effect model are employed to decipher the relationship between digital finance and rural industrial integration. Findings: Findings reveal a positive relationship between digital finance and rural industrial integration. A single threshold feature was identified: beyond a traditional finance development level, the marginal effect of digital finance on rural industrial integration increases. These effects are more noticeable in central and western regions. Originality/value: Empirical outcomes contribute to policy discourse on rural digital finance, assisting policymakers in crafting effective strategies. Understanding the threshold of traditional finance development provides a new perspective on the potential of digital finance to drive rural industrial integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental care in birds encompasses many behaviours, from selecting nest‐sites and supplying eggs with nutrients to incubation and offspring provisioning. Unlike the early stages, where offspring are passive receivers of care, chicks actively solicit care after hatching. This may lead to either parent–offspring conflict or coadaptation, or both, if there is genetic variance in both parental provisioning and offspring begging. However, given that parental provisioning is highly responsive to brood size and age, its genetic determination is questioned. In this study, we used a multigenerational pedigree and 11 years of provisioning data to dissect the variation in this trait in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis, and to examine whether offspring provisioning changes as parents age. We found that the parental provisioning rate was weakly repeatable (r = 0.088–0.213) and heritable (h2 = 0.052–0.158). Higher values were obtained when calculated based on within‐individual averages rather than individual measurements, and after adjusting for fixed effects. Older parents provisioned offspring at a lower frequency than younger ones. An additive genetic component in provisioning indicates potential for the evolution of parental care, parent–offspring coadaptation and indirect genetic effects on offspring traits. Future studies employing new tracking technologies, including accelerometers, radars and radio‐frequency identification readers, may help to determine whether senescence or increased experience causes the lower rate of offspring provisioning observed in older parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate board interlocks and their relationship to the transparency of sustainability disclosure, drawing on the theoretical perspectives of resource dependence theory and agency theory. We ascertain that board members who gain sustainability experience by serving on another board will influence the transparency of sustainability disclosure for the focal firm. The study analyzes data from S&P 1500 firms in the U.S. from 2009 to 2018, using ordinary least squares regressions. Our findings demonstrate that the focal firms' sustainability disclosure will be more transparent if their boards have interlocking directors with experience gained from other boards in current or prior years. Furthermore, we find that the sustainability experience of interlocked firms interacts with both gender diversity and board independence, leading to an enhancement in the transparency of sustainability disclosure. In addition, we conduct robustness tests such as performing propensity score matching, controlling for firm fixed effects, and applying entropy matching. These additional tests provide consistent results to confirm and strengthen our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between oil price uncertainty (OPU) and corporate inventory investments using a sample of 6,072 USA manufacturing firms from 1992 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach: The author's study employs a panel dataset to examine the relationship between OPU and corporate inventory investments. The author uses several alternative specifications such as fixed effects models, an instrumental variable analysis, an impact threshold for confounding variable (ITCV) analysis, alternative measures, additional control variables and the percent bias analysis to account for endogeneity issues. Findings: Corporate inventory investments decrease in response to high OPU. This decrease in inventory investments happens regardless of firms' expected stockout costs, information environment and reliance on external financing. As a potential mechanism, an uncertainty-induced increase in cash holdings contributes to this reduction in inventory investments. Also, the effect of OPU is non-linear and asymmetric. In response to the volatility of positive (negative) oil price changes, inventory investments decrease (increase) up to a certain point and increase (decrease) after that. Further, uncertainty-induced adjustments in inventory investments positively influence the operating performance of firms. Originality/value: The author's study adds to the growing literature that examines the impact of OPU on corporate outcomes. Inventory investments directly affect business operations and could better reflect firms' responses to an uncertain environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of China's economy has been accompanied by high levels of energy consumption and pollution. This development mode poses great challenges to the sustainable development of China's economy and environment, and it also creates contradictions in regional environmental governance. To realize healthy, harmonious and sustainable economic development, improving technology, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions have become choices that China has to make for intensive economic growth. In this study, we first estimate energy efficiency at the provincial level in China with the super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (SE-DEA) model; we then analyze the current status of carbon emissions and estimate the reverse technology spillover effect of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Second, Tobit regression and fixed effects models are used to test the impact of the reverse technology spillovers of OFDI and energy efficiency on carbon emissions, and the instrumental variable method is used to test for endogeneity. The regression results of various methods prove that our conclusion is robust. Finally, the mediating effect of energy efficiency is estimated, confirming that the reverse technology spillovers of OFDI not only directly affect carbon emissions but also indirectly affect carbon emissions through energy efficiency. Based on the research above, we propose policy recommendations for using the reverse technology spillovers of OFDI to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how the presence of female executives on the board affects a company's capital structure decisions. The critical mass of female executives on the board was also considered to observe their impact on capital structure. Design/methodology/approach: Samples were taken from nonfinancial sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between 2012 and 2021 (3,707 firm-year observations). Capital structure was measured using four approaches, namely, debt-to-total asset ratio (DAR), debt-to-equity ratio (DER), short-term debt-to-total assets (STD) and long-term debt-to-total assets (LTD). The data were analyzed using panel data regression analysis, including a fixed effects model with clustered standard errors. Findings: The presence of female executives on the board is significantly negatively related to capital structure as measured by DER and STD. The critical mass of women provided no evidence of a relationship with a firm's capital structure. Robustness checks were performed, and the results were consistent with those in the main analysis. Research limitations/implications: Female executives can be appointed to management boards when determining a strategy to achieve the capital structure desired by a company. Originality/value: This study increases the diversity of research in corporate governance by synthesizing various indicators from female executives into a single study to determine their relationships with companies' capital structures. In addition, this study stands out by incorporating four distinct indicators for assessing capital structure and diverging from the norm observed in many other studies, many of which rely on just two indicators: DAR and DER. Moreover, it strongly emphasizes the unique economic, legal, social and cultural landscapes of developing countries like Indonesia in comparison to their developed counterparts, particularly Western nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of China's objectives for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, there is an opportunity for fintech to leverage its technological advantages and enhance its integration with green finance (GF). This can bring about enhanced coverage and precision of financial services for green industries, facilitating the transformation towards a sustainable, greener, and low-carbon real economy. We investigate how fintech development influences the carbon emission reduction effects of GF utilizing a two-way fixed effects model with a panel dataset covering 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020. Our findings indicate that the negative impact of GF on carbon emissions (CE) is heightened in areas with high levels of fintech development. Furthermore, we notice regional disparities in how fintech development impacts the effectiveness of GF in reducing CE. Specifically, fintech has a statistically significant impact in the central and western regions, whereas its significance is absent in the eastern region. Lastly, our mechanism analysis reveals that fintech plays a vital role in enhancing GF's capacity to mitigate CE, which is achieved through channels of promoting green technology innovation (GTI), alleviating corporate financing constraints (FC), and optimizing energy structure (ES). These findings provide compelling evidence for the positive effect of fintech on the environment and offer justification for promoting the development of fintech and GF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of government behavior on emission reductions has gained widespread attention, but fewer studies have explored the relationship between vertical transfers (VT) and carbon emissions (CE). We empirically test the CE reduction mechanism of VT by constructing two‐way fixed effects models based on data of 278 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2020. Empirical analysis finds that VT reduce the taxing efforts of local governments and the tax burden of enterprises, promote the upgrading of enterprises' production technology, and ultimately reduces CE. Conclusions suggest that transfer payments should be actively used to establish preferential policies to assist enterprises in reducing CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bias correction can often improve the finite sample performance of estimators. We show that the choice of bias correction method has no effect on the higher‐order variance of semiparametrically efficient parametric estimators, so long as the estimate of the bias is asymptotically linear. It is also shown that bootstrap, jackknife, and analytical bias estimates are asymptotically linear for estimators with higher‐order expansions of a standard form. In particular, we find that for a variety of estimators the straightforward bootstrap bias correction gives the same higher‐order variance as more complicated analytical or jackknife bias corrections. In contrast, bias corrections that do not estimate the bias at the parametric rate, such as the split‐sample jackknife, result in larger higher‐order variances in the i.i.d. setting we focus on. For both a cross‐sectional MLE and a panel model with individual fixed effects, we show that the split‐sample jackknife has a higher‐order variance term that is twice as large as that of the "leave‐one‐out" jackknife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy is gradually emerging as a new driving force and engine for high-quality economic development. In the context of reaching carbon peak and carbon neutrality, can the digital economy empower the development of urban green technology innovation? Based on the panel data of 274 cities in China from 2011 to 2019, this paper measures the development level of digital economy at the city level and employs the two-way fixed effect model to empirically analyze the impact of digital economy on urban green technology innovation. The results indicate that: (1) Digital economy development exert a significant positive impact on urban green technology innovation. This conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests. (2) Digital economy enhances urban green technology innovation by optimizing human capital structure, enhancing the level of financial and credit investment, and strengthening public environmental concern. (3) Heterogeneity analyses show that the digital economy has a greater positive effect on green technology innovation in the eastern region and non-resource cities. The higher the level of intellectual property protection and the better the development of the factor market, and the lower the intensity of environmental regulation, the greater the positive effect of the digital economy on urban green technology innovation. These findings are not only of great practical significance for accelerating the development of green technology innovation in China, but also serve as a reference for other developing countries to utilize the digital economy to empower the development of green technology innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atlantic Review of Economics / Revista Atlántica de Economía is the property of Colegio de Economistas de La Coruna and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)