Adverse Consequences Research Articles

Institutional confidence, underreporting and academic consequences of gender-based violence among university staff and students in Europe

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationship between reporting incidents of gender-based violence, adverse academic consequences, and confidence in institutional responses within academic institutions based on an online survey conducted in 46 research organisations located in 15 European countries. By ‘academic consequences’, we refer specifically to the effects on an individual's educational pursuits, including but not limited to changes in academic performance, disruptions in coursework, and alterations in educational trajectories. Our results show that reporting gender-based violence is associated with increased severity of academic consequences, but that confidence in institutional responses has a negative association with adverse academic consequences. The level of confidence in institutional responses is identified as a moderator, intensifying the protective effect against adverse academic consequences, but interestingly only among staff. A multilevel intersectional analysis is used, considering various identity characteristics and accounting for structural inequalities. The article concludes with a discussion of the critical role of confidence in institutional responses and suggests that institutions must move beyond procedural adjustments to foster a holistic change in culture, norms, and power structures. Recommendations for institutions include developing safe and confidential reporting mechanisms, building trust in responses, and fostering a culture of respect and zero tolerance for violence to effectively address this critical issue in academic settings.

A Conditional Indirect Effects Analysis of Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, Social Support, and Race With Alcohol Consumption among Postpartum Mothers.

Alcohol use and alcohol-related mortality for pregnant and postpartum women have increased, and there are racial disparities in both alcohol consumption and pregnancy outcomes. In addition, data indicate that women of Color are more likely to experience many forms of violence and face more adverse consequences from violence than non-Hispanic White women. Therefore, the current study examined how the direct and indirect pathways between intimate partner violence (IPV), depressive symptoms, and alcohol consumption are moderated by both social support and race among postpartum women. In 2022, a cross-sectional survey was administered to participants across the U.S., including 503 postpartum mothers. Participants responded to a survey battery assessing three social support strategies (appraisal support, belonging support, and tangible support), IPV, depressive symptomology, race, and alcohol consumption. A conditional process model was specified to examine the multifaceted direct and indirect relationships between IPV, the three aspects of social support, depressive symptomology, race, and alcohol consumption among postpartum mothers. Postpartum mothers experiencing violence consumed more alcohol, and depressive symptoms partially accounted for this relationship; however, some pathways were conditional upon either social support or race. For instance, women of Color who experienced violence consumed more alcohol than White women who experienced violence. Also, the protective effects of Appraisal Support in relation to depressive symptoms was stronger for White women than women of Color, while higher Belonging Support was more protective against alcohol consumption for women of Color than White women. Each social support approach contributed unique insights into the multidimensional nature of these relationships, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for prevention-intervention efforts utilizing social support as a key buffering mechanism.

Spatial heterogeneity and predictors of stunting among under five children in Mozambique: a geographically weighted regression

IntroductionChildhood stunting, a major public health concern in many developing countries, is associated with impaired physical and cognitive development, increased risk of infectious diseases, and long-term adverse health and economic consequences. Mozambique is among the countries with the highest stunting rates in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to examine the spatial variation and identify the predictors of stunting among children under the age of five years in Mozambique.MethodsWe utilized children’s recode data and geographic coordinates extracted from the 2022–23 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey dataset. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling approach was employed. The study included a total weighted sample of 3,910 children under the age of five years. A geographically weighted regression was used to identify predictors of stunting.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five in Mozambique was 31.26% (95% CI: 29.88 to 32.65%). The Nampula (46.00%), Cabo Delgado (43.79%), Manica (40.88%), Zambezia (38.27%), Niassa (35.52%), and Tete (34.85%) regions of Mozambique were identified as hotspot areas of stunting. Several factors were significantly associated with the spatial heterogeneity in stunting, where household wealth index (poor and middle categories) and Mother’s age (15–19 years) were positively associated with higher occurrence of stunting, while having an employed mother and being a child under 2 years of age were negatively associated with stunting occurrence.ConclusionThe spatial heterogeneity in stunting patterns highlighted by this analysis suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to address child undernutrition in Mozambique may not be effective. Instead, tailored, location-specific strategies that account for the predictors of stunting are necessary to effectively combat this persistent public health challenge. Policymakers and program implementers should prioritize the hotspot regions for targeted interventions, while also maintaining and strengthening the factors contributing to the lower stunting prevalence in the cold spot areas.

Poor access to breastfeeding counseling services and associated factors among lactating mothers who had optimal antenatal care follow-up in Sub-saharan Africa: a multilevel analysis of the recent Demographic and Health Survey

BackgroundInadequate access to services for breastfeeding counseling results in poor breastfeeding practices and adverse health consequences. Although poor access to breastfeeding counseling services is a major challenge, its magnitude and determinantes are not well studied in developing countries. Therefore, this study assessed the magnitude and determinants of poor access to breastfeeding counseling services among lactating mothers who had optimal antenatal care follow-up in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsData from the recent Demographic and Health Surveys, involving a total of 289,929 women, were used for analysis. The determinants of poor access to breastfeeding counseling services were examined using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Significant factors associated with poor access to breastfeeding counseling services were declared significant at p-values < 0.05. The adjusted odds ratio and confidence interval were used to interpret the results. A model with the lowest deviance and highest log likelihood ratio was selected as the best-fit model.ResultsIn Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly one in two women with optimal antenatal care follow-up had poor access to breastfeeding counseling services. Maternal age (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.38), maternal education (AOR = 1.128, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.35), distance to health facility (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.21), media exposure (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.17), wealth index (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.10), place of delivery (AOR = 4.31, 95% CI: 4.11, 4.52), PNC (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI: 3.78, 4.07), mode of delivery (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.76, 2.02), birth interval (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.17), residence (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.18), community poverty (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.15), community institutional delivery (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12), country category (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 2.10, 2.37), had higher odds of poor access to breastfeeding counseling services.ConclusionsPoor access to breastfeeding counseling services among lactating mothers was found to be high. Both individual and community-level factors were determinants of poor access to breastfeeding counseling services. The Ministry of Health in Sub-Saharan Africa should give attention to those women who have not had a postnatal check-up and give birth at home while designing policies and strategies.

Taxation and Corporate Governance

Legal and economic scholars have examined the intersection between corporate governance and taxation; however, recent legal scholarship has generally focused on the interplay between director compensation, management measures in the face of the market for corporate control, and the double taxation of inter-corporate dividends. Other aspects of the relationship between corporate governance and taxation have received limited attention. This article aims to fill this gap in the literature. First, this paper discusses the corporate agency problem and the existing justifications for the corporate tax. Second, this paper argues that the corporate tax can be justified on the ground that it mitigates the corporate agency problem more effectively and with fewer adverse consequences than alternative taxation systems.

ADHD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN A POST-SECONDARY STATISTICS COURSE: MEDIATING FACTORS

Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a widely spread phenomenon affecting learning abilities and performance. The aim of the research is to test the mechanism linking ADHD with statistics test performance. We found a significant indirect path linking the ADHD diagnosis and the final grade. ADHD was linked to lower self-efficacy, leading to a more negative attitude towards statistics and lower grades. While treating ADHD is beyond the ability of a course lecturer, its adverse consequences such as impaired performance, can be addressed in the classroom setting. Lecturers should be encouraged to take steps towards increasing the self-efficacy and positive perception of statistics of their students. This may help improve the performance of students with ADHD without having to directly treat the disorder.

Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This clinical trial aims to evaluate the influence of taVNS on autonomic functions, rectal sensation, and acetylcholine (Ach) levels and to explore potential mechanisms involving gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. This study was a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial executed at the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Anhui, China. Individual patients' IBS-C-related symptoms and mental health were assessed and scored using questionnaires at baseline and at week 4. Levels of Serum Ach and nitric oxide (NO), anorectal manometry, and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed both prior to and following the therapy. Fecal samples from each group were assessed to compare the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolites. Between September 2023 and May 2024, 40 participants (n=20 in both taVNS and sham-taVNS group) completed the four-week study by performing an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. No differences in all parameters between taVNS and sham-taVNS groups at the baseline was found. The taVNS significantly improved the VAS score (P < 0.001), IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) (P < 0.001), weekly frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) (P < 0.001), weekly frequency of complete SBMs (CSBMs) (P = 0.004), Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) (P < 0.001), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) (P < 0.001), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) (P < 0.001), and IBS-QOL scores (P < 0.001). Furthermore, taVNS improved rectal sensation in IBS-C patients, including improvements in the threshold volume for initial sensation (P = 0.033), the urge to defecate (P = 0.022), and rectoanal inhibitory reflex (P = 0.002). Moreover, taVNS elevated serum levels of Ach (P = 0.005) and reduced NO (P = 0.016) while also enhancing vagal activity (P < 0.001) as determined by spectral analysis of HRV. Three individuals in the taVNS group and two in the control group had adverse consequences, which were manageable. Additionally, taVNS led to a significant rise in the level of the genus Bifidobacterium (P = 0.038), increased levels of acetic (P = 0.003), butyric (P = 0.011), and propionic acids (P = 0.005). It also decreased tryptophan metabolism content, including 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (P = 0.007), anthranilic acid (P = 0.026) and L-tryptophan (P = 0.002). The study manifested that non-invasive taVNS effectively improved constipation and abdominal pain symptoms in IBS-C patients. The alleviation of IBS-C symptoms may be attributed to the integrative effects of taVNS on rectal functions, mediated through vagal, cholinergic, and multi-omics mechanisms.

Environmental Performance and SDGs: How Do Income Disparity, Urbanization, Resource Consumption, and Female Employers Affect the Ecological Footprint in Emerging Economies?

ABSTRACTThe significance of environmental deterioration as a pressing issue has led to its prominence in global discussions on strategies for prevention. It can be asserted that there exists a universal agreement that the enhancement of environmental quality is imperative for the promotion of sustainable development and societal well‐being, especially in emerging economies. In this perspective, the present research uses panel data of the E7 economies from 1992 to 2021 to assess the effects of income disparity, urbanization, resources consumption (nonrenewable and renewable energy consumption), and women employers on ecological footprint. This study employs second‐generation empirical techniques such as CIPS and CADF unit root tests, Westerlund bootstrap cointegration, and DFE/MG/PMG‐ARDL models to check the relationships between the studied variables. The empirical findings of this study reveal that in the E7 countries, the ecological footprint is increased with an increased income disparity and nonrenewable energy consumption. On the other hand, urbanization, renewable energy consumption, and female employers help reduce the ecological footprint. Additionally, the results of the causality measure under the Dumitrescu and Hurlin test unveil bidirectional causality between all the independent variables except nonrenewable energy and ecological footprint. From the policy perspective, the selected countries must implement policies that promote equitable income distribution, planned urbanization to promote compact cities, efficient transportation systems, and green infrastructure, and provide opportunities for women to attain higher positions in organizations, particularly at the managerial and decision‐making levels in order to address the adverse environmental consequences in emerging economies.

Remote sensing of cyanobacterias with Sentinel-2 in the Salto Grande

Abstract. The Salto Grande Reservoir of the Uruguay River experiences recurrent increases of cyanobacteria bloom, which negatively impacts water quality, with adverse consequences for public health and tourism. This study uses images from the Sentinel-2 satellite to investigate different methods for detecting and monitoring cyanobacteria. Two indices are calculated and two models are applied for the detection of cyanobacteria: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Chlorophyll-a models M1 and M2, which have not previously been evaluated with images from Sentinel-2. NDVI is commonly used to identify areas with vegetation cover. The NDWI, using green and near-infrared (NIR) bands, is used as a filter for the application of Chlorophyl-A models since it is very useful for the identification of aquatic areas. Both M1 and M2 estimate the concentration of chlorophyll in the water, with model M2 demonstrating greater efficiency in the detection of cyanobacteria compared to model M1. Sentinel-2 images allow the correct observation of variations in the concentration of cyanobacteria in the riverbed, facilitating the monitoring of seasonal changes and cyanobacteria blooms. The results of our investigation underlines the effectiveness of NDWI when used with the Sentinel-2 images for identifying surface water areas and the M2-Chlorophyll-a model for detecting cyanobacteria in them. Combining these indices with on-site measurements is likely to offer a robust approach to monitoring and managing of the Salto Grande Reservoir.

Rethinking the impact of water-saving technologies and market incentives: lessons from Mercy Corps’ water innovation technologies program

Abstract In the face of unrelenting water crises, water-saving technologies are increasingly relied upon as a paradigm for managing scarce water resources in the agricultural sector. This approach is gaining momentum in international forums and among development practitioners focused on improving the sustainability and efficiency of their water security interventions. Following this trend, the integration of market incentives to foster the uptake of water-saving technologies (WSTs) is not surprising. However, recent literature on water-saving technologies and related incentives paints an ambiguous picture of the impact these technologies can have. On one hand, there is evidence that supports the efficacy of market incentives in promoting water-saving practices and the adoption of WSTs. On the other hand, there are also concerns about the potential adverse consequences of introducing WSTs, including promoting unsustainable water consumption and exacerbating inequalities. This study focuses on Mercy Corps’ Water Innovation Technologies program in Jordan, a country grappling with severe water scarcity. It specifically examines how market mechanisms played a crucial role in saving approximately 24 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to around 9,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Driven by this significant achievement, the study delves deeper into the efficacy of market-based approaches, while also considering their potential limitations. The conclusion offers a critical perspective on how the promotion of WST through market-based approaches can ensure that water savings contribute to both environmental sustainability and human well-being. In particular, Mercy Corps' practitioner perspective advocates for governance reforms that limit and prevent unsustainable consumption, facilitate and ensure equitable access to WSTs, and promote the fair redistribution of water savings across different users.

Lipocalin-2 and intestinal diseases.

Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier is a prevalent phenomenon observed across a spectrum of diseases, encompassing conditions such as mesenteric artery dissection, inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis, and sepsis. In these pathological states, the integrity of the intestinal barrier, which normally serves to regulate the selective passage of substances between the gut lumen and the bloodstream, becomes compromised. This compromised barrier function can lead to a range of adverse consequences, including increased permeability to harmful substances, the translocation of bacteria and their products into systemic circulation, and heightened inflammatory responses within the gut and beyond. Understanding the mechanisms underlying intestinal barrier dysfunction in these diverse disease contexts is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring barrier integrity and ameliorating disease progression. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) expression is significantly upregulated during episodes of intestinal inflammation, making it a pivotal indicator for gauging the extent of such inflammatory processes. Notably, however, LCN2 derived from distinct cellular sources, whether intestinal epithelial cells or immune cells, exhibits notably divergent functional characteristics. Furthermore, the multifaceted nature of LCN2 is underscored by its varying roles across different diseases, sometimes even demonstrating contradictory effects.

Problematising Sharenting of Supermoms in a Neoliberal Context

The representation of motherhood using digital platforms, which we call sharenting, can shape the socially constructed motherhood identity, i.e., supermoms in modern societies. Despite building a positive identity as mothers, supermoms may unintentionally violate their children’s privacy, instrumentalise, and even monetise the children. We examine sharenting and supermom identities as manifestations of neoliberal repositioning women as mothers and employees with little consideration of their unarticulated struggles. Drawing on a netnographic study of social media practices, we analysed fifteen working supermom accounts with over two hundred thousand followers, where child-related content was shared and posted between 2019 and 2023. We find that sharenting is often employed to construct the identity of supermoms, yet it frequently leads to the exploitation of children for profit-driven purposes, thereby increasing their vulnerability. We contribute to the literature by offering empirical evidence that the supermom identity is a by-product of the neoliberal system, which normalises time-intensive demands on women in the workplace and caregiving roles. Furthermore, we highlight the adverse consequences of sharenting and provide critical insights into the privacy and security risks associated with child-related digital content.

Study on the Impact of Corporate Training on the Employees Willingness to Leave

Human resources are know for their fluidity nature. The phenomenon of excessive departure rates within enterprises brings numerous adverse consequences. It is indeed a significant issue that poses a disturbance to the long-term development of businesses. In addition, organizational identity plays a crucial role as it can enhance the sense of affiliation and loyalty that employees hold towards the organization, thereby making them more willing to stay. Organizational culture, being a soft force of the enterprise, is capable of creating an excellent working environment. It enhances employees' identification and sense of belonging to the organization, boosts their job satisfaction, and have an important impact on reducing the tendency to leave. Moreover, the theory of organizational integration can improve employees' sense of belonging and loyalty to the organization, ultimately making them more inclined to remain within it.

A longitudinal study of alcohol consumption among adults in Victoria, Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst public health measures were effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission, unintended negative consequences may have occurred. This study aims to assess changes alcohol consumption and the heavy episodic drinking (HED) during the pandemic. Data were from the Optimise Study, a longitudinal cohort of Australian adults September 2020-August 2022 that over-sampled priority populations at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, developing severe COVID-19 or experiencing adverse consequences of lockdowns. Frequency of alcohol consumption (mean number of days per week) and past-week HED were self-reported. Generalised linear models estimated the association between time and (1) the frequency of alcohol consumption and (2) heavy episodic drinking. Data from 688 participants (mean age: 44.7 years, SD:17.0; 72.7% female) and 10,957 surveys were included. Mean days of alcohol consumption per week decreased from 1.92 (SD: 1.92) in 2020 to 1.54 (SD:1.94) in 2022. The proportion of participants reporting HED decreased from 25.4% in 2020 to 13.1% in 2022. During two lockdown periods, known as "lockdown five", (OR:0.65, 95%CI [0.47,0.90]) and "lockdown six" (OR:0.76, 95%CI [0.67,0.87]), participants were less likely to report HED. Participants alcohol drinking frequency and HED decreased during the pandemic. This study provides a strong description of alcohol consumption during the pandemic and suggests that lockdowns did not have the unintended consequences of increased alcohol consumption.

Be Divergent, Be Green! The Moderating Role of Gender in the Association Between Divergent Thinking and Pro-Environmental Behaviours in Children

Background/Objectives: The environmental crisis has begun as a daily challenge for present and forthcoming generations. This scenario highlights the need to adopt many pro-environmental strategies to avoid its adverse consequences. Consequently, it is of paramount importance to comprehend the fundamental psychological and cognitive characteristics that may encourage young children to participate in Pro-Environmental Behaviours (PEBs). Previous research has explored key psychological factors like values, norms, and beliefs influencing children’s pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs), but the impact of cognitive processes is still debated. This research explored the association between divergent thinking (DT) and PEBs, also addressing the potential involvement of gender. Methods: The study involved 348 children (Mage = 8.78 years; SDage = 1.79; range age 6–13; 174 girls) who completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Pro-Environmental Behaviour Questionnaire, and the Alternative Uses Task (AUT). Results: The statistical analysis indicated that gender moderates the relationship between children’s DT-creativity and PEBs (B = 0.08, SE = 0.04, t = 2.05; 95% CIs [0.0033, 0.1659]), strengthening this association. Conclusions: These findings yielded further evidence on the impact of cognitive processes, such as DT on PEBs, extending the knowledge regarding the critical role of gender in this intricate relationship.

Longitudinal Trends in the Incidence of Hyperactive Delirium and Its Causes of Change After Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Disease: A Population-Based Study of 7250 Surgical Patients Over 11 Years.

Delirium is one of the common complications in elderly patients after spinal surgery. Severe delirium can lead to a series of adverse consequences such as drainage tube removal, wound rupture, patient falls, and severe adverse effects. The current research on POD is mostly small sample studies. This study aimed to investigate longitudinal changes in the incidence of hyper-postoperative delirium in patients with lumbar degenerative disease at our institution over the past 11 years and to identify the potential causes of these changes. This is a retrospective cohort study included 7250 patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbar degenerative diseases at a single center from 2011 to 2021. These patients were diagnosed with delirium through the Confusion Assessment Method and then diagnosed with high activity delirium through the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, totaling 130 cases. According to the incidence rate of hyper-postoperative delirium within 11 years, the trend test is divided into three groups: S1 upward trend (2011-2014), S2 downward trend (2015-2016) and S3 upward trend (2016-2021). The study collected variables from patients before, during, and after surgery, including gender, age, laboratory tests, anesthesia risk score, New York Heart Association cardiac function grading, number of surgical segments, surgical time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, anesthesia medication, and supplementary analgesic medication in the ward within 3 days after surgery. Kruskal Wallis one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, or chi-square test are used to evaluate inter group differences. p < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. The pooled incidence of hyper-postoperative delirium over the past 11 years was 1.79% (130/7250). The average age of 7250 patients was 54.5 ± 13 years, with a male/female ratio close to 1:1. We statistically analyzed the relevant influencing factors before, during, and after surgery of S1 and S3 in the incidence rate increase group and found no statistical difference between the two groups. Our research results show that the incidence of high activity delirium is correlated with age, number of surgical segments, surgical duration, use of dexmedetomidine, remifentanil, and benzodiazepines, with p < 0.05. The reduced use of dexmedetomidine, increased use of benzodiazepines, and prolonged surgical time are the reasons for the increased incidence of hyper-postoperative delirium. The joint management of orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists during the perioperative period is of great significance in reducing the incidence of hyper-postoperative delirium in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.

Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@TiO2@Zeolite nanocomposite adsorbent for the removal of Levoflaxin antibiotic from environmental water matrices

AbstractThe presence of pharmaceuticals in water matrices has been a major problem because of its expected adverse consequences on oceanic biological systems and human well-being. Levofloxacin (Levo), a persistent and widely used antibiotic, has emerged as a significant pollutant in water samples. Its resistance to conventional water treatment processes poses challenges for its removal. This work focuses on preparing and characterizing a magnetic nanocomposite adsorbent (Fe3O4@TiO2@Zeolite) designed to efficiently remove levofloxacin from the water samples, leveraging the Fe₃O₄ properties for easy separation and recovery of the adsorbent, TiO2 for its adsorption capacity, while zeolite’s porous structure and high ion-exchange capacity improve adsorption efficiency. Together, these materials create a robust, multifunctional composite with promising applications for pollutant removal from aqueous environments. The adsorption of Levo antibiotic exhibited excellent fitting to both the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 1) and the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9240) together with the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.999). Furthermore, the thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process of Levo was spontaneous and endothermic. This implies that the interaction between Levo and the Fe3O4@TiO2@Zeolite nanocomposite, developed in this study, is favourable and requires energy input. The Fe3O4@TiO2@Zeolite nanocomposite demonstrated a promising efficacy in the removal of Levo from wastewater samples, with removal percentage ranging between 92.43 and 96.95%. The prepared Fe3O4@TiO2@Zeolite composite material could be regenerated up to the 5th cycle. This highlights the potential of the nanocomposite as an effective remedy for the purification of wastewater contaminated with Levo.

Carbon Footprint, Financial Structure, and Firm Valuation: An Empirical Investigation

This study aims to investigate the complex link between carbon emissions, firm value, and financial choice in regard to the GCC, a dynamic emerging economy. It also seeks to answer the question on whether the financial structure of a firm moderates the correlation between carbon emissions and firm value. We focus on analyzing data from non-financial firms registered on the GCC stock markets between 2010 and 2020. By applying the GLS technique, we assess the impact of carbon emissions on firm value and examine the manner in which a firm’s financial structure either enhances or hinders this relationship. The results demonstrate that there is a strong and adverse connection between carbon emissions and corporate value, as increased emissions translate into lower corporate value. The study then moves on to emphasize the critical role that capital financing plays in mitigating the detrimental effects of carbon emissions. This is accomplished by balancing both debt and equity in terms of their proper proportions (optimal capital structure). However, excessive borrowing could have adverse consequences in terms of carbon emissions on company value. Moreover, the GMM estimator is also applied to carry out a robustness check and the results are consistent with the main findings. This study highlights the significance of financial strategy in advancing sustainability and protecting business value. These findings are supported by both stakeholder and signaling theory, proving that companies can use their capital financing to signal their dedication to sustainability. These results could be used by GCC policymakers to create rules and regulations that encourage environmentally friendly corporate activities and efforts to lower emissions. The research expands the existing literature by examining the difficulties and opportunities faced by GCC firms when combining financial strategy with environmental objectives. It may be necessary to perform additional research in regard to various circumstances and for an extended period, because this study is restricted to non-financial sectors.

The relationship between natural resource rents and gender discrimination laws: evidence from panel data analysis

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of hydrocarbon rents on gender discrimination laws and the extent to which democratic institutions and women’s political participation condition this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses static and dynamic panel estimation including pooled-ordinary least squares, fixed and random effects and system generalized method of moments.FindingsThe results show that countries with higher hydrocarbon rents have higher levels of gender discrimination laws. Furthermore, there is a significant link between hydrocarbon rents and gender discrimination laws regardless of the quality of democratic institutions or strength of women’s political empowerment.Research limitations/implicationsThe index of gender discrimination laws is limited to laws that impact a woman’s access to employment and entrepreneurial activity once a woman enters the labor force and does not take into account implementation of the laws.Practical implicationsPolicymakers should promote output and export diversification and adopt gender-inclusive policies to counter the adverse consequences of gender discrimination laws associated with hydrocarbon resource wealth.Originality/valueWomen’s empowerment is a major issue on the global development agenda, featuring most notably in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on achieving women equality and empowerment of women and girls. There is scant evidence about how hydrocarbon rents impact gender discrimination laws, a pervasive obstacle to women’s economic and political empowerment. This paper fills this gap in the literature paper by examining the effect of hydrocarbon rents on gender discrimination laws.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2024-0174

Changes in taste perception in elderly population and its potential impact on oral health: a systematic review with meta-analysis

AimGustatory function plays a fundamental role in various aspects related to nutrition and health, and the decline in taste perception can result in a series of adverse consequences. This is expected with aging due to a decrease in taste buds and other conditions, leading to systemic and oral diseases. We aimed to compare taste sensitivity in the elderly population vs. adults.MethodsThis systematic review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. The search was performed in four databases, as well as in grey literature. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI's critical appraisal tools for observational studies. A meta-analysis with subgroups according to each flavor was conducted to obtain differences in means for adults vs. elderly (random-effects model).ResultsOut of the 5,660 studies retrieved, 18 observational studies were included, representing a total of 1,680 aged 18–59 years and 1,048 aged ≥ 60 years. Elderly individuals need higher concentrations to distinguish flavors compared to adults. In a qualitative analysis, all flavors showed differences between the groups, with sweet flavor being the easiest to recognize and the thresholds between the groups not being highly discrepant. However, in the meta-analysis, statistical differences were observed for sweet, salty, and umami flavors, while there were no statistical differences for sour and bitter flavors between the groups.ConclusionsThere are significant differences for distinguishing sweet, salty, and umami flavors between adults and elderly. Bitter and sour flavors did not exhibit differences in elderly.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=463873, PROSPERO (CRD42023463873).