Evidence In Favour Research Articles

Research participation effects and where to find them: a systematic review of studies on alcohol.

The term 'research participation effects' (RPEs) is intended to capture features and artefacts of study design that may affect measured outcomes in ways that introduce bias into research findings, impacting inference and outcome validity. This systematic review aims to identify which RPEs have been studied in the context of alcohol research and provide an overview of estimates of RPEs on self-reported alcohol consumption. This systematic review summarises the available evidence on research participation effects in alcohol research. Twenty-seven reports were included in the review. The reports included randomized controlled trials, studies-within-a-trial, between-subjects experiments, and qualitative investigations. A range of RPEs were addressed: assessment reactivity (N=15), being randomized to a waiting list control group (N=3), the impact of obtaining informed consent (N=2), experimentally induced social desirability (N=3), and the Hawthorne effect either specifically by name (N=2, one quantitative, one qualitative) or described as general RPE presence (N=2). The literature provided proportionally stronger evidence in favour of assessment reactivity and waiting list designs affecting alcohol outcomes contra obtaining informed consent or inducing social desirability. Variation in study quality, terminology, and outcome measures hinder comprehensive understanding and discussion of RPEs at present. Improved knowledge of RPEs and their potential long-term consequences in alcohol research, including a unified lexicon, would enhance trial design and improve on the certainty of evidence in alcohol research.

Non-dominant hand contractions do not facilitate performance under pressure in common desktop tasks.

Non-dominant hand contractions (NDHCs) have been shown to help expert motor skills in high-pressure scenarios that induce performance anxiety. Most studies of NHDCs under pressure have examined benefits in overlearned specialist movements (e.g., sporting skills), while few have considered if NDHCs can aid common movements with population-wide expertise (e.g., typing). Accordingly, across three experiments, we explored if NDHCs could protect or facilitate performance under time and/or evaluation pressure in a cursor positioning task (Experiments 1 & 2) and a typing task (Experiment 3). Despite varying the nature of the task, pressure manipulation, and design, and successfully manipulating state anxiety in each experiment, we found no evidence that NDHCs assist performance under pressure in these tasks. For the pressure × contraction condition interaction, the largest inclusion Bayes Factor was .40 for task response time and .62 for task error (Experiment 1), indicating evidence in favour of a null result. Our results, along with other recent studies in this area, cast doubt on the benefits of NDHCs under pressure outside sporting tasks and underline the need for a better mechanistic account of the phenomenon.

Exploring the spatial clustering and spillover effects of COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Romania: an analysis at municipality level

AbstractThis study investigates the spatial clustering and spillover effects of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Romania, focusing on the municipality-level distribution of vaccine acceptance and hesitancy while considering the factors that influence it. The research uses the Spatial Durbin Error Model (SDEM) and identifies spatial clusterization, as well as significant contagion and diffusion processes in the vaccination behaviour conditioned by socioeconomic factors, labour market characteristics, social and religious attitudes, urban, and health indicators. We find evidence in favour of spatial spillover effects of the poverty rate, opposition to same-sex marriage, COVID-19 infection rate, peri-urban towns, and denser cities. Our findings contribute to the literature of the spatial distribution and determinants of vaccine uptake and carry practical implications for policy makers offering evidence-based insights that can inform targeted strategies and interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance and address hesitancy in specific locations.

A nurse-led, telehealth transitional care intervention for people with multimorbidity: a feasibility study

Objective: We aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a nurse-led, telehealth transitional care intervention for people with multimorbidity. Design and methods: A feasibility study, using quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted at an 800-bed acute metropolitan hospital from March 2021 to January 2022. Eligible participants were adult inpatients with multimorbidity. The intervention involved three stages: (1) baseline risk of readmission assessment and collaborative development of a Transition Action Plan; (2) transitional care coordination following hospital discharge, and (3) handover to the primary healthcare provider. A Transition Coordinator delivered the intervention with the aim of determining the intervention’s feasibility in a practice environment. Acceptability to patients was assessed using a feedback survey. Acceptability to staff was noted through recorded interactions, collaboration, and feedback. Results: Twenty-one adults with a mean age of 78 years participated in the intervention. Participants had 3-10 comorbid chronic conditions, and the most common were hypertension (71%), other cardiovascular (66%), renal (52%), and diabetes (47%). Most patients (52%) were at medium risk of readmission and 38% were at high risk, however, only 24% of patients were readmitted. The study identified there is no routine risk of re-admission screening for patients with multimorbidity, and the intervention was found to be acceptable and feasible to patients, ward staff, and the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: The results indicated feasibility of a transitional care intervention for people with multimorbidity, and the need for routine risk of readmission screening for people with multimorbidity. Further research is required to determine if the intervention is cost-effective and associated with reduced rates of hospital readmission. What is already known about the topic? People with multimorbidity often receive fragmented health services, which may increase their risk of hospital readmission. Internationally, Transitional Care Model interventions improve the transition experience from acute hospital care to the community and reduce short-term readmission rates, for people with multimorbidity. Transitional Care Model interventions have shown improved health and economic benefits for older adults. However, these benefits have not been evaluated in Australia. What this paper adds This study provides evidence regarding the feasibility and acceptability of a low-cost, nurse-led, transitional care intervention to support people with multimorbidity transitioning from acute hospital care to home/community, in the Australian context. The study identified high support needs of participants upon transition and provides preliminary evidence in favour of a fundamental shift from discharge planning to stratified transition planning for patients with multimorbidity. Presently, on hospital admission, there is no systematic risk of readmission assessment or transition care planning and implementation for people with multimorbidity. This is a notable service gap requiring redress across South Australian Local Health Networks.

Evaluating meta-analysis as a replication success measure.

The importance of replication in the social and behavioural sciences has been emphasized for decades. Various frequentist and Bayesian approaches have been proposed to qualify a replication study as successful or unsuccessful. One of them is meta-analysis. The focus of the present study is on the way meta-analysis functions as a replication success metric. To investigate this, original and replication studies that are part of two large-scale replication projects were used. For each original study, the probability of replication success was calculated using meta-analysis under different assumptions of the underlying population effect when replication results were unknown. The accuracy of the predicted overall replication success was evaluated once replication results became available using adjusted Brier scores. Our results showed that meta-analysis performed poorly when used as a replication success metric. In many cases, quantifying replication success using meta-analysis resulted in the conclusion where the replication was deemed a success regardless of the results of the replication study. We conclude that when using meta-analysis as a replication success metric, it has a relatively high probability of finding evidence in favour of a non-zero population effect even when it is zero. This behaviour largely results from the significance of the original study. Furthermore, we argue that there are fundamental reasons against using meta-analysis as a metric for replication success.

The cross‐linguistic uses of proper names

AbstractA distinctive and widely recognized feature of proper names is that, unlike other words, names can be used across languages without modification. Yet, this feature of names—the prevalence and acceptability of their ‘cross‐linguistic’ uses—has been mostly overlooked within philosophy. This article highlights the theoretical importance of the cross‐linguistic uses of names in the debate concerning their syntax and semantics. It identifies an anomalous phonological feature of names in their cross‐linguistic uses and argues that the source of the anomaly is the widespread view that proper names are syntactically simple. It also argues that such uses provide evidence for the syntactic view that the phonological articulation of a name is mentioned and not used in the syntax—a view that is consistent with some but not all semantic views of names. By examining the hitherto overlooked cross‐linguistic uses of names, this article provides new evidence in favour of a certain variety of metalinguistic views concerning the syntax and semantics of names.

Does money growth predict inflation in Sweden? Evidence from vector autoregressions using four centuries of data

AbstractIn this paper, we add new evidence to a long-debated macroeconomic question, namely, whether money growth has predictive power for inflation or put differently, whether money growth Granger causes inflation. We use a historical dataset—consisting of annual Swedish data on money growth and inflation ranging from 1620 to 2021—and employ state-of-the-art Bayesian estimation methods. Specifically, we employ VAR models with drifting parameters and stochastic volatility which are used to conduct analysis both within- and out-of-sample. Our results indicate that the within-sample analysis—based on marginal likelihoods—provides strong evidence in favour of money growth Granger causing inflation. This strong evidence is, however, not reflected in our out-of-sample analysis, as it does not translate into a corresponding improvement in forecast accuracy.

WISE J152614.95-111326.4, an Unusual Variable Star

ABSTRACT New time series photometry of WISE J152614.95-111326.4, an eclipsing binary candidate, has been obtained. Full cycles of variation were covered in five filters, ranging from B to z. Archival time series photometry is also available from several sources. The phased light curve shape changes from a double wave form in the red, to a single wave at shorter wavelengths. Analysis of the spectral energy distribution and SALT spectra shows the presence of a cool (∼ 7250−7900 K) white dwarf and an M6 star. The light curves can be explained by a hot spot on the opposing hemisphere of the white dwarf. The star may be in a pre-cataclysmic variable phase with a very low rate of mass flow from the red dwarf to the white dwarf, such that no flickering is evident. Evidence in favour of this hypothesis is that the period of the system (2.25 h) is in the cataclysmic variable period gap. It is speculated that a weak magnetic field associated with the white dwarf funnels accreted material onto a magnetic pole. Amplitudes of the W1 and W2 WISE light curves are anomalously large. The possibility is discussed that variability in this spectral region is primarily driven by electron cyclotron radiation.

The Vascular Anatomical Basis for a Well-Designed Reconstruction of the Ala Nasi by a Microsurgical Preauricular Flap Technique

Background: A microsurgical auricular flap represents a single-step technique for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the ala nasi. To achieve the best surgical outcomes, it is essential to have an exhaustive knowledge of the vascular network to improve the management of the surgical flap. This study aimed to provide an anatomical and surgical guide for a well-designed reconstruction of the ala nasi using a free preauricular flap. Methods: In this study, three fresh-frozen and two formalin-fixed human head specimens injected with red silicone rubber to enhance the arterial facial system were used. The reconstruction of the full-thickness defect of the ala nasi was performed using a microsurgical auricular flap technique, with the dimensions of the ala nasi and the preauricular flap duly noted. In addition, anatomical dissections were conducted, during which the positions and diameters of the main donor and recipient vessels were measured. Results: A presurgical evaluation was performed to define the flap design. A comparison of the shape and mean dimensions of the ala nasi defect (height 9.66 ± 1.40 mm; thickness 3.52 ± 0.53 mm) and the preauricular flap (height 8.50 ± 2.68 mm; thickness 3.92 ± 1.29 mm) indicated that this flap was an optimal option for the reconstruction of the ala nasi. The surgical procedure involved the full-thickness removal of the ala nasi, and the harvesting and insertion of the preauricular flap. The anatomical measurements demonstrated that the facial artery and veins were the optimal recipient vessels, with a diameter of >1 mm (2.08 ± 0.56 and 2.85 ± 0.74 mm), suitable for anastomosis with the superficial temporal artery and vein (1.86 ± 0.58 and 1.66 ± 0.15 mm). In addition, the postsurgical evaluations indicated a slight mean difference in the thickness (1.14 ± 0.65 mm) and height (1.68 ± 1.18 mm) between the ala nasi and helix and a satisfactory VAS score (7.9 ± 0.57). Conclusions: Our surgical and anatomical data provide compelling evidence in favour of free preauricular flap reconstructions of the ala nasi. This procedure allows for the correct choice of recipient vessels and the creation of a well-designed surgical flap.

Митрополит Антоний (Храповицкий) между Кантом и французским спиритуализмом

Today there is no need to prove the importance of I. Kant’s ideas for Russian religious-philosophical thought. A considerable amount of serious recent academic research confirms this obvious truth. At the same time, the field of Russian academic theology is much less developed in this respect, although Kant’s presence in it, both as an opponent demanding an answer from the “theological faculty” and as a source of fruitful ideas, is no less obvious. In particular, Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky’s extramural dialogue with Kant remains unexplored to this day. Meanwhile, as early as in his master’s thesis “Psychological Evidence in favour of Free Will” Anthony devotes an entire chapter to criticism of Kant's “Critiques”, and later, in his articles of the 90s, he addresses Kant’s “Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason”. This work attracted the attention of Russian theologians more than once. In particular, an answer to Kant’s Christological challenge was already sought by St Innocent of Kherson. Relying by default on his work, however, Metropolitan Anthony concentrates more on an attempt to complete the Kantian idea of moral duty with the idea of love as a divine power that wills and transforms the world. Here he finds unexpected, at first glance, allies in the person of the French spiritualists Ch. Secrétan and A. Fouillée. The latter, in their turn, relied to a considerable extent in their philosophical constructions on French Augustinianism of the 17th century with its ideas of pure or selfless love, ideas that were peculiarly refracted in the autonomous morality of Kant himself. As a result, in the Christological concept of redemptive compassionate love proposed by Metropolitan Anthony, we recognise the ideas of Bl. Augustine, the forefather of Modern philosophy, which have gone through many philosophical iterations.

Functional 20S Proteasomes in Retroviruses: Evidence in Favor.

Proteasomes are barrel-like cellular protein complexes responsible for the degradation of most intracellular proteins. Earlier, it has been shown that during assembly, hundreds of different cellular proteins are incorporated into retro-and herpes viruses. Among detected cellular proteins, there were different proteasome subunits (PS). Previous reports postulated the incorporation of 20S proteasome subunits and subunits of proteasome regulator complexes inside retroviruses. Here, we demonstrated the association of functional 20S proteasome with gammaretroviruses, betaretroviruses, and lentiviruses. Cleaved proteasome subunits β1, β2 and β5 were detected in tested viruses. Using fluorescent peptides and a cell-permeable proteasome activity probe, proteasome activity was detected in endogenous and exogenous retroviruses, including recombinant HIV-1. Taken together, our data favors the insertion of functional proteasomes into the retroviruses during assembly. The possible role of proteasomes in retroviruses is discussed.

The more proficient the learners, the less sophisticated their L2 vocabulary?

Abstract Mean-frequency scores of lexical sophistication are used to evaluate written and spoken language production. They are calculated using word frequencies extracted from a reference corpus. Using mixed-effects regression models, we analyse the strength of the relationship between L2 proficiency and mean-frequency scores in spoken and written texts using reference corpora representing different modes and registers. We control for task and topic effects. We observe that mean-frequency measures of lexical sophistication are considerably more influenced by the mode and register of the reference corpus used to calculate these scores than by language users’ proficiency level. Advanced language users produce more frequent vocabulary, typical of the target register, in both spoken monologues and written essays. These results provide evidence in favour of a conceptual and terminological shift from lexical sophistication to register appropriateness (as suggested by Durrant & Brenchley, 2019) to refer to the construct captured by mean-frequency scores of vocabulary use.

The Effects of Ghrelin on Spike Activity of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurones of the Rat

In one of the most important non-photic mechanisms of the circadian biological clock synchronization with environmental geophysical 24 h rhythm, information on feeding schedule, composition and calorie content of food is used. Hormone ghrelin, a product of the neuroendocrine oxyntic cells of the gastric mucosa to be a signal molecule within this mechanism. In experiments on sagittal hypothalamic slices of male Wistar rats, the effects of 25 nM ghrelin on spike activity and parameters of spike information coding were investigated. Application of ghrelin induced an increase in spike frequency and a decrease in entropy of interspike interval distribution in 32.1% of the neurones recorded. In 29.6% of the cells, opposite responses in the form of a reduction of activity and an increase in the entropy of interspike interval distribution were observed. Parameters of spike activity of the reminder 38.3% neurones of the suprachiasmatic nucleus did not change. The observed responses of the entropy of interspike interval distribution indicate the appropriate changes in a degree of irregularity of interspike interval induced by ghrelin. Application of selective high-affinity antagonist of GHS-R1a receptor, JMV 2959 (100 nM) did not induce responses of the investigated parameters of spike activity but completely prevented changes of both, spike frequency and entropy of interspike interval distribution observed in the presence of ghrelin. The obtained data show that hormone ghrelin by a direct influence on the suprachiasmatic nucleus in vitro modulates the activity level and spike code of relatively numerous population of neurones of the nucleus, wherein the effects of ghrelin are implemented via GHS-R1a receptors. The results of the current study provide additional evidence in favour of the hypothesis on the involvement of ghrelin in mechanisms of non-photic entrainment of the circadian biological clock in accordance with severity of food motivation and level of metabolism.

Comment on Hajra et al.: “High-temperature phase stability and phase transformations of Niobium-Chromium Laves phase: Experimental and first-principles calculation”

This work comments on a recent publication by Hajra et al. (Mater. Design 236 (2023) 112483), which claims to have presented compelling experimental and theoretical evidence in favour of the existence of an equilibrium C14-NbCr2 high-temperature Laves phase in the Cr-Nb system. In the present comment, evidence and conclusions reported in the paper of Hajra et al. are critically put into context of insight from previous works. From this it is concluded here, that the evidence in favour of an equilibrium C14-NbCr2 high-temperature Laves phase is, by far, not that compelling as claimed by Hajra et al.. Instead, the most direct evidence presented in the literature does not support the existence of an equilibrium C14-NbCr2 high-temperature Laves phase. Alternative interpretations of Hajra et al.’s evidence and conclusions are offered, and it is elaborated, which true gaps in knowledge exist concerning the Laves phases in the Cr-Nb system.

Does deep processing protect against mind wandering and other lapses of attention during learning?

ABSTRACT Three experiments examined if deep processing would aid in reducing off-task thoughts during learning. In each experiment, participants learned words or pairs of words under deep or shallow conditions. During learning, participants were periodically presented with thought-probes to examine if they were experiencing off-task thoughts (mind wandering, external distraction, mind blanking). Levels of processing was manipulated both within (Experiment 1) and between subjects (Experiments 2 and 3) using structural, rhyme, and semantic judgements and testing memory with cued-recall (Experiments 1 and 2) or recognition (Experiment 3). All three experiments demonstrated a levels of processing effect on memory with better performance in deep compared to shallow conditions. Importantly, in all three experiments rates of off-task thinking (and mind wandering more specifically) were the same across conditions and Bayes factors suggested moderate evidence in favour of the null hypothesis. The results suggest that deep processing does not necessarily protect against mind wandering and other lapses of attention.

The role of causal manipulability in the manifestation of time biases

We investigate the causal manipulability hypothesis, according to which what partly explains (a) why people tend to prefer negative events to be in their further future rather than their nearer future and positive events to be in their nearer future rather than their further future and (b) why people tend to prefer that negative events be located in their past not their future and that positive events be located in their future not their past, is that people tend to discount the value of events they are less able causally to manipulate. If people discount the value of events they are less able to causally manipulate, then since often temporally nearer future events are more causally manipulable than further ones, and since future events are manipulable whereas past ones aren’t, this could explain both (a) and (b). In turn, if the causal manipulability hypothesis is correct, this might suggest that insofar as people’s preferences are explained in this manner, those preferences are rationally permissible, since relative causal manipulability is normatively relevant. Thus, ascertaining whether the causal manipulability hypothesis is true may shed light on the normative status of such preferences. We investigate the cognitively mediated version of the causal manipulability hypothesis, according to which people’s consciously held beliefs about the relative causal manipulability of events explains (a) and (b). Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence in favour of this view. We suggest that either relative causal manipulability plays an explanatory role, but one that is not cognitively mediated, or that it does not play any role, even if it is sometimes associated with other factors, such as probability, that may play a role in explaining some time biased preferences.

Intermediate inputs in Dutch disease. Copper in Chile

PurposeBy means of a practical model, the paper discusses the role of intermediate inputs in the ability of a booming extractive sector to draw resources out of lagging sectors, giving rise to Dutch disease. MethodsThe model is for the Chilean economy and follows an ‘extended’ input-output structure, with 35 production sectors. Once calibrated and parameterized, the model can be solved numerically to estimate the resource movement effect and the spending effect of a copper boom. FindingsThe numerical exercises show that, when the use of intermediate inputs is taken into account, the resource movement effect is of similar magnitude to the spending effect in explaining deindustrialization in Dutch disease. The key mechanism here is that, when the copper sector expands, its effects on real wages and good prices can be significant, due to the use of intermediate inputs. ImplicationThis implies that the policies that are commonly recommended to avoid Dutch disease (fiscal rules, sovereign wealth funds, etc.) may not be very effective if they are not accompanied by others aimed at promoting greater provision or efficient use of scarce resources. OriginalityThe present study contributes to the literature on Dutch disease in two ways. On the one hand, it provides an estimate of the resource movement effect and the spending effect of a commodity boom. On the other hand, it provides evidence in favour of the hypothesis that extractive activities can lead to direct deindustrialization.

Modeling the 3D Spatiotemporal Organization of Chromatin Replication

We propose a polymer model to investigate the dynamics of chromatin replication in three dimensions (PolyRep). Our results indicate that replication complexes, the replisomes, may self-assemble during the process and replicate chromatin by extruding it (immobile replisome) or by moving along the template filament (tracking replisome), reconciling previous discordant experimental evidence in favour of either scenario. Importantly, the emergence of one of the two morphologies depends in a major way on the replication origin distribution as well as on the presence of nonspecific interactions between unreplicated chromatin and firing factors—polymerases and other components of the replisome. Nonspecific interactions also appear instrumental to creating clusters of factors and replication forks, structures akin to the replication foci observed in mammalian cells . PolyRep simulations predict different mechanisms for foci evolution, including unanticipated loop-mediated fusion dynamics. We suggest that cluster formation, which our model suggests to be a generic feature of chromatin replication, provides a hitherto underappreciated but robust pathway to avoid stalled or faulty forks, which would otherwise diminish the efficiency of the replication process. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Improving delirium assessments in acute senior health: A quality improvement project for care of the older person

BackgroundDelirium is a common and reversible neurobehavioral condition with significant morbidity and mortality ramifications for older patients. Consequentially, clear guidelines exist pertaining to its swift identification and management. However, studies suggest that adherence to these guidelines are poor. This audit aimed to evaluate compliance to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) delirium guidelines in an Acute Senior Health Unit (ASHU) and to present a single centre experience of a low-cost ward-based intervention for improving delirium guideline adherence.MethodsA retrospective observational audit was conducted on patients admitted to ASHU between 01/07/2023 and 30/07/2023. Data on delirium assessments, diagnoses and causes of delirium were obtained through retrospective database searches. Posters and education based multidisciplinary team (MDT) interventions were designed and initiated following grounded thematic literature analysis and ward discussion. A methodically equivalent audit was then conducted between 01/09/2023 and 30/09/23. Data was anonymised and blinded and analysis was performed on SPSS V12.0.ResultsA total of 128 patients were included in the study. Initial audit revealed suboptimal compliance with NICE recommendations. Chi-square test of independence found that patients were statistically more likely to receive a full delirium assessment (1.9% vs. 56.6%, p = 0.001) and formal diagnosis (5.8% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.002) after the ward-based intervention.ConclusionThis study provides limited evidence in favour of low-cost MDT based interventions for improving adherence to NICE delirium guidelines and provides a 5-step framework for future studies. This study also explores the potential patient implications of these interventions. A repeat audit should be conducted to ensure lasting and sustainable change is achieved.Trial registration/clinical trial numberAUDI003614.

Floral biology and breeding behaviour of Melia azedarach L.: imperative for hybridization

Abstract Melia azedarach L. commonly called Maha Neem is an economically and industrially important tree species with global significance. Although species possess versatile importance worldwide, information on reproductive biology and breeding system is scarce and limited for eastern coastal plain of India. Therefore, current study provides a detailed report on reproductive biology of M. azedarach. Maha Neem was found to bear violet to whitish violet, slightly fragrant, 14.99 ± 0.05 mm. long and 17.01 ± 0.08 mm. wide flowers. This tree commenced opening of floral buds during March and continued until May with a peak during March-end. The anthesis of species peaked between 08:00 and 10:00 am, which coincides with insect activity. Anthers were observed to dehisce during or shortly before anthesis; however, stigma started receptivity before anthesis and continued invitation up to 12 h after anthesis. Pollen viability ranged from 96.67 ± 1.6% to 98.26 ± 1.2 at the time of anthesis; after that decreased rapidly. Pollen: ovule ratio of 1096.38 ± 108.70 indicated the possibility of autogamy. The breeding system of M. azedarach revealed that fruit sets under natural pollination (NP) were significantly higher than Xenogamy. However, substantial difference was not reported in fruit set percentage under natural pollination and Autogamy, which is strong evidence in favour of self-pollination. Moreover, Maha-Neem is entomophilous with frequent visits by Apis and Syrphid flies. Current findings will be helpful in designing potent conservation strategies and planning successful breeding programmes.