Fixed-effects Model Research Articles

Use of semaglutide and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: A Danish-Norwegian cohort study.

To investigate the putative association between semaglutide and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Data from national health registries in Denmark (2018-2024) and Norway (2018-2022) were used to compare NAION risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes initiating semaglutide versus sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is). A supplementary self-controlled analysis examined NAION risk among all semaglutide users. National estimates were pooled using a fixed-effects model. We identified 44 517 users of semaglutide for the management of type 2 diabetes in Denmark and 16 860 in Norway, with a total of 32 NAION events observed. The unadjusted incidence rate of NAION was 2.19/10 000 person-years among Danish semaglutide initiators, compared to 1.18 among SGLT-2i initiators. In Norway, the corresponding rates were 2.90 and 0.92, respectively. After adjustment, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-4.75), and the incidence rate difference (IRD) was +1.41 (95% CI +0.53 to +2.29) per 10 000 person-years. Estimates were consistent across both countries but higher and less precise in Norway (HR 7.25; 95% CI 2.34-22.4) compared to Denmark (HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.20-3.92). Results remained consistent across sensitivity and supplementary analyses, with a stronger association observed in a post hoc per-protocol analysis (HR 6.35; 95% CI 2.88-14.0). In the supplementary self-controlled study, symmetry ratios (SRs) for NAION were 1.14 (95% CI 0.55-2.36) in Denmark and 2.67 (95% CI 0.91-8.99) in Norway. The use of semaglutide for managing type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of NAION compared with the use of SGLT-2is. However, the absolute risk remains low.

The Impact of Supply Chain Concentration on Firm Value - Based on the Mediating Effect of Green Technology Innovation

This paper constructs a fixed-effects panel model based on data from listed com-panies in heavy pollution industries in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2013 to 2023, and empirically analyzes the impact of supply chain concen-tration on enterprise value and the intermediary role of green technology in-novation. The results show that, on the one hand, supply chain concentration significantly suppresses enterprise value, possibly due to the increased inter-nalization costs of environmental risks caused by excessive control over up-stream and downstream activities. On the other hand, green technology innova-tion plays a partial inter-mediary role between supply chain concentration and enterprise value, reducing costs through technological spillover and collabora-tive R&D, alleviating the neg-ative impact of concentration on enterprise value. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that non-state-owned enterprises are more sig-nificantly affected by supply chain concentration, while equity-independent firms face greater negative impacts, and non-equity-independent firms experi-ence smaller and insignificant effects. When optimizing supply chain concen-tration, companies should balance concentration with investment in green in-novation to enhance long-term competitiveness and sustainability

Research on the Impact and Mechanism of Modernized Industry-City Integration on the Size of the Local Market

The enhancement of local market size is an important element of sustainable economic development. The core purpose of the article is to prove that the increase of local market size has the attribute of industrial and spatial coupling, and that the deep integration of modernized industry-city has a profound impact on the increase of local market size. Based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2007 to 2021, this article employs a two-way fixed effects model to empirically test the impact of the deep integration of modernized industrial systems and new urbanization on the local market size. Furthermore, it uses industrial agglomeration, industrial structure upgrading, and urban-rural income gap as mediating variables to explore the mechanism. The results indicate that the deep integration of modernized industrial systems and new urbanization has a significant promoting effect on the local market size, with regional heterogeneity. The mediating effect test shows that the impact of the deep integration of modernized industrial systems and new urbanization on the local market size mainly operates through industrial agglomeration, industrial structure upgrading, and urban-rural integration.

Agreement Between Nail Psoriasis Severity Index Scores by a Convolutional Neural Network and Dermatologists: A Retrospective Study at an Academic New York City Institution.

Nail psoriasis (NP) affects up to 90% and 86% of patients with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, respectively, with a significant impact on quality-of-life. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) is infrequently used in clinical practice owing to its labor-intensive nature and variable interobserver reliability. The objective of this study was to assess performance and inter-reader agreement between artificial intelligence (AI)-determined NAPSI scores and dermatologist-assigned scores. This cross-sectional study used clinical images of psoriatic fingernails captured retrospectively at a specialized nail clinic in New York City. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model was trained and utilized for NAPSI classification of psoriatic fingernail clinical images, with seven dermatologist nail experts scoring identical images. The primary outcome was the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) fixed effects model for the single-rater absolute agreement, between the average NAPSI score determined by the dermatologists and the AI. In total, 240 images of psoriatic fingernails were included. The ICC for overall NAPSI, matrix (NAPSIm), and bed (NAPSIb) scores among the dermatologists were 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.55), 0.56 (95% CI 0.46-0.67), and 0.53 (95% CI 0.43-0.65), respectively. Comparing the AI algorithm-assigned NAPSI, NAPSIm, and NAPSIb scores with the average dermatologist-assigned scores, ICCs were 0.81 (95% CI 0.74-0.86), 0.75 (95% CI 0.65-0.82), and 0.81 (95% CI 0.74-0.86), respectively. We found an excellent correlation between AI-derived NAPSI scores and dermatologist-assigned scores, underscoring the potential of CNNs to improve accuracy and reliability in NAPSI scoring. The limitations of this study include the small sample size, undetermined CNN diagnostic accuracy, incomplete data, and potential racial/ethnic minority group underrepresentation.

Statement of Removal

Due to the worsening issues related to resources and the environment, industrial green transformation (IGT) has emerged as an unavoidable solution in the present stage. Likewise, renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is indispensable in driving the industrial development path toward green transformation. Initially, this study measures the current status of RETI and IGT and then applies fixed effects models and dynamic panel threshold models to analyse the underlying mechanism between RETI and IGT utilising China’s regional data from 2006 to 2019. The results support a significant positive association between RETI and IGT. It also shows that China’s IGT is low with significant rough development characteristics, while RETI yields progressive trends. Besides, RETI significantly contributes to IGT in eastern and central areas of China, while western areas of China produce insignificant effects. Manifestly, RETI possesses a non-linear effect on IGT, which implies that the positive effect of RETI on IGT gradually strengthens when R&D investment intensity and industrial development level crosses a specific threshold value. Similar results are endorsed using alternative instruments, proxies, and estimators, offering reliable outcomes and recommendations.

The Influence of Capital Structure on the Financial Performance of Listed Industrial Goods Companies in Nigeria

The study examined capital structure and its influence on the financial performance of selected listed goods in Nigeria between 2014 and 2023. Capital structure is used to determine how firms mix their equity and debt in financing its business operations to boost financial performance. The ex-post facto research design was employed for the study and the data used were extracted from the annual reports and accounts of three (3) purposively selected industrial goods firms in Nigeria in the NGX; Dangote Cement PLC, Lafarge Africa PLC and BUA Cement PLC. The panel data was utilized to analyze the data to determine the relationship between capital structure variables and financial performance. The findings from the study showed that a higher equity ratio significantly improved financial performance; and a higher debt ratio equally impacted on the financial performance positively. Conversely, the debt-to-equity ratio did not significantly affect the financial performance and was negative in the fixed effect model. However, it was recommended that firms should optimize equity finance, manage debt level efficiently and re-evaluate debt-to-equity ratio policies to prevent its adverse effect on financial performance.

The efficacy, safety, and persistence of vedolizumab versus adalimumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy, safety, and treatment persistence of vedolizumab and adalimumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Through a comprehensive search of three databases up to September 2024, we calculated pooled effect estimates for binary outcomes using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's I2 and Q statistics, with a random-effects model applied when I2 exceeded 50%, and a fixed-effects model used otherwise. For randomized trials, the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied; the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed nonrandomized trials. We analyzed 12 studies involving 4095 patients. The findings showed that vedolizumab had higher clinical remission and response rates compared to adalimumab (RR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.14-1.34, P < 0.01; RR: 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22, P = 0.03). However, no significant differences were observed in endoscopic remission between the two treatments (RR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.47-1.18, P = 0.21). Safety outcomes, based on adverse and serious adverse event rates, have no significant differences (RR: 0.67, 95% CI 0.41-1.12, P = 0.13; RR: 0.78, 95% CI 0.36-1.68, P = 0.53). Treatment persistence also showed no significant difference between vedolizumab and adalimumab (RR: 0.78, 95% CI 0.55-1.12, P = 0.19). Our study suggests that vedolizumab may be more effective than adalimumab in alleviating symptoms and achieving clinical response. Importantly, this effectiveness is achieved without an increase in adverse events. No significant difference was found in treatment persistence. However, high heterogeneity may weaken the evidence, requiring further randomized trials for confirmation.

Shifting paradigms: digital transformation’s role in corporate cash management

ABSTRACT This study investigates how digital transformation (DT) affects corporate cash reserves. It uses DT variables constructed using web crawling and text mining, and unbalanced panel data from 3,498 samples (23,819 observations) of Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2020 to empirically examine if DT can significantly reduce corporate cash reserves using the fixed-effects model, instrumental variables (IV) method, and difference-in-differences (DID) method. It also reveals that DT affects corporate cash reserves through three plausible channels: reducing debt levels, mitigating agency problems and reducing information asymmetry, and finds that DT has a more pronounced presence in non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) and firms with small market shares. This research provides new insights for understanding the consequences of DT on the real economy.

Indirect treatment comparison of oral sebetralstat and intravenous recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks

BackgroundThe goal of on-demand treatment for hereditary angioedema attacks is to halt attack progression to minimize morbidity and mortality. Four on-demand treatments have been approved thus far (ecallantide, icatibant, recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor [rhC1INH], and plasma-derived C1INH). Results from the sebetralstat phase 3 KONFIDENT trial (NCT05259917) have been reported. To put these results into context without head-to-head trials, an indirect treatment comparison (ITC) was conducted to facilitate comparisons of efficacy and safety across treatment options.MethodsBased on a systematic literature review and feasibility assessment, only the pivotal trial for intravenous rhC1INH (NCT01188564) reported necessary data for a comparable primary efficacy endpoint (time to beginning of symptom relief) to enable an ITC with oral sebetralstat. Bayesian fixed-effects network meta-analyses models were conducted to indirectly compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of sebetralstat and rhC1INH (NCT01188564, NCT00225147, NCT00262301). A matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) of efficacy was performed, adjusting for baseline attack severity and demographic characteristics.ResultsThe fixed-effects model found no significant differences in time to beginning of symptom relief between sebetralstat 300 mg and rhC1INH 50 IU/kg (hazard ratio [95% credible interval], 0.96 [0.42–2.15] to 1.19 [0.58–2.45]). After adjusting for baseline attack severity, the MAIC showed numerically favorable results with sebetralstat compared with rhC1INH, regardless of whether baseline demographics were matched. The fixed-effects model found no significant differences in treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events. All sensitivity analyses returned consistent results.ConclusionsThis ITC found no significant differences in time to beginning of symptom relief and overall treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events between sebetralstat and rhC1INH.

Socially Withdrawn or Socially Engaged? The Impacts of Caring for Grandchildren on Social Participation among Older Adults in China.

Grandparents caring for grandchildren (i.e., grandparenting) is a key aspect of intergenerational family dynamics. While extensive research has documented the health implications of grandparenting, relatively few studies have explored its association with social well-being. Grandparenting can either promote or constrain grandparents' social participation, depending on caregiving intensity and intergenerational living arrangements. These associations may also vary by gender due to gendered social norms and differences in opportunities for social networking. This study investigates the longitudinal association between grandparenting and social participation among grandparents and examines how this association differs by gender. Data are drawn from the 2011, 2013, and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 8,907, aged 45-80). We use fixed-effects Poisson regression models to examine the association between different types of grandparenting and the number of social participation activities of grandparents. Subgroup analyses are conducted by grandparents' gender. In fixed-effects regression models adjusting for time-varying covariates, we find that nonintensive noncoresident grandparenting, intensive noncoresident grandparenting, and skipped-generation grandparenting are associated with increased social participation among grandparents compared to no grandparenting. However, no significant difference in social participation is observed between three-generation grandparenting and no grandparenting groups. Grandfathers show higher levels of social participation when engaging in nonintensive or intensive noncoresident grandparenting, whereas grandmothers experience increased social participation primarily with nonintensive noncoresident grandparenting. Overall, grandparenting promotes rather than hinders social participation among grandparents. This study highlights the role of intergenerational family relationships in facilitating older adults' social engagement in later life.

Association between cardiac cachexia and adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure: a meta-analysis of cohort studies

BackgroundCardiac cachexia is a condition characterised by unintentional weight loss and muscle wasting in patients with heart failure. However, there is debate about the prognostic value of cardiac cachexia in...

Drivers of primary care appointment volumes before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to significant reconfiguration of primary care systems internationally. For example, a large proportion of face-to-face appointments have been replaced by telephone or online consultations. As a result, the relationship between primary care appointment provision and some of its key determinants, such as workforce and demographic characteristics, are likely to have changed. Conclusions from previous studies which used only pre-pandemic data may no longer be applicable under these new configurations.MethodsThis study aims to investigate whether the relationships between primary care appointment rates and their determinants, including workforce composition and the age structure of registered patients, have changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted longitudinal analysis on the 106 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England over two periods of 24 months (March 2018 to February 2020 and March 2021 to February 2023). We used fixed-effects regression models to relate monthly general practice appointment rates per registered patient to workforce size and composition and population age structure, and compared the results between the two periods.ResultsIn the pre-pandemic period, changes in full time equivalent (FTE) numbers of GP trainees and nurses were the only time-varying variables associated with appointment rates. In the post-lockdown period, the age profile of registered patients became a key determinant of appointment rates. A 1% increase in the proportion of registered patients over 80 years was associated with a 0.165 (38.7%) increase in appointments per patient per month. Changes in FTE numbers of qualified GPs and direct patient care staff were not found to influence the appointment rate in either period.ConclusionThe relationships between primary care appointment rates and the workforce composition and population age structure have changed following the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of registered patients over the age of 80 years is now the most significant time-varying driver of appointment rates. General practices serving older patients may face much higher demand and have a bigger challenge providing sufficient appointments in the future compared to before the pandemic.

Space and temporal evolution and driving force analysis of ecological compensation efficiency in cultivated land--take the nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin as an example.

The efficiency of farmland ecological compensation is a crucial indicator reflecting the effectiveness of input-output implementation in farmland ecological compensation. Investigating the spatial-temporal evolution patterns and driving factors of farmland ecological compensation efficiency holds significant practical value for agricultural ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. This study employs various methods including the EBM model, GML index, Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, Markov chain, non-parametric Kernel density estimation, and ArcGIS mapping to measure farmland compensation efficiency, analyze its spatial-temporal evolution patterns, and conduct a driving force analysis using a two-way fixed effects model. Results: (1) Spatial-temporal evolution patterns: Overall, the average farmland ecological compensation efficiency in the Yellow River Basin is relatively low. In terms of temporal trends, the efficiency exhibits a "V"-shaped cyclical fluctuation, gradually rising with a convergence trend. Spatially, farmland ecological compensation efficiency has gone through three stages: low in the center, high in the periphery; high in the center, low in the periphery; and finally, uniform across the entire region. Although cross-level transitions occur, a "leap" transition is difficult to achieve. Regionally, the overall spatial disparity in farmland ecological compensation efficiency in the Yellow River Basin shows a decreasing trend, following an "M"-shaped variation pattern. (2) Driving force analysis: Farmland productivity, agricultural machinery density, and the level of agricultural scale all exhibit positive effects on farmland ecological compensation efficiency, while the level of government agricultural support the degree of agricultural marketization, urbanization, and industrialization all have negative effects. It is necessary to allocate resources efficiently by region, promote coordinated regional development, empower high-quality agriculture through science and technology, innovate agricultural development models, foster government-business collaboration, and diversify strategies to enhance farmland ecological compensation efficiency.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Diabetic-Ketoacidosis in T2DM Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis and a Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

To evaluate the association of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients across different subgroups, we searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SGLT2i with the control groups among T2DM patients and including DKA as a safety outcome. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) were calculated using random or fixed-effects models, as appropriate. An inverse-variance-weighted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to estimate the genetic correlation. Twenty-two trials involving 80,235 patients were included. SGLT2i increased the risk of DKA compared to the control groups (RR 2.32, 95% CI 1.64-3.27). The risk was significantly increased in patients with higher HbA1c levels (> 7.9%) (RR 2.24, 95% CI 1.59-3.14), but not in those with lower HbA1c levels (≤ 7.9%) (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.49-2.26; interaction P = 0.034). SGLT2i increased DKA risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR 2.70, 95% CI 1.55-4.71) and high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk trials (RR 2.46, 95% CI 1.47-4.11) but not significantly in heart failure (HF) trials (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.51-2.96). Moreover, in the HF trials, SGLT2i consistently did not increase the risk of DKA in any clinical subgroups. Nevertheless, MR analysis still confirmed a genetic association between SGLT2i and the risk of DKA among overall T2DM patients. SGLT2i may increase the risk of DKA in T2DM patients, particularly in patients with higher levels of HbA1c and those with comorbid CKD or at high-risk ASCVD. However, the increased risk was not significant in patients with HF.

Doing bad under industry tournament incentives: evidence from corporate social irresponsibility in China

PurposeTaking tournament and agency theories as theoretical bases, this study aims to examine whether and when industry tournament incentives affect corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR).Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on publicly listed companies in China from 2003 to 2018, with a total of 26,638 observations across 3,013 firms. Based on this dataset, the study employs a high-dimensional fixed effects model to empirically investigate the impact of industry tournament incentives on CSiR. Additionally, it explores the moderating effects of founder chief executive officers, multiple large shareholders and state-owned enterprises on this relationship.FindingsThis study demonstrates that industry tournament incentives have a significant positive impact on CSiR. Additionally, the findings reveal that founder-chief executive officers and multiple large shareholders weaken the above relationships, whereas state-owned enterprises have no moderating effect on the above relationships.Originality/valueBy analyzing and testing the relationship between industry tournament incentives and CSiR for the first time, this study contributes to the literature on industry tournament incentives, the CSiR literature and tournament theory.

Impact of interprovincial pairing assistance policies on sustainable agricultural development in Xinjiang of China

While the advancement of sustainable agricultural development aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has witnessed lackluster progress globally in recent decades. This study examines China’s pairing assistance policy, executed in Xinjiang since 2010, as a quasi-natural experiment to discern the impacts and underlying mechanisms of the inter-provincial pairing assistance policy on sustainable agricultural development in the beneficiary locale. Employing regression analysis with control methods and a two-way fixed effects model leveraged upon provincial panel data spanning 2007 to 2016, this research reveals that: (1) the inter-provincial pairing assistance policy has markedly enhanced sustainable agricultural development in Xinjiang, demonstrating that a 1% increment in pairing assistance funds correlates with an approximate 0.5% rise in the region’s sustainable agricultural development index; (2) the policy primarily bolsters sustainable agricultural development through the meticulous management of agricultural land resources. The insights derived from this investigation elucidate the effectiveness of China’s policy framework in fostering synchronized and sustainable regional development and offer a valuable reference point for the augmentation of sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.

An Empirical Study of the Effect of Pension Insurance Expenditure on the Savings Rate of Residents

Objective: Lowering the savings rate is a reflection of China's economic structure moving further toward equilibrium. The aim of this study is to explore how to unleash residents' consumption potential and lower the savings rate, a crucial challenge for the high-quality development of China's economy. The pension insurance system may be a positive factor in addressing this issue. Methods: The study selects panel data from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government in mainland China from 2014 to 2022. A two-way fixed-effects model is constructed for an empirical analysis of the impact of the basic pension insurance system on residents' savings rate. Results: The results indicate that the level of pension insurance coverage has a significant negative impact on residents' savings rate. In other words, increasing the level of pension insurance coverage will reduce residents' savings. Conclusion: This study helps the government to formulate more accurate and sustainable pension insurance policies and promote the optimization of China's economic structure.

Corporate ESG Performance, Cost of Debt Financing and Environmental Investments

Objective: This study examines the relationship between corporate ESG performance, environmental protection investment (EPI), and debt financing cost. Methods: Using empirical data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2008 and 2022, construct a two-way fixed-effects model to explore the impact of corporate ESG performance on EPI, with a particular focus on the mediating role of debt financing costs. Results: Corporate ESG performance significantly enhances EPI. In other words, strong ESG performance not only reflects corporate social responsibility but also acts as a driving force for promoting environmental investment and achieving green development. The lower the cost of debt financing, the more pronounced the positive effect of ESG performance on EPI. This suggests that superior ESG performance can reduce debt financing costs, thereby incentivizing enterprises to allocate more resources to environmental initiatives. Conclusion: Based on these findings, this paper proposes that enterprises enhance their ESG performance by improving corporate governance, strengthening environmental awareness, and actively engaging in environmental protection projects. Additionally, it recommends that investors incorporate ESG performance into their decision-making processes and encourages enterprises to continuously improve their environmental practices.

Intelligent Robot Interventions for People With Dementia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background The application of intelligent robots in therapy is becoming more and more important for people with dementia. More extensive research is still needed to evaluate its impact on behavioral and psychological dementia symptoms, as well as quality of life in different care settings. Objective The purpose of this research is to methodically assess how well intelligence robot interventions work for patients with dementia. Methods In accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science from the time of their founding to February 2024, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials on the use of intelligent robots in people with dementia. Two authors (WF and RZ) independently applied the Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool to assess the included studies’ quality. The intervention effect of intelligent robots on patients with dementia was summarized using a fixed-effect model or a random-effects model with Stata software (version 16.0; StataCorp). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the intelligent robot type and the intervention duration. Publication bias was tested using funnel plots, Egger tests, and the trim-and-fill method. Results In total, 15 studies were finally included for systematic review, encompassing 705 participants, of which 12 studies were subjected to meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that compared with the control group, intelligent robot intervention significantly reduced the levels of agitation (standardized mean difference –0.36, 95% CI –0.56 to –0.17; P&lt;.001) and anxiety (weighted mean difference –1.93, 95% CI –3.13 to –0.72; P=.002) in patients with dementia. However, the intervention of intelligent robots had no significant effect on the following (all P&gt;.05): cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, quality of life, step count during the day, and the hours of lying down during the night of patients with dementia. Subgroup analysis revealed that the improvement of depression was related to the duration of the intervention (≤12 vs 12 weeks: 0.08, 95% CI –0.20 to 0.37 vs –0.68, 95% CI –1.00 to –0.37; P=.26) and was independent of the type of intelligent robots (animal robots vs humanoid robots: –0.30, 95% CI –0.75 to 0.15 vs 0.07, 95% CI –0.21 to –0.34; P=.26). Conclusions This study shows that intelligent robot intervention can help improve the agitation and anxiety levels of people with dementia. The intervention may be more effective the longer it is implemented. The appearance of the intelligent robot has no effect on the intervention effect. Further research is needed to help collect physiological data, such as physical activity in people with dementia; explore the impact of other intelligent robot design features on the intervention effect; and provide a reference for improving intelligent robots and intervention programs. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42024523007; https://tinyurl.com/mwscn985

Research on the impact of digital financial inclu-sion on entrepreneurial activity in cities

Digital inclusive finance and digital innovation have become the key drivers of high-quality economic development. Using panel data from prefecture-level cit-ies in China from 2011 to 2021, a fixed-effect model was constructed to investi-gate the impact of digital inclusive finance on urban entrepreneurial activity. The study shows that digital inclusive finance can significantly promote entre-preneurial activity in cities. After a series of robustness tests, the conclusion remains robust. Heterogeneity research found that there are differences in the degree of digital inclusive finance's effect on entrepreneurial activity in cities at different administrative levels. Digital inclusive finance has a stronger driving effect on entrepreneurial activity in non-provincial capitals, while it is not sig-nificant in provincial capital regions. Therefore, we should continue to promote the development of digital inclusive finance, promote the implementation of digital innovation strategies from multiple parties, form a pattern of coordinat-ed and linked regional development, and promote continuous economic growth.