Hierarchical Multiple Linear Regression Models Research Articles

Investigating the effect of resin collection and detecting fungal infection in resin-tapped and non-tapped pine trees, using minimally invasive and non-invasive diagnostics

In pine stands systematic harvesting of forest products, such as resin extraction, are known to affect trees’ vitality and consequently their response to fungal diseases. The latter constitutes a serious threat for standing vigorous trees, thus early warning signals and short diagnosis time of fungal pathogens, are crucial for designing effective forest management practices. In this study, we explored the effects of the resin extraction process, which was one of the most prominent economic traditional activities throughout the Mediterranean region, on the pines’ growth, and we detected fungal presence in resin-tapped and non-tapped pine trees. For this, we obtained data from 333 resin-tapped and 163 non-tapped Pinus brutia trees, in 20 forest stands, on the island of Lesvos, Greece, by combining in-situ minimally invasive (tree coring) and non-invasive diagnostics (infrared thermography), with the trees’ phenotypic traits and indices. In each stand (30 × 30 m), tree cores were extracted from 34% of the total trees, while the fungal presence was confirmed (a) by the discoloration and decay patterns in the tree cores, (b) by external indicators of decay, such as fruiting bodies, and (c) by the sudden change in boring resistance during the tree cores’ extraction. To evaluate the effect of resin tapping on pines' growth, we developed hierarchical multiple linear regression models controlling parameters related to pines’ phenotypic traits, while for estimating the fungal presence, we used a set of logistic regression models. The results indicated that the number of tapping scars on the pines’ trunk surface, resulting from the resin extraction process, explained the decrease of (a) the average annual growth of the pines by 9.2%, (b) the annual growth after the resin extraction process by 11.7%, while the explanatory power increased to 19% in trees that were tapped early in their life. Fungal presence was successfully classified (a) in 91.5% of the resin-tapped trees, and (b) in 94.9% of the resin-tapped and non-tapped trees when combining trees’ phenotypic traits and indices with non-invasive diagnostics. These findings may contribute in monitoring forest stand dynamics in order to prevent or mitigate their degradation, and also towards effective management plans concerning resin extraction.

Discrimination is associated with poor sleep quality in pregnant Black American women

BackgroundHeightened exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination is associated with poorer sleep health among non-pregnant adults. This relationship has received limited research attention among pregnant women, despite the importance of prenatal sleep quality for optimal maternal and child health outcomes. MethodsWe utilized perinatal data from a sample of Black American women (n = 600) participating in a cohort study who reported their lifetime experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination and gendered racial stress during early pregnancy and reported on their sleep quality and depressive symptoms during early and mid-pregnancy. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were fit to examine associations between lifetime experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination or gendered racial stress and sleep quality during early and mid-pregnancy. We also adjusted for women's concurrent depressive symptoms and tested whether the discrimination/sleep quality association varied by socioeconomic status. ResultsGreater exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with poorer sleep quality during early (ΔR2 = 0.04, ΔF = 26.08, p < 0.001) and mid-pregnancy (ΔR2 = 0.02, ΔF = 9.88, p = 0.002). Similarly, greater gendered racial stress was associated with poorer sleep quality during early (ΔR2 = 0.10, ΔF = 65.72, p < 0.001) and mid-pregnancy (ΔR2 = 0.06, ΔF = 40.43, p < 0.001. These findings largely held after adjustment for concurrent prenatal depressive symptoms. Socioeconomic status did not modify the observed relationships. ConclusionsEfforts to decrease institutional and interpersonal experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination and gendered racism would benefit the sleep quality of pregnant Black American women, particularly during early pregnancy.

Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Patients with Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common cause of liver-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, there is a paucity of literature on the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and quality of life (QoL) in patients with MAFLD. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between QoL and CVD risk factors in an Iranian MAFLD population. Methods: This study was conducted on MAFLD patients, referred to the gastroenterology clinic of a general hospital from September 2017 until September 2018. The QoL and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) were determined using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and an online web calculator, respectively. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was developed to evaluate the association between QoL and FRS after adjusting for the sociodemographic characteristics. Results: This study was performed on 200 participants. All domains of QoL were associated with older age, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, higher systolic blood pressure, and lower high-density lipoprotein levels in the univariate regression analysis (P &lt; 0.05 for all). Meanwhile, FRS was adversely correlated with the total QoL score (correlation coefficient: -0.49; 95% CI: -0.61, -0.35; P &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for the sociodemographic variables, the results of the hierarchical multiple linear regression model showed that age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and FRS were correlated with the overall QoL score (P &lt; 0.05 for all). Hypertension was the main predictor of the total QoL score (B = -5.51, 95% CI: -7.18, -3.68; P &lt; 0.05). A higher FRS was inversely associated with the physical domain of QoL (B = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.09, -0.01; P &lt; 0.05), the environment domain of QoL (B = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.09, -0.01; P &lt; 0.05), and the total score of QoL (B = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.08, -0.02; P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results of this study, a higher risk of developing CVD may reduce QoL in patients with MAFLD. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were the key predictive determinants of QoL in this population. Further studies are suggested to determine if modification of the mentioned risk factors can improve QoL in MAFLD patients.

Longitudinal relationship between sensory impairments and depressive symptoms in older adults: The mediating role of functional limitation.

The underlying mechanism between sensory impairments (SIs) and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults is not well understood. This study aims to explore the mediating role of functional limitation on the longitudinal relationship between SIs and depressive symptoms among older adults in China. A total of 4130 older adults who participated in the 3-year follow-up China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included in the analysis. The hierarchical multiple linear regression model and nonparametric bootstrapping method were employed to explore the relationship between SIs and depressive symptoms, and the mediating role of functional limitation in this link. The prevalence of self-reported hearing impairment (HI) only, vision impairment (VI) only, and dual sensory impairment (DSI) at baseline were 5.7%, 22.2%, and 58.6%, respectively. After adjusting for controlling variables, older adults with DSI hadsignificantly higher levels of depressive symptoms compared with those without SIs at baseline (β = .07, p = .005). The magnitude of mediation effect from DSI to depressive symptoms via functional limitation was a*b = 0.060 (BCa 95% confidence interval: 0.031-0.094). Functional limitation partially mediated the relationship between DSI and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. Interventions of DSI and functional limitation should be included in depressive symptoms prevention among older adults in China.

Occupational fatigue, workload and nursing teamwork in hospital nurses.

To evaluate the relationships between workload, nursing teamwork and nurse fatigue and the moderating effect of nursing teamwork on the relationship between workload and fatigue. This cross-sectional online survey study used data from 810 United States hospital nurses collected between March and April 2021. Workload, nursing teamwork and fatigue were measured using the Quantitative Workload Inventory, the Nursing Teamwork Survey, and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were used. All the nursing teamwork subscales (i.e. trust, team orientation, backup, shared mental model, team leadership) were significantly negatively related to acute and chronic fatigue. Nursing teamwork components of team orientation, shared mental model and team leadership moderated the relationship between workload and chronic fatigue. The relationships between workload and chronic fatigue were stronger when these components of nursing teamwork were high. No moderating effects were found with acute fatigue. Efforts to increase nursing teamwork may be a promising strategy in managing nurse fatigue. It is equally important to monitor and modify high workload to protect nurses from elevated fatigue. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Fatigue is negatively associated with the health and safety of hospital nurses and patients. Nursing teamwork has been shown to improve the nursing care of hospitalized patients; yet, it is rarely explored in relation to nurse fatigue. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Greater nursing teamwork is significantly associated with lower acute and chronic fatigue. The relationships between workload and chronic fatigue were stronger when nursing teamwork (i.e. team orientation, shared mental model and team leadership) was high than when nursing teamwork was low. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Improving nursing teamwork, in addition to monitoring and modifying workloads, can be a promising approach for managing fatigue in healthcare organizations.

The Structure of Social Networks and Its Link to Higher Education Students' Socio-Emotional Loneliness During COVID-19.

Lonely students typically underperform academically. According to several studies, the COVID-19 pandemic is an important risk factor for increases in loneliness, as the contact restrictions and the switch to mainly online classes potentially burden the students. The previously familiar academic environment (campus), as well as the exchange with peers and lecturers on site, were no longer made available. In our cross-sectional study, we examine factors that could potentially counteract the development of higher education student loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic from a social network perspective. During the semester, N = 283 students from across all institutional faculties of a German comprehensive university took part in an online survey. We surveyed their social and emotional experiences of loneliness, their self-reported digital information-sharing behavior, and their current egocentric networks. Here, we distinguished between close online contacts (i.e., mainly online exchanges) and close offline contacts (i.e., mainly in-person face-to-face exchanges). In addition, we derived the interconnectedness (i.e., the densities of the egocentric networks) and heterogeneity (operationalized with the entropy) of students’ contacts. To obtain the latter, we used a novel two-step method combining t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) and cluster analysis. We explored the associations of the aforementioned predictors (i.e., information-sharing behavior, number of online and offline contacts, as well as interconnectedness and heterogeneity of the close contacts network) on social and emotional loneliness separately using two hierarchical multiple linear regression models. Our results suggest that social loneliness is strongly related to digital information-sharing behavior and the network structure of close contacts. In particular, high information-sharing behavior, high number of close contacts (whether offline or online), a highly interconnected network, and a homogeneous structure of close contacts were associated with low social loneliness. Emotional loneliness, on the other hand, was mainly related to network homogeneity, in the sense that students with homogeneous close contacts networks experienced low emotional loneliness. Overall, our study highlights the central role of students’ close social network on feelings of loneliness in the context of COVID-19 restrictions. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Factors that determine employees' customer experience orientation in the hotel industry

This article explores the concepts of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Cultural Intelligence (CI), and Hospitality Experiential Intelligence (HEI) as determining factors of Employees' Customer Experience Orientation (ECEO) in hotels. The study applies a quantitative approach, a correlational, and explanatory scope, and a non-experimental design. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was used to explain the relationship between the variables. The empirical results demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between the variables. HEI is the one that most influences on ECEO, followed by EI and CI. These results are a starting point to understanding how HEI, EI, and CI are related to ECEO; therefore, we invite researchers to develop more empirical studies in this field.

Mental Health and Resilience among Nurses in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Nurses exposed to COVID-19 could be psychologically stressed. The present study investigated the mental health and the resilience level in the nurses’ population. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 432 nurses in 27 hospitals working in Guilan province, north of Iran, between April 29, to May 14, 2020. Mental health and resilience were measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Hierarchical multiple linear regression model was used to identify factors associated with mental health. Results: The mean GHQ-12 and CD-RISC-10 scores were 15.72 (SD, 5.67) and 25.97 (SD, 6.88), respectively. Probable psychological distress (GHQ-12 score ≥ 15) was present in 57.2% of nurses. Among demographic and COVID-19-related variables, only educational level was significantly and negatively correlated with mental health. After controlling the variables, hierarchical regression analyses results showed that lower resilience was associated with poor mental health (β = -0.49; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Regarding the nurses’ mental health, appropriate psychological/psychiatric intervention is necessary, and resilience can play a role as a mental health promoter.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices in Urban Slums of Eastern India.

BackgroundThe Sustainable Development Goals identified universal access to water and sanitation facilities as key components for improving health. We assessed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and associated determinants among residents of urban slums in Kolkata, India.MethodsInformation on WASH practices was collected in 2 surveys (2018 and 2019) from participants of a prospective enteric fever surveillance conducted in 2 municipal wards of Kolkata. A composite WASH practice score was computed and a hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression model constructed to identify key determinants of improved WASH score.ResultsOver 90% of households had access to piped water; 6% reported access to continuous supply. Adult women (61% in 2018; 45% in 2019) spent 20 minutes daily to fetch water. Access to improved latrines was almost universal, although 80% used shared facilities. Unhealthy disposal of children’s stools was reported in both rounds. Food hygiene practices were high, with most (>90%) washing uncooked items before eating; frequent consumption of street food items was reported.ConclusionsThe study area reported high WASH coverage. Unhygienic behavioral patterns predisposing to food- or water-borne diseases were also noted. Awareness building and sustainable community mobilization for food hygiene needs to be emphasized to ensure community well-being.

Trust, Sociability, and Quality of Life of Sub-Saharan African Migrants in Germany.

Poor social integration is associated with poor quality of life among minority groups. The current study hypothesized that trust and sociability may significantly explain the quality of life performance among Sub-Saharan African migrants in Germany. Data from 518 migrants were analyzed. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were calculated to assess the predictive effect of trust and sociability on aggregate quality of life. Results show that general trust and sociability explained about 21% of the variance in quality of life score (adjusted R 2 = .206; p < .001) for the total sample. Socioeconomic and demographic features suggested an added predictive effect of about 8% for total sample (adjusted R 2 = .279; p < .001), 10% for male (adjusted R 2 = .322; p < .001) and 4% for female (adjusted R 2 = .211; p < .001). The results support trust and sociability as essential in connecting to a new environment and enhancing the quality of life.

Smoking tobacco is associated with renal hyperfiltration

Tobacco consumption is a renal risk factor, but the effects on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the possible impact of using tobacco products (smoking and snus) on eGFR based on creatinine or cystatin C. We used a first cohort with 949 participants and a second cohort with 995 participants; none had pre-existing renal disease. All subjects donated a blood sample and completed a questionnaire, including questions about tobacco use. To assess the effect on eGFR, hierarchical multiple linear regression models were used. Active smoking associated independently with a higher eGFRcreatinine in all subjects (p < 0.001; β = 0.11). Further analyses stratified for sex, showed similar findings for men (p < 0.001; β = 0.14) and for women (p = 0.026; β = 0.10). eGFRcystatin C was significantly associated with active smoking in all subjects (p = 0.040; β = −0.05), but no association was seen after stratification for sex. Snus did not associate with eGFR. In conclusion, smoking associated significantly with a higher eGFRcreatinine. The mechanism may be renal hyperfiltration of smaller molecules such as creatinine. This is probably caused by substances from smoked tobacco other than nicotine, as no effect was seen for snus.

Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life amongst Employees in a Malaysian Public University.

The current academic landscape has overwhelmed faculties and with demands to adopt tech-savvy teaching modes and accelerate scholarly works, administrative duties, and outreach programs. Such demands have deteriorated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among university employees. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with HRQoL among university employees in a Malaysian public university. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 employees from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) between April and June 2019. A self-administered questionnaire that consisted of socio-demographic items, risky health behaviors, health-related information, and validated scales for measuring employees’ physical inactivity, psychological states, and HRQoL was utilized. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS version 23.0. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were yielded to determine the factors associated with different domains of HRQoL. Mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS MACRO (Model 4). Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05. Physical HRQoL scored the highest, while environmental HRQoL had the lowest score among the employees. Physical HRQoL was influenced by age, service duration, comorbid conditions, BMI, chronic diseases, and anxiety. Factors associated with psychological HRQoL were age, service duration, depression, and stress. Age, service duration, and chronic diseases affected employees’ social relationship HRQoL, while environmental HRQoL was associated with age, occupation type, chronic diseases, and depression. Socio-demographics, risky health behaviors, health profiles, and psychological attributes were significantly associated with employees’ HRQoL. Age was the only positively correlated factor across all HRQoL domains, while other factors deteriorated employees’ HRQoL.

Predictors of academic achievement in distance learning for nursing students

BackgroundDistance learning (DL) is no longer simply an alternative method in the new educational environment induced by COVID-19. The ability of learners to control the learning process is becoming an essential prerequisite for DL because learners are physically separated from their instructors. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the factors influencing DL and investigate the appropriate learning strategy. ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the relationships between academic achievement and the factors influencing DL. DesignThis study adopted a cross-sectional design. SettingThis study was conducted in nursing colleges in Korea. ParticipantsTwo hundred and one undergraduate nursing students in Korea participated in this study. MethodsAn online survey of academic achievement, self-regulated learning (SRL), learning flow, engagement, academic stress, and grade point average was conducted using Google Surveys on December 22 and 23, 2020 at four nursing colleges. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was conducted to identify the predictors of academic achievement. Age and sex were included in the regression model in the first step. Then, learning flow and engagement were included in the second step, and SRL was included in the final step. ResultsLearning flow (β = 0.37, p < .001), engagement (β = 0.23, p = .001), and SRL (β = 0.22 p = .003) explained 49.5% of the variance in academic achievement (Adj R2 = 0.50, F = 40.21, p < .001). After controlling for sex, age, flow state, and engagement in learning, SRL explained an additional 2% of the variance in academic achievement (R2 change = 0.02, p = .003). ConclusionsThe development of learning strategies, including SRL ability, learning flow and engagement in DL, contributes not only to students achieving high academic competency but also to educating students about perceptions of their ‘future possible self’.

Impaired Lower Extremity Biomechanics, Hip External Rotation Muscle Weakness, and Proximal Femoral Morphology Predict Impaired Single-Leg Squat Performance in People With FAI Syndrome

Background: Impairments in squat depth have been reported in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). However, little is known about single-leg squat (SLS) performance in these patients, despite this task being commonly used in the rehabilitation and training settings. Purpose/Hypothesis: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate whether patients with FAIS demonstrate differences in SLS performance compared with healthy controls and (2) to determine whether dynamic range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, hip morphologic measures, hip pain, and hip-specific function predict SLS performance in patients with FAIS. We hypothesized that patients with FAIS would demonstrate impaired SLS performance and that impaired hip biomechanics, muscle strength, and hip-specific function would predict squat performance in patients with FAIS. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using a 20-camera 3D motion capture system during 3 SLS trials in 34 patients with FAIS and 26 healthy controls. Isometric muscle strength was tested with a stationary handheld dynamometer in all participants. Squat performance was quantified by squat depth (in meters), and the biomechanical variables of dynamic ROM of the pelvis, the hip, the knee, and the ankle in all planes were calculated. In patients with FAIS, femoral and acetabular morphology were measured using radiographic alpha angles and lateral center-edge angles. Hip pain and hip-specific function were measured using the visual analog scale for pain and the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living subscale, respectively. Two-tailed independent-samples t tests were used to determine between-group differences for squat depth, dynamic ROM variables, and muscle strength. A hierarchical multiple linear regression (MLR) model was used to determine whether biomechanical variables, muscle strength, hip morphology measures, hip pain, and hip-specific function were predictors of squat depth. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26. Results: There were no between-group differences in age (FAIS, 30.0 ± 7.0 years vs controls, 27.3 ± 7.0 years; P = .18) or body mass index (FAIS, 23.1 ± 2.8 vs controls, 22.6 ± 3.2; P = .51). Squat depth was less in patients with FAIS compared with healthy controls (FAIS, 0.24 ± 0.4 m vs controls, 0.29 ± 0.05 m; P < .001). In the sagittal plane, patients with FAIS demonstrated less dynamic ROM of the hip (FAIS, 67.8°± 12.4° vs controls, 79.2°± 12.5°; P = .001) and the knee (FAIS, 71.9°± 9.4° vs controls, 78.9°± 13.2°; P = .02) compared with controls. Patients with FAIS also demonstrated a less dynamic coronal plane pelvis ROM (FAIS, 11.3°± 5.0° vs controls, 14.4°± 6.7°; P = .044). Patients with FAIS had reduced hip muscle strength of the hip external rotator (FAIS, 1 ± 0.3 N/kg vs controls, 1.2 ± 0.3 N/kg; P = .034), hip internal rotator (FAIS, 0.8 ± 0.3 N/kg vs controls 1 ± 0.3 N/kg; P = .03), and hip flexor (FAIS, 4 ± 1.1 N/kg vs controls, 4.8 ± 1.2 N/kg; P = .013) muscle groups. The hierarchical MLR revealed that the dynamic ROM of the hip, the knee, and the pelvis, the hip external rotation muscle strength, and the femoral alpha angles were all significant predictors of squat performance, and the final MLR model explained 92.4% of the total variance in squat depth in patients with FAIS. Conclusion: Patients with FAIS demonstrate impaired SLS squat performance compared with healthy controls. This impaired squat performance is predominantly predicted by sagittal plane knee and hip biomechanics and hip external rotator strength, and less by frontal plane pelvic ROM and hip morphology in patients with FAIS. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should focus treatment on improving dynamic ROM and hip external rotator muscle strength to improve squat performance; however, femoral morphology should also be considered in the treatment paradigm.

Nonclinical psychotic-like experiences and schizotypy dimensions: Associations with hippocampal subfield and amygdala volumes.

Schizotypy and psychotic‐like experiences (PLE) form part of the wider psychosis continuum and may have brain structural correlates in nonclinical cohorts. This study aimed to compare the effects of differential schizotypy dimensions, PLE, and their interaction on hippocampal subfields and amygdala volumes in the absence of clinical psychopathology. In a cohort of 367 psychiatrically healthy individuals, we assessed schizotypal traits using the Oxford‐Liverpool Inventory of Life Experiences (O‐LIFE) and PLE using the short form of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16). Based on high‐resolution structural MRI scans, we used automated segmentation to estimate volumes of limbic structures. Sex and total intracranial volume (Step 1), PLE and schizotypy dimensions (Step 2), and their interaction terms (Step 3) were entered as regressors for bilateral amygdala and hippocampal subfield volumes in hierarchical multiple linear regression models. Positive schizotypy, but not PLE, was negatively associated with left amygdala and subiculum volumes. O‐LIFE Impulsive Nonconformity, as well as the two‐way interaction between positive schizotypy and PLE, were associated with larger left subiculum volumes. None of the estimators for right hemispheric hippocampal subfield volumes survived correction for multiple comparisons. Our findings support differential associations of hippocampus subfield volumes with trait dimensions rather than PLE, and support overlap and interactions between psychometric positive schizotypy and PLE. In a healthy cohort without current psychosis risk syndromes, the positive association between PLE and hippocampal subfield volume occurred at a high expression of positive schizotypy. Further studies combining stable, transient, and genetic parameters are required.

Impact of the new middle class on consumer behavior: a case study of Delhi-NCR

PurposeThe paper examines the increase in annual income of the new middle-class (The NMC) of Delhi-NCR and its impact on their investment habits, consumption habits and lifestyle. The paper aims to look into the transformation of the new middle-class into the NMC in emerging economies and its potential to the companies and investors.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws insight from 558 new middle-class consumers in Delhi-NCR. ANOVA, post hoc tests , and hierarchical multiple linear regression model are applied to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe NMC living in India's megacities imitates the lifestyle of their counterparts living in the West. To maintain their status and present themselves different from those living in middle or lower-middle-class categories, they spend audaciously, even though the income is low. When they enter the new middle class, their consumption, saving and lifestyle diversify positively.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations. First, the authors do not apply any behavioral theory or marketing model such as the theory of reasoned action (TRA), Engel-kollat-Blackwell (EKB) model or theory of normative model of target markets. Second, the research is limited to the NMC of only one emerging economy, i.e., India. Third, the research sample is limited to only one megacity of India, i.e., Delhi. Finally, this research used only one factor, i.e., AI, to study the consumption pattern.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that considering the buying habits and lifestyle of Indian the NMC, consumers would prove helpful to the companies in product decision-making. Furthermore, understanding change in investment habits across different income levels would be advantageous to financial institutions, investment planners and marketers while designing their products to attract investment.Originality/valueThe research holds significance from the point of view of understanding Indian consumers encompassing the the NMC and predicting their implications on consumer goods-producing industries, which shall, in turn, facilitate producers and government in formulating policies and strategies.

EARLY DETERMINANTS OF CHILDHOOD BLOOD PRESSURE AT AGE 6: THE GECKO DRENTHE AND ABCD BIRTH COHORTS

Objective: The study aimed to explore the association between early determinants and childhood blood pressure at age 6. Design and method: From the population-based GECKO Drenthe birth cohort, 1663 Dutch children were included in the analyses. Birth weight was standardized (std-BW) for sex and gestational age, blood pressure was measured, and prenatal factors, pregnancy outcome and participants characteristics were derived from gynecologist/midwives or from parents by questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were used to test whether prenatal factors, std-BW, gestational age, breastfeeding independently contribute to childhood blood pressure at age 6. The models were further replicated in 2052 Dutch children from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, and meta-analyses were performed to combine the results of the two cohorts. Next the effect of child's postnatal weight gain (the weight for age z-score change from age 2 to 6) on childhood BP was evaluated after adjustment for covariates only in the GECKO Drenthe cohort. Results: In the meta-analyses results of multiple linear regression, maternal prepregnancy BMI was positively associated with SBP (beta=0.09 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.02–0.15) and DBP (beta=0.11 mmHg; 95% CI, 0.05–0.17) at age 6. Children of women with hypertension during pregnancy had higher SBP (beta=0.91 mmHg, 95% CI, 0.14–1.68) and DBP (beta=0.71 mmHg, 95% CI, 0.04–1.39). Higher std-BW was associated with lower SBP (Per unit std BW, beta=-7.20 mmHg, 95% CI, -9.41--4.99) and lower DBP (beta=-4.00 mmHg, 95% CI, -5.94--2.07). Longer gestational age was not associated with DBP, only with lower SBP (per extra gestational week, beta=-0.23 mmHg, 95% CI, -0.43--0.02). The direction of effect sizes of these perinatal factors on childhood blood pressure were consistent in the two cohorts. Furthermore in the GECKO Drenthe cohort, higher postnatal weight gain was associated with higher SBP (beta=0.78 mmHg, 95% CI, 0.24–1.32) and higher DBP (beta=0.57 mmHg, 95% CI, 0.08–1.05). Conclusions: Higher maternal prepregnancy BMI, maternal pregnancy hypertension, a relatively lower birth weight for gestational age, shorter gestational age and faster postnatal weight gain independently contribute to higher childhood blood pressure at age 6.

Interest in online supports and brief self-help interventions among cannabis using Canadian university students

Only a fraction of problematic cannabis users ever seek treatment from specialty addiction services. This gap could be reduced via online brief interventions and self-help resources; however, it is not clear whether cannabis users would be interested in accessing those tools. We examined whether cannabis use, motives for using cannabis, and protective behavioral strategies predicted hypothetical interest in accessing online self-help resources. We hypothesized that greater interest in accessing self-help materials would be predicted by (1) problematic cannabis use, (2) using cannabis to cope with negative affect, and (3) fewer cannabis-related protective behaviors. These predictions were tested in a secondary analyses of data from 649 cannabis-using Canadian university students (42.5% male; M age = 22.5) participating in a population survey. Data were analyzed using set wise hierarchical multiple linear regression models to predict hypothetical interest in online self-help resources, from cannabis use, motives, and protective behaviors. Problematic cannabis users reported more interest in hypothetically accessing online supports than non-problematic users. Problematic cannabis use, coping, and expansion motives, and protective behaviors were positively associated with hypothetical interest in accessing online resources. Findings suggest that online self-help interventions might be an effective public health approach to reduce cannabis use among Canadian university students.

Impact of Sensory Processing on School Performance Outcomes in High Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Difficulty processing sensory information may impede progress in school for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explore the relationship between sensory processing and school performance in 26 high-functioning youths with ASD and 26 controls (age 8-14) using measures of sensory, social, cognitive, and academic functioning. In the ASD group, bivariate Pearson correlations indicated a significant positive relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and the School Competence Scale (SCS) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and a significant negative relationship between Dunn's Sensory Processing Framework and SCS scores. Final hierarchical multiple linear regression model accounting for SCS scores in ASD included IQ, ADHD symptoms, and sensory features. An interaction between increased sensory sensitivity with reduced sensory avoidance behaviors explained the greatest amount of variance in SCS, meaning school performance is lowest for children with greater hypersensitivity and fewer avoidance behaviors. Results indicate a strong impact of sensory processing on school performance in ASD.

Effects of Traditional and Social Media on Political Trust

Political trust is essential for a democratic regime to work, and a declining asset in Western countries. It has been confirmed theoretically and empirically that news media are an important source of influence on political trust, though literature have not considered social media, in which the circulation of false or misleading information, and propaganda, might have a negative effect on political trust, to be relevant channels of news consumption. In order to explore the effect of social media on political trust in comparison with that of traditional media, an ANOVA test and hierarchical multiple linear regression models were run on a three-wave panel survey, during the presidential elections of 2018 (N = 701) in Mexico. The findings indicate that the election campaign had a positive effect on institutional trust, growing as the campaign developed, and that there was a positive influence from social media, followed by television.