Results Of Multiple Linear Regression Research Articles

Divergent responses of subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest carbon cycles to the summer 2022 drought

Ongoing shifts in climate, especially extreme drought, is posing considerable threats to the forest carbon uptake worldwide. In China, summer 2022 was the warmest and driest since the beginning of meteorological measurements. This study synthesized the tower-based carbon fluxes and climate data from two subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest ecosystems to investigate the effects of such summer drought. Interestingly, the net ecosystem production (NEP = −NEE) only exhibited a slight decrease at the deciduous forest while it even enhanced at the evergreen forest during the summer 2022 drought. Further analysis revealed that although reductions in gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R e) were found at both sites, larger decrease in R e than GPP at the evergreen forest led to stronger NEP compared to the previous year. However, the NEP of two forest ecosystems sharply reduced in the following 2023, which can be ascribed to the legacy effects of the summer 2022 drought. The results of multiple linear regression revealed that soil water content (SWC) was recognized as the primary driver of GPP and R e, and downwelling shortwave radiation (R g) regulated the variability of NEP during the summer 2022. Across these forest carbon fluxes including GPP, R e and NEP, the deciduous forest exhibited larger resistance, whereas the evergreen forest showed stronger resilience. All analyses emphasized the diverse adaptive strategies among vegetation types, which acted an important role in assessing ecosystem carbon sequestration in face of future climate change.

The Influence Of Environment, Promotions And Price Perceptions On Clothing Purchase Decisions In Ptm Bengkulu City

The title of this research is The Effect of Environment, Promotion and Price Perception on Clothing Purchasing Decisions at PTM Bengkulu City. This study aims to determine which factors are most dominant in influencing Purchasing Decisions. The research was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024. The sample of this research is consumers who have made purchases and have consumption experience at the Modern Traditional Market (PTM) Bengkulu City. This research uses quantitative methods on 170 respondents. The sampling technique is probability sampling, the method used in this research is quantitative method with Multiple Linear Regression analysis using SPSS 24 for windows. Based on the results of multiple linear regression, the regression equation Y = 1.189 + 0.438 (X_1) + 0.251 (X2) + 0.641 (X3) and the coefficient of determination Adjusted R Square (R2) obtained a value of 0.683 or around (68.3%). The research results and hypotheses in this study indicate that Environment, Promotion and Price Perception have a positive effect partially or simultaneously on consumer purchasing decisions at the Modern Traditional Market (PTM) Bengkulu City.

Association between the quantity of stroke care units and the complement of neurosurgical and neurology specialists in Japan: A retrospective study

BackgroundStroke care units provide advanced intensive care for unstable patients with acute stroke. We conducted a survey to clarify the differences in stroke care units between urban and regional cities and the relationship between the number of stroke care unit beds and neurologists. MethodsThis retrospective observational study was conducted in 2,857 and 4,184 hospitals in urban and regional cities in 47 provinces of Japan, respectively, between January 2020 and August 2023. Tokyo and ordinance-designated cities in provinces were defined as urban cities, and those without such cities were defined as regional cities. The primary endpoint was the presence or absence of a stroke care unit. ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of stroke care units was significantly associated with the number of neurosurgical specialists. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to predict the number of personnel required for stroke care unit installation based on the number of neurosurgical specialists. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.721, 0.483, 0.783, and 0.700, respectively. ConclusionsOur study underscores the indispensability of SCUs in stroke treatment, advocating for a strategic allocation of medical resources, heightened accessibility to neurosurgical specialists, and a concerted effort to address geographic and resource imbalances. The identified cutoff value of 8.99 neurosurgical specialists per 100,000 population serves as a practical benchmark for optimizing SCU establishment, thereby potentially mitigating stroke-related mortality.

Altered Functional Connectivity of Temporoparietal Lobe in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Resting-State fNIRS Study.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder with high prevalence, is normally accompanied by affective, autonomic, and cognitive abnormalities, and is deemed to be linked to functional brain alterations. To investigate alterations in brain functional connectivity properties in patients with OSA, a comparative analysis of global and local topological properties of brain networks was conducted between patients with OSA and healthy controls (HCs), utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging. A total of 148 patients with OSA and 150 healthy individuals were involved. Firstly, quantitative alterations in blood oxygen concentration, changes in functional connectivity, and variations in graph theory-based network topological characteristics were assessed. Then, with Mann-Whitney statistics, this study compared whether there are significant differences in the above characteristics between patients with OSA and HCs. Lastly, the study further examined the correlation between the altered characteristics and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) using linear regression. Results revealed a higher mean and standard deviation of hemoglobin concentration in the superior temporal gyrus among patients with OSA compared to HCs. Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) exhibited a slight increase between the superior temporal gyrus and other specific areas in patients with OSA. Notably, neither patients with OSA nor HCs demonstrated significant small-world network properties. Patients with OSA displayed an elevated clustering coefficient (p < 0.05) and local efficiency (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients with OSA exhibited a tendency towards increased nodal betweenness centrality (p < 0.05) and degree centrality (p < 0.05) in the right supramarginal gyrus, as well as a trend towards higher betweenness centrality (p < 0.05) in the right precentral gyrus. The results of multiple linear regressions indicate that the influence of the AHI on RSFC between the right precentral gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus (p < 0.05), as well as between the right precentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus (p < 0.05), are statistically significant. These findings suggest that OSA may compromise functional brain connectivity and network topological properties in affected individuals, serving as a potential neurological mechanism underlying the observed abnormalities in brain function associated with OSA.

Analysis of the Effect of Inflation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Foreign Currency Exchange Rates and Interest Rates on the Profitability of Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia (Case Study of Bank Muamalat for the 2007-2023 Period)

This research aims to analyze the influence of Inflation, Gross Domestic Product, Exchange Rates and Interest Rates on the profitability of Islamic banking, especially Bank Muamalat. This research uses descriptive quantitative methods. The data in this research is secondary time series data published by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Bank Indonesia (BI), Financial Services Authority (OJK). The data analysis technique uses multiple linear regression analysis which has previously been tested with classical assumptions. The results of multiple linear regression include that inflation and exchange rates have a significant effect on RoA, GDP and interest rates do not have a significant effect on RoA and inflation, economic growth, exchange rates and interest rates have a significant effect on Return on Assets of Bank Muamalat for the 2007-2023 period.

PENGARUH KERAGAMAN PRODUK, HARGA DAN KUALITAS PELAYANAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN KONSUMEN PADA CAFE AYAH BUNDA DI KABUPATEN SITUBONDO ABDURACHMAN SALEH SITUBONDO

This study is to determine the effects of product diversity, price, and service quality on consumer satisfaction at Cafe Ayah Bunda in Situbondo. The data analysis methods used in this research are validity test, reliability test, classical assumption test, multiple linear regression analysis, t-test, f-test, dominant test, and coefficient of determination. The results of multiple linear regression indicate that the variable product diversity (X1), price (X2), and service quality (X3) have a positive influence on the variable visitor satisfaction (Y). This is shown in the results of multiple linear regression analysis Y = 2.550E-16 + 0.671X1 -0.226X2 + 0.121X3+ e. The value for the product diversity variable is t-count 7,320 &gt; t-table 1,985 has a partial effect on consumer satisfaction. Price variable -tcount -2.454 &gt; ttable 1.985 has a partially negative effect on consumer satisfaction. The service quality variable t-count 1.472 &lt; t-table 1.985 has no partial effect on consumer satisfaction at Cafe Ayah Bunda in Situbondo. The f-test shows the calculated f-value of 20.107 &gt; 2.70, so it can be concluded that the research hypothesis (H2) which states that the variables of product diversity, price, and service quality have a simultaneous effect on consumer satisfaction. Based on the dominant test, the value of the product diversity variable is greater than the other variables by 7,320.

Predictors of medical staff's knowledge, attitudes and behavior of dysphagia assessment: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to explore the predictors of medical staff's Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessment, to provide reference suggestions for constructing the training program and improving the rate of dysphagia assessment. This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 353 nurses and doctors from four provinces (Guangdong, Hunan, Guangxi, and Shaanxi) who were selected by convenience sampling and invited to complete the questionnaire through WeChat, DingTalk, and Tencent instant messenger from May 23 to 31, 2022. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess participants' Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior regarding dysphagia assessment. Participants' sociodemographic, training, and nursing experience were measured using the general information sheet and analyzed as potential predictors of medical staff's Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessment. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify the predictors. The mean scores for Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessments were (15.3±2.7), (35.9±4.9) and (41.4±14.4) respectively. Knowledge and Behavior of medical staff were medium, and attitude was positive. Multiple linear regression results indicated that experience in nursing patients with dysphagia, related training for dysphagia, working years in the field of dysphagia related diseases, specialized training (geriatric, swallowing and rehabilitation) and department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) were significant predictors of Behavior, accounting for 31.5% of the variance. Working years in the field of dysphagia related diseases, department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) and title were significant predictors of medical staff's knowledge, accounting for 7.8% of variance. Education, experience in nursing patients with dysphagia, department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) and related training for dysphagia were significant predictors of medical staff's attitude, accounting for 12.9% of variance. The study findings implied that nursing experience, training, and work for patients with swallowing disorders could have positive effects on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of medical staff regarding dysphagia assessment. Hospital administrators should provide relevant resources, such as videos of dysphagia assessment, training centers for the assessment of dysphagia, and swallowing specialist nurses.

Job characteristics model-based study of the intrinsic motivations for primary care practitioners

BackgroundIncentives for primary care workforce are close related to the “strengthening basic healthcare” strategy of the new health reform of China and help achieve the goals of establishing a tiered system for rational diagnosis and treatment. Previous studies primarily focused on extrinsic incentives and their influence on performance, with limitation of exploring intrinsic motivations directly from the job. ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the job characteristics of primary care practitioners within the framework of Job Characteristics Model, evaluate their effect of intrinsic motivations on various job performance, compare the impact of five job characteristic dimensions with extrinsic motivators such as salary on these performance, and offer policy suggestions to enhance the motivations for bettering performance of primary care practitioners. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted between February and June 2021. The questionnaire was developed by the authors and delivered to primary care practitioners of 18 community health centers and 20 township health centers of three cities in Shandong Province China. The health centers were selected through a multi-stage sampling method. Within participants who completed the questionnaires, 167 participants were selected through a convenience sampling process, for semi-structured interviews. These interviews explored their opinions on job characteristics in their roles. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the association between the five job characteristics and extrinsic motivators, with self-motivation, performance, professional burnout, and intent to leave. Multiple linear regression was employed to assess the impact of these factors on job performance. The interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis. ResultsA total of 870 questionnaires were included in the study. Participants gave the highest rating to skill variety (4.09 ± 0.71) and the lowest to task integrity (3.18 ± 1.04) in the job characteristics. Scores for task significance, feedback, and autonomy were 3.91 ± 0.76, 3.46 ± 0.83, and 3.43 ± 0.79, respectively. Pearson correlation indicated positive associations of each job characteristic dimension with self-motivation and performance (P<0.05), and negative associations with burnout and intent to leave (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression results revealed that job characteristics dimensions significantly affected job performance, with notable impacts on self-motivation (R²=18.8 %), performance (R²=11.3 %), professional burnout (R²=16.5 %), and intent to leave (R²=21.9 %). These characteristics showed greater explanatory power compared to extrinsic motivators (1.7 %, 3.4 %, 5.8 %, and 11.8 % contributions to the four performances, respectively). Interviews highlighted challenges such as fragmented task assignment, limited autonomy, and inadequate feedback. ConclusionThe influence of intrinsic motivations stemming from of job characteristics is more significant in explaining job performance among primary care practitioners than extrinsic motivational factors. A noticeable discrepancy exists between theoretical job characteristics and their practical application. Focus should be shifted towards the intrinsic motivations of job. Recommended measures include enhancing training opportunities and their quality of service, reducing work-related stress, empowering medical professionals, increasing resource investments, relaxing policy constraints, and improving the performance management system. These measures aim to impact job perceptions, thereby enhancing the motivations and performance of primary care practitioners.

Influence of Employee Training and Implementation of Company Operational Procedure Standards on Improving Employee Performance in Prima Freshmart Bogor City

Human resources are the most important asset in an organization, and an important factor in employee performance plays an important role in optimizing their contribution. Companies need training programs and an understanding of SOPs so they tend to be better prepared to carry out their duties. In this case, the Company's target was not achieved and the Company assessed that employee performance had decreased. This research aims to measure the significant influence of training and implementation of SOPs on the performance of Prima Freshmart employees. The results of hypothesis testing and multiple linear regression show that employee training and implementation of SOPs have a positive and significant impact on improving employee performance at Prima Freshmart, Bogor City. The value of the Coefficient of Determination (Adj R2) is 0.826, which means that this indicates that the contribution of the independent variables, namely Employee Training and SOP, to the dependent variable, namely Employee Performance, is 82.6%, while the remaining 17.4% is influenced by other variables that have not yet been determined. researched or not included in the regression in this study.

The Influence Of Store Atmosphere, Brand Image And Service Quality On Coffee Purchasing Decisions (Case Study At Konnichiwa Shop, Bengkulu City)

The aim of the research is to determine the influence of Store Atmosphere, Brand Image and service quality on coffee purchasing decisions (case study at Konnichiwa Shop, Bengkulu City) and to find out which factors most dominantly influence purchasing decisions. This research used quantitative methods on 190 respondents. The population used in this research is consumers of Kedai Konnichiwa, Bengkulu City and sampling in this research uses a non-probability sampling technique. Based on the results of multiple linear regression, the regression equation Y = 16.916 + 0.292 (X1), + 0.456 (X2) + 0.332 (X3) is obtained. The results of the research concluded that Store Atmosphere, Brand Image and Service Quality had a positive and significant effect, both partially and simultaneously, on Purchase Decisions at Konnichiwa Stores in Bengkulu City.

Healthy Diet-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) and Related Socio-Demographic Characteristics among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Southwest China.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the current status and influencing factors of healthy diet knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among middle-aged and older adults aged 45-75 in Southwest China. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1822 middle-aged and older adults in Southwest China (including Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Chongqing) from February to May 2021. Results The average score of healthy diet knowledge was (4.82 ± 2.98), with a passing rate of 7.6%. The mean score of healthy diet attitude was (21.26 ± 4.18), with a passing rate of 69.5%. The average score of healthy diet practice was (13.76 ± 2.84), with a passing rate of 55.5%. The score for healthy diet KAP was (39.85 ± 7.21), with a passing rate of 41.2%. Univariate analysis showed that the scores of healthy diet KAP were significantly different among participants of different ages, genders, ethnicities, residences, education levels, monthly household incomes, and regions, as well as varying according to whether several generations have lived in the same area (p < 0.05). The results of multiple linear regression showed that the healthy diet KAP of participants was influenced by age, gender, residence, education level, monthly household income, and region (p < 0.05). Conclusion The healthy diet KAP of middle-aged and older adults aged 45-75 in Southwest China shows room for improvement. The knowledge regarding healthy diet was relatively low, and certain specific healthy diet practices were not up to the standard. However, there was a positive trend in the attitude towards a healthy diet. Healthy diet education should be promoted for middle-aged and older adults.

A multiple linear regression analysis identifies factors associated with fear of cancer recurrence in postoperative patients with gastric cancer.

To investigate the risk factors of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in postoperative patients with gastric cancer (GC) and provide references for targeted nursing intervention development. A total of 84 patients who underwent GC surgery were included in this study. The fear of progression questionnaire-short form and social support rating scale were conducted, and multiple linear regression was performed to identify risk factors of FCR. The score of the fear of progression questionnaire-short form in patients with GC surgery was 39.1 ± 7.6. The results of multiple linear regression showed that age, education level, occupational status, course of the disease, Tumor node metastasis staging, and social support were the influencing factors of FCR in patients with GC (P < .05). The current situation of FCR in patients with GC surgery is not optimistic. The medical staff should pay more attention to patients with low age, low education level, unemployment, short course, high tumor node metastasis staging, low social support level, and other high-risk groups, and provide social support resources to reduce the level of FCR.

Retrospective study of acid-base disturbances in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background. Impaired kidney function has a negative effect on the body’s acid-base status (ABS). However, a violation of ABS can worsen the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, during the examination and treatment of patients with CKD, it is necessary to take into account the ABS. The purpose of the study: to conduct a retrospective analysis of the dynamics of ABS indicators in patients with stage 1–5 CKD who sought outpatient medical care in a medical institution in Kyiv. Materials and methods. A retrospective, randomized, cohort study was performed of 53 medical records of patients (form 025/o) who sought outpatient medical care at the Professor Dmytro Ivanov Nephrological Clinic LLC with a diagnosis of stage 1–5 CKD from February 2022 to February 2023. Participants were examined for ABS indicators three times. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 31) — stage 1–3 CKD and group 2 (n = 22) — stage 4–5 CKD. An analysis of ABS indicators was carried out in dyna­mics. Results. Results of multiple linear regression for patients with stage 1–5 CKD (n = 53) showed that there was a strong significant effect between potassium (K+) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (F(1, 13) = 10.59, p = 0.006, R2 = 0.45, R2 adj = 0.41). The results of multiple linear regression of indicators in patients with stage 1–3 CKD (group 1) demonstrated a weak insignificant influence between lactate and GFR (F(1, 15) = 1.11, p = 0.310, R2 = 0.07, R2 adj = 0.01). The results of multiple linear regression of indicators in patients with stage 4–5 CKD (group 2) showed that there is a very strong combined insignificant influence between the hydrogen index, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, partial pressure of oxygen, bicarbonate concentration, base excess of extracellular fluid, K+, total carbon dioxide, anion gap with K concentration included in the equation, base excess, lactate and GFR (F(10, –3) = 0.3, p = 58.099, R2 = –65.23, R2 adj = 155.53). Conclusions. When studying ABS in patients with stage 1–5 CKD, a correlation was found between K+ and GFR using the multiple linear regression tool. In the first group, the relationship between lactate and GFR, in the second one, all predictors had a relationship with GFR.

Correlation analysis between occupational stress and metabolic syndrome in workers of a petrochemical enterprise: based on two assessment models of occupational stress.

Occupational stress is becoming a common phenomenon around the world. Being in a high occupational stress state for a long time may destroy the metabolic balance of the body, thereby increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. There is limited evidence regarding the correlation between occupational stress and metabolic syndrome (MetS), particularly in the petrochemical workers. A total of 1683 workers of a petrochemical enterprise in China were included in the survey by cluster sampling method. The occupational stress assessment was carried out by the Job Content Questionnaire and the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the general demographic characteristics, work characteristics, occupational hazards, lifestyle and health examination data of the participants were collected. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the correlations and influencing factors between occupational stress and its dimensions with MetS and its components. A total of 1683 questionnaires were sent out, and 1608 were effectively collected, with an effective recovery rate of 95.54%. The detection rates of occupational stress in Job Demand-Control (JDC) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models were 28.4% and 27.2%, respectively. In this study, 257 participants (16.0%) were diagnosed with MetS. Compared with the non-MetS group, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG) and fasting blood-glucose (FBG) levels were significantly higher in the MetS group, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001). The results of multiple linear regression showed that after adjusting for nation, marital status, education, work system, smoking and drinking, and further adjusting for occupational hazards, the D/C ratio was significantly negatively correlated with SBP in the JDC model. Social support was negatively correlated with WC. In the ERI model, there was a significant positive correlation between over-commitment and FBG. The detection rates of occupational stress and MetS were high in workers of a petrochemical enterprise. In the JDC model, occupational stress was negatively correlated with SBP, and social support was negatively correlated with WC. In the ERI model, there was a significantly positive correlation between over-commitment and FBG.

The relationship between eye canting and vertical craniofacial skeletal asymmetry in adult patients with dento-maxillofacial deformities

BackgroundWhether eye canting in patients with asymmetric dento-maxillofacial deformities is the result of anatomical asymmetry or a compensatory head position remains controversial. ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study aims to verify whether eye canting is correlated with craniofacial skeletal asymmetry. Methods & materialsThis study was performed by measuring the computed tomographic scans of 223 patients with dento-maxillofacial deformities in Mimics 21.0 software. First grouping was determined based on the intersection angle between the line passing through bilateral lateral canthus point and Frankfurt horizontal plane, and final grouping was based on measurements of the pregroups. ResultsThe patients were finally categorized into three groups: symmetry group (n = 163), asymmetry subgroups 1 (n = 33) and asymmetry subgroups 2 (n = 27). The results of multiple linear regression and comparisons among groups suggests the presence of orbital skeletal asymmetry in patients with eye canting and the eye canting is partly increment dependent of orbital skeletal asymmetry when using bilateral ears as the reference. The result also reveals that there is a greater angle between the line through bilateral ocular landmarks and the line through the bilateral ear landmarks in patients with ocular canting compared to patient without eye canting. ConclusionPatients with asymmetric dento-maxillofacial deformities and with eye canting have vertical asymmetry of the orbital and cranial skeletal landmarks. These symmetry differences between the eyes and ears may affect the overall craniofacial symmetry after orthognathic surgery

(103) Predictors of Sexual Arousal in Women: A Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract Introduction Low sexual desire and lack of arousal are highly prevalent sexual problems in women. Despite high prevalence, sexual arousal difficulties have not been a priority focus of assessment and treatment of women at midlife. Relationship satisfaction and importance of sex are key to healthy sexual function at midlife. Psychosocial variables, including relationship satisfaction, communication with one’s partner, and importance of sex are associated with overall sexual satisfaction. Rosemary Basson’s intimacy-based model of female sexual response incorporates the need for intimacy and emotional satisfaction and acknowledges the impact of sexual arousal on responsive sexual desire and physical satisfaction. Better understanding of the impacts of emotional satisfaction in female sexual response and function is needed to direct improvements in assessment and treatment of sexual problems in midlife women. Objective To explore the associations of emotional satisfaction, sexual desire, importance of sex and ability to climax with frequency of arousal during sexual activity in menopausal women. Methods A secondary data analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), USA, 2006-2008 (Visit 10) dataset was completed utilizing multiple linear regression to assess variables associated with frequency of sexual arousal in menopausal women. A total of 2,245 women between the ages of 51-63 years were included. The mean age was 56 years. Results Multiple linear regression results demonstrated that 19% of the variability in frequency of arousal in our study population was explained by emotional satisfaction (F (1,1163) = 271.039, p&amp;lt;.001). Further analyses revealed that 56% of the variability in frequency of arousal was explained by emotional satisfaction, sexual desire, importance of sex, and ability to climax (F (6,1014) = 215.461, p&amp;lt;.001). Conclusions Interventions designed to enhance emotional satisfaction with a partner may positively impact female sexual arousal. Emotional satisfaction with a partner is strongly associated with frequency of sexual arousal in menopausal women. Additionally, sexual desire, importance of sex and ability to climax are also strongly associated with frequency of sexual arousal. These findings are clinically relevant and reinforce the need for biopsychosocial assessment of sexuality and sexual function, as well as thorough assessment of dyadic and interpersonal factors. Further research is needed to better understand the impacts and interplay of psychosocial variables on female sexual response and function. Disclosure No.

Contamination levels of perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl compounds in breast milk and assessment of their exposure risk to infants

The purposes of this study are to explore the contamination levels of perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in breast milk and assess their exposure risk to infants. Based on data from a birth cohort study conducted in Yingcheng, Hubei Province, from 2018 to 2021, the contents of 23 types of PFASs in the breast milk of 324 pregnant women were determined using isotope dilution-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression was then performed to analyze the effects of various demographic characteristics and eating habits on the concentration of PFASs in breast milk. The daily PFASs intake of infants through breast milk was estimated, and the exposure risk of infants was also assessed. The results revealed that 23 types of PFASs in breast milk had good linear relationships in the range of 0.2-100 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.992. The limits of detection were 5-42 pg/mL, the limits of quantification were 15-126 pg/mL, the recoveries were 65.6%-108.1%, and the relative standard deviations were 1.6%-12.8%. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), with median concentrations of 200.7, 63.5, and 25.2 pg/mL, respectively, were the main PFASs found in breast milk. The detection rates of these three contaminants were higher than 80%, whereas the detection rates of other compounds were lower than 45%. The results of multiple linear regression showed that older pregnant women and a higher frequency of pickled food intake may be related to increased PFAS levels in breast milk whereas a higher frequency of legume intake may be related to decreased PFAS levels in breast milk. The median estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS for infants were 25.1, 7.9, and 3.2 ng/(kg·d), respectively. In summary, this study found notable PFAS levels in breast milk in Yingcheng, Hubei Province. Among these PFASs, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS were the main contaminants. Maternal age as well as pickled food and legume intake may affect the PFAS level in breast milk. The health risk of PFAS intake through breast milk to some infants is worthy of attention and further study.

Decent Work and Burnout: A Profile Study With Academic Personnel.

This research explores the relationship between Decent Work (DW) and Burnout in Portuguese and Brazilian academic personnel. We focus on identifying profiles resulting from the relationship between these variables. Seven hundred twenty-seven participants composed the sample (Portuguese = 334; Brazilian = 393), and data were collected online using the Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ) and the Personal Burnout subscale from the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Results of multiple linear regressions showed that two DW dimensions were significant and negatively related to Burnout: Fundamental Principles and Values at Work and Adequate Working Time and Workload. We found four profiles by performing a cluster analysis: Low Decent Work; High Decent Work; and two other profiles with DW deficit in at least one DW dimension: Low Fundamental Principles and Values at Work and Low Adequate working time and workload. Moreover, 71% of the total sample showed some decent work deficit. Differences between Burnout and the DW dimensions were analyzed through a MANOVA. In our sample, considering the broad dimensions of DW, Burnout seems to be mainly dependent on the deficit of aspects related to the quality of treatment and interpersonal relationships at work (e.g., perceptions of fairness, participation, non-discrimination) as well as the balance of the workload and the adequacy of the working hours. Interventions aiming at improvements must focus on those two dimensions.

Association analysis between mixed exposure to phenols and semen quality

Phenols such as bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan are common environmental endocrine disruptors. Previous epidemiological studies have suggested that phenols may affect semen quality, but the results were inconsistent. In addition, most existing studies have been limited to the effects of a single chemical compound, ignoring the health effects of mixed exposure to multiple chemicals. Thus, we aimed to explore the associations between individual and mixed exposure to phenols and various semen quality parameters. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was used to determine 18 phenolic compounds in urine samples of 799 volunteers who donated sperm samples to the Shanghai Human Sperm Bank. A spot urine sample was collected from each subject on the day of their clinic visit and stored at -20 ℃ until testing. Urine samples (200 μL) were extracted and added with 20 μL of an internal standard and 50 μL of β-glucuronidase solution. The mixtures were then incubated for 12 h at 37 ℃. After hydrolysis, the samples were extracted twice using ethyl acetate (500 μL). The concentrations of the 18 phenolic compounds were measured using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Semen quality parameters were analyzed using a computer-aided semen analyzer. Multiple linear regressions were used to detect the associations between individual phenol exposure and semen quality parameters. In addition, weighted quantile sum (WQS) models were used to explore the associations between mixed-phenol exposure and semen quality parameters. After adjusting for potential covariates, the results of multiple linear regressions showed that exposure to ethyl paraben (EtP) was significantly negatively associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (P<0.05). In addition, exposure to mixed phenols was significantly associated with decreased sperm concentration; methyl paraben (MeP) and EtP were identified as the main contributors to this decrease. Thus, phenol exposure may be associated with decreased semen quality in young males, particularly with respect to sperm concentration and total sperm count.

The Associations between Exposure to Multiple Heavy Metals and Total Immunoglobulin E in U.S. Adults.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a type of immunoglobulin, and elevated serum total IgE is often present in allergic diseases. Exposure to environmental heavy metals has been markedly linked to allergic diseases, leading to elevated total IgE levels. However, studies concerning the effects of multiple metal exposures on total IgE levels are limited. Therefore, the current study seeks to explore the correlation between heavy-metal co-exposure and total IgE levels based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2006). Participants possessed complete data on total IgE levels, 11 urinary metal concentrations and other covariates. The correlations between 11 metals and total IgE levels were analyzed using multiple linear regression, and total IgE levels were a continuous variable. Total IgE levels exceeding 150 kU/L were considered sensitized. Binary logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the correlation between metal exposure and the occurrence of an allergic state. Then, the association between co-exposure to the 11 metals and total IgE levels or the occurrence of sensitization status was further analyzed by Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), a multi-contaminant model. There were 1429 adults with complete data included. Based on the median concentration, molybdenum (Mo) had the highest concentration (46.60 μg/L), followed by cesium (Cs), barium (Ba), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). And the median (interquartile range) for total IgE levels was 43.7 (17.3, 126.0) kU/L. Multiple linear regression results showed that Pb was significantly and positively associated with total IgE levels (β = 0.165; 95% CI: 0.046, 0.284). Binary logistic regression showed a significant positive correlation between urinary Pb (OR: 1.258; 95% CI: 1.052, 1.510) and tungsten (W) (OR: 1.251; 95% CI: 1.082, 1.447). Importantly, the BKMR model found a positive correlation between combined-metal exposure and total IgE levels and the occurrence of sensitization status. The mixed heavy-metal exposure was associated with increased total IgE levels, and this association may be driven primarily by the exposure of Pb and W. This study provides new insights into the relationship between heavy-metal exposure and allergic diseases. More research is needed to confirm these findings.