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Non-bank lending and firm performance: evidence from the syndicate loan market
No full textWe find that in the leveraged loan sector, firms borrowing from non-banks have lower profitability following loan originations, compared to firms borrowing from banks, after controlling for observable factors. As non-bank borrowers experience less intense monitoring than bank borrowers, they engage in more risk-taking, which could explain their lower profitability following loan issuance. Using the leveraged lending guidance as a plausibly exogenous shock, which resulted in the migration of borrowers from banks to non-banks, we provide causal evidence corroborating our main results. Overall, our findings suggest that macroprudential policies which exclusively target the traditional banking sector may have negative consequences
Impact of Asian summer monsoon on the 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave: can it? Did it?
Get PDFThis study examines the role of Asian summer monsoon in the unprecedented 2021 Pacific Northwest (PNW) heatwave. We address this by separating it into two relevant but independent questions: Can monsoon activity observed prior to the event impact PNW climate, and did it specifically impact the 2021 PNW heatwave? Based on observational diagnostics, numerical experiments, and subseasonal‐to‐seasonal (S2S) forecasts, our results consistently indicate although the monsoon activity can exert a cooling effect on the PNW, on average, it had a warming influence in the specific case of 2021 and thus contributed to the heatwave that summer. The contrasting answers to the “can it” and “did it” questions highlight how background flow and specific forcing pattern during the event can modulate—or even reverse—the expected impact. We advocate future work exploring the link between large‐scale climatic drivers and extremes should be undertaken in an event‐specific context to better understand these relationships
Individual variations in eating rate and oral processing behaviours and their association with energy intake and appetite in older adults (≥ 65 years old)
Get PDFOral processing behaviours (OPBs) have been repeatedly associated with energy intake and appetite in younger adults; however, in older adults, these associations remain poorly understood. Older adults often experience ageing-related physiological decline, which can affect food oral manipulation and intake. This study investigated individual variations in OPBs and their association with energy intake and appetite in healthy older adults. Eighty-eight participants (44 males, mean age 73.7 SD 5.3 years) attended one visit after an overnight fast. A fixed-portion breakfast was provided and consumed in full, while consumption was video-recorded to quantify OPBs (chews, bites, swallows, chews per bite, bite size, eating rate, meal duration). Self-reported appetite was assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS). Meal energy intake was measured using an ad libitum lunch. A weighed food diary was used for the rest of the day to record food and drink intake. Generally, eating rate was negatively correlated with OPBs frequency and duration (p < 0.001). OPBs differed between genders and eating rate subgroups. From the postprandial self-reported appetite ratings, in faster compared to slower eaters, “prospective intake” was rated higher, indicating greater perceived appetite. Faster eating rate at the ad libitum meal was significantly and independently associated with greater energy intake (p < 0.001), when accounting for age, gender, BMI, lunch liking and pre-lunch appetite ratings. This study highlights the link between eating rate and energy intake in older adults and provides insights for future interventions, especially when energy intake needs to be increased in frail older adults
Variations in oral performance and processing behaviours among older adults: associations with gastric emptying, postprandial glucose and insulin responses
Get PDFOlder adults often experience deterioration in oral health and oral-related abilities, with tooth loss, impaired masticatory performance, alterations to salivary flow and composition all being common. Additionally, other ageing-related physiological changes happen, including delayed gastric emptying and higher postprandial glycemic responses. The interaction between oral-related factors and metabolic responses has been researched in younger adults, but not in older age groups. This study aimed to explore oral performance measures (OPMs) and oral processing behaviours (OPBs) and their associations with gastric emptying (GE) and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in adults aged ≥65 years. Participants attended one visit after an overnight fast and were provided with a fixed-portion breakfast, which they were asked to consume in full. Eating behaviours were coded to quantify OPBs (including chewing and eating rate). OPMs (salivary flow rate, salivary alpha-amylase, bolus saliva uptake and masticatory performance) and questionnaire data were collected. Over three postprandial hours, GE was measured using labelled breath samples, and glucose and insulin responses were measured in capillary blood samples. Increased bolus salivary uptake was associated with greater masticatory performance, greater stimulated salivary flow rate and a slower eating rate. Greater masticatory performance was related to faster GE times. Faster eating rates and reduced chewing were associated with lower early postprandial glucose responses (up to peak glucose (45 min)); however, they were not associated with postprandial insulin responses or GE. This research highlights the significant, complex associations between oral performance, oral processing behaviours and postprandial metabolism in older adults
Exploring the benefits of Latin and French learning on metalinguistics
No full textWhile Latin’s role in education has been historically significant, contemporary research
continues to explore its potential benefits in modern educational contexts. This study addresses
this area by examining the impact of learning Latin in addition to French on metalinguistics, a
crucial component for language acquisition, which is a current priority for UK schools.
Traditionally, Latin education has been associated with privilege, but emerging evidence suggests
greater benefits for students from deprived backgrounds. This research involved 160 Year 7
students from six UK state schools, with two schools learning French and four learning both Latin
and French, representing a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Metalinguistics were assessed
using a bespoke 33-item test at the start and end of the academic year, maintaining ecological
validity through regular class instruction. Verbal reasoning scores served as a baseline measure,
complemented by stimulated recall interviews for contextual insights.
A generalised linear mixed effects model revealed a significant interaction between Latin
learning and time, indicating differential gains in metalinguistics. Using free school meal
eligibility as an indicator of socio-economic status (SES), the analysis revealed a significant three-way interaction among time, Latin learning, and SES. The effect plot suggested that students from
lower socio-economic backgrounds experienced greater metalinguistic gains from Latin learning.
Specifically, an increase in SES measure by one unit (indicating lower socio-economic status)
made learners 1.54 times more likely to benefit from Latin. These findings challenge traditional
assumptions about Latin education, suggesting that it may be particularly beneficial for students
from less privileged backgrounds. This study contributes to the discourse on equitable language
education, advocating for inclusive pedagogical strategies that consider socio-economic diversity
The distribution of the phenomenon of corruption in Ukraine in 2014-2021
Get PDFAlthough Ukraine is a unitary state, its various regions have experienced different historical
trajectories and now retain distinctive identities. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union,
Ukraine has become markedly diverse, particularly in its socio-political and institutional
development. The country identifies itself with the West and aspires to integration with Euro-Atlantic structures.
Prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the greatest domestic obstacle to Ukraine’s
progress was widely acknowledged to be corruption. International media and NGOs often
ranked Ukraine among the most corrupt countries in Europe. However, such assessments
typically focused on national-level corruption and seldom explored subnational patterns in
detail.
The primary objective of this dissertation is to determine whether corruption in Ukraine is
evenly distributed across its territory. Should disparities be found, the study investigates their
underlying causes and mechanisms. The hypothesis posits that the tenure of local politicians
significantly affects corruption levels by fostering clientelist ties with regional business
networks.
Given the intangible nature of corruption, the analysis employs proxy indicators – observable
and measurable phenomena that often accompany corrupt practices. The procurement sector,
the largest domain of responsibility for local authorities, is used as the empirical field for
testing.
At the subnational level, two executive bodies exist: the elected local council and the
centrally appointed governor. The correlation analysis reveals that higher corruption risks are
associated with local councils rather than governors. This finding is explored in depth.
The principal conclusion of the study is that the core issue lies not in regional variation per se
– although such variation exists – but in the proximity of public institutions to citizens.
Elected institutions, being closer to local society, appear more susceptible to corruption.
Understanding the sources of such risk at the regional level can thus provide meaningful
guidance for national efforts to combat corruption more effectively
The Golfo Dulce yellow sea snake (Elapidae: Hydrophis platurus xanthos) from morphological and molecular perspectives
No full textThe yellow sea snake Hydrophis platurus xanthos is found only in Costa Rica’s South Pacific embayment of Golfo Dulce, confined to a <215-m-deep inner basin. This endemic population is geographically separated from the pelagic sea snake Hydrophis platurus platurus by >20 km and has distinctive morphological characters, suggesting potential phylogenetic divergence. Our study confirms morphological diagnosability of the Golfo Dulce population using coloration (predominantly yellow vs. dorsally black) and consistently small body size (<60 cm in total length). Several significant differences in cephalic and caudal scale counts are also documented. Seven preserved yellow specimens collected outside Golfo Dulce in the 1970s are morphologically consistent H. p. xanthos, suggesting that they originated from inside the gulf. Despite this, when we used reduced representation sequencing to examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms, targeted squamate conserved loci, and mined mitochondrial DNA, our molecular analyses provided no evidence that H. p. xanthos and H. p. platurus are separately evolving lineages. Indeed, we found near-complete lack of structure both within and between these populations. The absence of genetic differentiation, which suggests regular gene flow despite contrary morphological and biogeographical factors, creates an intriguing paradox. Recent separation and/or high selection pressure might be in effect
Macromineral and trace element concentrations of dairy products and plant-based imitations in the UK: implications for population intakes
No full textUK diets rely on dairy to support mineral adequacy. Sales of plant-based dairy imitations (PBDI) are increasing. However, they are not nutritionally equivalent to dairy, and there is no UK analytical data on their mineral composition to assess potential dietary intake risks. We performed the first large-scale analysis of mineral concentrations in the most commonly consumed dairy products and PBDI, comparing semi-skimmed milk (n=40), yoghurt (n=80) and cheese (n=52) with fortified almond, coconut, oat and soya plant-based beverages (PBB; n=138), coconut and soya plant-based yoghurt imitations (PBYI; n=49) and coconut oil plant-based cheese imitations (PBCI; n=40). The data were used to estimate changes in the UK population’s mineral intakes based on current consumption. PBDI were highly varied, with mineral concentrations determined by fortification and plant base. While fortified PBB contained similar calcium concentrations to milk, the fortification of PBYI was inconsistent, resulting in differences between soya and coconut-based yoghurt imitations. PBCI contained significantly less Ca than cheese despite frequent fortification, likely due to nutritional compromises made to preserve meltability. PBDIs were inadequately fortified with iodine. In PBCI, despite low levels of declared fortification, iodine concentrations suggested that other ingredients in the formulation enhanced the overall iodine content. PBDI were lower in K and Zn. Replacement of dairy with PBDI was more expensive and nutritionally detrimental, as adequate intakes of I and Ca could become inadequate in some age groups, and prevalence of low intakes of Mg, K, and Zn could be exacerbated, increasing the risk of clinically significant deficiency outcomes
Unpacking the richness of language experience as a predictor of bilingual children’s language proficiency
Get PDFThe richness of bilingual children’s language experience is typically expressed as a composite score using parental questionnaire data. This study unpacks the concept of input richness by examining one such composite score (Q-BEx) to determine whether it reliably predicts children’s language abilities, is no more complex than required, and as user-friendly as possible. Data were collected from 173 bilingual children aged 5 to 8 across three countries (France, Netherlands, UK) with various heritage languages in each. Parents completed the Q-BEx questionnaire and children proficiency tasks in their societal language. We analysed the predictive power of the original score compared to several alternative scoring approaches. Results showed (i) these alternatives were not more informative, (ii) scores including qualitative aspects of richness fared better than those with only quantitative variables, (iii) the latent variables underlying richness were comparable across languages, and (iv) whether parental education was included made little difference