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Mendelian randomization analysis identifies inverse causal relationship between external eating and metabolic phenotypes
Get PDFDisordered eating contributes to weight gain, obesity, and type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the precise mechanisms underlying the development of different eating patterns and connecting them to specific metabolic phenotypes remain unclear. We aimed to identify genetic variants linked to eating behaviour and investigate its causal relationships with metabolic traits using Mendelian randomization (MR). We tested associations between 30 genetic variants and eating patterns in individuals with T2D from the Volga-Ural region and investigated causal relationships between variants associated with eating patterns and various metabolic and anthropometric traits using data from the Volga-Ural population and large international consortia. We detected associations between HTR1D and CDKAL1 and external eating; between HTR2A and emotional eating; between HTR2A, NPY2R, HTR1F, HTR3A, HTR2C, CXCR2, and T2D. Further analyses in a separate group revealed significant associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the loci in CRP, ADCY3, GHRL, CDKAL1, BDNF, CHRM4, CHRM1, HTR3A, and AKT1 genes. MR results demonstrated an inverse causal relationship between external eating and glycated haemoglobin levels in the Volga-Ural sample. External eating influenced anthropometric traits such as body mass index, height, hip circumference, waist circumference, and weight in GWAS cohorts. Our findings suggest that eating patterns impact both anthropometric and metabolic traits
Assessment of strength and power capacities in elite male soccer: a systematic review of test protocols used in practice and research
Get PDFStrength and power represent two crucial physical qualities for the attainment of a high level of performance considering the frequency and the importance of explosive actions occurring during elite soccer match-play. Evaluation of strength and power is a multifaceted concept involving a vast array of tests and outcome variables. Nevertheless, a comprehensive and systematic search of strength and power assessment procedures in elite soccer has yet to be undertaken. The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) identify the tests and outcome variables used to assess strength and power of elite male soccer players; (2) provide normative values for the most common tests of strength and power across different playing levels; and (3) report the reliability values of these strength and power tests. A systematic review of the academic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and OVID for studies published until August 2023 was conducted, following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they: (1) were original research studies, published in a peer-reviewed journal, and written in English language; (2) had the primary aim to assess strength and/or power; (3) players were male and older than 17 years of age (i.e., mean age of the group); and (4) their playing level was defined as "professional", "international" or "elite". Regarding strength testing, 115 studies and 29 different tests were identified. The three most frequent strength tests were the knee extensor isokinetic strength test (58 studies), the knee flexor isokinetic strength test (55 studies) and the Nordic hamstring strength test (13 studies). In terms of power testing, 127 studies with 31 different tests were included. The three most frequent power tests were the countermovement jump with hands fixed on hips (99 studies), the squat jump (48 studies) and the vertical jump with arm swing (29 studies). The wide range of different tests and outcome variables identified in this systematic review highlights the large diversity in the employed testing procedures. The establishment of a hybrid testing approach, combining standardised and widely accepted tests for establishing normative standards and enabling comparisons across different contexts, with flexible context-specific testing batteries, has the potential to maximise the impact of testing information for practitioners. In addition, the limited reporting of reliability data across studies highlights the need for practitioners to establish their own reliability measure within their specific contexts, informing the selection of certain tests and outcome variables
An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study of the integration and career progression of internationally educated nurses (IENs) in UK healthcare: the lived experience of UK registered nurses with Nigeria heritage in the London region
Get PDFBackground: Internationally educated nurses (IENs) form a significant number of British minority ethnic (BME) group in the UK healthcare service. Discrimination against the BME group is pervasive in the National Health Service (NHS), especially in promotion and recruitment to leadership and management positions. However, some BME nurses in UK healthcare achieve and sustain senior management and leadership positions.
Methods: This qualitative study employs an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to explore the participants perspectives on integration and how they attained, sustained and thrived in senior clinical and management positions in UK healthcare in the London region.
Results: The themes derived from the analysis are education, mentoring, coaching, and personal characteristics or behavioural preferences. These themes and analytical findings are significant markers and means of integration and career progression in UK healthcare in the London region. The findings reveal that all the highly successful registered nurses with Nigeria heritage had tertiary education outside of the UK before gaining Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration or progressed to attain a degree or postgraduate degree on qualification as a registered nurse. The study indicates that respondents’ career progression to senior position was influenced by the availability or access to a mentor and, or a career coach. All the participants agreed that the individual’s characteristics and personal factors concerning professional practice helped to break through professional barriers, and in dealing with challenges to achieve higher grades or bands.
Conclusions: The experiences of these BME nurses with Nigeria heritage might help us understand how some IENs successfully navigated the pathway of integration and their career progression in UK healthcare
The impact of Artificial Intelligence focus on firm performance: the role of R&D and top manager education level
No full textThis study examines the links between the dimensions of companies' focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and firm performance (financial and market performance). AI focus refers to the practice of focusing on specific domains that use cutting-edge technologies enabled by AI to support their operations, realising cooperative development and efficiency improvement between employees and organisations. In addition, the potential mediating role in this relationship between research and development (R&D) staff ratio and R&D investment is examined, and a series of research hypotheses are proposed. Furthermore, the study focuses on evaluating top manager education level as a moderating variable to study the mechanism of AI focus and firm performance.
A panel data estimation approach was employed to empirically test the relationship between AI focus and firm performance to achieve this goal. A rigorous two-stage methodology was implemented. Initial foundations were laid with a careful qualitative synthesis of the existing literature, which helped understand AI focus and how it might affect firm performance. The research used an exploratory approach by analysing the annual reports of Chinese-listed companies for the period 2014 to 2022. This innovative approach offered valid initial data correlating AI focus and firm performance. Finally, the study rigorously validated the proposed model by integrating appropriate financial information and using the sophisticated functionalities of STATA statistical software. This in-depth empirical study enables scholars to confirm their theoretical framework and finds a negative relationship between AI focus and firm performance.
The main contribution of this thesis is to advance knowledge about how companies can capitalise on AI. Firstly, it pioneers the development of AI focus. This multifaceted approach considers how organisations choose to influence and incorporate AI not only into their operations and decision-making but also into their customer interactions. This novel concept is further enriched by categorising AI focus into three distinct dimensions: mechanical, thinking, and feeling AI. This nuanced view reveals the full range of possible organisational AI deployments. Secondly, the study transcends mere definition and discusses the underlying theories of AI focus and the effect on firm performance. It suggests a novel model grounded on the proven economic, dynamic capabilities and talent management theories. The hypothesised negative impact of AI focus on performance is confirmed, which the study argues is based in part on the additional supporting resources devoted to AI, which increase costs, and on the need for organisational change when AI is introduced. Lastly, the research gives practical advice to businesses that want to develop a strong orientation towards AI. It identifies essential enablers, including employee education and R&D investment, as well as well-focused marketing efforts. This actionable knowledge allows companies to strategically position and optimise their AI focus, assisting them to gain an edge in the competitive reach of AI. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the field of AI and business management. It broadens understanding of AI's focus, reveals its theoretical basis, and offers practical advice to companies trying to harness AI's transformative power
ZHAO Zi-chen’s doctrine of salvation within the praxis model of contextual theology (1920-1950)
No full textZHAO Zi-chen (趙紫宸 1888-1979) was one of the leading Chinese theologians in the early twentieth century. From 1920 to 1950, he attempted to contextualise Christianity through dialogues with Confucianism, contemporary ideologies, and socio-political issues. Along with this process of contextualisation, he strove to fulfil his social aspiration by attempting to restore hope, social order, and peace for the suffering Chinese people through the advocation of Christian ethics.
This study focuses on ZHAO’s doctrine of salvation; the initial proposition is to determine how he interpreted this doctrine within cultural embodiment. This study analyses his textual materials according to the parameters designated in Stephen Bevans’ praxis model. The purpose is to reveal how ZHAO addressed the doctrine of salvation based on his interpretations of Scripture, church tradition, and culture. Ultimately, it was to realise his praxis of transforming Chinese society into the Kingdom of God.
ZHAO’s theology had two specific phases. In the early phase (1920-1940), embedding it in Confucianism, he believed that humanity had inherent goodness; a person could attain divine morality by the efforts of self-cultivation. In the later phase (1940-1950), given his experience of imprisonment and the inspiration of Karl Barth, he changed his beliefs. With a disposition towards dogmatic theology, he developed the doctrine of salvation by affirming divine revelation, original sin, justification by faith, sanctification through union with Christ, and reconciliation with God.
Finally, this study concludes that ZHAO’s soteriology demonstrated the uniqueness of his theology. The distinctiveness primarily comes from his dedication to turning theological beliefs into theories of social praxis. Meanwhile, his vigorous theological responses to the rapidly changing Chinese context during 1920-1950 should also distinguish him from other Chinese and Western theologians
Fostering virtue among autorickshaw drivers in Sri Lanka: a case study of an urban sharing institution
Get PDFThis study, using the theories of MacIntyrean Virtue Ethics, Institutional Theory and Algorithmic Management, explores the MacIntyrean Virtues-Goods-Practice-Institution Framework and Institutional Work strategies in a non-western context among autorickshaw drivers transiting to roles in a prominent ride-sharing app company in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This research builds on the empirical studies conducted by Moore (2012), Fernando and Moore (2015), and Chu and Moore (2020) with the application of Virtue Ethics based on a conceptual framework drawn from MacIntyre’s work. Hitherto, no serious research project has engaged autorickshaw drivers regarding professional conduct and ethical practices to learn how institutions can effectively and meaningfully foster ethical practice. The aim of this research was to discover how institutions can effectively encourage and sustain virtuous conduct using Virtue Ethics and Institutional Theory. Based on case study research conducted in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the findings support the use of the MacIntyrean Framework not only in non-western contexts, but among loosely organized network institutions. This research also uncovered novel Institutional Work strategies (notably, frequent performance reflection and ethics training being the most effective) and virtues (acquiescence, moderation and self-care being discovered) as well as confirming the ethical dilemmas inherent in subordinating managerial functions to the application’s algorithm. This case analysis builds on empirical data from previous case studies, field observations and 25 interviews with management, founders, and rank-and-file autorickshaw drivers who are a part of the ride-sharing institution PickMe
Association between dynamic strength index derived from isometric squat and squat jump or countermovement jump and force-velocity profile
Get PDFWe investigated the associations and differences between dynamic strength index (DSI) calculated from different types of vertical jump (countermovement jump; CMJ and squat jump; SJ) and different isometric knee joint angles (30, 60 and 90°), and associations with force-velocity (FV) profile and its constituent variables (maximal theoretical force (V0), power (Pmax) and velocity (V0) and the slope of the FV relationship (Sfv), on a sample of young athletes and active participants (n = 28). There were moderate associations between Pmax and all DSI values (r=0.42-0.69; p<0.05), V0 and all DSI values from CMJ and DSI30 from SJ (r=0.43-0.56; p<0.05), while Sfv was associated only with DSI30 and DSI90 in CMJ (r=0.40-0.43; p<0.05).This suggest that DSI and FV methods provide similar information and can be used in a similar manner to direct an individual’s training
When do interest groups lobby legislators in strong presidential systems?
Get PDFWhen do interest groups target legislators to approach or lobby under strong presidentialism? This article explores two hypotheses. First, interest groups and lobbyists seek to access committee chairs with gatekeeping power, even in those jurisdictions where the executive holds (most) exclusivity to initiate legislation (Gatekeeping Hypothesis). Second, interest groups and lobbyists target legislators who introduce more bills on issues that concern them but only on policy areas outside the executive’s exclusive sphere (Legislative Activity Hypothesis). We test these hypotheses with evidence from the Chilean Chamber of Deputies. We have coded and analysed 6,479 lobbying audiences and over 2,300 bills
The separating variety for 2 x 2 matrix invariants
Get PDFWe study the action of the group G = GL_2(C) of invertible matrices over the complex numbers on the complex vector space V of n-tuples of 2x2 matrices. The algebra of invariants C[V]^G for this action is well-known, and has dimension 4n-3 and minimum generating set E_n with cardinality 1/6(n^3+11n). In recent work, Kaygorodov, Lopatin and Popov showed that this generating set is also a minimal separating set by inclusion, i.e. no proper subset is a separating set. This does not mean it has smallest possible cardinality among all separating sets. We show that if S is a separating set for C[V]^G then |S| is at least 5n-5. In particular for n=3, the set E_n is indeed of minimal cardinality, but for n>3 may not be so. We then show that a smaller separating set does in fact exist for n>4, We also prove similar results for the left-right action of SL_2(C)xSL_2(C) on V
From outcome-based to language-based preferences
Get PDFWe review the literature on models that try to explain human behavior in social interactions described by normal-form games with monetary payoffs. We start by covering social and moral preferences. We then focus on the growing body of research showing that people react to the language in which actions are described, especially when it activates moral concerns. We conclude by arguing that behavioral economics is in the midst of a paradigm shift towards language-based preferences, which will require an exploration of new models and experimental setups