High-Frequency Cochlear Amplifier Dysfunction: A Dominating Contribution to the Cognitive-Ear Link

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the high-frequency cochlear dysfunction in the cognitive-ear link.Methods: Seventy-four presbycusis patients (PC group) and seventy-one age-, sex-, and education-level matched normal hearing controls (NH group) were recruited in this study. Participants underwent a battery of cognitive tests estimated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and Trail-Making Test (TMT-A and B), as well as auditory tests including distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), pure tone (PT) thresholds, and speech reception thresholds (SRT). Data were analyzed using the factor analysis, partial correlation analysis, multiple linear regression models, and mediation models.Results: Distortion product otoacoustic emission detection amplitudes and PT thresholds performed worse gradually from low to high frequencies in both the NH and PC groups. High-frequency DPOAE (H-DPOAE) was significantly correlated with cognitive domains in the PC group (AVLT: r = 0.30, p = 0.04; SDMT: r = 0.36, p = 0.01; Stroop: r = –0.32, p = 0.03; TMT-A: r = –0.40, p = 0.005; TMT-B: r = –0.34, p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression models showed that H-DPOAE predicted cognitive impairment effectively for aspects of memory (R2 = 0.27, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.55), attention (R2 = 0.32, 95% CI, –6.18 to –0.40), processing speed (R2 = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.64), and executive function (TMT-A: R2 = 0.34, 95% CI, –5.52 to 1.03; TMT-B: R2 = 0.29, 95% CI, –11.30 to –1.12). H-DPOAE directly affected cognition and fully mediated the relationship between pure tone average (PTA)/SRT and cognitive test scores, excluding MoCA.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the high-frequency cochlear amplifier dysfunction has a direct predictive effect on the cognitive decline and makes a large contribution to the cognitive-ear link.

Compliance Predictors Are Mandatory Vehicle Tax

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of motor vehicle taxpayer compliance. The population in this study were taxpayers registered at the Samsat Bersama Tabanan Office. The number of samples used in this study amounted to 100 respondents calculated based on the Slovin formula with the method of determining the sample accindental sampling and tested using multiple linear regression models with the help of SPSS 24. The data used are primary and secondary data obtained or collected by researchers directly from the data source. To obtain data in this study was carried out through questionnaires distributed to taxpayers at the Samsat Bersama Tabanan Office. The results showed that the variables of Taxpayer Awareness, Tax Sanctions, Tax Knowledge, Service Quality, Tax Socialization and the Drive Thru Samsat System had a positive effect on motor vehicle taxpayer compliance at the Samsat Joint Tabanan Office.

Analisis faktor pendorong minat nasabah dalam memilih Tabungan Haji di Bank Syariah Mandiri Kantor Cabang Aceh

This study aims to partially and simultaneously analyze the influence of service quality, social, promotion, and knowledge on customer interest in using Hajj savings at Bank Syariah Mandiri in Aceh. Based on 122 questionnaires distributed to respondents, using probability sampling technique, which is simple random sampling and later analyzed by using multiple linear regression models, the results show that service quality, social, promotion, and knowledge have a simultaneous and partial effect on customer interest in using Hajj savings at Bank Syariah Mandiri in Aceh.

Stay-at-Home Orders during COVID-19: The Influence on Physical Activity and Recreational Screen Time Change among Diverse Emerging Adults and Future Implications for Health Promotion and the Prevention of Widening Health Disparities

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in physical activity (PA) and recreational screen time (RST) behaviors from pre-COVID-19 in 2018 to Spring 2020 during the mandatory stay-at-home order in an ethnically/racially, socioeconomically diverse sample of emerging adults. Methods: Longitudinal data were analyzed from 218 participants (Mage = 24.6 ± 2.0 years) who completed two surveys: EAT 2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) and C-EAT in 2020 (during COVID-19). Repeated ANCOVAs and multiple linear regression models were conducted. Results: Moderate-to-vigorous and total PA decreased (4.7 ± 0.3 to 3.5 ± 0.3 h/week [p < 0.001] and 7.9 ± 0.4 to 5.8 ± 0.4 h/week [p < 0.001], respectively), and RST increased from 26.5 ± 0.9 to 29.4 ± 0.8 h/week (p = 0.003). Perceived lack of neighborhood safety, ethnic/racial minoritized identities, and low socioeconomic status were significant predictors of lower PA and higher RST during COVID-19. For example, low SES was associated with 4.04 fewer hours of total PA compared to high SES (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Stay-at-home policies may have significantly influenced PA and RST levels in emerging adults with pre-existing disparities exacerbated during this mandatory period of sheltering-in-place. This suggests that the pandemic may have played a role in introducing or magnifying these disparities. Post-pandemic interventions will be needed to reverse trends in PA and RST, with a focus on improving neighborhood safety and meeting the needs of low socioeconomic and ethnic/racial minoritized groups.

A Blood–Bone–Tooth Model for Age Prediction in Forensic Contexts

The development of age prediction models (APMs) focusing on DNA methylation (DNAm) levels has revolutionized the forensic age estimation field. Meanwhile, the predictive ability of multi-tissue models with similar high accuracy needs to be explored. This study aimed to build multi-tissue APMs combining blood, bones and tooth samples, herein named blood–bone–tooth-APM (BBT-APM), using two different methodologies. A total of 185 and 168 bisulfite-converted DNA samples previously addressed by Sanger sequencing and SNaPshot methodologies, respectively, were considered for this study. The relationship between DNAm and age was assessed using simple and multiple linear regression models. Through the Sanger sequencing methodology, we built a BBT-APM with seven CpGs in genes ELOVL2, EDARADD, PDE4C, FHL2 and C1orf132, allowing us to obtain a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) between chronological and predicted ages of 6.06 years, explaining 87.8% of the variation in age. Using the SNaPshot assay, we developed a BBT-APM with three CpGs at ELOVL2, KLF14 and C1orf132 genes with a MAD of 6.49 years, explaining 84.7% of the variation in age. Our results showed the usefulness of DNAm age in forensic contexts and brought new insights into the development of multi-tissue APMs applied to blood, bone and teeth.

Coffee Rust Forecast Systems: Development of a Warning Platform in a Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This study aimed to develop a warning system platform for coffee rust incidence fifteen days in advance, as well as validating and regionalizing multiple linear regression models based on meteorological variables. The models developed by Pinto were validated in five counties. Experiments were set up in a randomized block design with five treatments and five replications. The experimental plot had six lines with 20 central plants of useful area. Assessments of coffee rust incidence were carried out fortnightly. The data collected from automatic stations were adjusted in new multiple linear regression models (MLRM) for five counties. Meteorological variables were lagged concerning disease assessment dates. After the adjustments, two models were selected and calculated for five counties, later there was an expansion to include ten more counties and 35 properties to validate these models. The result showed that the adjusted models of 15–30 days before rust incidence for Carmo do Rio Claro and Nova Resende counties were promising. These models were the best at forecasting disease 15 days in advance. With these models and the geoinformation systems, the warning platform and interface will be improved in the coffee grower region of the south and savannas of the Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Trend of antibiotic consumption and its association with influenza-like illnesses in France between 2004 and 2018

Background Antibiotic consumption has been reported to be driven by the treatment of respiratory tract infections. Our objectives were to describe the trend of antibiotic consumption in France compared with that of other European countries; to describe the evolution of each antibiotic class in France; and to explore the relationship between antibiotic consumption and incidence of influenza-like illnesses. Methods In this observational study, antibiotic consumption was reported as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day in the community and hospital sectors in descriptive and graphical formats, using data from the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Network database. The total consumption and the consumption of different classes of antibiotics in France according to time and influenza-like illnesses were studied using multiple linear regression models. Results The total consumption of antibiotics in France was constant over the 15 years. It was driven by the community sector (92.8%) and was higher than the consumption of other European Union countries (P-value &lt; 0.001). The beta-lactam penicillins were the most consumed antibiotic class and the only class that increased with time. The multiple linear regression models showed a positive correlation between antibiotic consumption in the community sector and incidence of influenza-like illnesses [B = 0.170, 95% CI (0.088–0.252)]. Similar significant results were shown between other antibiotic classes used in the management of influenza-like illnesses (other beta-lactams, and macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins) and influenza-like illnesses. Conclusion Our results suggest that antibiotics used in the management of respiratory tract infections might be involved in the irrational use of antibiotics.

The spatial penetration of Airbnb in the main tourist cities of Spain: Extent and Determinants

Uneven spatial distribution of rented accommodation offered on Airbnb has potential to create spatial inequalities in host cities. In this regard, the claim of the proponents of Airbnb that ‘it increases spatial equality in the cities by creating opportunities for the house-owners in peripheral areas’ requires scientific analysis and empirical evidence. Using the data obtained from the Inside Airbnb website, 2011 census, the municipal register of Spain and OpenStreetMap, this article first measures the degree of penetration and spatial clustering (with LISA statistics) of the Airbnb listings in seven main tourist cities of Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Mallorca and Malaga). Second, it analyses (with multiple linear regression models) the spatial, socio-economic, demographic and cultural determinants of the spatial clustering of accommodation offered on Airbnb in the selected cities; and finally, it compares the growth of Airbnb and its impact on spatial inequalities in the selected cities.

The Effect of Religiousity and Emotional Intelligence on the Performance of the Management of the Student Organization with Motivation as Intervening Variable

Islamic Boarding School is a life-oriented Islamic education institution that emphasizes the importance of having a religious attitude and good emotional intelligence in students as a form of motivation that supports good performance and brings the good name of the Islamic boarding school. This study aims to prove how the direct and indirect influence of Religiosity and Emotional Intelligence on performance with motivation as an intervening variable. The sample in this study was the member of the Student Organization of Modern Islamic Boarding School Nurul Hakim Tembung, totaling 47 people. The method used in this research is a quantitative approach using path analysis with multiple linear regression models with SPSS version 20. The results of this study found that religiosity does not affect motivation. Emotional intelligence has a significant effect on motivation. Motivation does not affect performance. Indirectly Religiosity does not affect performance through motivation. Emotional intelligence indirectly does not affect performance through motivation. Religiosity, Emotional Intelligence, Motivation, Performance.