scholarly journals An Observational Study on Cephalometric Characteristics and Patterns Associated with the Prader–Willi Syndrome: A Structural Equation Modelling and Network Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3177
Author(s):  
Alin Viorel Istodor ◽  
Laura-Cristina Rusu ◽  
Gratiela Georgiana Noja ◽  
Alexandra Roi ◽  
Ciprian Roi ◽  
...  

Examining specific patterns of major cranio-facial alterations through cephalometric measurements in order to improve the Prader–Willi (PWS) syndrome diagnostic poses a major challenge of identifying interlinkages between numerous credentials. These interactions can be captured through probabilistic models of conditional independence between heterogeneous variables. Our research included 18 subjects (aged 4 to 28 years) genetically diagnosed with Prader–Willi syndrome and a healthy control group (matched age and sex). A morphometric and cephalometric analysis was performed upon all the subjects in order to obtain the needed specific data. We have, therefore, firstly deployed several integrated Gaussian graphical models (GGMs) to capture the positive and negative partial correlations and the intensity of the connections between numerous credentials configured to determine specific cranio-facial characteristics of patients with PWS compared to others without this genetic disorder (case-control analysis). Afterwards, we applied structural equation modelling (SEM) with latent class analysis to assess the impact of these coordinates on the prevalence of the Prader–Willi diagnostic. We found that there are latent interactions of features affected by external variables, and the interlinkages are strapping particularly between cranial base (with an important role in craniofacial disharmonies) and facial heights, as important characteristic patterns in determining the Prader–Willi diagnostic, while the overall patterns are significantly different in PWS and the control group. These results impact the field by providing an enhanced comprehensive perspective on cephalometric characteristics and specific patterns associated with Prader–Willi syndrome that can be used as benchmarks in determining the diagnostic of this rare genetic disorder. Furthermore, the two innovative exploratory research tools applied in this paper are very useful to the craniofacial field to infer the connections/dependencies between variables (particularly biological variables and genes) on cephalometric characteristics and specific patterns associated with Prader–Willi syndrome.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5594
Author(s):  
Jehanzeb Khan Gurmani ◽  
Noor Ullah Khan ◽  
Muhammad Khalique ◽  
Muhammad Yasir ◽  
Asfia Obaid ◽  
...  

Voluntary pro-environmental behaviors in the workplace such as organizational citizenship behavior towards environment (OCBE) are pertinent for the organizations striving to become environmentally responsible entities. The significance of OCBE for green organizational initiatives has led scholars to strive for expanding its nomological network. Approaching from the theoretical angle of the social information processing approach, this quantitative, survey-based study theoretically links and empirically tests the impact of environmental transformational leadership on organizational citizenship behavior towards environment (OCBE) via mediating mechanism of perceived meaningful work. Data from a sample of 311 employees working in Pakistan’s hospitality sector were collected and analyzed to test the hypothesized relationships using structural equation modelling. Results indicated the indirect effect of perceived meaningful work on the relationship between environmental transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior towards environment. Implications of both theoretical and practical nature are laid out in the relevant sections of the paper.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamil George Naoum ◽  
Carlos Herrero ◽  
Charles Egbu ◽  
Daniel Fong

Purpose It is axiomatic that construction is a fast-paced and competitive industry, which goes hand in hand with many construction professionals suffering from stress including construction project managers (C-PMs). The role of C-PMs is crucial to achieving project success as they are responsible for planning the project, organising human resources, controlling operations and the budget, and forecasting probable difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal relationships between stressors, stresses, stress-coping behaviours and their impact on the performance of C-PMs. Design/methodology/approach To investigate the relationships between stress and performance among C-PMs, a questionnaire was designed based on the extensive literature, and was sent to 150 C-PMs who had amassed at least five years’ direct working experience in the construction industry. A total of 44 completed questionnaires were returned. Correlation analysis and structural equation modelling were employed to understand the integrated relationships between these factors. Based on the data collected and analysis of the results, an integrated structural equation model of the stresses and performances of C-PMs was developed using AMOS version 22.0. Findings The results of structural equation modelling reveal the following: burnout is the type of stress that has the highest impact on the performance of C-PMs, being detrimental to their interpersonal performance (IPP) and positive for their organisational performance (OP), whereas physiological stress worsens the task performance of C-PMs and objective stress improves their IPP. The most active stressor towards the performance of C-PMs is “workgroup cooperation”, which has an impact on the IPP in a positive way but is detrimental to the OP. Career-developing environment, poor organisational structure and role conflict affect both stress and performance together. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the impact of various types of stress on the performances of C-PMs. The result constitutes a significant step towards the stress management of C-PMs in the dynamic and stressful construction industry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 4917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksander Grzelak ◽  
Jakub Staniszewski ◽  
Michał Borychowski

The theory about the impact of farm size, income and assets on the environmental approach of farmers is ambiguous. We contribute to the existing discussion in two ways. Firstly, we look for the determinants of the environmental approach. Secondly, we treat farm size as a heterogeneous factor, affected not only by the value of assets but also flows of incomes. The main objective of the article is, therefore, to recognize the impact of assets and income on the environmental approach of agricultural producers. We analyze the results of surveys carried out in 2020 on a group of 120 farms from the Wielkopolska region (Poland), using structural equation modelling (generalized structural equation modelling (GSEM)-multiple indicators and multiple causes (MIMIC) model). Our results indicate that both the income and assets of the agricultural producers have a positive impact on their approach to the environment. However, to a greater extent, the farmer’s approach to the environment is influenced more by income than by assets. This may be influenced by the capitalization of subsidies in the price of agricultural land, which makes this element of farm assets detached from real processes. It is easier for farms with a higher income and assets to realize the orientation towards sustainability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. S38-S51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay P. Trivedi

Indian firms are engaging consumers with long format advertisements (ads longer than 60 seconds in duration). Television (TV) spot costs are escalating for high viewership programmes. Limited attempt has been made to explore the impact of long format ads (ads longer than 60 seconds in duration) on consumer behaviour. The researcher explores the types of long format ads which increases the audience involvement leading to formation of purchase intentions (PI). Descriptive research design was used to conduct the research. Data was collected from 364 respondents. The conceptual framework was tested using structural equation modelling. The findings reveal that entertaining and informative long format ads exhibit the strongest influence on audience involvement which leads to formation of PI. However, long format ads do not directly lead to formation of PI among the consumers. The mediation effect of message process involvement (MPI) and attitude towards the brand is statistically evident.


10.19082/6231 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 6231-6239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadijeh Hajimiri ◽  
Elham Shakibazadeh ◽  
Ali Asghar Haeri Mehrizi ◽  
Sakineh Shabbidar ◽  
Roya Sadeghi

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