Symbolic number comparison and number priming do not rely on the same mechanism.

In elementary symbolic number processing, the comparison distance effect (in a comparison task, the task is more difficult with smaller numerical distance between the values) and the priming distance effect (in a number processing task, actual number is easier to process with a numerically close previous number) are two essential phenomena. While a dominant model, the approximate number system model, assumes that the two effects rely on the same mechanism, some other models, such as the discrete semantic system model, assume that the two effects are rooted in different generators. In a correlational study, here we investigate the relation of the two effects. Critically, the reliability of the effects is considered; therefore, a possible null result cannot be attributed to the attenuation of low reliability. The results showed no strong correlation between the two effects, even though appropriate reliabilities were provided. These results confirm the models of elementary number processing that assume distinct mechanisms behind number comparison and number priming.

The effect of fair valuation on banks' earnings quality: empirical evidence from developed and emerging European countries.

This study investigates average earnings quality (AEQ) and its determinants in the European banking sector based on data of 409 European banks from the period 2006-2018. We utilize the intensity of fair valuation, average annual interest change, and firm size as explanatory variables for AEQ, with special attention to differences between developed and emerging countries. We split the total time period into a pre-IFRS 13 and a post-IFRS 13 period to examine how the renewed regulation of fair valuation (IFRS 13) has affected the earnings quality of banks. We find that, while the interest change observed in the total period and the banks' size significantly and negatively affect AEQ, the proportion of fair value assets has a significant positive effect. We show that the latter is only valid for developed countries. We find clear evidence that the introduction of IFRS 13 resulted in a measurable improvement in fair value regulation.

Feasibility of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) in Critical Care Settings: A Multidisciplinary Approach Strategy.

Antimicrobial resistance is escalating and triggers clinical decision-making challenges when treating infections in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) may help combat this problem, but it can be difficult to implement in critical care settings. The implementation of multidisciplinary AMS in ICUs could be more challenging than what is currently suggested in the literature. Our main goal was to analyze the reduction in duration of treatment (DOT) for the most commonly used antibacterial and antifungal agents during the first six months of 2014, and during the same period two years later (2016). A total of 426 and 424 patient encounters, respectively, were documented and collected from the intensive care unit's electronic patient record system. Daily multidisciplinary ward rounds were conducted for approximately 30⁻40 min, with the goal of optimizing antimicrobial therapy in order to analyze the feasibility of implementing AMS. The only antimicrobial agent which showed a significant reduction in the number of prescriptions and in the duration of treatment during the second audit was vancomycin, while linezolid showed an increase in the number of prescriptions with no significant prolongation of the duration of treatment. A trend of reduction was also seen in the DOT for co-amoxiclavulanate and in the number of prescriptions of anidulafungin without any corresponding increases being observed for other broad-spectrum anti-infective agents (p-values of 0.07 and 0.05, respectively).

[Preoperative revascularization in high-risk patients undergoing vascular surgery]. / Preoperatív revascularisatio nagy kockázatú, érsebészeti betegeknél.

Patients undergoing vascular surgery are at increased risk for cardiac complications related to the presence of underlying coronary artery disease. Preoperative cardiac evaluation may help to identify high-risk patients in whom coronary angiography may be planned with subsequent coronary revascularization for the purpose of improving perioperative and long-term cardiac outcomes. However, the indications and efficacy for type of revascularization for the reduction of cardiac complications compared to medical therapy have been controversial. The aim of the review was to summarize the role of preoperative revascularization compared to conservative medical therapy before elective vascular surgery using current evidence from published studies.