bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a D2O/H2O vapor generator for contrast-variation neutron scattering
Authors: Arima-Osonoi Hiroshi , Takata Shin-ichi , Kasai Satoshi , Ohuchi Keiichi , Morikawa Toshiaki , Miyata Noboru , Miyazaki Tsukasa , Aoki Hiroyuki , Iwase Hiroki , Hiroi Kosuke , Ogura Masao , Kikuchi Takashi , Takashina Hideo , Sakayori Takahiro
Published: November 2023

The contrast-variation technique in neutron scattering experiments plays a pivotal role in distinguishing partial structures within multi-component complexes, facilitating the elucidation of distinct sample constituents. This differentiation is achieved using different isotopes, namely hydrogen and deuterium, which possess varying neutron scattering characteristics. This study presents a novel vapor generator designed for neutron scattering experiments, enabling continuous control of the D2O/H2O ratio of the vapor. This feature is especially useful for contrast-variation studies. The generator features two saturators and four mass flow controllers, allowing for the rapid and independent generation of D2O/H2O vapors. Additionally, the incorporation of the two-temperature method ensures accurate dew point control within a margin of ±0.2°Cdp. This setup proves useful for conducting time-resolved experiments and can accelerate research on functional polymers, such as polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells, where water potential assumes critical importance.
The impact of mascot attributes on sponsorship effectiveness the case of “Bing Dwen Dwen” at the Beijing winter Olympics
Authors: Quan Zhenhua , Qian Wenjie , Mao Jianhua
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between the attributes of Olympic mascots and their impact on sponsorship effectiveness. Based on a multiattribute model and the introduction of engagement theory and the meaning transfer model, this article uses the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics mascot “Bing Dwen Dwen” as the research object to empirically analyze the effects and mechanisms of the mascot's attributes on preference, event engagement, sponsorship enterprise trust and sponsorship enterprise attitude, ultimately constructing a sponsorship effectiveness model.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method was used to examine 238 respondents' emotions and attitudes towards companies participating in sponsoring Olympic mascots.

Findings

The study found that the main attributes of the mascot include visual and emotional factors, both of which have a positive impact on preference, with emotional factors having a greater influence than visual factors. Visual and emotional factors indirectly affect engagement through preference. Preference and engagement play a completely mediating role in the effect of mascot attributes on sponsorship enterprise trust and sponsorship enterprise attitude.

Practical implications

This study provides practical recommendations for managers to achieve marketing success in sports sponsorship through mascots.

Originality/value

This paper provides a measurement tool for the study of mascot attributes and important support for subsequent research in sponsorship marketing.
Navigating the capital investment through national governance in BRICS economies: the role of cash holdings
Authors: Farooq Umar , Al-Naimi Ahmad A. , Arfeen Muhammad Irfanullah , Alnaimat Mohammad Ahmad
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The current analysis aims to explore the role of cash holdings in the nexus of national governance and capital investment (CIN).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, the authors sample the nonfinancial enterprises from 5 Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) economies and employ system generalized method of moments(GMM) models as an estimation technique.

Findings

The empirical analysis infers that national governance has a positive relationship with CIN and a negative relationship with cash holdings. The cash holdings negatively determine CIN. However, the cash holdings show a positive relationship with CIN in the presence of the national governance index (NGI).

Research limitations/implications

The important policy layout of the current analysis is that corporate managers should reduce cash holdings during better governance situations. Alternatively, corporate managers can disentangle the negative impact of bad country governance conditions on CIN by holding more cash.

Originality/value

The study is innovative as it explores mediating impact of cash holdings in the NGI-CIN nexus.
Entrepreneurial culture and disruptive innovation in established firms – how to handle ambidexterity
Authors: Schindler Josef , Kallmuenzer Andreas , Valeri Marco
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to improve the understanding of strategies for how established companies can respond to disruptive innovation, handle increasing complexity, facilitate entrepreneurial culture and processes and successfully manage organizational ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple-case study was conducted to explore successful practices of innovation ambidexterity (IA) and their organizational design, entrepreneurial culture and mindset, processes and leadership. Two internationally established firms that have launched and established IA programs provided deep insight, revealing their strategy and learning on the path toward effective IA.

Findings

The findings show that accepting and managing the inherent complexity increases within an ambidextrous organization strategy is a decisive factor in achieving effective IA. As a result, segmenting small organizational units and granting them extensive autonomy is proposed for managing the complexity of an organization while increasing its effectiveness. Furthermore, it is shown that this helps foster entrepreneurial culture, mindsets and processes as additional mediators for achieving effective IA. Coaching, empowerment and trust were identified as key factors of ambidextrous leadership values that encourage entrepreneurial behavior and decision-making.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge the first study connecting the research fields of complexity management, organizational ambidexterity theory and entrepreneurial culture while applying the fundamentals of systems theory to propose a practical management framework for successfully responding to disruptive innovation.
Develop an integrated candlestick technical analysis model using meta-heuristic algorithms
Authors: Mahmoodi Armin , Hashemi Leila , Jasemi Milad
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In this study, the central objective is to foresee stock market signals with the use of a proper structure to achieve the highest accuracy possible. For this purpose, three hybrid models have been developed for the stock markets which are a combination of support vector machine (SVM) with meta-heuristic algorithms of particle swarm optimization (PSO), imperialist competition algorithm (ICA) and genetic algorithm (GA).All the analyses are technical and are based on the Japanese candlestick model.

Design/methodology/approach

Further as per the results achieved, the most suitable algorithm is chosen to anticipate sell and buy signals. Moreover, the authors have compared the results of the designed model validations in this study with basic models in three articles conducted in the past years. Therefore, SVM is examined by PSO. It is used as a classification agent to search the problem-solving space precisely and at a faster pace. With regards to the second model, SVM and ICA are tested to stock market timing, in a way that ICA is used as an optimization agent for the SVM parameters. At last, in the third model, SVM and GA are studied, where GA acts as an optimizer and feature selection agent.

Findings

As per the results, it is observed that all new models can predict accurately for only 6 days; however, in comparison with the confusion matrix results, it is observed that the SVM-GA and SVM-ICA models have correctly predicted more sell signals, and the SCM-PSO model has correctly predicted more buy signals. However, SVM-ICA has shown better performance than other models considering executing the implemented models.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the data for stock market of the years 2013–2021 were analyzed; the long length of timeframe makes the input data analysis challenging as they must be moderated with respect to the conditions where they have been changed.

Originality/value

In this study, two methods have been developed in a candlestick model; they are raw-based and signal-based approaches in which the hit rate is determined by the percentage of correct evaluations of the stock market for a 16-day period.
Connecting e-customer relationship management and e-loyalty to willingness to recommend a bank service: the sequential mediating roles of e-satisfaction and e-service quality
Authors: Karim Rashed Al , Rabiul Md Karim , Kawser Sakia
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of e-customer relationship management (e-CRM) on customer e-loyalty through e-service quality and e-satisfaction. This study also examines how customers’ e-loyalty affects their willingness to recommend a banking service.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 372 private bank customers from Chattogram, the second largest and only port city of Bangladesh, were chosen using a convenience sampling technique. Structured equation modelling was used to analyse the data.

Findings

E-CRM positively impacts e-service quality, customer e-satisfaction and customer e-loyalty. The association between e-CRM and customer e-loyalty is sequentially mediated by e-service quality and e-satisfaction. E-loyalty has a significant influence on willingness to recommend a banking service.

Practical implications

The findings will help Bangladeshi banks boost the number of prospective customers implementing e-CRM. In addition, mediators between e-CRM and e-loyalty provides managers a new insight on willingness to recommend a banking service.

Originality/value

The sequential mediation effect of e-service quality and customer e-satisfaction on the connection between e-CRM and e-loyalty represents the unique contribution and enriches the present e-CRM literature, particularly in the Bangladeshi private banking sector.
“Doing inequality, doing intersectionality”: intersectionality as threshold concept for studying inequalities in entrepreneurial activity
Authors: Dy Angela Martinez , MacNeil Heatherjean
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper intervenes in existing literature on entrepreneurship and inequalities by proposing a novel reframing of intersectionality as a threshold concept, an important idea that enables us to deepen and progress the understanding of complex subjectivities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from education studies, intersectionality is explored through the five key features of threshold concepts: (1) transformative, (2) irreversible, (3) integrative, (4) bounded and (5) troublesome. We offer a set of reflection questions for what we call “doing intersectionality.”

Findings

We develop a metacritique of the way in which the concept of intersectionality has thus far been treated in feminist theory and applied in entrepreneurship studies – namely, as the culmination of thinking about difference and inequality, decoupled from its roots in collectivist analysis and Black and anti-racist feminism. The paper invites scholars of entrepreneurial inequalities to both engage and look beyond an intersectional lens to better elucidate the range of historically emergent social hierarchies and systems of power that shape their phenomena of interest.

Originality/value

Through reframing intersectionality as a threshold concept, this paper challenges entrepreneurship researchers to view intersectionality as a foundational starting point for the conceptualisation of complex interactions of social structures, and the structural inequality and power relationships present within their research, rather than a destination.
Exploring mental health challenges and implications for construction safety
Authors: Lawani Kenneth , Hare Billy , Tong Michael , Cameron Iain
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Over 2.7 million workers are employed in the UK construction industry and with the fragmented nature of the construction sector; cases of poor mental health of workers are on the increase. This upsurge in the number of workers experiencing poor mental health could directly impact construction safety with significant financial adverse consequences on employers and the UK economy. Studies have identified lapses within the construction sector emphasising the lack of transparency regarding reporting of mental health and well-being of construction workers due to the inadequate engagement from employers and the lack of genuine leadership commitment to tackle mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a non-probability purposive sampling strategy, using a self-selected sample. A self-administered questionnaire benchmarked against the mental health core and enhanced standards tools by the “Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers” served as the basis for the methodology. A total of 106 industry managers from highways, construction, maritime, utilities, home building, rail and haulage/fleet were involved in this study.

Findings

The findings indicate that the industry is making good strides towards addressing mental health issues; poor mental health have significant financial burdens on businesses and the economy; some contractors have mental health initiatives and programmes in place; there is inconsistency of support available to employees; some contractors now integrate leadership training; the level of engagement vary based on the strategy and action plan adopted by organisations; different mechanisms are adopted for monitoring mental health issues, and there are cross-industry initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the number of participants which is not representative of the entire UK construction workforce. Therefore, the findings from this study as much as it presents some understanding of employee mental health and well-being cannot be overtly generalised across multiple industries, different geographic regions or contexts.

Originality/value

Employers should have a clear representation of the mental health of their employees to help them understand what affects worker’s mental well-being and how they can support them. Disregarding the multifaceted causes of mental ill-health due to the perceived financial implications could be more devastating for the industry.
An analysis of housing affordability in Malaysia: random effect approach
Authors: Musaddad Hafirda Akma , Maamor Selamah , Zainol Zairy
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study paper is to highlight certain related barriers and issues of housing affordability and examine the factors that influence housing affordability in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used panel data including several variables, namely, household expense, population, home financing, interest rate, inflation rate (IF) and rental rate (RR). The regression models of panel data, namely, the ordinary least square model, the fixed effects model and the random effects model, were evaluated for their suitability.

Findings

The findings revealed that RR and IF have a positive and significant impact towards housing affordability. The results provide strong evidence that RR as alternative in determining the home affordability as it helped in reducing the cost and the financing duration period of houses while at the same time increasing the level of capability of homeownership. Meanwhile, the level of IF has positive and significant impact towards housing affordability because it will cause a drop or increase in the purchasing power of households, as well as a decline or increase in the capability to own a house.

Research limitations/implications

The most significant aspects to consider when analysing housing affordability in Malaysia are demand and supply. However, this study focuses on only five variables and only covers Malaysia. As a result, future researchers should analyse the study’s location, such as by region or district, and include additional variables from both the demand and supply sides. Homeownership of affordability requires a broader and more realistic definition in the current context of a more disruptive environment where technology such as fintech, blockchain and the internet of things acts as enablers for not only promoting homeownership but also ensuring homeownership sustainability. As a result, democratising Islamic home financing appears to be a viable option that requires rethinking, and further research is recommended.

Practical implications

The study proposes an end-to-end solution to promote homeownership levels by considering the level of RR as significant variables among stakeholders such as the house buyers/owners, sellers, investors as well the government agencies in influencing affordability in Malaysia.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the indicators of housing affordability index over the 21-year period of 2000–2020, covering all states in Malaysia. The comparison of affordability level can be seen through all states and by regions. Besides that, the findings revealed that RR and IF have a positive and significant impact towards housing affordability. RR is considered an essential variable in promoting homeownership in Malaysia and warrants further investigation towards policy implication. This paper also provides contribution on data on RR by states in Malaysia that can be used by policymakers to some extent.
Green hospital practices on patient’s satisfaction in Indonesian hospital: medical specialist department case investigation
Authors: Ngatindriatun Ngatindriatun , Alfarizi Muhammad , Arifian Rafialdo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the empirical correlation between patient flow issues, quality of green health services and patient satisfaction in specialist medical department factors from patients’ perspectives as service consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is a type of nonintervention empirical research that uses an open survey to explore the views and experiences of users of specialist medical department services. The targeted population is hospital patients included in the top five national PERSI (Indonesian Hospital Association) Award 2022 Green Hospital Category, with a total number of respondents of 572 people. This study uses the partial least square-structural equation modeling analysis method with the SmartPLS application.

Findings

Patient flow problems generally affect the quality of eco-friendly health services, except for the waiting time problem, which affects service quality. It should be understood as a top priority for patients to receive services from medical specialists without risking time as a core service aspect from the patient’s perspective. In addition, all variables in eco-friendly hospital services affect patient satisfaction, except in the case of visits to specialist medical departments, which do not affect medical support services and hospital practices that are responsive to the delivery of care services resulting from medical support services that are inseparable in integrated services as well as health care following medical ethics.

Originality/value

This study has a novelty in understanding the implications of green practice in determining patient satisfaction in medical specialist department as the epicenter of hospital services and the main object of assessment for the quality of hospital services.
Multi-dimensional framework of the information behaviour of SMEs on emerging information communication technology (EICT) adoption
Authors: Eze Sunday C. , Chinedu-Eze Vera C. , Awa Hart Okorie , Asiyanbola Temitope A.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to consolidate the state of research on information behaviour. Regardless of the scholarly surge on information behaviour using numerous models and extended ones, gaps still exist on the development of more pragmatic frameworks that explain and/or predict the information behaviour across different fragmented environmental situations. Therefore, this paper extends technology-organization-environment (T-O-E) framework and synthesizes different research positions into a multi-dimensional framework that assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to understand their information behaviour and to make informed decisions on the adoption of emerging information communication technology (EICT).

Design/methodology/approach

This study deployed an inductive approach; data were generated from unstructured and semi-structured interviews with 20 participants drawn purposively from Luton directories.

Findings

This study developed a more integrated framework underpinned by T-O-E framework, which helped to identify how EICT adoption is critically shaped by perceived information need, information sources selection and the factors determining information source selection.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative research is normally subjective, inductive, interpretive and limited on the sample used. However, because of the limited number of interviews used, as well as industry-specific nature of the study, the generalization of the framework and the findings will be difficult, hence, the need to test the framework on a broader population and cross-context testing.

Originality/value

The T-O-E framework is extended to Expectancy (T-O-E-E) to provide a more robust insight into information behaviour of SMEs from a multi-dimensional perspective. It also offers a more analytical framework for exploring critical issues identified and demonstrates the capacity to provide a reliable explanation to the findings. Further, it serves as a tool for assessing the benefits or challenges of SMEs information behaviour especially on the EICT adoption decision.
Small molecule. Big biology. Dual phosphatase inhibitor enters the immunotherapy fray
Authors: Wilson Nicholas S , Huntington Nicholas D
Published: November 2023

The advent and clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors Ipilimumab, Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab has had a seismic impact on our drug discovery focus and rationale. Novel extrinsic targets that enhance immune responses to cancer are actively being pursued, while tumor intrinsic targets that render cancer cells more sensitive to the immune system have joined traditional intrinsic targets (e.g. directly cytotoxic) in the drug discovery pipeline. The phosphatase PTPN2 (TC‐PTP) and its paralog PTPN1 (PTP‐1B) are negative regulators of several cytokine signaling pathways and T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. In a recent publication, Baumgartner et al. demonstrate the pre‐clinical efficacy of a first‐in‐class dual PTPN1/N2 active site inhibitor (ABBV‐CLS‐484/AC484) in cancer models.
Approach–Avoidance Responses to Affective Facial Expressions and Bodily Posture1,2
Authors: Ikeda Shinnosuke
Published: November 2023

Human beings perceive the emotions of others through various cues, such as facial expressions, voice, and bodily posture. These social signals have been acquired evolutionarily, and reports suggest that emotions are recognized to some extent in a culturally universal pattern. It has also been suggested that an observer's approach or avoidance responses toward the expressor occur at the initial stage of emotion perception. However, such approach–avoidance reactions have hitherto been examined mainly in response to facial expressions and not bodily postures. Therefore, this study examined approach–avoidance responses to anger and fear as visualized through facial expressions and bodily postures. The study sample comprised 58 university students. The results showed that, as in a previous study, approach responses to fear and avoidance responses to anger were dominant in both facial expression and bodily posture conditions. This suggests that bodily posture and facial expression are social signals that can elicit an approach–avoidance response from the observer.
Development of a Bankruptcy Prediction Model for the Banking Sector in Mozambique Using Linear Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Intupo Reis Castigo
Published: November 2023

In Mozambique there is no evidence of a bankruptcy prediction model developed in the national economic context, yet, back in 2016, the national banking sector suffered a financial shock that resulted in Mozambique’s Central Bank intervention in two banks (Moza Banco, S.A. and Nosso Banco, S.A.). This was a result of the deterioration of their financial and prudential indicators, although Mozambique had been adhering to the Basel Accords since 1994. The Basel Accords provides recommendations on banking sector supervision worldwide with the aim to enhance financial system stability. While it doesn’t predict bankruptcy, the prediction model can be used as an auxiliary tool to manage that risk, but this has to be built in the national economic context. This paper develops for Mozambique’s banking sector a bankruptcy prediction model in the Mozambican context through the linear discriminant analyses method, following two assumptions: (i) composition of the sample and (ii) robustness of the financial prediction indicators (the capital structure, profitability asset concentration and asset quality) from 2012 to 2020. The developed model attained an accuracy level of 84% one year before Central Bank intervention (2015) with the entire population of 19 banks of the sector, which makes it recommendable as a risk management tool for this sector.
One‐dimensional sharp discrete Hardy–Rellich inequalities
Authors: Huang Xia , Ye Dong
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we establish discrete Hardy–Rellich inequalities on with and optimal constants, for any . As far as we are aware, these sharp inequalities are new for . Our approach is to use weighted equalities to get some sharp Hardy inequalities using shifting weights, then to settle the higher order cases by iteration. We provide also a new Hardy–Leray–type inequality on with the same constant as the continuous setting. Furthermore, the main ideas work also for general graphs or the  setting.
Does Fan Feel and Visibility During Thermostat Interaction Affect Temperature Selection in Warm Ambient Conditions?
Authors: Rea A. L. , Corbit L. H. , Shu L. H.
Published: November 2023

A vicious cycle exists when higher global temperatures increase the demand for indoor air-conditioning, which consumes significant energy while heating the outdoors. These higher outdoor temperatures then prompt more air-conditioning use. This unsustainable cycle motivated us to develop an intervention to encourage more energy-efficient temperature adjustments during warm ambient conditions. We explored whether an experimental thermostat interface, which incorporated mechanical fans, affected individual thermostat-setting behavior. Experimental parameters were (1) feel versus don't-feel fans and (2) high- versus low-visibility fans. Participants were 23 university students, including 20 enrolled in an introductory psychology course. When prompted to make temperature adjustments, we found that participants who felt the fans selected higher (more energy-efficient) temperatures in warm ambient conditions. This effect held regardless of whether participants could clearly see the fans or not. These results inform how products can be designed to increase energy-conscious behaviors.
A Machine Learning Model for Prediction of Marine Icing
Authors: Deshpande Sujay
Published: November 2023

Marine icing due to freezing sea spray has been attributed to many safety incidences. Prediction of sea spray icing is necessary for operational safety, design optimization, and structural health. In general, lack of detailed full-scale measurements due to the complexity and costs make validation difficult. The next best option is that of controlled laboratory experiments. The current study is the first study in the field of sea spray icing that investigates the use of new data science technologies like machine learning and feature engineering for the prediction of sea spray icing based on data collected from controlled laboratory experiments. A new prediction model dubbed “Spice” is proposed. Spice is designed “bottom-up” from experimentally collected data, and thus, if the input variables are accurately known, it could be said to be highly accurate within the tested range compared to existing theoretical models. Results from the current study show promising trends; however, more experiments are suggested for increasing the range of confident predictions and reducing the skewness of the training data. Results from spice are compared with five existing models and give icing rates in various conditions in the middle of the spectrum of the other models. It is discussed how validation from two existing full-scale icing measurements from literature proves to be challenging, and more detailed measurements are suggested for the purpose of validation.
Adsorption Behavior and Tribological Properties of Surface-Capped Silica Nano-Additives in Rapeseed Oil
Authors: Li Ting , Yang Yule , Zhang Huanhuan , Song Ningning , Zhang Yujuan , Zhang Shengmao
Published: November 2023

The influence of particle size and surface modifier structure on the adsorption behavior and tribological properties of surface-capped silica nano-additives in rapeseed oil was investigated. With four kinds of SiO2 nanoparticles, methyl-modified DNS-2 (particle size 14 nm) and DNS-3 (particle size 5 nm), vinyl-modified RNS-D (particle size 5 nm), and epoxy-modified RNS-E (particle size 5 nm) as the nano-additives of rapeseed oil, their adsorption behavior in rapeseed oil was studied with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D), and their tribological properties were evaluated with a four-ball friction and wear tester. DNS-2 with a larger particle size can form a high-strength tribo-film on the rubbed surface through shear sintering, thereby reducing the wear scar diameter of the steel ball. DNS-3, RNS-D, and RNS-E with smaller particle sizes can form a viscoelastic adsorption layer on the rubbed steel surface, and their equilibrium adsorption mass thereon increases with the increase of the polarity of the modifiers, which corresponds to the increases in their friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities as well as extreme pressure properties therewith. Particularly, the equilibrium adsorption mass and adsorption rate of RNS-E surface-capped by an epoxy group with the largest polarity are 16 times and 34 times higher than those of DNS-3 surface-capped by methyl. This indicates that encapsulating silica nanoparticles with strongly polar organic species could help to enhance its adsorption on rubbed metal surfaces and improve its tribological properties in rapeseed oil.
Interaction of elastic waves in solids with quadratic and cubic nonlinearity
Authors: Sun Mingzhu , Li Xiongbing , Kube Christopher M.
Published: November 2023

This article investigates the interactions of two-plane waves in weakly nonlinear elastic solids containing quadratic and cubic nonlinearity. The analytical solutions for generated combined harmonic waves are derived using the Green's function approach applied to a generated system of quasi-linear equations of motion. Wave mixing solutions are obtained and include shape functions that permit closed-form solutions for a variety of interaction geometries. An explicit example is highlighted for a spherical interaction volume assuming isotropic elastic constants. Several parameters of the generated field after mixing are analyzed including resonant and nonresonant mixing, the role of interaction angle, and the frequencies of the two incident waves. Wave mixing offers the potential for sensing localized elastic nonlinearity and the present model can be used to help design experimental configurations.
The effects of vocal tract constrictions on aerodynamic measures in a synthetic vocal fold model
Authors: May Nicholas A. , Scherer Ronald C.
Published: November 2023

According to nonlinear source-filter theory, as the strength of the coupling between the source and filter increases, typically by a decrease in the vocal tract cross-sectional area, the resultant increase in the inertance of the vocal tract yields an increase in the interactions between acoustic pressures within the vocal tract and the changing glottal airflow and/or the vibratory pattern of the vocal folds as noted in Titze [(2008). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 123(4), 1902–1915]. The purpose of the current research was to examine the effects of parametric vocal tract constrictions mimicking epilaryngeal tube and lip narrowing on aerodynamic measures in a dynamic self-oscillating physical model of the vocal folds and vocal tract. Multilayered silicone vocal fold models were created based on Murray and Thomson [(2011). J. Visualized Exp. 58, e3498] and Murray and Thomson [(2012). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132(5), 3428–3438] and mounted to a simple synthetic trachea and supraglottal vocal tract model. Four constriction cross-sectional areas were examined at two locations (i.e., at the epilarynx and lip regions). Phonation threshold pressure and flow were measured at phonation onset and offset using four M5-CONV vocal fold models. Results indicated that both constriction magnitude and location are relevant factors in determining glottal aerodynamics. In general, a narrow epilarynx tube or lip constriction resulted in the lowest onset pressures and airflows while the no vocal tract condition resulted in the highest onset pressures and airflows.
Sentence recognition with modulation-filtered speech segments for younger and older adults: Effects of hearing impairment and cognition
Authors: Fogerty Daniel , Ahlstrom Jayne B. , Dubno Judy R.
Published: November 2023

This study investigated word recognition for sentences temporally filtered within and across acoustic–phonetic segments providing primarily vocalic or consonantal cues. Amplitude modulation was filtered at syllabic (0–8 Hz) or slow phonemic (8–16 Hz) rates. Sentence-level modulation properties were also varied by amplifying or attenuating segments. Participants were older adults with normal or impaired hearing. Older adult speech recognition was compared to groups of younger normal-hearing adults who heard speech unmodified or spectrally shaped with and without threshold matching noise that matched audibility to hearing-impaired thresholds. Participants also completed cognitive and speech recognition measures. Overall, results confirm the primary contribution of syllabic speech modulations to recognition and demonstrate the importance of these modulations across vowel and consonant segments. Group differences demonstrated a hearing loss–related impairment in processing modulation-filtered speech, particularly at 8–16 Hz. This impairment could not be fully explained by age or poorer audibility. Principal components analysis identified a single factor score that summarized speech recognition across modulation-filtered conditions; analysis of individual differences explained 81% of the variance in this summary factor among the older adults with hearing loss. These results suggest that a combination of cognitive abilities and speech glimpsing abilities contribute to speech recognition in this group.
Cell-type-specific need of Ddx3 and PACT for interferon induction by RNA viruses
Authors: Sharma Nikhil , Kessler Patricia , Sen Ganes C.
Published: November 2023

Virus infection of mammalian cells causes induction of interferon (IFN) synthesis, which, in turn, inhibits virus replication through the actions of the proteins encoded by the IFN-stimulated genes (ISG). Although, in general, ISGs inhibit virus replication in all cell types, there are reports that a few ISGs may function in a cell-specific manner. To address this issue systemically, we used an ISG shRNA library to screen two mouse cell lines, AML-12 and LA-4, for cell-specific actions of ISGs; Ddx3, an RNA helicase, was identified as such an ISG. It was required for both IFN action and IFN induction by the RIG-like receptor (RLR) pathway in AML-12 cells but not LA4 cells. In AML-12 cells, Ddx3 was required for the efficient translation of STAT1 and PACT mRNAs; ectopic expression of STAT1 and PACT in Ddx3-deficient cells restored IFN action and IFN induction, respectively. PACT was required for the activation of RLR signaling in AML-12 cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus, Sendai virus (SeV), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), or mouse hepatitis virus. Moreover, like PKR activation, RLR activation by PACT required S246 and S287 in its domain 3. This study demonstrated not only cell-specific action of an ISG, Ddx3, but also cell-specific need of PACT to trigger RLR signaling in RNA virus-infected cells.

IMPORTANCE

Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are induced in response to interferon expression due to viral infections. Role of these ISGs can be variable in different cells or organs. Our study highlights such cell-specific role of an ISG, Ddx3, which regulates the translation of mRNAs essential for interferon induction (PACT) and interferon signaling (STAT1) in a cell-specific manner. Our study also highlights the role of PACT in RNA virus-induced RLR signaling. Our study depicts how Ddx3 regulates innate immune signaling pathways in an indirect manner. Such cell-specific behavior of ISGs helps us to better understand viral pathogenesis and highlights the complexities of viral tropism and innate immune responses.
Characterization of the genomes of cluster CT
Gordonia terrae
phages, Horseradish and Yummy
Authors: Bazinet Nicole , Biro Esther , Geydoshek Ashley , Hodgkin Grace , Jestel Eric , Klute Emily , MacDonald Clare , Russano Marcus , Thatcher Jayson , Neely Melody N. , Molloy Sally
Published: November 2023

The genomes of lytic, cluster CT
Gordonia terrae
phages, Horseradish and Yummy, are 45,764 and 45,878 bp in length, respectively, and each encodes 71 protein-coding genes. The genomes are identical in sequence with the exception of a 38-bp insertion/deletion in the minor tail protein, gp26.
Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of
Ligilactobacillus salivarius
IBB3154—in search of new promoters for vaccine construction
Authors: Kobierecka Patrycja , Wyszyńska Agnieszka , Aleksandrzak-Piekarczyk Tamara , Sałańska Agnieszka , Gawor Jan , Bardowski Jacek , Jagusztyn Krynicka Katarzyna Elżbieta
Published: November 2023

Transcriptomic analysis of the genome sequenced
Ligilactobacillus salivarius
strain IBB3154 grown at two different temperatures (37°C vs 42°C) identified differentially expressed genes involved in metabolic pathways, osmoregulation, and surface protein expression. Two highly expressed genes,
sasA1
and
sasA2
, which encode cell wall-anchored proteins belonging to the serine-rich repeat protein group, were found to be temperature-inducible. Moonlighting proteins with various functions, such as glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, elongation factor Tu, and enolase, were highly expressed at both temperatures. The efficiency of promoters has been confirmed by the β-glucuronidase activity test; however, temperature dependence was not detected. We also found that the P

sasA1

promoter retained its activity in the presence of bile salts. Knowledge of promoters that are highly active in
L. salivarius
cells can be used to produce strains that are carriers of immunogenic proteins.

IMPORTANCE

The genome of the strain
Ligilactobacillus salivarius
IBB3154 was sequenced, and transcriptome analysis was carried out at two different temperatures, allowing the determination of gene expression levels in response to environmental changes (temperature). Genes with higher expression at 42°C were identified. The use of a reporter gene (β- glucuronidase) did not confirm the transcriptomic results; it was found that the promoters of the genes
sasA1
and
sasA2
were active in the presence of bile salts. This opens up new opportunities for the overexpression of genes of other bacterial species in
Ligilactobacillus
cells in the intestinal environment.
Optimizing environmental viral surveillance: bovine serum albumin increases RT-qPCR sensitivity for high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx virus detection from dust samples
Authors: Bessière Pierre , Hayes Brandon , Filaire Fabien , Lèbre Laetitia , Vergne Timothée , Pinson Matthieu , Croville Guillaume , Guérin Jean-Luc
Published: November 2023

The latest outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) were the most widespread ever seen in Europe, entailing considerable economic costs and raising public health concerns. Virological surveillance protocols involve reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCR) from tracheal and cloacal swabs, which are laborious to perform on a large scale and require special skills. Environmental sampling, and especially dust collection, may represent a relevant alternative, as it is cheap, non-invasive for animals, simpler, and quicker to carry out. The main drawback of dust samples is that they may contain high amounts of organic substances that can inhibit RT-qPCR reactions. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a molecule known to facilitate DNA polymerization in the presence of numerous inhibitors, including those from feces, litter, or food. We tested its use on dust samples collected on 107 farms localized in areas affected by epizootics of clade 2.3.4.4b HPAIV H5N1. We used a latent class modeling approach to compare the performance of three detection protocols: (i) BSA addition to the RT-qPCR reaction mix, (ii) dilution of template RNA, and (iii) a control protocol. Our results indicate that BSA addition to the RT-qPCR reaction mix improved the sensitivity of the method, by neutralizing inhibitors’ effect. Indeed, for hemagglutinin (HA) or matrix (M) RNA detection, the sensitivity of the BSA protocol was the highest, followed by that of the control protocol, and that of the dilution protocol. Our results suggest that the use of BSA could be routinely implemented in HPAIV dust monitoring RT-qPCR protocols.

IMPORTANCE

With the circulation of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses having intensified considerably in recent years, the European Union is considering the vaccination of farmed birds. A prerequisite for this vaccination is the implementation of drastic surveillance protocols. Environmental sampling is a relevant alternative to animal sampling. However, environmental samples often contain inhibitory compounds in large enough quantities to inhibit RT-qPCR reactions. As bovine serum albumin is a molecule used in many fields to overcome this inhibitory effect, we tested its use on dust samples from poultry farms in areas heavily affected by HPAIV epizootics. Our results show that its use significantly increases the sensitivity of the method.
Risk assessment in pT1 colorectal cancer
Authors: Norton Emma Jane , Bateman Adrian C
Published: November 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy worldwide and tumour stage is closely related to clinical outcome. A small but significant proportion of submucosal-invasive (ie, pT1) CRC are associated with regional lymph node metastases (LNM) and a worse prognosis. The likelihood of LNM in pT1 CRC needs to be balanced against the operative risk and costs of surgical resection when determining the best patient management. A wide range of histopathological and clinical factors may affect LNM risk in this setting. This script provides a comprehensive overview of the tumour and patient-associated features that have been linked to LNM risk in pT1 CRC. Some of the features are well established within the literature and are included in published guidelines, while others are novel and emerging in nature. Odds ratios for LNM that are associated with key predictive features are provided where appropriate, and published models developed as an aid to the calculation of LNM risk are discussed.
Lump solutions for a (2+1)-dimensional generalized KP-type equation
Authors: Su Ting , Li Xinshan , Yu Houbing
Published: November 2023

A new ([Formula: see text])-dimensional generalized KP-type equation and its Lax pair are established. Based on gauge transformation between spectral problems, a Darboux transformation for the ([Formula: see text])-dimensional generalized KP-type equation is obtained. Some exact solutions are derived by utilizing the formula of Darboux transformation, including soliton solutions, trigonometric function solution, lump solutions, lump-soliton solution. In order to analyze the dynamical behavior of the solutions, the plots of solutions are depicted by Mathematical software.
The Lost World: Characterizing and Detecting Undiscovered Test Smells
Authors: Yang Yanming , Hu Xing , Xia Xin , Yang Xiaohu
Published: November 2023

Test smell refers to poor programming and design practices in testing and widely spreads throughout software projects. Considering test smells have negative impacts on the comprehension and maintenance of test code and even make code-under-test more defect-prone, it thus has great importance in mining, detecting, and refactoring them. Since Deursen et al. introduced the definition of “test smell”, several studies worked on discovering new test smells from test specifications and software practitioners’ experience. Indeed, many bad testing practices are “observed” by software developers during creating test scripts rather than through academic research and are widely discussed in the software engineering community (e.g., Stack Overflow) [
70
,
94
]. However, no prior studies explored new bad testing practices from software practitioners’ discussions, formally defined them as new test smell types, and analyzed their characteristics, which plays a bad role for developers in knowing these bad practices and avoiding using them during test code development. Therefore, we pick up those challenges and act by working on systematic methods to explore new test smell types from one of the most mainstream developers’ Q&A platforms, i.e., Stack Overflow. We further investigate the harmfulness of new test smells and analyze possible solutions for eliminating them. We find that some test smells make it hard for developers to fix failed test cases and trace their failing reasons. To exacerbate matters, we have identified two types of test smells that pose a risk to the accuracy of test cases. Next, we develop a detector to detect test smells from software. The detector is composed of six detection methods for different smell types. These detection methods are both wrapped with a set of syntactic rules based on the code patterns extracted from different test smells and developers’ code styles. We manually construct a test smell dataset from seven popular Java projects and evaluate the effectiveness of our detector on it. The experimental results show that our detector achieves high performance in precision, recall, and F1 score. Then, we utilize our detector to detect smells from 919 real-world Java projects to explore whether the six test smells are prevalent in practice. We observe that these test smells are widely spread in 722 out of 919 Java projects, which demonstrates that they are prevalent in real-world projects. Finally, to validate the usefulness of test smells in practice, we submit 56 issue reports to 53 real-world projects with different smells. Our issue reports achieve 76.4% acceptance by conducting sentiment analysis on developers’ replies. These evaluations confirm the effectiveness of our detector and the prevalence and practicality of new test smell types on real-world projects.