bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring and modeling the dynamics of mitotic error correction
Authors: Ha Gloria , Dieterle Paul , Shen Hao , Amir Ariel , Needleman Daniel J.
Published: January 2024

Error correction is central to many biological systems and is critical for protein function and cell health. During mitosis, error correction is required for the faithful inheritance of genetic material. When functioning properly, the mitotic spindle segregates an equal number of chromosomes to daughter cells with high fidelity. Over the course of spindle assembly, many initially erroneous attachments between kinetochores and microtubules are fixed through the process of error correction. Despite the importance of chromosome segregation errors in cancer and other diseases, there is a lack of methods to characterize the dynamics of error correction and how it can go wrong. Here, we present an experimental method and analysis framework to quantify chromosome segregation error correction in human tissue culture cells with live cell confocal imaging, timed premature anaphase, and automated counting of kinetochores after cell division. We find that errors decrease exponentially over time during spindle assembly. A coarse-grained model, in which errors are corrected in a chromosome autonomous manner at a constant rate, can quantitatively explain both the measured error correction dynamics and the distribution of anaphase onset times. We further validated our model using perturbations that destabilized microtubules and changed the initial configuration of chromosomal attachments. Taken together, this work provides a quantitative framework for understanding the dynamics of mitotic error correction.
A toxic environment selects for specialist microbiome in poison frogs
Authors: Caty Stephanie N. , Alvarez-Buylla Aurora , Vasek Cooper , Tapia Elicio E. , Martin Nora A. , McLaughlin Theresa , Weber Peter K. , Mayali Xavier , Coloma Luis A. , Morris Megan M. , O’Connell Lauren A.
Published: January 2024

Shifts in microbiome community composition can have large effects on host health. It is therefore important to understand how perturbations, like those caused by the introduction of exogenous chemicals, modulate microbiome community composition. In poison frogs within the family Dendrobatidae, the skin microbiome is exposed to the alkaloids that the frogs sequester from their diet and use for defense. Given the demonstrated antimicrobial effects of these poison frog alkaloids, these compounds may be structuring the skin microbial community. To test this, we first characterized microbial communities from chemically defended and closely related non-defended frogs from Ecuador. Then we conducted a laboratory experiment to monitor the effect of the alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ) on the microbiome of a single frog species. In both the field and lab experiments, we found that alkaloid-exposed microbiomes are more species rich and phylogenetically diverse, with an increase in rare taxa. To better understand the strain-specific behavior in response to alkaloids, we cultured microbial strains from poison frog skin and found the majority of strains exhibited either enhanced growth or were not impacted by the addition of DHQ. Additionally, stable isotope tracing coupled to nanoSIMS suggests that some of these strains are able to metabolize DHQ. Taken together, these data suggest that poison frog chemical defenses open new niches for skin-associated microbes with specific adaptations, including the likely metabolism of alkaloids, that enable their survival in this toxic environment. This work helps expand our understanding of how exposure to exogenous compounds like alkaloids can impact host microbiomes.
Systematic analysis of nonsense variants uncovers peptide release rate as a novel modifier of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Kolakada Divya , Fu Rui , Biziaev Nikita , Shuvalov Alexey , Lore Mlana , Campbell Amy E. , Cortázar Michael A. , Sajek Marcin P. , Hesselberth Jay R. , Mukherjee Neelanjan , Alkalaeva Elena , Coban Akdemir Zeynep H. , Jagannathan Sujatha
Published: January 2024

Nonsense variants underlie many genetic diseases. The phenotypic impact of nonsense variants is determined by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which degrades transcripts with premature termination codons (PTCs). Despite its clinical importance, the factors controlling transcript-specific and context-dependent variation in NMD activity remain poorly understood. Through analysis of human genetic datasets, we discovered that the amino acid preceding the PTC strongly influences NMD activity. Notably, glycine codons promote robust NMD efficiency and show striking enrichment before PTCs but depletion before normal termination codons (NTCs). This glycine-PTC enrichment is particularly pronounced in genes tolerant to loss-of-function variants, suggesting evolutionary selection or neutrality conferred by efficient elimination of truncated proteins from non-essential genes. Using biochemical assays and massively parallel reporter analysis, we demonstrated that the peptide release rate during translation termination varies substantially with the identity of the preceding amino acid and serves as the primary determinant of NMD activity. We propose a “window of opportunity” model where translation termination kinetics modulate NMD efficiency. By revealing how sequence context shapes NMD activity through translation termination dynamics, our findings provide a mechanistic framework for improved clinical interpretation of nonsense variants.
Evolution and diversification of the momilactone biosynthetic gene cluster in the genusOryza
Authors: Priego-Cubero Santiago , Toyomasu Tomonobu , Gigl Michael , Liu Youming , Hasegawa Yuto , Nojiri Hideaki , Dawid Corinna , Okada Kazunori , Becker Claude
Published: January 2024

Plants are master chemists and collectively are able to produce hundreds of thousands of different organic compounds. The genes underlying the biosynthesis of many specialized metabolites are organized in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which is hypothesized to ensure their faithful co-inheritance and to facilitate their coordinated expression. In rice, momilactones are diterpenoids that act in plant defence and various organismic interactions. Many of the genes essential for momilactone biosynthesis are grouped in a BGC. Here, we apply comparative genomics of diploid and allotetraploidOryzaspecies to reconstruct the species-specific architecture, evolutionary trajectory, and sub-functionalisation of the momilactone biosynthetic gene cluster (MBGC) in theOryzagenus. Our data show that the evolution of the MBGC is marked by lineage-specific rearrangements and gene copy number variation, as well as by occasional cluster loss. We identified a distinct cluster architecture inO. coarctata, which represents the first instance of an alternative architecture of the MBGC inOryzaand strengthens the idea of a common origin of the cluster inOryzaand the distantly related genusEchinochloa. Our research illustrates the evolutionary and functional dynamics of a biosynthetic gene cluster within a plant genus.
Multimodal interactions in Stomoxys navigation reveals synergy between olfaction and vision
Authors: Getahun Merid N , Baleba Steve , Ngiela John , Ahuya Peter , Masiga Daniel
Published: January 2024

Stomoxys flies exhibit an attraction towards objects that offer no rewards, such as traps and targets devoid of blood or nectar incentives. This behavior provides an opportunity to develop effective tools for vector control and monitoring. However, for these systems to be sustainable and eco-friendly, the visual cues used must be selective in attracting the target vector(s). In this study, we modified the existing blue Vavoua trap, originally designed to attract biting flies, to create a deceptive host attraction system specifically biased towards attracting Stomoxys. Our research reveals that Stomoxys flies are attracted to various colors, with red proving to be the most attractive and selective color for Stomoxys compared to other colors tested. Interestingly, our investigation on cattle-Stomoxys interaction demonstrates that Stomoxys flies do not have preference for a specific livestock fur color phenotype, despite variation in spectrum. To create a realistic sensory impression of the trap in the Stomoxys nervous system, we incorporated olfactory cues from livestock host odors that significantly increased trap catches. The optimized novel nanopolymer bead dispenser capable of effectively releasing the attractive odor, carvone + p-cresol, with strong plume strands, longevity. Overall, red trap baited with nano polymer beads dispenser is environmentally preferred.
Taking aim at the wino-Higgsino plane with the LHC
Authors: Carpenter Linda M. , Gilmer Humberto , Kawamura Junichiro , Murphy Taylor
Published: January 2024

In this work we explore multiple search strategies for Higgsinos and mixed Higgsino-wino states in the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and project the results onto the (μ,M2) plane. Assuming associated production of Higgsino-like pairs with a W/Z boson, we develop a search in a channel characterized by a hadronically tagged vector boson accompanied by missing energy. We use as our template an ATLAS search for dark matter produced in association with a hadronically decaying vector boson, but upgrade the search by implementing a joint-likelihood analysis, binning the missing transverse energy distribution, which greatly improves the search sensitivity. For Higgsino-like states (more than 96% admixture) we find sensitivity to masses up to 550 GeV. For well-mixed Higgsino-wino states (70–30% Higgsino) we still find sensitivities above 300 GeV. Using this newly proposed search, we draw a phenomenological map of the wino-Higgsino parameter space, recasting several complementary searches for disappearing tracks, soft leptons, trileptons, and hadronic diboson events in order to predict LHC coverage of the (μ,M2) mass plane at integrated luminosities of up to 3  ab−1. Altogether, the full run of the HL-LHC can exclude much of the “natural” (μ,M2<500  GeV) wino-Higgsino parameter space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Supernova emission of secretly interacting neutrino fluid: Theoretical foundations
Authors: Fiorillo Damiano F. G. , Raffelt Georg G. , Vitagliano Edoardo
Published: January 2024

Neutrino-neutrino scattering could have a large secret component that would turn neutrinos within a supernova (SN) core into a self-coupled fluid. Neutrino transport within the SN core, emission from its surface, expansion into space, and the flux spectrum and time structure at Earth might all be affected. We examine these questions from first principles. First, diffusive transport differs only by a modified spectral average of the interaction rate. We next study the fluid energy transfer between a hot and a cold blackbody surface in plane-parallel and spherical geometry. The key element is the decoupling process within the radiating bodies, which themselves are taken to be isothermal. For a zero-temperature cold plate, mimicking radiation into free space by the hot plate, the energy flux is 3%–4% smaller than the usual Stefan-Boltzmann law. The fluid energy density just outside the hot plate is numerically 0.70 of the standard case, the outflow velocity is the speed of sound vs=c/3, conspiring to a nearly unchanged energy flux. Our results provide the crucial boundary condition for the expansion of the self-interacting fluid into space, assuming an isothermal neutrino sphere. We also derive a dynamical solution, assuming the emission suddenly begins at some instant. A neutrino front expands in space with luminal speed, whereas the outflow velocity at the radiating surface asymptotically approaches vs from above. Asymptotically, one thus recovers the steady-state emission found in the two-plate model. A sudden end to neutrino emission leads to a fireball with constant thickness equal to the duration of neutrino emission.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nonmonotonic electrophoretic mobility of rodlike polyelectrolytes by multivalent coions in added salt
Authors: Vahid Hossein , Scacchi Alberto , Sammalkorpi Maria , Ala-Nissila Tapio
Published: January 2024

It is well established that when multivalent counterions or salts are added to a solution of highly charged polyelectrolytes (PEs), correlation effects can cause charge inversion of the PE, leading to electrophoretic mobility (EM) reversal. In this work, we use coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulations to unravel the less understood effect of coion valency on EM reversal for rigid DNA-like PEs. We find that EM reversal induced by multivalent counterions is suppressed with increasing coion valency in the salt added and eventually vanishes. Further, we find that EM is enhanced at fixed low salt concentrations for salts with monovalent counterions when multivalent coions with increasing valency are introduced. However, increasing the salt concentration causes a crossover that leads to EM reversal which is enhanced by increasing coion valency at high salt concentration. Remarkably, this multivalent coion-induced EM reversal persists even for low values of PE linear charge densities where multivalent counterions alone cannot induce EM reversal. These results facilitate tuning PE-PE interactions and self-assembly with both coion and counterion valencies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Engineering Arbitrary Hamiltonians in Phase Space
Authors: Guo Lingzhen , Peano Vittorio
Published: January 2024

We introduce a general method to engineer arbitrary Hamiltonians in the Floquet phase space of a periodically driven oscillator, based on the noncommutative Fourier transformation technique. We establish the relationship between an arbitrary target Floquet Hamiltonian in phase space and the periodic driving potential in real space. We obtain analytical expressions for the driving potentials in real space that can generate novel Hamiltonians in phase space, e.g., rotational lattices and sharp-boundary wells. Our protocol can be realized in a range of experimental platforms for nonclassical state generation and bosonic quantum computation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Concomitant polymorphs of 2-imino-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid amide: experimental and quantum chemical study
Authors: Shishkina Svitlana V. , Shaposhnyk Anna M. , Konovalova Irina S. , Dyakonenko Victoriya V. , Vaksler Yevhenii O.
Published: January 2024

2-Iminocoumarin-3-carboxamide (2-imino-2 H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid) is a perspective compound for use in the pharmaceutical industry. This compound crystallized from several solvents as two concomitant polymorphic forms. The monoclinic polymorph, crystallized initially, is formed due to strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds, weak C—H...O and C—H...N(π) hydrogen bonds, and stacking interactions of `head-to-head' type. The triclinic polymorphic form obtained due to slow evaporation of the same solution is formed due to only strong intermolecular interactions, N—H...O hydrogen bonds of two types, and stacking interactions of two types. Analysis of pairwise interaction energies showed that the monoclinic structure is columnar while the triclinic one is layered. Calculations in a periodic approximation of their lattice energies confirmed that the monoclinic polymorphic crystals are metastable as compared to the stable triclinic polymorph. Further quantum chemical modeling of possible structure deformations proved that both concomitant polymorphs can not be transformed into a new polymorphic form under external influence.
Tailoring the dimensionality of metal complexes via ligand modifications
Authors: Le Garff Paul , Maria Losus Renny , Chaudhary Simran , Dobrzańska Liliana
Published: January 2024

A series of CuII complexes obtained under the same reaction conditions has been analyzed to gain insight into the effect of the ligand composition on the final reaction product. Dipodal ligands containing N-donor imidazole rings and a benzene ring as a spacer with different numbers of methyl substituents on the aromatic rings were selected for the study such as 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L1), 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-5-methylbenzene (L2), 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (L3), 1,3-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (L4). L4 has not been reported previously and was synthesized for this study. The formed metal complexes show the presence of polymeric (ligand with no or one methyl substituent; 1–4), or discrete motifs (3- or 5-methyl substituents; 5–7). The new metal complexes 3, 5 and 6 were analyzed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder diffraction. In addition, the structural analyses were supported by computational methods.
Placebo effect in food marketing: young consumers' perception of food healthiness and tastiness in reduced-sugar labeling
Authors: Huang Li , Song Xi , Liu Matthew Tingchi , Chang Wen-yu , Shi Guicheng James
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a nuanced understanding of the marketing placebo effect (MPE) of products with reduced sugar labeling and how it forms certain perceptual underpins (perceived healthiness (PH) and perceived tastiness (PT)), with the potential effect of product category and social class in consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is tested using a sample of 822 participants by employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Hypothetical relationships among MPE, PH, PT, purchase intention (PI) and social class are examined for both hedonic and utilitarian products.

Findings

The results highlight the positive role of MPE in leveraging consumer PI through the parallel mediation of PH and PT. The positive effect of MPE on PH and PT was more pronounced for the utilitarian product. In addition, social class negatively moderated the relationship between PH and PI only in the case of the utilitarian product.

Originality/value

This paper contributed to the MPE literature in the food industry by challenging the conventional intuition of “Unhealthy = Tasty” and highlighting the potential of perceived food healthiness to positively influence perceived food tastiness under the effect of MPE. An upper social class would attenuate the positive effect of perceived food healthiness on PI.
Let us buy online directly from farmers: an integrated framework of individualistic and collectivistic consumption values
Authors: Kol Ofrit , Zimand-Sheiner Dorit , Levy Shalom
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Buying directly from farmers online has become increasingly popular in recent years. This study aims to investigate the effect of the interaction between various consumption values that drive consumers to buy directly from farmers online. The proposed conceptual framework suggests that consumers who buy online directly from farmers are driven by an interaction of weighted individualistic consumption value (i.e. an integration of values such as saving money, getting quality and fresh produce) and collectivistic values (pro-environmental behaviour and ethnocentric perception).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a representative sample of 576 consumers via an online access panel and analysed using AMOS SEM.

Findings

A weighted individualistic consumption value affects consumer attitudes and, consequently, consumers' intention to buy agri-food products directly from farmers. Nonetheless, individualistic consumption value is more effective in enhancing attitudes among consumers with high pro-environmental behaviour. Moreover, ethnocentric perception lowers the effect of individualistic consumption value on attitudes and enhances the positive effect of attitudes on buying intention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on consumer online behaviour when buying food products directly from farmers. Its originality lies in the effect of interacting individualistic and collectivistic consumption values to explain consumer motivation for this behaviour.
Enhancing fire safety with Improved Risk Index and BIM in building evacuation
Authors: Zhang Jingqi , Jiang Shaohua , Qi Xiaomin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive study on building, fire and evacuation, so as to effectively improve the efficiency of building fire evacuation and the management level of fire evacuation site. Make up for the difficulties of BIM technology in effectively connecting building information and fire data.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this paper establishes a fire model and an evacuation model based on BIM information. Then, the safety index (SI) is introduced as a comprehensive index, and the IRI is established by integrating the SI function to evaluate the safety of evacuation routes. Based on these two indices, the IRI-based fire evacuation model is established.

Findings

This study offers an Improved Risk Index (IRI)-based fire evacuation model, which may achieve effective evacuation in fire scenes. And the model is verified by taking the fire evacuation of a shopping center building as an example.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a fire evacuation principle based on IRI, so that the relevant personnel can comprehensively consider the fire factors and evacuation factors to achieve the optimization of building design, thereby improving the fire safety of buildings.
The intention-behaviour gap in sustainable hospitality: a critical literature review
Authors: Khan Nayla , Acuti Diletta , Lemarie Linda , Viglia Giampaolo
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The intention of consumers to behave sustainably is not a reliable predictor of sustainable hospitality choices. This intention-behaviour gap represents one of the biggest challenges for marketers and environment-friendly businesses. To address this issue, this study aims to draw upon the intention-behaviour gap. The authors revise the sustainable hospitality literature to identify the limitations, to evaluate the extent to which the intention-behaviour gap is embedded in the hospitality literature and to provide practical guidance on how to move research forward in the sustainable hospitality field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a five-step process to review and analyse 71 scientific papers published in 14 Hospitality Journals. The authors developed a descriptive overview of the literature showing the publications in this field over the years, the sustainability practices implemented by companies and consumers and the setting of the studies. Finally, the authors conducted a critical analysis of research in sustainable hospitality adopting the intention-behaviour gap lens.

Findings

Leveraging the descriptive overview and critical analysis, the authors offer four directions for future research to address the existing literature limitations. The authors encourage scholars to expand the scope of the research setting, investigate diverse sustainability practices, integrate existing knowledge on the intention-behaviour gap into sustainable hospitality research and combine traditional research methods with emerging technologies.

Practical implications

This study exposes the theoretical challenge of applying conventional behaviour theories to sustainable hospitality, prompting a call for framework re-evaluation. It offers practical insights, empowering researchers, marketers and policymakers to navigate and mitigate the intention-behaviour gap in sustainable hospitality.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is underscored by its distinctive focus on the unique intention-behaviour gap within sustainable hospitality, coupled with a compelling call to re-evaluate traditional behavioural frameworks. It provides a roadmap for future research in sustainable hospitality, benefiting researchers, policymakers and marketers in promoting sustainable initiatives.
Leveraging organizational knowledge to develop agility and improve performance: the role of ambidexterity
Authors: Stei Gerald , Rossmann Alexander , Szász Levente
Published: January 2024

Purpose

As a response to the increased frequency of disruptive events and intense competition, organizational agility has become a key concept in organizational research. Fostering organizational agility requires leveraging knowledge that exists both outside (exploration) and inside (exploitation) the organization. This research tests the so-called ambidexterity hypothesis, which claims that a balance between exploration and exploitation leads to increased organizational outcomes, including the development of organizational agility. Complementing previously established measurement models on ambidexterity, this research proposes an alternative measurement model to analyze how ambidexterity can enhance organizational agility and, indirectly, performance, taking into consideration the moderating effect of environmental competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of existing measurement models for ambidexterity shows that tension, a crucial aspect of ambidexterity, is often neglected. The authors, therefore, develop a new measurement model of ambidexterity to incorporate ambidexterity-induced tension. Using this measurement model, they examine the effect of ambidexterity on the development of entrepreneurial and adaptive agility as well as performance.

Findings

Ambidexterity positively influences both entrepreneurial and adaptive agility, indicating that a balance between exploration and exploitation has superior organizational effects. This finding confirms the ambidexterity hypothesis with respect to organizational agility. Furthermore, both entrepreneurial and adaptive agility drive organizational performance. These two indirect effects via agility fully mediate the impact of ambidexterity on organizational performance. Finally, environmental competitiveness positively moderates the relationship between ambidexterity and adaptive agility.

Originality/value

The findings extend research on ambidexterity by showing its positive effects on organizational agility. Furthermore, the study proposes an alternative operationalization to capture the ambidexterity construct that may lay the groundwork for further applications of the ambidexterity concept.
Self-efficacy of preservice teachers in technology-based learning in diverse classrooms: a case study at an Indonesian private university
Authors: Pradana Dian Arief , Degeng I. Nyoman Sudana , Kuswandi Dedi , Degeng Made Duananda Kartika
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This case study examines the experiences of 20 student teachers at an Indonesian private university in enhancing their self-efficacy in utilizing instructional technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants of this study had different cultural backgrounds and spoke different indigenous languages. Situated in diverse classroom settings, the participants were interviewed using online platforms to examine their learning experience when learning to integrate technology into teaching. Furthermore, observational data were collected through photographs taken during the learning process to triangulate the findings.

Findings

Grounded in case study analysis, the study reveals three emerging themes indicating the development of the preservice teachers' confidence in multilingual classrooms: (1) designing technology-mediated learning activities, (2) using learning technology to foster students' autonomy in learning and (3) promoting peer engagement in diverse classrooms through technology-based learning. Furthermore, the participants demonstrated their ability to develop self-efficacy in overcoming the challenges associated with technology use in education by adapting, innovating, and collaborating.

Research limitations/implications

The study has three limitations. First, the limited number of participants involved in the study restricts the generalizability of the findings and does not allow for testing the potential influence of variables such as age, gender or experience on preservice teachers' beliefs. Second, limitation pertains to the reliability of self-report data provided by the preservice teachers. Given that self-efficacy can fluctuate over time, a longitudinal study is needed to investigate whether preservice teachers' self-efficacy in utilizing technology for learning evolves over time. Third, while the study was conducted in diverse classroom settings, it lacks an in-depth exploration of how cultural diversity impacts the learning outcomes of these preservice teachers.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that nurturing the technological self-efficacy of preservice teachers enhances their competence in technology-mediated pedagogy, both during the pandemic of COVID-19 and in the future.
Computer-assisted instruction for transparent language reading for K-3 learners with intellectual, developmental and learning disabilities: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Liana Leyla Hamis , Mrutu Salehe I. , Mselle Leonard
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has been used to combat reading challenges, namely reading accuracy and rate for learners with intellectual, developmental and learning disabilities (IDLD). Whilst most reading CAI effectiveness has been studied in English, other transparent languages have less evidence. This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of CAI effectiveness for transparent language reading for K-3 learners with IDLD.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically reviews academic peer-reviewed studies from 2010 to 2023 with either randomised controlled treatment (RCT) or single-case treatments. Articles were searched from the ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ERIC, PsychINFO and Science Direct databases, references and systematic review articles. Reading component skills effect sizes were computed using the random effect sizes model.

Findings

11 RCT studies of reading CAI for transparent languages with 510 learners with IDLD were found. A random effect sizes (Cohen’s d) of CAI on individual reading component skills were d = 0.24, p-value = 0.063 and confidence interval (CI) 95% (−0.068–0.551) for phonics and phonemic awareness d = 0.41, p-value = 0.000 and CI 95% (0.175–0.644). Given an average intervention dosage of 1.8 h weekly for a maximum of 16 weeks, CAI had better retention with d = 1.13, p-value = 0.066 and CI 95%(−0.339–2.588). However, these results must be interpreted with a concern of only using published studies.

Originality/value

The study contributes to quantitative CAI effectiveness for transparent language reading components for learners with IDLD.
The effect of the board of directors on financial performance and the existence of risk management as an intervening variable
Authors: Musallam Sami R.M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effect of the board of directors on financial performance, either directly or indirectly, through the existence of risk management after the issuance of the Palestinian Code on Corporate Governance in Palestine.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a panel data of 31 Palestinian listed companies from 2010 to 2016. It also uses structural equation modeling (SEM) model.

Findings

The results of the SEM model show a significant positive relationship of the existence of risk management and the tenure-chief executive officer (CEO) with financial performance. However, CEO duality has a significant negative relationship with financial performance. The results also show a significant positive relationship of CEO duality and board size with financial performance through the existence of risk management.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds to the existing literature by analyzing the effect of the board of directors on financial performance, either directly or indirectly, through the existence of risk management in Palestine, one of the youngest stock exchanges in the region, which assists in testing the validity of agency theory in a young and small emerging Islamic market context.

Practical implications

The results of this paper are significant for shareholders and managers of companies to make proper choices to secure the interests of stakeholders and increase the flow of capital and foreign investment.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is one of the first papers to investigate the effect of the board of directors on financial performance, either directly or indirectly, through the existence of risk management in Palestine.
Insights into mobile learning continuance intention among school students and teachers via a hermeneutic phenomenological study during COVID-19
Authors: Singh Yashdeep , Suri P.K.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to describe the m-learning experience of school students and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores the factors influencing the continuance intention of m-learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Semistructured interviews of 24 students and 09 teachers of schools in national capital territory (NCT) Delhi, India were conducted over 03 months and transcribed verbatim. A hermeneutic phenomenological design was used to interpret the text and bring out the “lived experiences” of m-learning.

Findings

The following 15 themes or factors influencing continuance intention emerged through the hermeneutic circle: (1) actual usage, (2) attitude, (3) context, (4) extrinsic motivation, (5) facilitating conditions, (6) intrinsic motivation, (7) perceived compatibility, (8) perceived content quality, (9) perceived mobile app quality, (10) perceived teaching quality, (11) perceived usefulness, (12) satisfaction, (13) self-efficacy, (14) self-management of learning and (15) social influence.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers insightful recommendations for school administrators, mobile device developers and app designers. In addition, suggestions for effectively using m-learning during disasters such as COVID-19 have been provided. Several future research directions, including a nuanced understanding of m-assessment and online discussions, are suggested to enhance the literature on m-learning continuance.

Originality/value

The study enriches the literature on m-learning continuance. A qualitative approach has been used to identify relevant factors influencing m-learning continuance intention among secondary and higher secondary level (Grades 9 to 12) school students and teachers in India. In addition, a conceptual framework of the relationships among the factors has been proposed. Further, an analysis of the lived experiences of m-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated several issues and challenges in using m-learning during disasters.
The power of institutional investors: empirical evidence on their role in investment in internal audit function
Authors: Al-Qadasi Adel Ali
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Institutional investors are major shareholders in publicly traded firms and play crucial roles in the financial and governance aspects of these firms. Despite their importance, little is known about their role in internal auditing. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the relationship between institutional investors’ ownership and investment in the internal audit function (IAF).

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses ordinary least squares regressions with two-way cluster-robust standard errors (firm and year) to estimate the relationship between institutional investors’ ownership and investment in IAF for Malaysian listed firms between 2009 and 2020.

Findings

The findings show that companies with higher levels of institutional ownership invest more in IAF, suggesting that institutional investors can effectively monitor managers due to their large holdings. Moreover, both transient and dedicated institutional investors are more likely to invest in IAF.

Originality/value

The results highlight the importance of institutional investors as a significant determinant of investment in IAF, which can aid regulators and managers in understanding the institutional investors’ role in governing and optimizing the efficient use of a firm’s resources. The findings also provide insight into institutional investors’ behavior regarding monitoring systems, which may inspire regulators and policymakers to consider increasing institutional investors’ participation to enhance governance structures.
Consumer animosity in tourism research: a horizon 2050 paper
Authors: Abraham Villy
Published: January 2024

Purpose

A growing body of research suggests the detrimental impact animosity will likely have on destination image and intentions to visit. The purpose of this study is to conduct a state-of-the-art literature review to account for observed mixed findings by putting forth research propositions to be tested in future studies. This paper also aims to develop a future research agenda based on gaps identified in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic quantitative method is adopted to review the consumer animosity literature published in tourism journals.

Findings

This paper identifies several gaps in the literature and suggests several avenues for future research.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to conduct a state-of-the-art review of the literature dating back to the seminal consumer animosity research conducted in a tourist setting in 2014.
Has the UK Supreme Court Become More Restrained in Public Law Cases?
Authors: Graham Lewis
Published: January 2024

In recent years, a number of academics, judges and politicians have noted that the UK Supreme Court has adopted a more restrained approach when it comes to public law than it had done previously. This article assesses the quantitative and qualitative evidence for this apparent conservative turn. It finds that, in a number of important respects, the Court has indeed adopted a more restrained approach to public law issues in recent years. However, conservatism and caution are not apparent across the board, and there are a number of areas in which the approach of the Court has been anything but restrained. Overall, the Court should not be considered ideologically conservative, nor should it be deemed constitutionally supine. Rather, it is most accurate to suggest that the Court is basing its judgments on a vision of the law rooted in the tradition of political constitutionalism.
The mechanics of risk adjustment and incentives for coding intensity in Medicare
Authors: Carlin Caroline S. , Feldman Roger , Jung Jeah
Published: January 2024

Objective

To study diagnosis coding intensity across Medicare programs, and to examine the impacts of changes in the risk model adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2024.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Claims and encounter data from the CMS data warehouse for Traditional Medicare (TM) beneficiaries and Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees.

Study Design

We created cohorts of MA enrollees, TM beneficiaries attributed to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and TM non‐ACO beneficiaries. Using the 2019 Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) software from CMS, we computed HCC prevalence and scores from base records, then computed incremental prevalence and scores from health risk assessments (HRA) and chart review (CR) records.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We used CMS's 2019 random 20% sample of individuals and their 2018 diagnosis history, retaining those with 12 months of Parts A/B/D coverage in 2018.

Principal Findings

Measured health risks for MA and TM ACO individuals were comparable in base records for propensity‐score matched cohorts, while TM non‐ACO beneficiaries had lower risk. Incremental health risk due to diagnoses in HRA records increased across coverage cohorts in line with incentives to maximize risk scores: +0.9% for TM non‐ACO, +1.2% for TM ACO, and + 3.6% for MA. Including HRA and CR records, the MA risk scores increased by 9.8% in the matched cohort. We identify the HCC groups with the greatest sensitivity to these sources of coding intensity among MA enrollees, comparing those groups to the new model's areas of targeted change.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous literature, we find increased health risk in MA associated with HRA and CR records. We also demonstrate the meaningful impacts of HRAs on health risk measurement for TM coverage cohorts. CMS's model changes have the potential to reduce coding intensity, but they do not target the full scope of hierarchies sensitive to coding intensity.
Application of DNA‐fueled molecular machines in food safety testing
Authors: Ma Yujing , Chen Ruipeng , Zhang Rui , Liang Jun , Ren Shuyue , Gao Zhixian
Published: January 2024

Food is consumed by humans, which is indispensable to human life. Therefore, considerable attention of the whole society has been paid to food safety. Over the last few years, dramatic social development has brought new challenges to food safety, making developing new and quick methods for on‐site food safety testing an important necessity. As a result, DNA‐fueled molecular machines, characterized by high efficiency, accuracy, and sensitivity in testing, have come into the spotlight, based on which sensors can be constructed to detect toxic and harmful substances in food products. This study reviewed recent research on several DNA‐fueled molecular machines, including DNA tweezers, DNA walkers, and DNA origami, for rapidly detecting toxic and harmful substances. Based on the above studies, the sensitivity and timeliness of several DNA molecular machines were summarized and compared, and the development prospect of DNA fuel molecular machines in the field of food safety detection was prospected.
The efficacy and safety of ivabradine hydrochloride in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Kawasaki Sayuri , Sakai Yukinao , Harasawa Shinsuke , Inatsu Akihito , Kubota Yoshiaki , Hirama Akio , Kashiwagi Tetsuya , Iwabu Masato
Published: January 2024

Introduction

There is little evidence for ivabradine hydrochloride in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

In this open‐label prospective interventional trial of hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure, during 12 weeks of treatment, changes in Heart rate (HR), frequency of dialysis‐related hypotension were examined, and we investigated health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) and adverse effects.

Results

18 patients from 6 facilities were enrolled in the study. HR significantly decreased over time, from 87 ± 12.61/min at baseline to 75.85 ± 8.91/min (p = 0.0003), and systolic blood pressure also increased significantly (p < 0.0001). The frequency of dialysis‐related hypotension was markedly reduced (p = 0.0001). The HR‐QOL survey showed significant improvements in Social Functioning among others (p = 0.0178). No specific adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

Ivabradine hydrochloride improved dialysis‐related hypotension. Furthermore, the HR‐QOL improvement effect were suggested. These results demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of ivabradine hydrochloride.
Sensory profiling of pears from the Pacific Northwest: Consumers' perspective and descriptive analysis
Authors: Montero Maria Laura , Colonna Ann E. , Gallardo R. Karina , Ross Carolyn F.
Published: January 2024

This study used data from consumer testing, descriptive analysis (DA), and preference mapping to determine the sensory characteristics of pear cultivars from two harvest seasons in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). A trained sensory panel (n = 10) used generic DA to evaluate multiple sensory modalities of 22 pear cultivars. Six pears from summer and six from winter season were evaluated by consumers (n = 219) to assess their liking of different attributes. Results of the DA showed the trained panel significantly discriminated the summer and winter pears on most of the sensory modalities. To identify the attributes driving consumer acceptability, external preference mapping was applied. Attributes such as pear aroma, pear flavor, sweet, sour, and juicy were the most contributory attributes to the liking of the summer pears. Conversely, fermented aroma, stemmy–woody aroma, fermented flavor, stemmy–woody flavor, and grainy–gritty attributes were associated with a reduction in consumer liking. Summer cultivars, “Bartlett,” coded pear 573, and “Seckel” had the broadest preference, satisfying 60% to 80% of the consumers. Seventy‐five percent of the consumers identified winter cultivars “Comice” and “Paragon” as the most appealing. Overall, cluster analysis showed that different pears appeal to different types of consumers; however, summer cultivars like “Bartlett” and “Seckel” and winter cultivars like “Comice” and “Paragon” would appeal to the greatest number of consumers in the PNW market.

Practical Application

Sensory attributes like pear flavor, sweet, and juicy, were important drivers of liking for pear consumers in the Pacific Northwest. These results should prove useful to pear growers and marketers to increase pear consumption in the United States.
Bacterial tolerance and detoxification of cyanide, arsenic and heavy metals: Holistic approaches applied to bioremediation of industrial complex wastes
Authors: Olaya‐Abril Alfonso , Biełło Karolina , Rodríguez‐Caballero Gema , Cabello Purificación , Sáez Lara P. , Moreno‐Vivián Conrado , Luque‐Almagro Víctor Manuel , Roldán María Dolores
Published: January 2024

Cyanide is a highly toxic compound that is found in wastewaters generated from different industrial activities, such as mining or jewellery. These residues usually contain high concentrations of other toxic pollutants like arsenic and heavy metals that may form different complexes with cyanide. To develop bioremediation strategies, it is necessary to know the metabolic processes involved in the tolerance and detoxification of these pollutants, but most of the current studies are focused on the characterization of the microbial responses to each one of these environmental hazards individually, and the effect of co‐contaminated wastes on microbial metabolism has been hardly addressed. This work summarizes the main strategies developed by bacteria to alleviate the effects of cyanide, arsenic and heavy metals, analysing interactions among these toxic chemicals. Additionally, it is discussed the role of systems biology and synthetic biology as tools for the development of bioremediation strategies of complex industrial wastes and co‐contaminated sites, emphasizing the importance and progress derived from meta‐omic studies.
Are firms as liquid as they appear in annual reports?
Authors: Khokhar Abdul‐Rahman , Qiu Jiaping , Rahaman Mohammad M.
Published: January 2024

Fiscal‐year‐end cash holdings are an important indicator in external stakeholders' assessment of a firm's liquidity and credit risk. Do fiscal‐year‐end cash holdings reflect a firm's intra‐year liquidity conditions? We observe that firms report significantly higher cash holdings in the fourth fiscal quarter, followed by a subsequent reversal. This pattern is pervasive across industries, persistent over time, and not explained by conventional factors or calendar effects. The extent of the fourth‐quarter cash increase is more pronounced for informationally opaque firms reliant on external markets and those with financial constraints and reduced monitoring. We investigate firms' real, financing, and timing activities that could potentially account for this pattern. Our study suggests that a complete picture of intra‐year cash holdings dynamics is necessary for external stakeholders to fully assess a firm's liquidity and credit conditions.