bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is auditor-AC communication a good indicator of audit quality?
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Wang Yonghai 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
This study aims to investigate whether the communication between the external auditor and the audit committee (AC) impacts audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use textual analysis to develop a new auditor–AC communication metric based on public AC performance reports for the period 2013–2021 in China. The authors also use both high-dimensional fixed effects linear regression and logistic regression to examine the effect of auditor–AC communication on audit quality.

Findings
By correlating this new auditor–AC communication metric with established proxies for audit quality, as outlined by DeFond and Zhang (2014), the authors find that firms with more auditor–AC communication have higher financial reporting quality, a lower probability of material misstatements and more informative audit reports. Overall, auditor–AC communication contributes to the improvement of audit quality.

Research limitations/implications
The findings offer both practical and policy-oriented implications, particularly for policymakers in search of quantifiable audit quality indicators derived from the interactions between the auditor and the AC.

Originality/value
The study advances the field of audit quality by introducing a novel metric for auditor–AC communication. It provides empirical evidence to support the notion that the communication between the external auditor and the AC can improve audit quality.
Co-mentoring as a key element of effective professional learning: Touchstone 11
Authors: Hogan Zoe 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThis article explores key features of effective professional learning as identified in research, exploring in-depth the potential of co-mentoring as a transformative model for teacher development.Design/methodology/approachThis article focuses on the Foundation for Learning and Literacy’s (FFLL) Touchstone 11, which underscores the importance of continuous teacher professional development in equitably supporting student learning. Teachers play a pivotal role in fostering learning and literacy, yet they face significant challenges in accessing ongoing, embedded professional learning tailored to their practice. A brief review of the literature regarding key features of effective professional learning is followed by an in-depth exploration of co-mentoring in the context of a real-world education program.FindingsCo-mentoring fosters reciprocal, non-hierarchical learning relationships, exemplified by the School Drama program – a collaboration between Sydney Theatre Company and The University of Sydney. This program paired teaching artists with classroom teachers to integrate drama into literacy education, leading to improved teacher confidence, student engagement and professional growth.Originality/valueThe article situates key features of effective professional learning as identified in the literature in the context of a real-world education program in Australia.
External Conjugate Boiling On Channels. A Graetz Problem With Multiple Solutions
Authors: Krikkis Rizos 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In the present study a conjugate laminar Graetz problem in a channel with wall conduction is theoretically studied. The heat exchanger under consideration utilizes a hot fluid stream with embedded heat sources in the internal side of the channel and a boiling liquid at the external side. Because of the non-linear and non-monotonic boiling curve, a complex and interesting solution structure exists. When the wall conduction is accounted for the problem admits multiple solutions. For a certain range of the Conduction-Convection Parameter and the heat generation intensity up to five solutions have been determined featuring stable single and multi-mode temperature profiles. The Conduction-Convection Parameter and the heat generation intensity have a profound effect on the solution structure and the stability since multi-mode solutions are becoming unstable allowing only the single mode profiles to be stable. An important finding is that when the boiling heat flux is directly imposed as a boundary condition, neglecting wall conduction, it is not possible to capture the multiplicity since a unique temperature profile is predicted. The model developed is applicable to typical heat exchangers with phase change in general and to cryogenic applications in particular where there is a significant temperature difference between the boiling point of the cryogenic liquid and the inlet temperature of the hot fluid in the exchanger.
Resolving of Transportation Issue With High Activity Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracer Source to Long Distance Medical Imaging Centers
Authors: Hudait Arup Kumar , Chattopadhyay Sumita , Bera Subrata 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In Indian scenario, single positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer isotope production center is catering PET radiopharmaceuticals to multiple medical imaging centers, located far away from the production center. Road, rail, and air are the modes of transport that are being used to deliver PET source depending on the transportation time required for the receiving center. The longer transportation time leads to the reduction of source activity due to its own radioactive decay process. At present, carrier pot made of lead (LP-30) is utilized for transportation of activity of around 300 mCi. However, due to long distance of imaging centers from PET production center, transportation pots of 18F-FDG (T1/2= 109.8 min) source need to handle higher source strength in the order of 1500 mCi. To qualify the regulatory compliance and handling aspects during transportation, existing lead pot is found to be not suitable for transportation of high activity. Therefore, alternate design options have been explored that included an innovative design of container pot made of tungsten and tungsten-based alloy. Theoretical estimation of dose rate profile has been done using point kernel-based radiation shielding code IGSHIELD. Limited experimental verification of the theoretical predictions has also been done. It is found that containers made of tungsten alloy are appropriate for handling high activity 18F-FDG PET radiopharmaceuticals while transporting to imaging facilities that are far away.
Bifurcation analysis and control of traffic flow model considering the impact of smart devices for drivers
Authors: Ai WenHuan , Zeng Jingming , Jianli Fu , Lei zhengqing 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In this paper, a linear feedback controller is designed to analyze and control the hopf bifurcation in the traffic flow system based on an improved traffic flow model considering the influence of intelligent vehicle communication devices. A traffic flow stability model with suitable bifurcation analysis is established to transform the sudden change of traffic state into a system stability problem. From the macroscopic view, there is reflect the unstable phenomenon about traffic congestion and other sudden changes. Then bifurcationing analysis is carried out on the traffic flow stability model to study the behavior of congestion and stability mutation near the equilibrium point and bifurcation point of the highway traffic system. It analyze and predict the changes of the actual traffic state. Aiming at the unstable bifurcation points, control method are designed through Chebyshev polynomial approximation, stochastic feedback control and other methods to make the unstable bifurcation points delayed or disappeared and alleviate the traffic congestion. Finally, the hopf bifurcationing control set up on the model is simulated, and it is verified by the density waves and the phase plane diagram that the introduction of the bifurcation control theory into the traffic flow state control not only helps to improve the stability of the traffic flow and avoid traffic congestion, but also provides a theoretical basis for the prevention of traffic congestion. Numerical simulation results show that the improved model is good at explaining the formation of various blockage patterns in real traffic and its evolution mechanism.
Relationship Between Community Integration, Physical Activity, Pain Quality, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Güneş Gencer Gökçe Yağmur , Temel Aksu Neriman , Teke Yeliz , Hekim Hanife Hale , Akdağ Ali 
Published: February 2025

Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between community integration, physical activity, pain quality, and quality of life in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: It included 92 older adults aged 60 and over diagnosed with osteoarthritis of Stage 2 and above, according to the Kellgren–Lawrence classification. Participants were evaluated using the Community Integration Questionnaire, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Pain Quality Assessment Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-old module Scales. Results: The mean age of 92 older adults included in the study was 67.5 ± 7.6 years. Specifically, for every 0.599 unit decrease in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function score (indicating an improvement in physical function), the community integration level increased by 0.196 units. Additionally, for every 0.380 unit increase in total physical activity level (measured in metabolic equivalent of task), the community integration level increased by 0.001 units. Also, community integration was negatively associated with pain intensity and positively associated with quality of life (p < .05). Conclusion: In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, it is essential to provide intervention support to combat the symptoms of the disease, increase physical activity, and maintain community integration. Implications: In older adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, community integration decreases as the severity of osteoarthritis increases with age. For older adults with knee osteoarthritis to have a better quality of life and active aging, it would be appropriate to add interventions to maintain and increase community integration in osteoarthritis treatment programs.
The Swaying Pendulum: Factors Influencing Physical Activity Participation in Women With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Gildea Gabrielle C. , Spence Rosalind R. , Jones Tamara L , Sandler Carolina X. , McDonald Nicole M. , Hayes Sandra C. , Plinsinga Melanie L. 
Published: February 2025

Background: Physical activity levels decline following diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and there is limited research investigating the factors that influence participation across the cancer continuum. The objective of this study is to explore barriers, facilitators, perceptions, and preferences of physical activity for women with recurrent ovarian cancer and to explore whether these factors change across the cancer continuum. Methods: Women enrolled in the Exercise During Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer trial were invited to participate. Semistructured interviews, guided by social cognitive theory, were conducted by 2 interviewers via video conferencing. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an adaptive thematic approach. Results: An overarching theme, “The swaying pendulum,” emerged following 13 participant interviews, representing the instability of physical activity participation in women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Five themes captured factors swaying the “pendulum”: (1) the “priority ladder” of physical activity and the importance of social support and the physical environment, (2) the “hurdles” of treatment- and disease-related side effects, (3) the power of physical activity support and advice from health professionals in the face of uncertainty and fear, (4) a “yearning” for the outdoors, and (5) resorting to walking. Conclusions: Physical activity participation in women with recurrent ovarian cancer is swayed by a complex combination of internal and external factors, unique to each individual, and continually changing circumstances across the cancer continuum.
Age-Related Differences in Electromyographic Latencies of the Lower Limb Muscles in Standing Sprint Initiation in Boys During Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Kitamura Mizuki , Isaka Tadao , Otsuka Mitsuo 
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate age-related differences in childhood and adolescent boys’ performance, including initial reaction time and electromyographic (EMG) latencies of leg muscles during sprint start. Methods: Forty-six Japanese boys, aged 5–19 years, participated in this study. The participants performed 5 consecutive 2-m sprints, starting with the boys’ preferred split-stance starting posture. Ground reaction force data of the front and rear feet and surface EMG data of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles in both legs of all participants were measured using a wireless EMG system. Results: As chronological age increased, the initial reaction time was largely shortened until the breakpoint age of 8.6 years and was moderately shortened thereafter. The EMG latencies of the posterior thigh and shank muscles of the rear leg were also shortened largely long before reaching the adolescence; in contrast, those of the front leg muscles were largely shortened until adolescence. Conclusions: Reaction behavior with complex whole-body motion may develop long before the onset of adolescence. In particular, adjusting the rear leg motion may contribute to the rapid development of whole-body reaction maturation.
Generation of RNA aptamers against chikungunya virus E2 envelope protein
Authors: Goto Kaku , Amano Ryo , Ichinose Akiko , Michishita Akiya , Hamada Michiaki , Nakamura Yoshikazu , Takahashi Masaki 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Nucleic acid aptamers are a promising drug modality, whereas the generation of virus-neutralizing aptamers has remained difficult due to the lack of a robust system for targeting the viral particles of interest. Here, we took advantage of our latest platform technology of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) with virus-like particles (VLPs) and targeted chikungunya virus (CHIKV) as a model, the pathogenic reemerging virus with an unmet need for control. The identified aptamer against CHIKV-VLPs, Apt#1, and its truncated derivatives showed neutralizing activity with nanomolar IC50 values in a cell-based assay system using a pseudoviral particle of CHIKV (CHIKVpp). An antiviral-based chemical genetics approach revealed significant competition of Apt#1 with suramin, a reported interactant with domain A of the E2 envelope protein (E2DA), in both CHIKVpp and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analyses, predicting E2DA to be the Apt#1 interface. In addition, Apt#1 interfered with the attachment of CHIKVpp, collectively suggesting its property as an attachment inhibitor via E2DA of CHIKV. Thus, the generation of the VLP-targeted aptamers proved to contribute to anti-CHIKV strategies and confirmed the utility of the platform as a novel and viable option for the development of neutralizing agents against viral particles of interest.

IMPORTANCE
Our latest SELEX technology using VLPs has generated aptamers that bind the native conformation of the incorporated envelope protein and achieve the virus binding and neutralizing effects. Indeed, the aptamer-probed target E2DA is a representative neutralization site on the surface of the viral particle, validating the utility of the VLP-driven procedure. Simultaneously, the enhanced antiviral effects of the aptamer in combination with approved drugs using the CHIKVpp assay with human cells indicated potential therapeutic strategies that are expected to help address unmet needs in CHIKV control. The robust affinity of the aptamer to viral particles demonstrated by SPR analysis can also lead to conjugates with antivirals as guiding molecules and aptasensors for diagnostic tools. Overall, our VLP-based method provided anti-CHIKV as well as a versatile platform applicable to other emerging and reemerging viruses, in preparation for outbreaks with the need for rapid development of antiviral strategies as next-generation theranostics.
Avoiding ‘second victims’ in healthcare: what support do staff want for coping with patient safety incidents, what do they get and is it effective? A systematic review
Authors: Simms-Ellis Ruth , Harrison Reema , Sattar Raabia , Sweeting Elizabeth , Hartley Hannah , Morys-Edge Matthew , Lawton Rebecca 
Published: February 2025

ObjectivesIncontrovertible evidence surrounds the need to support healthcare professionals after patient safety incidents (PSIs). However, what characterises effective organisational support is less clearly understood and defined. This review aims to determine what support healthcare professionals want for coping with PSIs, what support interventions/approaches are currently available and which have evidence for effectiveness.DesignSystematic research review with narrative synthesis.Data sourcesMedline, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases (from 2010 to mid-2021; updated December 2022), reference lists of eligible articles and Connected Papers software.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEmpirical studies (1) containing information about support frontline healthcare staff want before/after a PSI, OR addressing (2) support currently available, OR (3) the effectiveness of support to help prevent/alleviate consequences of a PSI. Study quality was appraised using the Quality Assessment for Diverse Studies tool.ResultsNinety-nine studies were identified. Staff most wanted: peer support (n=28), practical support and guidance (n=27) and professional mental health support (n=21). They mostly received: peer support (n=46), managerial support (n=23) and some form of debrief (n=15). Reports of poor PSI support were common. Eleven studies examined intervention effectiveness. Evidence was positive for the effectiveness of preventive/preparatory interventions (n=3), but mixed for peer support programmes designed to alleviate harmful consequences after PSIs (n=8). Study quality varied.ConclusionsBeyond peer support, organisational support for PSIs appears to be misaligned with staff desires. Gaps exist in providing preparatory/preventive interventions and practical support and guidance. Reliable effectiveness data are lacking. Very few studies incorporated comparison groups or randomisation; most used self-report measures. Despite inconclusive evidence, formal peer support programmes dominate. This review illustrates a critical need to fund robust PSI-related intervention effectiveness studies to provide organisations with the evidence they need to make informed decisions when building PSI support programmes.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022325796.
Low & Anaplastic Grade Glioma Umbrella Study of MOlecular Guided TherapieS (LUMOS-2): study protocol for a phase 2, prospective, multicentre, open-label, multiarm, biomarker-directed, signal-seeking, umbrella, clinical trial for recurrent IDH mutant, grade 2/3 glioma
Authors: McParland Kristen , Koh Eng-Siew , Kong Benjamin , Sim Hao-Wen , Thavaneswaran Subotheni , Yip Sonia , Barnes Elizabeth H , Ballinger Mandy L , Thomas David M , De Abreu Lourenco Richard , Simes John , Sebastian Lucille , Wheeler Patrick J , Spyridopoulos Desma , Hawkins Cynthia , Pitz Marshall , O'Callaghan Christopher , Gan Hui K 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionAll grade 2/3 gliomas are incurable and at the time of inevitable relapse, patients have significant unmet needs with few effective treatments. This study aims to improve outcomes by molecular profiling of patients at relapse, then matching them with the best available drug based on their molecular profile, maximising the chances of patient benefit while simultaneously testing multiple novel drugs.Methods and analysisLow & Anaplastic Grade Glioma Umbrella Study of MOlecular Guided TherapieS (LUMOS-2) will be an international, phase 2, multicentre, open-label, biomarker-directed, umbrella clinical trial for recurrent isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant, histologically grade 2/3 gliomas. Investigational treatment will be assigned based on molecular profiling of contemporaneous tissue obtained at disease relapse using next-generation sequencing. LUMOS-2 will begin with three therapeutic treatment arms: paxalisib, cadonilimab and selinexor. Patient molecular profiles will be assessed by an expert, multidisciplinary Molecular Tumour Advisory Panel. Patients whose molecular profile is considered suitable for a targeted agent like paxalisib will be allocated to that arm, others will be randomised to the available arms of the trial. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival at 6 months. Secondary objectives include assessment of overall survival, response rate, safety and quality of life measures. Two additional therapeutic arms are currently in development.Ethics and disseminationCentral ethics approval was obtained from the Sydney Local Health District Ethics Review Committee, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Zone, Sydney, Australia (Approval: 2022/ETH02230). Other clinical sites will provide oversight through local governance processes, including obtaining informed consent from suitable participants. A report describing the results of the study will be submitted to international meetings and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberACTRN12623000096651.
Role of private providers in the implementation of the national health insurance scheme in Zambia: a qualitative study of perceptions and experiences
Authors: Simangolwa Warren Mukelabai , Sundewall Jesper 
Published: February 2025

IntroductionAn increasing number of sub-Saharan African countries are implementing national health insurance schemes (NHISs) to support the aspiration of universal health coverage (UHC). A growing body of literature recognises the private sector role in improving NHIS equity in service access, public provider complementarity and overall member satisfaction. Zambia has implemented the NHIS since 2019 as a priority health financing strategy to support UHC. This study provides the first examination of the private sector’s experiences implementing the Zambia NHIS.MethodsThe study uses a qualitative study design and inductively synthesises data from 30 in-depth interviews with the private sector accredited to the Zambia NHIS in one rural and one urban province.ResultsThe private sector was motivated by profits and complementarity with public providers regarding service readiness and availability. Providers perceived the accreditation process and fees as standard and affordable. Providers reported increased service utilisation, mainly by the NHIS clients. Senior citizens and the informal sector constituted the majority of users. There were implementation challenges, including delays in preauthorisations, loss of member details and exclusion and restrictions of interventions in the benefits package. Private providers also experienced overcrowding and reduced service quality. Providers perceived the service reimbursement levels as relatively cost-reflective, but some providers shifted models to maximise profits, including inducing demand to defraud the fund. Generally, providers perceived payments as within the agreed timelines, especially for online claims.ConclusionThe initial scepticism among private providers before the initiation of the NHIS has subsided. The private provider’s experiences with accreditation, service utilisation, claims and reimbursements have been overall positive.