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This study aims to enhance the bioavailability and antioxidant function of vitamin E (VE) by combining it with inositol and choline, exploring their synergistic effects and underlying mechanisms.

An oxidative stress model in mouse hepatocytes was established using hydrogen peroxide to assess the antioxidant effects of combined VE, inositol and choline treatments. Cell viability, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured to evaluate protective effects. α-Tocopherol (α-T) and α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) levels were assessed to determine VE bioavailability. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted to identify gene expression changes and pathways impacted by the treatment.

An optimal oxidative stress model was established with 641 µM hydrogen peroxide for 6 h. The combination of 20 µM VE, 1.5 mM inositol and 0.3 mM choline significantly improved cell viability, reduced ROS and MDA levels and increased SOD and CAT activities, indicating enhanced antioxidant protection. In addition, α-T and α-TTP levels were higher with this combination, suggesting improved VE bioavailability. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the treatment modulated key pathways linked to inflammation, cancer and lipid metabolism, particularly impacting interleukin-17 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling, cytokine interactions and the alcoholic liver disease pathway.

This study demonstrates a novel approach for improving VE’s bioavailability and effectiveness through its combination with inositol and choline, providing insights that could inform antioxidant therapies and liver health interventions.

This study primarily examines the link between carbon and financial performance in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the study also explores how the economic impact of carbon performance varies in carbon-intensive and non-carbon-intensive industries.

This study takes a sample of 1,539 non-financial firms from 13 Asia-Pacific countries from 2014 to 2021. It employs a firm-fixed effect panel regression model to examine the objective.

The findings indicate that carbon performance improvement enhances accounting-based and market-based financial performance. The positive impact of carbon abatement stems from increased operational efficiency, energy efficiency and lower production costs. Further, the stock market participants also reward the firm for carbon efficiency. However, the carbon intensity of industrial sectors presents a conflicting picture for this association.

This study adds insights to the literature by providing a contemporary reflection on the nexus between carbon emissions and economic outcomes in the understudied Asia-Pacific region. It also unveils the nuanced difference in the carbon-financial performance relationship attributed to industries' carbon sensitivity.

The teaching–research nexus (TRN) has assumed a prominent role in global higher education systems. However, the connection between the two domains has been subject to diverse interpretations within well-developed higher education systems. Little is known about translating TRN into policy and practice in diverse higher education spaces. In this regard, this article examines the recent trajectory and challenges associated with integrating research and teaching in Cambodia.

To analyse the current development of TRN and its associated challenges, this article consolidates two sets of data: recent research papers and government policy documents on TRN in the last 10 years or so.

The analysis shows that the connection between teaching and research appears to be patchy in practice, as evidenced in previous studies. The recent government policies and interventions, although potentially fostering progress in research activities, pose dilemmas regarding the orientation and feasibility of linking these two domains.

This article focuses on enhancing TRN in Cambodia, one of the developing higher education contexts, thereby offering insights into the strategies and concerns within such environments. Policymakers in similar higher education contexts might benefit from considering the concerns and solutions highlighted in this article.

Research on policies and strategies for strengthening TRN in developing higher education contexts remains limited in the literature. This article contributes to our collective knowledge of TRN by looking at Cambodia's contemporary reality and strategies.

This study aims to offer insights into the state of research covering cybersecurity, cyber insurance and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It examines benefits of insurance to an SME’s security posture, challenges faced, and potential solutions and outstanding research questions.

Research objectives were formulated, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol was used to perform a systematic literature review (SLR). A total of 19 papers were identified from an initial set of 451.

This research underscores the role of cybersecurity in the value proposition of cyber insurance for SMEs. The findings highlight the benefits that cyber insurance offers SMEs including protection against cyber threats, financial assistance and access to cybersecurity expertise. However, challenges hinder SME’s engagement with insurance, including difficulties in understanding cyber risk, lack of cybersecurity knowledge and complex insurance policies. Researchers recommend solutions, such as risk assessment frameworks and government intervention, to increase cyber insurance uptake/value to SMEs.

There is a need for further research in the risk assessment and cybersecurity practices of SMEs, the influence of government intervention and the effectiveness of insurers in compensating for losses. The findings also encourage innovation to address the unique needs of SMEs. These insights can guide future research and contribute to enhancing cyber insurance adoption.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first SLR to comprehensively examine the intersection of cybersecurity and cyber insurance specifically in the context of SMEs.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between patient satisfaction (PS) and the parameters in healthcare and supply chain management (HLSCM).

The structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method have been employed to identify correlation and possible configuration of causal factors that influence PS, including lack of resilience (LS), lack of visibility (LV), cost management (CM) and integration and interoperability (II).

The results from SEM confirmed that PS is highly correlated with lack of visibility, CM and II as critical parameters. Moreover, fsQCA findings state that the configuration of high levels of both resilience and lack of visibility, as well as high levels of II, are crucial for PS.

The researchers also identified the configuration of factors that lead to low PS. The study’s results could assist healthcare providers in improving their supply chain operations, resulting in more effective and efficient healthcare service delivery and ultimately improving PS.

The fsQCA method used in the study provides a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between these factors. The inclusion of supply chain management characteristics as parameters in the evaluation of PS is a novel aspect of this research. Previous studies largely focused on more traditional factors such as physical care, waiting times and hospital amenities. By considering supply chain management factors, this study provides insights into an under-explored area of PS research, which has important implications for healthcare providers looking to improve their operations and PS.

Data science industry is a multidisciplinary field that deals with a large amount of data and derives useful information for taking routine and strategic business decisions. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between pricing models, engagement models, and firm performance (FP). This study also aims at uncovering the most effective pricing model and engagement model for improving FP.

Indian data scientists were the respondents of the study. A total of 213 responses were carefully chosen. The data were analyzed using structural equations on Statistical Package for Social Sciences-Analysis of Moment Structures (SPSS-AMOS) version 25 software.

The findings of the study suggested the positive and significant impact of pricing models and engagement models on FP. Value-based pricing strategies have the maximum impact on FP. On the other hand, managed services have a higher influence on FP.

By developing a multi-faceted framework, this study is a novel contribution to the field of business strategy, especially for the data science industry.

Since the publication of Bauman's seminal book Tourists and Vagabonds: Heroes and Victims of Postmodernity, sociologists and particularly social scientists have further interrogated the influence of globalization, and mobility culture in tourism consumption. Bauman offers a fertile ground to discuss the production of material asymmetries among classes. The present book continues this discussion with a special focus on Buenos Aires City, Argentina. Chapters integrating this book give a snapshot revolving around the convergence of social marginality, and the tourist experience. In this introductory section, I introduce readers to the complexity of the colonial period as well as the role played by slavery as a cheap manpower. Here I posed not only the main questions that guided the present book but also the intersection between slavery and poverty in global capitalism. At the same time, I place the question of homeless tours into the critical lens of scrutiny.

The purpose of this study is to take stock of the increasing use of central bank sanctions as a foreign policy tool and to analyse their compatibility with international legal principles, such as non-intervention, state immunity and human rights.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of state practice regarding central bank sanctions and the international legal framework that governs them. It systematically examines relevant international legal principles, identifies potential violations and explores justifications and defences states may use to support the legality of these sanctions.

The analysis reveals that central bank sanctions often clash with various international legal norms, including non-intervention, state immunity and human rights. This study argues that such sanctions can only be justified as countermeasures in exceptional circumstances and must adhere to strict conditions to be lawful, particularly concerning their proportionality and humanitarian impacts.

This study fills a gap in international legal scholarship by providing a dedicated analysis of central bank sanctions. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners and scholars on the legal complexities and potential ramifications of using central bank sanctions as a foreign policy instrument.

Fully-actuated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a growing and promising field of research, which shows advantages for aerial physical interaction. The purpose of this paper is to construct a force sensor-denied control method for a fully-actuated hexarotor to conduct aerial interaction with accurate force exerted outward.

First, by extending single-dimension impedance model to the fully-actuated UAV model, an impedance controller is designed for compliant UAV pose/force control. Then, to estimate the interaction force between UAV end-effector and external environment accurately, combined with super-twisting theory, a nonlinear force observer is constructed. Finally, based on impedance controller and estimated force from observer, an interaction force regulation method is proposed.

The presented nonlinear observer-based impedance control approach is validated in both simulation and environments, in which the authors try to use a fully-actuated hexarotor to accomplish the task of aerial physical interaction finding that a specified force is able to be exerted to environment without any information from force sensors.

A solution of aerial physical interaction for UAV system enabling accurate force exerted outward without any force sensors is proposed in this paper.

Achieving better performance and a sustainable competitive advantage is essential for survival in the hotel industry. However, literature is scarce on which factors local hotel businesses in developing countries should rely on to compete successfully. With an emerging economy and significant potential for growth in the travel and hospitality sectors, Colombia is seeking to improve the performance of its hotel industry. To achieve this goal, exploring and analyzing the effects of the strategies and practices implemented is essential. Accordingly, this study investigates the dynamics of the interactions between strategies, process innovations, outsourcing practices and operational quality in the hotel industry in Colombia.

The methodology used in this research is quantitative, using structural equation modeling based on data collected from 150 valid questionnaires.

The strategies of the hotel sector have an impact on hotel performance. Although process innovation demonstrably affects quality and outsourcing, there is a low impact on the performance of the studied hotels. The hotel sector lacks strategy autonomy as strategies are not directed to the organization's overall improvement but only to satisfy stakeholders' requirements.

This paper offers valuable insights for organizations when implementing strategic innovation initiatives. It provides information relevant to Colombian government entities on the creation of processes, economic policy plans and business assistance programs for boosting the financial and commercial sustainability of Colombian service sector businesses. The studied organizations need to redefine the role of their strategies, process innovation, outsourcing projects and quality standards to achieve adequate performance, as all four dimensions together are required to foster competitiveness.

This paper offers valuable insights for organizations when implementing strategic innovation initiatives. Additionally, it provides information relevant to Colombian government entities on the creation of processes, economic policy plans and business assistance programs for boosting the financial and commercial sustainability of Colombian service sector businesses. The studied organizations need to redefine the role of their strategies, process innovation, outsourcing projects and quality standards to achieve adequate performance, as all four dimensions together are required to foster competitiveness.

Developing successful strategies is vital to generating performance. Quality and safety are critical strategies to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. But literature is scarce on which factors local hotel businesses should rely on to compete successfully in developing countries. In particular, the concept of outsourcing in a highly distrusting developing country has not been addressed adequately. This research contributes to literature by evaluating quality as a competitive strategy in the hotel sector in a developing country to achieve a superior performance.