Strong Positive Effect Research Articles

Usability and engagement of web application on parental behaviors for child obesity intervention

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing global health issue, with increasing prevalence in Asian countries, including Malaysia. Web applications such as JEJAK BMI offer an alternative intervention to address this concern by targeting parental behaviors that could influence their children’s weight. The usability and engagement of the app used are important elements that could influence the intervention outcome. Objective: To assess the engagement and usability of JEJAK BMI apps that could affect parental use of apps in child obesity interventions. Methods: To evaluate the app’s usability, three criteria were evaluated which were ease of use, visual appeal and functionality, post-intervention questionnaires were completed by the parents. Results: The study found that most parents considered the app practical, easy to use, visually engaging and functional. However, the impact on children's BMI over the short term was inconclusive. Conclusion: The JEJAK BMI web application demonstrated strong usability and positive effects on parental behaviors. Nonetheless, significant changes in children's BMI may require longer-term interventions and additional strategies.

Semaglutide improves contractile function in isolated human atrium

Abstract Background Recently, the results of the STEP-HFpEF trial were announced, in which high-dose treatment with the antidiabetic glucagon-like-peptide 1 agonist semaglutide resulted in a significant improvement of HFpEF-associated symptoms and reduction of NT-proBNP levels. Interestingly, treatment effects were independent of initial body weight and left-ventricular ejection fraction, sparking interest regarding the precise mechanism of action. Purpose We tested the effects of acute semaglutide treatment in isolated human right-atrial trabeculae. Methods Trabeculae were prepared from right atrial appendage biopsies from 32 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery. Regular contractions were elicited by electrical field stimulation (1Hz, 5V/50ms, 37°C). Paired experiments were performed simultaneously per patient with a control group and one exposed to semaglutide (100 or 300nM). Developed tension was analysed at steady state after 30 min. Arrhythmias were defined as deviations from baseline not arising from electrical stimulation. L-type calcium channel blockade was achieved with nifedipine (2µM) in some experiments. Rapid cooling contraction was elicited to assess sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content (RCC1) by rapidly superfusing the trabeculae with chilled solution (2°C). After a short rewarming period of 10s to 37°C, RCC was repeated to assess the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger function (RCC2). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-test or Wilcoxon test as appropriate (for 2 groups) and one-way ANOVA with test for trend (for >2 groups). Results Exposure to semaglutide increased developed tension by over 3-fold in human atrial trabeculae in a dose-dependent manner: from 3.14±1.14 for control to 5.43±2.35mN/mm2 for 100nM semaglutide (p=0.03 vs. control) to 12.5±3.53 for 300nM semaglutide (p=0.004 vs. control, mean±SEM, fig. A-D, p=0.005 for linear trend). L-type calcium channel blockade with nifedipine blunted developed tension overall but did not abolish the effect of semaglutide (fig. E, p=0.02). In contrast, the developed tensions upon RCC1 and RCC2 were increased by semaglutide (300nM) compared to control, while the ratio of RCC2:RCC1 was elevated by semaglutide, indicating both increased SR Ca2+ reuptake and less external Ca2+ removal in the presence of semaglutide (fig. H-J). Relaxation time to 50% of baseline was unaltered (not shown), while relaxation time to 90% of baseline was mildly prolonged by semaglutide at 300 nM (fig. F). No increase in the rate of arrhythmias was observed by semaglutide treatment (fig. G). Conclusion Acute exposure of human atrial trabeculae to semaglutide results in a strong positive inotropic effect in a dose-dependent manner without increasing the propensity for arrhythmias. This effect is most likely due to increased SR Ca2+ reuptake. Treatment of heart failure patients with high-dose semaglutide can improve atrial function, which may ameliorate symptoms.

The Structural Model of Influential Interplay among Cultural Practices, Social Support, Economic Factors, and the Suku Anak Dalam Community’ Perceptions of Religious Education

The Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) community in Sumatra, Indonesia, faced unique educational challenges influenced by cultural, social, and economic factors. This study aimed to explore and confirm the influential relationships among cultural practices, social support, economic factors, and SAD’s perceptions of religious education. A total of 356 literate SAD from some regions in Sumatra were sampled. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data were collected through a structured questionnaire translated into the local language. The results revealed that cultural practices positively impacted SAD’s perceptions of religious education (H1, t=7.550, p=0.000) and significantly enhanced social support (H4, t=3.870, p=0.000). Social support positively influenced perceptions of religious education (H2, t=4.880, p=0.000), while economic factors had a strong positive effect on both perceptions of religious education (H3, t=9.119, p=0.000) and social support (H5, t=31.108, p=0.000). These findings highlight the necessity of integrating cultural, social, and economic aspects in educational policies for the SAD community. The study's novelty lies in its structural model, offering deep insights into religious education perceptions. Future research should explore similar dynamics in other indigenous communities using longitudinal and qualitative methods.

Towards a greener future: The impact of financial technology (FinTech) and climate finance on ecological sustainability

Ecological sustainability has become a top priority for worldwide policymakers due to severe consequences. Innovative approaches, like climate finance and financial technology (FinTech), are crucial in combating climate change and its environmental hazards. This study aims to investigate the role of climate finance on ecological sustainability with FinTech and institutional quality as moderators from 2010 to 2022 in 58 advanced countries. Besides that, the COVID-19 spillover shock effect (pre-post), socio-economic conditions, and trade openness are also considered as other variables in this study. The study employed the two-step Sys GMM approach, and the robustness was checked by the D-K regression and bootstrap panel quantile regression for empirical analysis. The results reveal that climate finance improves the trajectory of long-term ecological sustainability by significantly lowering the ecological footprint (EF). FinTech has a strong positive effect on ecological performance by decreasing the EF. Furthermore, the combined influence of CF∗FinTech has significantly boosted ecological sustainability by diminishing the EF. Institutional quality substantially enhances ecological sustainability by reducing the EF. Similarly, the interaction term CF∗IQ improves ecological performance by lowering the EF. The outcomes have significant implications for sustainable development policy, influencing the transition to low-carbon economies and meeting net-zero emissions within this decade, contributing to improved ecological sustainability.

The Impact of Job Satisfaction and Performance on User Satisfaction with Banking Services

This study examines the relationships between customer service quality, employee job satisfaction, job performance, and user satisfaction in the banking industry, with a focus on Maybank. The objective is to determine how employee satisfaction and performance impact user satisfaction and customer service experience. A survey was conducted among 200 Malaysian banking customers, and responses were analyzed using regression analysis to test six hypotheses. The results confirm that customer service experience, employee job satisfaction, and job performance all significantly influence user satisfaction. Specifically, customer service experience (β = 0.291, p < 0.01) and employee job satisfaction (β = 0.322, p < 0.001) show strong positive effects on user satisfaction, while employee job performance (β = 0.200, p < 0.05) also contributes positively. Additionally, employee job satisfaction significantly enhances both job performance (β = 0.732, p < 0.01) and customer service experience (β = 0.340, p < 0.01). Employee performance is a key factor in delivering superior customer experiences (β = 0.534, p < 0.001). The study concludes that improving employee satisfaction is crucial for boosting job performance and customer service, which in turn elevates user satisfaction

Influence of body size and environmental conditions on parasite assemblages of the black-spotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) in northern Australia.

The functioning and richness of marine systems (and biological interactions such as parasitism) are continuously influenced by a changing environment. Using hierarchical modelling of species communities (HMSC), the presence and abundance of multiple parasite species of the black-spotted croaker, Protonibea diacanthus (Sciaenidae), was modelled against environmental measures reflecting seasonal change. Protonibea diacanthus were collected in three seasons across 2019–2021 from four locations within the waters of the Northern Territory, Australia. The length of P. diacanthus proved to have a strong positive effect on the abundance of parasite taxa and overall parasitic assemblage of the sciaenid host. This finding introduces potential implications for parasitism in the future as fish body size responds to fishing pressure and climate changes. Of the various environmental factors measured during the tropical seasons of northern Australia, water temperature and salinity changes were shown as potential causal factors for the variance in parasite presence and abundance, with changes most influential on external parasitic organisms. As environmental factors like ocean temperature and salinity directly affect parasite–host relationships, this study suggests that parasite assemblages and the ecological functions that they perform are likely to change considerably over the coming decades in response to climate change and its proceeding effects.

Global warming impacts of carbon dioxide, methane, and albedo in an island forest nature reserve

Abstract Forest ecosystems influence climate by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and by altering the surface energy balance. However, the combined global warming impacts (GWIs), contribution from carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, methane (CH4) fluxes, and albedo changes (Δα) remain poorly understood. Here, we reported the combined GWIs of CO2, CH4, and albedo with eddy covariance (EC) measurements during 2020–2022 in a subtropical island forest located in the Nanji Islands National Marine Protected Area in Southern China. We suggested that the island forest acted as a significant carbon sink, with annual CO2 and CH4 fluxes of −548.6 ± 11.1 and −5.67 ± 1.1 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively, while the daily albedo varied within the range of 0.03–0.15. By converting the radiative forcing induced by CH4 and albedo change in the forest to CO2 equivalents, we analyzed the three contributors to the combined GWI. The annual averages GWI of CO2 uptake, CH4 uptake, and Δα were −2 011.6 ± 40.6, -211.3 ± 1.1, and 0.03 ± 4.5 g CO2-eq m−2 yr−1, respectively, with a mean combined GWI of −2 223 ± 40.8 g CO2-eq m−2 yr−1. During 2020–2022, the contributions of CO2 uptake, CH4 uptake, and Δα to the combined GWI were 89.7% to 91.4%, 9.4% to 9.6% and -1.0 to 0.9%, respectively. Nanji island forest had a strong positive effect on climate change mitigation, with CO2 and CH4 uptake greatly enhancing its cooling benefits. Using Pearson correlation and path analysis, we found photosynthetically active radiation, precipitation, soil water content were the primary factors controlling the GWI dynamics, mainly driving the changes in CO2 fluxes. This study provided novel insights into the establishment of the overall evaluation framework for ecosystem-scale GWIs of CO2 and CH4 fluxes, and albedo based on long-term EC measurements in an island forest.

Analyzing the influence of organizational culture and top management orientation on the relationship between e-procurement and firms’ performance: a contingency factors perspective

This study emphasizes the significance of organizational culture and top management orientation in influencing the success of e-procurement, supply chain sustainability, and firm performance. The study exclusively utilized a quantitative research approach in formulating the framework for the study. convenience sampling was adopted during visits to selected organizations, where a total of 400 questionnaires were administered to available procurement staff. The final sample size for the study was determined by the 385 respondents who completed the questionnaire during the researcher's visit. The findings of the study indicate that electronic procurement has a positive and significant influence on firm performance. Electronic procurement has a significant positive effect on organizational culture. Organizational culture has a significant positive effect on firms’ performance. Organizational culture is a statistically significant mediates the relationship between electronic procurement and firms’ performance, with a moderately strong positive effect. Top management orientation positively and significantly moderates the relationship between organizational culture and firm performance. The interaction between contingency factors and organizational culture does not significantly impact firm performance. It underscores the need for organizations to align their culture and leadership style with the requirements of e-procurement implementation

Effects of virtual try-on technology as an innovative e-commerce tool on consumers' online purchase intentions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of using augmented reality (AR) in the form of virtual try-on technology in consumers' purchase decision-making process.Design/methodology/approachThe study, executed in a beauty industry context, uses the value-based adoption model (VAM). Data were collected by means of a survey carried out on 238 Tunisian women. Subjects performed an experimental task using the virtual try-on (VTO) application in the L’Oréal website. Web-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data, which was processed using an exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings shows that perceived value is positively related to purchase intentions and it was affected by both perceived benefits and perceived costs. In particular, perceived benefit (perceived usefulness) was found to have a strong positive effect on perceived value. Moreover, it turns out that perceived enjoyment does not have a significant effect on the perceived value. In terms of perceived costs, perceived intrusiveness was found to limit perceived value. The results also show a significant relationship between AR characteristics and perceived benefits. For personal traits, personal innovativeness is found positively influencing perceived usefulness, but it shows no significant effect on perceived enjoyment.Practical implicationsCompanies should highlight the benefits for consumers (interactivity, informativeness and usefulness) and attempt to reduce the costs (intrusiveness) related to the use of VTO AR technology, which can play a substantial role in determining the perceived value and purchase intentions.Originality/valueThe existent literature, which examines the AR in e-tailing, shows weak acknowledgment of theories related to consumer barriers to AR adoption in e-tailing, they overlook the role of consumer psychology and individual differences in AR acceptance. Thus, this study contributes to the literature by enhancing the understanding of the roles that AR based VTO technology plays in determining consumers’ online purchase intentions by extending the application of perceived value theory and taking into account its characteristics and personal traits that play a role in weakening or strengthening the customer's benefits and cost perceptions.

Institutional Anomie Theory and Country-Level Public Corruption

Public-sector corruption siphons trillions of dollars from the global economy and contributes to social instability. Institutional Anomie Theory, with its focus on the links between social institutions, individualistic and achievement-oriented cultural norms, and crime, offers a possible framework for understanding corruption. This possibility is contrasted with research indicating that individualistic values and free markets reduce corruption. Using twenty years of data from 83 countries, this study finds institutional imbalance toward the economy is associated with higher levels of corruption. The lowest levels of corruption are found in highly individualistic countries, though institutional imbalance had a strong positive effect on corruption in such countries. Conversely, corruption is high in collectivistic countries regardless of institutional imbalance. Findings underscore the importance of institutional and cultural configurations, and their interplay, for corruption. We discuss the implications of our study for Institutional Anomie Theory and directions for future research.

Designing Stress-Relieving Small Inner-City Park Environments for Teenagers

All over the world, teenagers suffer from stress-related mental illness, and research shows that being in natural environments can bring about recovery. However, centrally located areas in cities where teenagers like to hang out are being densified at the expense of green spaces. The health-promoting function of small, centrally located parks is thus becoming increasingly important. This study examines Iranian teenagers’ assessment of the restorative potential of small, centrally located parks. Such parks include attributes typical of city centers, such as trees, lighting, park benches and flowers. A discrete sampling method was used to collect responses from a sample of 265 Iranian teenagers. They were asked to randomly rate the perceived recovery potential of digitally designed models of green spaces. The results show that the teenagers evaluated the presence of water in waterbeds to have a strong positive effect on recovery possibilities. The entire green area should also be screened off from the rest of the city and convey a soft impression. It should have lighting from tall lampposts, contain plant beds and, not least, have distinctive cultural attributes such as crescent arches and fountains. In the discussion of the article, we address the practical and theoretical implications of the findings.

Targeted monetary policy, dual rates, and bank risk-taking

We assess whether dual interest rates – central bank funding at rates below the interest rates on reserves – influence the size and composition of bank credit. We measure exposure to the policy using daily reactions of bank funding costs to the announcement of the recalibration of the ECB’s TLTROs in April 2020. We then use the Euro area credit register to follow the evolution of bank lending conditions and risk-taking. We find that the measure had a strong positive effect on bank credit and, in contrast to a standard rate cut, was not accompanied by an increase in risk-taking.

The Effects of Green Practices on Economic Growth in Pakistan

Green practices play a key role in boosting the economic growth of a country. With the growing awareness and concern about environmental sustainability, the need of shifting towards a low-carbon economy and adoption of green practices has gained significant attention. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of various green practices on economic growth in Pakistan. For this purpose, green banking, renewable energy, and foreign direct investment have been taken as the independent variables while economic growth has been taken as the dependent variable in this study. A mixed yet predominantly positive relationship between the variables was revealed by a comprehensive review of existing literature. This study is based on a quantitative research method along with a deductive approach that is supported by hypotheses that are tested with the help of the data gathered. Forty- two listed commercial banks in Pakistan that are subject to State Bank of Pakistan regulation make up the population. It also includes five percent of the energy mix which is consumed within Pakistan and is considered renewable energy and the data was gathered from the official website of NEPRA. The sampling data for foreign direct investment is gathered from the official site of the World Bank from the year 1999 to 2022. The sampling technique that is used in this study to collect data is convenience sampling. The number of samples taken for each variable was twenty-three and the software used to analyze data was Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The green banking has a strong positive effect on economic growth meanwhile; the renewable energy and foreign direct investment both have a direct but an insignificant effect on economic growth in Pakistan. Finally, this study could be beneficial for future researchers in the aspect to focusing on green practices and their implementation.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Professional Development Programs, School Committee Participation, and Government Support on Teacher Performance in East Java

This study examines the influence of government support, professional development programs, and school committee participation on teacher performance in East Java, Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 230 teachers and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results reveal that government support has the strongest positive effect on teacher performance, followed by professional development programs and school committee participation. Together, these factors explain 57.7% of the variance in teacher performance. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive strategies to improve teacher performance, emphasizing the need for strong government policies, continuous professional development, and active community involvement. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educational leaders seeking to enhance the quality of education through improved teacher performance.

The role of wise leadership in enhancing the dimensions of the smart organization: An analytical study of the opinions of a sample of employees at Tikrit University

The study aimed to clarify the concepts of the dimensions of the smart organization and the degree of their availability, study the role of this leadership at the University of Tikrit, and determine the impact of wise leadership in achieving the dimensions of the smart organization. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to A sample consisting of (280) administrators at the University of Tikrit. The descriptive analytical method was also adopted in Study, based on analysis. The study reached the following results: There is a type of strong, positive correlation and direct impact of wise leadership in enhancing the dimensions of the smart organization at the University of Tikrit. There is a strong correlation and positive impact of digital management in enhancing the performance of the smart organization Yes, there is a kind of strong correlation and significant positive effect of leadership skills on the dimensions of the organization. There is a strong direct correlation and a direct impact of wisdom in dealing with enhancing the dimensions of the smart organization. There is a kind of strong correlation and a direct impact of the ability to influence the dimensions of the smart organization. There is a strong correlation and impact of the strategic vision In the dimensions of the smart organization.

Impact of Leverage, Market Share, and Dividend Policy on Firm Value in the Technology Sector

This study investigates the effects of financial leverage, market share, and dividend policy on firm value within the global technology sector. Using data from 120 publicly listed technology companies over the period from 2010 to 2022, a multiple regression analysis is employed to examine how these independent variables influence firm value, as measured by market capitalization. The findings show that financial leverage negatively impacts firm value, as higher debt levels increase financial risk and reduce investor confidence. Market share demonstrates a strong positive effect, with companies holding larger market shares benefiting from economies of scale and competitive advantages, leading to higher valuations. Moreover, dividend policy is found to play a significant role in influencing firm value. Firms with stable and attractive dividend payouts are generally viewed more favorably by investors, which boosts market capitalization. The results suggest that while expanding market share contributes positively to firm value, excessive debt can undermine this advantage. Additionally, maintaining a consistent and attractive dividend policy can further enhance firm value by signaling financial health and stability to investors. This study provides critical insights for technology sector managers and investors, emphasizing the importance of balancing financial strategies, market positioning, and dividend distribution to maximize firm value.

Deciphering soil environmental regulation on reassembly of the soil bacterial community during wetland restoration

Soil bacteria are vital to regulate biogeochemical processes in wetlands, however, little is known about the patterns and mechanisms of soil bacterial re-organization during wetland restoration. Here, we used a space-for-time substitution approach and examined the ecological processes that drive soil bacterial assembly from cultivated to restored to natural wetlands. Results showed a decrease of soil bacterial α diversity and increase of bacterial community similarity and bacterial interaction (cooperation vs. competition) with years of restoration, which was dominantly influenced by deterministic processes. Identified bacterial keystone taxa (e.g. Variibacter, Acidibacter) with nutrient metabolism capacity exerted strong positive effect on bacterial interaction. Furthermore, changes of soil water condition and nutrient status showed dominantly direct positive effects on soil bacterial reassembly, while falling soil pH significantly promoted bacterial reassembly by increasing keystone taxa and bacterial interaction during wetland restoration. Overall, findings highlighted the crucial role of environmental filtering and its pathway in influencing keystone bacterial taxa that promotes the reassembly of bacterial community during wetland restoration. Our work thus provides a new crucial and timely insight for improving the management of soil bacterial community assembly within the plethora of current and future wetland restoration projects.

Determining the Relationships between Newly Established Logistics Enterprises in Turkey Based on Foreign Trade Volume and Legal Status

The purpose of this study is to determine how newly established logistics businesses (NELB) in Turkey affect foreign trade volume. Additionally, it aims to identify the relationships between NELB and businesses based on their legal status. The data used in this research, covering the years 2013-2021, were gathered from the open-access sites of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software was used to analyze the data. The Pearson Correlation analysis method was chosen to evaluate the relationships between variables. According to the analysis results, NELB has a strong positive effect on Turkey's foreign trade volume (Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.03 and Pearson Correlation = 0.857**). Additionally, there is a strong positive relationship between NELB and businesses categorized as "real person" (Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.01 and Pearson Correlation = 0.887**) and "limited company" (Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.016 and Pearson Correlation = 0.767**), based on their legal status. However, no relationship was found between businesses with legal statuses such as ordinary partnership, joint-stock company, cooperative, and other types.

Prediction of Dielectric Constant in Series of Polymers by Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR)

This work is devoted to the investigation of dielectric permittivity which is influenced by electronic, ionic, and dipolar polarization mechanisms, contributing to the material’s capacity to store electrical energy. In this study, an extended dataset of 86 polymers was analyzed, and two quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) models were developed to predict dielectric permittivity. From an initial set of 1273 descriptors, the most relevant ones were selected using a genetic algorithm, and machine learning models were built using the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR). In contrast to Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)- and Partial Least Squares (PLS)-based models, the gradient boosting models excel in handling nonlinear relationships and multicollinearity, iteratively optimizing decision trees to improve accuracy without overfitting. The developed GBR models showed high R2 coefficients of 0.938 and 0.822, for the training and test sets, respectively. An Accumulated Local Effect (ALE) technique was applied to assess the relationship between the selected descriptors—eight for the GB_A model and six for the GB_B model, and their impact on target property. ALE analysis revealed that descriptors such as TDB09m had a strong positive effect on permittivity, while MLOGP2 showed a negative effect. These results highlight the effectiveness of the GBR approach in predicting the dielectric properties of polymers, offering improved accuracy and interpretability.

Computational Modeling of the Coffee Consumer Experience and Its Impact on the Sustainability of the Regional Industry in Peru

This study addresses the significant social value of understanding consumer experiences in the coffee market, which is crucial for enhancing local economic sustainability and consumer satisfaction in the cities of Piura, Trujillo, and Chiclayo in Peru. The objective of this research was to evaluate the coffee consumption experience of 1190 consumers using structural equation modeling. Methodologically, a detailed survey was employed to capture various dimensions of consumer experience. The results revealed a strong positive effect of perceived quality on hedonic value (β = 0.776; p < 0.001), underscoring the importance of high sensory standards. Brand experiences significantly influenced quality beliefs (β = 0.399; p < 0.001) and perceived utility (β = 0.733; p < 0.001), though there was no direct connection with hedonic valuation, indicating the need for further analysis. The findings highlighted that hedonic value, associated with emotional satisfaction, predominates over utilitarian value in driving brand loyalty (β = 0.908 vs. β = 0.076; p < 0.001). This provides strategic insights into incorporating symbolic and experiential benefits in marketing. In conclusion, the study offers quantitative evidence on shaping consumer experiences in the coffee market by focusing on sensory quality and affective brand identity.